Some people may find the Old Testament of the Bible to be hard to read, either because of the literary style or because it's not as obvious in it's teaching as the New Testament, therefore, study of it is more required to completely understand it.  However there is great significance to the Old Testament.  Repeatedly in the New Testament, authors quote the Old Testament, and things that the Old Testament prophets speak about in prophecy, come to pass in the New Testament.  Why is this revelant now, aren't we in Revelation?  Yes, we are!  But I just want to point out that the result of each of the four angels blowing their trumpets here in this chapter, are a reproduction of the plagues that happen in the book of Exodus to the Egyptians.

        The first trumpet sounded and hail and fire, mixed with blood was thrown from the heavenly altar on to the earth, destroying a third of the earth and also destroying all the trees and all the green grass. This devastation is a reproduction of the seventh plague on Egypt in Exodus 9:24~ There was hail and fire flashing continually in the midst of the hail, very heavy hail, such as had never been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.

        The second trumpet sounded and "something like a mountain burning on fire, was thrown in to the sea" and a third of the sea became blood, killing a third of the sea life and destroying a third of the ships on the sea.  This catastophe is a reproduction of the first plague in Egypt found in Exodus 7:20-21~ Moses and Aaron did as the Lord commanded.  In the sight of Pharaoh and in the sight of his servants he lifted up the staff and struck the water in the Nile, and all the water in the Nile turned to blood. 

        The third trumpet sounded and a star blazing with fire, and fell upon a third of the rivers and springs of water.  The star had an unusual name: Wormwood.  Wormwood is the name of a plant with a bitter-tasting extract.  Because of this bitterness that the star gave to the waters, it made the water undrinkable, just like the water in Exodus 7:21~ And the fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink the water from the Nile.  There was blood throughout all the land of Egypt.

        The fourth trumpet sounded and a third of the sun, moon and stars became obscured, so that a third of the light, whether day or night was affected.  This resembles the ninth plague in Exodus, when there was darkness on Egypt.  Exodus 10:21-23~ Then the Lord said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness to be felt."  So Moses stretched otu his hand toward heaven, and there was pitch darkness in all the land of Egypt three days.  They did not see one another, nor did anyone reise from his place for three days, but all the people of Israel had light where they lived.

        I hope you find this as fascinating as I do.  The more you study Scripture (and have a good teacher of the Bible) the more you see umpteen parallels between the Old Testament, the New Testament and how stories of the Bible relate and point to Jesus.  This chapter ends with a talking eagle that says, "Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!" Do you know what the word "woe" means?  Until today, I thought it mean't "be aware"...but I was wrong!  It means suffering or agony.  The eagle doesn't only say "woe" once to warn the people on earth that the stronger suffering and agony is yet to come- but he says it 3 times!  That should signify the severity of the coming wrath!  

        We have been given a revelation of the things to come at the end of this age.  Don't just read this and say, wow that's a neat dream!  But rather use it as a warning- love Jesus and repent of your sins, so that in the end times, we can have complete confidence and fully trust the will of our Father.


~Leanne~

 "Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,and he will guide them to springs of living water,and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." This passage deals with people once they are in heaven, but I would like to apply it to our lives today.  Are you ready?  

        First off, it says, "Therefore they are before the throne of God".  Do you worship God on His throne or are you trying to steal His seat?  Many of try and try and try to reign our own lives.  Hence the reason so many people do not want to surrender their lives to Jesus- because that means they have to choose to get off the throne they made for themselves or stop trying to kick God off His, and allow Him to have complete control over their lives.  Reality is though, God still reigns and has complete control over their lives and His throne is much bigger and more magnificant that theirs!  Who typically sits on a throne?  ...what? I can't hear you... A king?  YES, A KING!  God is a King! If you were to try and march into a castle and tell a king to get off his throne so that you can sit down and reign, what do you think he would do to you?  An earthly king would probably have you imprisoned if not killed for your actions!  However, our God who is the Ultimate King and reigns over all the earthly kings- has grace.  And that grace is sufficient- for you, and for me.  See, even as a Christian, we get into a pathetic routine of trying to lead our life, only to find out it doesn't work- then we surrender and let God take control again.  That is a part of walking with Jesus, daily surrender, daily repentance.  We forget who God is sometimes I think.  HE'S GOD!! And yet we, these little pathetic humans who don't know what's going to happen tomorrow- think we can do a better job of dictating our life!?  What is our problem? We need to wake up- and give over ALL of our life- including all our decisions, all of our hopes, all of our dreams, all of our family, all of our relationships... sounds exhausting?  The great thing about it, is it's FREEING!  Once we give over the reigns to the One who should have them, to the One who created us and to the One who wants the best for us- life is simpler!  We no longer are heavy laden.  We no longer pang ourselves with stress, because we trust that God is good all the time.  We let things go and let God be Him.  More blessings come- ones we would have never thought or imagined.  He protects us from the sun striking us- He is our shelter. I'm not saying, at all, that this life is easy-  because our flesh is challenged daily to take up the cross or build another throne for ourselves.  But with obedience and by His grace, He fills us with a gratifying and satisfying fullness of Him that allows us to see that we shouldn't sit on a throne, but be before the throne of God.  When challenges come our way, we know that God will do what He pleases, and yet we have complete peace it's for the best. Our King doesn't make mistakes and we can trust all that He does.  We have complete joy in Him because He is who He says He is and that- my friend, is perfect.


~Leanne~

I am going to share with you some interpretation that the ESV Study Bible by Crossway Books shares in the footnotes.  You wonder what the color of the horse has anything to do with the seals?  First off I would like to explain that there are different interpretations of this book.  Without going into detail of any of them,  I want to say, that I'm not sure where I even stand in it all.  To be honest I think, one day we will see how these "events" play out, and as long as I'm on the right team, I trust that God has everything under His control and whatever happens will be just.   So, the horses. The first horse that is mentioned is white.  Some scholars think this color is to signify Christ, some think the Antichrist and yet others, political and military leaders.  If it is a picture of political and military leaders, they have been destabilized in their quest to expand their realms leading to war. The second horse is red, signifying blood.  The rider on this horse has been given permission to take peace from the earth through bloodshed. The third horse is black signifying famine.  The rider carries scales for measuring grain and their prices.  Prices of food will increase greatly and there will be great famine.  The fourth and final horse is pale in color.  The greek describes this color as "pale green" being either yellowish-green or grayish-green.  Either way, both are similar to that of a corpse.  The authority has been given to this rider to kill a quarter of the earth most likely with an epidemic disease. 

Read verses 9-17 again.  I think the text explains itself perfectly:

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.  They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"  Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the starts of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.  The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.  Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everone, slave and free, hid themselves in the cabes and among the rocks of the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?"

        Kind of crazy, eh?  I don't understand all of this, as much of you don't- but whether this is completely literal or whether it is metamorphical, God wants us to know, through this revelation of John's, that His wrath will be poured out on those who don't love and follow Him.  Reading this again, I am so glad that God calls me His own!  Regardless of which interpretation you agree with (Historicism, Futurism, Preterism or Idealism) or whether you believe in the Millenial views, Postmillenial views or the Amillennialism views- God is just.  So if you have obeyed Him and His word, then you will have favor in his eyes.   If you haven't heard or familiarized yourself with the 4 "isms" and 3 "millenials" you can research them on your own.  They are outlined in the ESV Study Bible.  Although it's fascinating to know all the different opinions and views, we won't know for sure which is true until the end of the age.  So for me, I would like to be in the know, but not stress over which is true and which is false.  I would however, make sure you are in right standing with the Almighty- who; the four creatures, the four horses, the seven seals, the scroll, the sky and the earthquake all will listen to whenever the big day comes. 


~Leanne~

We are told about a scroll- that has writing in and on the back of it that is sealed with seven seals.  The question that a strong angel with a loud voice asked was this:  "Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?"  This text doesn't elaborate on the scroll- what it is, what's written in it, or what it's for.  But we do know one thing.  Nobody mentioned so far- not the elders, or four creatures with six wings and eyes all over the place, not even the One who sits on the throne- can break the seals on this scroll.  But then we are told of the "Lion of the tribe of Judah", the "Root of David" has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.  Then we are introduced to the "Lamb" that had been slain, now standing.  This Lamb- Jesus- took the scroll from God who was seated on the throne.  HE is the one who can open the scroll and break its seals.  I love that this text also mentions that the elders sang "a new song".  Why do you suppose it was a new one?  Because prior to Jesus dying on the cross and resurrecting into heaven- before He sat at the right hand of the Father with the authority and power over all things- the elders and all heavenly things worshipped God.  But now that Jesus had been given all authority from God the Father, they give honor and praise to Jesus.   As of right now, we don't know what's written on that scroll.  However, if Jesus has that much authority and power that only _He _can open it?  I want to make sure I am on His good side!  I have such a vivid picture in my mind, including all the eyes and wings and harps and crowns- and it is beautiful.  Jesus stood as a Lamb who was slain and all the heavenlies worshipped Him.  If all in heaven worship Him, don't you think it would be a good idea to follow in their example?

"Worthy are you to take the scroll

and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you 

ransomed people for God

from every tribe and language and

people and nation,

and you have made thema kingdom and 

priests to our God,

and they shall reign on the earth."

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom

and might and honor and glory and blessing!"

~Leanne~

Well I could entertain you with my thoughts on the four creatures that had many eyes on the back and front of them and had six wings- but, well- I think we better stick with what we DO know :)   

        What amazes me about this chapter is not just how out-of-this-world the descriptions in the text are, but how we see the glory of God!  I'm sure it's details painted a lovely (or fearful) illustration in your mind.  What fascinates me is the worship of God.  Whatever these four creatures are exactly, I'm not sure.  However, they worship Him- and that's all I really need to know.  Verse 8 says, "...and day and night they never cease to say..."  Can you imagine- every minute of every hour of every day of every week they proclaim, "Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!"   Now in heaven, I'm not sure how time works.  I highly doubt there is a single clock there, so as far as minutes, hours, days and weeks?  Probably not.  But to understand that these creatures never stop praising God!  Not only that- it says that whenever (which is always) the living creatures give Him glory and honor and thanks, the twenty-four elders fall down before God and worship Him too!  They throw off the crowns they are wearing (which I think is symbolic for reverance and submission) and praise Him by saying, "Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."  Does that shake you like it does me?  God created all things! God was the reason all things were created!  And because of Him they exist!  Let's get personal.  You were created by God and for God.  And the only reason you exist is because of God.  

If that doesn't humble you completely.


~Leanne~

The Church in Sardis had a reputation of being spiritually alive, but in reality they were dead.  Do you know people like that?  You would really have to know them well in order to know the reality of their spiritual well being.  They are people who wear the "I'm doing good" mask.  They participate in church events- possilbly even lead them, yet they are struggling in their relationship with Jesus.  Nobody that sees them would ever question their walk with God.  In fact, some people may see their energy and "holiness" and envy their passion for the Lord.  The problem is, they ache deeply for Jesus.  They may have lost their deep trust in Him, maybe they feel He is far away.  Maybe they did something that they haven't told anyone about, and the evil one has got a foothold on their life.  Maybe their pride has created a wall between them and Christ.    But they wear a mask so that they don't burden others with their emptiness.  They wear a mask so they don't have to deal with the problem.  They wear a mask because they don't know anything else.  They've worn it so long- that's all they know.  Is the person you know to be like this...yourself?  Do any of these sentences resonate deep in your soul? Jesus says, "Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God.  Remember, then, what you received and heard.  Keep it, and repent. "

        Jesus told the Church of Philadelphia that He had set before them an open door, which no one is able to shut.   Has He opened a door for you?  Isn't it awesome that when God opens a door, no one can close it? Or if He closes a door, no one can open it?   I think we, in our humanness open and close doors that God never intended to be opened or closed.  We think we need to go down a certain path, so instead of waiting for God to open the right door- or close one- we go ahead and open a wrong one.  We go down that path a while, until we realize that we went through the wrong door.  Maybe it took God closing that door that made us realize we weren't following Him, but rather leading ourselves.  I also believe that when God opens a door- we will know it's been opened by Him.  I think part of our problem as humans is we aren't patient.  We seek the Lord.... then we take a step ourselves.  Instead, we should seek the Lord... seek the Lord... seek the Lord... (waiting patiently of course), listen, then take the step, often of faith.  God is not a confusing God.  When we are confused I think it's because we are following the thoughts of our mind that are wrestling with the spirit of our soul.  But when we see that the door is opened by God, we know He opened it, and through faith, we walk through it.  It goes the other way too- when a door is closed when we thought we were going the right way- we have peace because we know God closed it, and that He will open a different door.  I have been experiencing this lately!  With full time ministry in our family's future, excitement is hard to keep at bay.  With my character, I just want to keep opening doors and walking through them, hoping that God will join me!  Totally NOT the way to go.  I would be prolonging God's plan and may even be steering us in the wrong direction!  It's so hard to be patient sometimes isn't it?  I know God has a plan. I know God has the perfect time to take us through His door.  I just need to seek Him....seek Him....seek Him....(waiting patiently of course), listen, then take the step!

            Aahhh... the lukewarm Christian.  I think a majority of us have all been lukewarm.  The people of the Church in Laodicea were, "Neither cold nor hot."  And because they were lukewarm Jesus said, "I will spit you out of my mouth."  I don't know about you, but that doesn't sound like a lovely experience.   Jesus goes on to say, "For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that  you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked."  What does that mean- I thought they said they were rich?!  They may have had material wealth- but thought because they could provide for themselves all the 'things' they needed, that they didn't need Jesus as their Savior.   Money was their savior- at least until it was gone or they died.  Then what?   They were spiritually poor, blinded by the worlds' teaching to fend for yourself.   Do you have the same attitude?  I have what I need, why do I need Christ?  You may have what the world says you need- but when you die, those things die with you.  When you are judged at Judgment Day (and all will be judged), God won't say to you- "Oh- look at all you have!  You earned your way here and yes- you can also buy your way into Heaven with the money you brought with you!"  Instead He is going to say, "You worshipped money rather than me.  You cannot buy a ticket in- your neighbor who had no material wealth, but worshipped me, will walk on streets of gold."  Again, as I have shared many, many times, having money is not a sin- God provides incomes and wisdom to save and spend wisely.  But He abhors the one who worships money and thinks they don't need Him because of their earthly prosper.  

Matthew 6:19-21 & 24

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal.  For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money.

     May you, "Buy from Jesus gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen and salve to annoint your eyes, so that you may see." 

        Are you dead?  Are you waiting for a door to open?  Are you lukewarm?  Are you worshipping money?  Repent, for the time is near- when Jesus returns or you die your earthly death.  Life on earth is short- life in heaven or hell is eternal.  When Jesus knocks at your door and calls out to you, let Him in- don't ignore Him.  Your deadness will turn to life.  Your lukewarm heart will become on fire for Jesus.  He will open and close doors that lead to His divine purpose for your life, and your worship will be directed at Him.  Amen.


~Leanne~

Do you feel stagnant in your love for Jesus?  Do you see new people come to know Jesus and yearn after their passion and excitement?  Often times, when you are in love with Jesus you get excited about serving and doing the works of God.  The Church in Ephesus struggled with their excitement and love for Jesus and the people of the church.  Jesus told them to repent and get doing the works they did at first.  I really believe that through our works and service, comes the excitement.  When a body of believers come together and serve, love for eachother strengthens.  I have personally experienced this just this past week.  There was VBS (Vacation Bible School) at our church, and although our kids are too young to participate, we were encouraged to go to the adult Bible Study.  We weren't even in a volunteer position, but to be with our brothers and sisters in Christ for 4 out 5 days, a new love was born for our church.  It was awesome.  We couldn't get enough!  We left filled with love for our church and more love for Jesus. 

        Are you struggling financially?  If you follow Jesus and love Him with all you are, you are spiritually rich!  Money will pass away with the rest of the world, but your roots in Jesus will bring eternal reward.  Jesus knew what the Church of Smyrna was about to face and He said "Do not fear".  Christ challenged them to stay faithful to Him until the end.  What trial or suffering are you going through right now?  Christ says to you, "Fear not! Be faithful unto death."  Jesus wants you to trust in Him despite your circumstances.   It can be hard not to question God's control and faithfulness when you face difficulty.  I have not personally faced such a challenge that I have questioned God's faithfulness, and I hope that I never do.  I not only hope that I am never in a situation that difficult but I also hope that I would never doubt who God is based on my circumstances. 

        The Church in Pergamum still followed some teachings of Balaam.  Balaam was a prophet that advised Moab's king to seduce the Israelites who were passing through into sexual and spiritual adultery.  Obviously, submitting to some of Balaam's teaching contradicts the Word of God, therefore, Christ told them to repent.  Are you aware of things your friends struggle with?  Do you choose to avoid these things around them in order that they stay pure and uphold their righteousness (as well as yours) before God?  I remember a few times when our small group at a church unmentioned, would serve wine and beer at our Bible study times together.  At the time, I was trying my hardest to quit drinking alcohol because I was enslaved to it deeply.  I struggled time and time again to quit.  My friends who knew me then, can attest to how difficult it was for me to give it up completely.  Anyway, I asked a few times that people would not have alcohol there for the sake of my purity.  At the time, it didn't seem to matter to them.  I had to ask a few times before they respected my wishes.  These were supposed to be my brothers and sisters in Christ, yet they didn't take seriously the result of disobedience or respect my wishes to avoid temptation.  My honest opinion was that maybe others' had the same enslavement I did, and didn't want to admit or face it at the time.          It is so important to not place stumbling blocks in front your spiritual family- and maybe that means avoiding it at all costs.  Could you imagine if you were an accomplice in someone's spiritual death?  I personally, would not want to live with that.  Jesus says, "Repent".

        Again, a similar example in the Church in Thyatira.  There was a woman who created stumbling blocks to people who want to follow Jesus.  Except in this chapter Christ says that he "gave her time to repent" and since she refused to repent, she was given over to her sin, and not only that, but Christ said, "I will strike her children dead."  Christ "searches mind and heart".  What does He find in yours? If you are not willing to repent of your sin and you call yourself a Christian, are you really?   Jezebel called herself a prophetess yet she was unwilling to stop her sexual sin.  Do you need me to remind you of what Christ said was her punishment for her unrepentance?  I am not saying that God will strike your children dead but I am saying that you will go to hell- and that is a far worse punishment! Jesus not only rebukes her but also the people who tolerate her acts of disobedience.

        Whether you have lost your love for Jesus and His church like the Church in Ephesus, need to be more aware of how you might be a stumbling block to your brothers and sisters in Christ like the Church in Pergamum or if you are tolerant of people like Jezebel like at the Church in Thyatira- the consistent command of Jesus is displayed throughout- REPENT.  If you are like the Church of Smyrna and fear suffering, Jesus calls you to stay faithful to Him until the end.


~Leanne!

Isn't that great news???  Well, it is to us who believe and follow Him as we live on earth.  For those who reject Him now, that will be a terrible day.  Those who don't believe in Him because they cannot physically see Him- will die to themselves.   Those who believe in Him even though they cannot physically see Him- will live eternally with Him!  I am so glad that Christ will come that all will see Him.  It is relief to me that I won't have to try and convince anyone that He has returned- there won't be anyone on the face of the earth that won't see Him.  He will reveal Himself to all!  There is power in His words, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last."  He was part of the Creation of the world, and He is the reason all things exist and are held together.  At the day of His return, it will be all about Him, and until that day it should all be about Him too.  Just because Jesus isn't reigning on the earth physically, He is reigning the earth from His throne in heaven.  Everything on this earth has been created to glorify and honor Him.  Yesterday I heard a girl say, "I want to give Him my all.  I'm all in."  It was a day after she decided to follow Jesus.  Many of us have been "Christians" for some time- but do we have the same attitude that we once did when we decided to follow Him? Can you say, "I want to give Him my all.  I'm all in"?  


~Leanne~

God's grace is overwhelming.  If you are a believer, remember the time you came to know Jesus.  You realized you were a sinner, and you were flooded with emotion at how much grace God has to cover over your sins and love you as much as He does regardless of what you've done to Him.  Isn't His grace amazing?  I hope though, that you don't take it for granted.  Jude talks about people who "pervert the grace of our God".  What does that mean exactly?  I think it means they think they have a free card to sin because God's grace will always cover them.  Is that the truth?  Will God's grace always come through to cover for your sins?  God loves you- whether you love Him or not.  He gives His gift of grace to those who choose to receive it.  By choosing to pervert his grace, you aren't really choosing to accept it but rather abuse it.  In Romans 6:1-2 says: "What shall we say then?  Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" God's grace is for those who choose to believe in Him, not for those who want a free pass to sin.  In Romans 1:24 says, "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity..."  They were people who wanted to defile God, by rejecting Him and violating God's commands.  God gave them up... God said, "Ok, even though you know who I am, you prefer to sin rather than worship me?  Since you want to live in violation of my commands, I leave you alone in your sin."         I am so grateful God didn't leave me to my sin.  I remember I would ask for forgiveness for a particular sin, then do it again the same day, then ask for forgiveness, then do it again the next day. It was a cycle.  Before I walked with the Lord, I wasn't ready to give up the sin in life to follow Him.  I am so grateful that God didn't give me up to the lusts in my heart.  Do you pervert God's grace the way I did?  Do you expect that you can go on living the way you want and that God in His grace, will forgive you?  That is not the way to live.  And although God's grace is available to you- it's not a free card to keep sinning.  When you accept God's grace, it comes with repentance and choosing to live in repentance day after day.  If you are the person who thinks you are safe in sin, I encourage you to read:

Romans 1:18-32 
and 
Romans 5:12-6:23

~Leanne~

 "Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church.  You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.  For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles.  Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth."  John is talking about what we now call "missionaries".  Gaius was teaching, building up and sending out people to travel and preach the gospel.  John suggests that support should follow these missionaries so that they can be in working relationship with them.  How can you join forces with the missionaries from your church?  Or are you someone that God wants to send out?  Missionaries leave the comforts of their home, often times- their home country/continent, the food they're accustomed to, temperatures they're accustomed to, the budget they're familiar with and even family members- for the sake of Jesus.  They are burdened with God calling them into cross-cultural ministry, and so they obey.   Some don't get back home- even to visit, for years.  They leave behind what's familiar, what's comfortable, what they love...for Who they love.  Instead of just sending them off with a "Blessing to ya", we should be joining them in financial, prayer and encouraging support.  What does this look like for you?  Are there missionaries that your church supports?  I would encourage you to ask God how He wants you to support the missionaries of your local body.  Is it financially?  Is it prayerfully? Or is it with encouraging emails/card/words? Find out how you can be a fellow worker!

        Together with 1 John 3:6, ("No one who abides in Him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen Him or known Him.") I think the following verse should be greatly considered by all:  (verse 11) "Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God." When the majority of people think of evil, they think of murder, rape, con artists, theives, etc. These are true.  But any sin or violation of God's Word is evil.  Things such as:   pride, sex before marriage, gossip, lying, idolatry, dishonoring authority, greed or adultery. If you commit violation of God's Word, but love Jesus and you repent, you are still seen as righteous.  However, if you continually, persistently sin against God without repentance, you are walking in sin.  The Bible says that if you continue in sin, you have not truly seen God.  I exhort you to test your faith in Jesus by this.  Some of you say you believe- or even love, Jesus.  I truly hope you do.  However, if you are continuing in sin, then God says you have not truly seen Him.  I think this is where much of the "Christians" are today.  Too many people say they believe but don't follow it up with their actions or their heart.  It's these people that give followers of Jesus a bad rep.  What's so great about Jesus in these peoples' lives that others would want a relationship with Jesus too?  His Word hasn't transformed them, His love hasn't been displayed, and His character hasn't been developed in them.  When these verses say 'that person hasn't seen or known God' I think it's referring to the people who like the idea of Jesus, but don't really know Jesus.  It's when you have a real relationship with Him that you realize your need for Him. Change happens.  Blessings are bountiful.  Mercy and grace are seen in abundance.  Love overflows.  I challenge you to be honest with yourself.  Do you obey God's Word?  Are you sickened at the sin in your life?  Are you searching for something to fill that 'emptiness'?  Do you understand why I am so satisfied in a relationship with Jesus?  Please email me if you have any questions regarding any of this.  I would love the opportunity to pray for you.


~Leanne~

   "Don't do it! Don't do it!  They are going to laugh at you!" "Are you kidding me? You actually think you are gonna be able to pull that off?? Do you remember the last time you tried something like this?  You don't really think you can do it, do you?" "You failed it once, you'll fail it again." "You reputation is on the line here... when you screw it up, you're gonna be a screw up."  "You're going to fail God, you know that right? You'll make such a mistake, He'll abandon you and never ask anything of you again."  Is this the same voice you have in your head when God asks you to step out in faith and do something for Him?  It might be sharing the gospel.  It might be to ask someone how you can pray for them.  It might mean taking the job.  It might mean breaking up with a boyfriend or girlfriend. It might mean opening your home up for a Bible study.  It might mean leading one.  It might mean joining or starting a ministry.  Whatever the thing is that God asks you to do, it seems that there is always a concerning voice speaking against it.  That, my friend, is not the voice of a Friend, but rather of an enemy.  An enemy who wants to thwart the plans of God.  And just like he challenged Eve in the garden of Eden about what God said, he will do the same to you.  Do you remember the story of Eve and her disobedience?  God commanded that one tree would not be eaten from, and if Adam or Eve ate from it, they would die.  Fast forward a bit, and here's Eve hangin' out in the garden, and a talking snake comes up to her and says, "Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?'"  Remember it now?  Satan twisted what God had commanded them.  God never said that they couldn't eat from any tree, but only from one tree could they not eat.  After Eve responded to the serpent, Satan also told her that God lied.
When God asks us to do something, often times Satan tries to challenge you on what you heard.  Did God actually say to start a Bible study?  Did God actually say to break up with that guy? Did God actually say to take that job?  Are you relating to this yet?  The second part of the voice is the, "They're going to laugh!" "You're gonna be a loser!" "You're going to fail!"  These are fear of man issues, and we all have them.   The problem here, is being more submissive to the one who laughs, calls you a loser, or judges you if it fails, then submitting to the One who called you to do it in the first place!  We have to remember who God is!  When we take a step of faith- it's just that, a step of faith.  It's not about what we're gonna do or can do for God, but what God is going to do in and through us!  When God asks us to take a step of faith, it often results in blessing.  

        As some of you know, God asked me to break off a relationship in college that meant a lot to me and was 7 years deep.  Definitely a step of faith- and it resulted in me meeting my husband Joey two weeks later.

        As most of you don't know, I have started a women's ministry in my town of Barronett.  It was a step of faith in that I was scared nobody would come, that it would fail and my leadership skills would be terrible.  My step of obedience has resulted in three meetings so far, with some dedicated and godly women with the Spirit of God noticeably present.  Again, it's not about me, and what I can do for God, but rather what He is going to do in and through me!

        Most of us struggle with fear of man.  What if I ask someone how I can pray for them, and they laugh at me? What are they going to think of me if this fails?  What are they going to think of me if I tell them I'm a Christian?   How about you change your thinking.  What if you do ask someone how you can pray for them and because of your faith and step of obedience, they ask about Jesus and you get to lead them to Him?  What if you're fear of failing man results in disobedience to God?  And because of your disobedience you become insecure and just like Adam and Eve did, you try to hide from God.  What if you don't tell them you're a Christian, and instead of standing firm in your faith- you become weak and submit to their sinful deeds.

        PEOPLE we should have much more fear in God than fear of man. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31) And whatever the purpose of God is, it will prevail- even if that means using someone else. 

         I don't know about you, but I want God to see me as a honorable vessel.  I want to see fruit in my life because of obedience and faith.   I want to care more about what God thinks of me than my friends, coworkers, boss or family.   My friends, coworkers, boss or family can't save me from death- only God can through Christ.  The person you fear is the one you serve the most. 

        Who do you fear? Whom do you serve?

~Leanne~
 

John rejoices greatly when he heard that some of the congregation's children were walking in the truth.  God commands us to train our children to know Him.  Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train your children in the way they should go, even when they are old they will not depart from it." Well, that sounds easy, doesn't it?  Except that it can be a lot harder than it sounds!  I am not in the parenting position yet to have a child choose to reject Jesus, but I hope I never see that day.  I think it is important that the men of the home step up as leaders and lead their family to love Jesus.  In Ephesians 5:22-33 it teaches in detail about the man's role in the home and his responsibility of the spiritual wellness of his wife. And in Ephesians 6:4 it says,   "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."  Do you think there is significance in this verse when it says "Fathers" and not "Parents" or "Mothers"?  God was very intentional when He wrote His commands.   Although God designed a family to be led by a father, there are families where there isn't a father present.  What about the single mom?  Or the wife with an unbelieving husband? There is good news- God can be their Father- and the best One they ever had!  God wants no one to perish, but all to come into a personal relationship with Him (2 Peter 3:9).  Therefore,  whether a father is present or not,  it's a parent's duty- whether father or mother or guardian to raise your children to know the Lord through teaching and by example.  God knows your situation.  Some of you, the reason there is no godly father figure or even a father present is because of sinful decisions on your part.  God wants to forgive you and bring you to Him.  With Him, you can raise your kids in His strength, with His guidance and His loving mercy.  You aren't on your own if you don't want to be.  For those women who are leading your family when you have a believing husband... stop.   That is probably the biggest change and also the biggest blessing to we made in our family.  It was when I stepped down from leading our family and encouraged my husband to.   It is better that your husband makes mistakes and learns to lead than you leading and not exercising how God designed your home to function.  God designed the man to be head of the household. (Ephesians 5:22-33) Although it was challenging and took some humility and work, our home is much more healthy since Joey took the lead.  Trust me- I did not want to step down, since naturally I take leadership and control.   But there has been a massive growth in our spiritual maturity, our marriage is stronger, there has been more wisdom in decisions made, and our bank account is not so empty!  If you read that and feel a tug, but are annoyed that I would even mention such a thing, please take time and talk to the Father about it.  I know exactly the opposing thoughts you have on the matter, but I share this to reveal truth to you as well as blessings.  For some of you without a father figure yourself, it's hard to love God because you associate your earthly fathers' character to that of God's.  Your Father, who is waiting to be your Daddy loves you so much and yearns for a close relationship with you.  He understands your past and your view of "fathers", but He wants to show you what love from a Father really looks like.  Let Him.


~Leanne~

There is some pretty hard truth in this chapter, for those who do not call Jesus their Lord and Savior.  For my brothers and sisters in Christ, there is some great news in it.   Verse 11 and 12 say this, "And this is the testimony that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."  Some of you still may ask, how do you "have the Son of God"?  My answer is this:  If you believe in Jesus and made Him the Lord of your life, He abides in you, therefore, you have Him.  This verse is very significant yet simple.  If you repent, believe and wholeheartedly follow Jesus, you will have eternal life with Him in heaven.  If you do not believe in Him at all, or if you say you believe in Him, but you walk in sin, then you do not have eternal life- aka, you are going to hell.  What sin does not lead to death (verse17)?  Sin that has been repented of.  What sin does lead to death? Sin that hasn't been repented of, complete rejection of Jesus, continual disobedience of His Word and persistent lack of love toward fellow believers.  I know that sounds so harsh to some- but when you think of how corrupt people in general are, God is so gracious to save us.  You think you are a good person?  You think you keep His commandments?  Let's start with the 10 Commandments.

1. You shall have no other gods before me. If you don't worship Baal, Buddah or Mother Earth, that's great.  But that doesn't mean you are obeying this commandment.  What about other people or things... do you worship a relationship? The tv?  Your hobby?  Your children? Yourself?  Have you chosen these things or prioritized them over God?  If you don't get to church on Sunday because you're too lazy to get out of bed, but on Saturday you're up early to go shopping or fishing, I would imagine you might just worship something other than God.  If you think you are good enough without church, then maybe you worship yourself!
2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath, or that is under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them...    I know most of us don't sit at home with a chunk of wood and a knife, makin' an idol to worship, but there are many unbelievers that worship the stars, animals, or the 'energy of the earth'.  These people worship the created things, rather than the Creator of these things.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.  Do you ever say God's name in vain?  Or use Jesus' name inappropriately?  If you do, this is blasphemy and is a very serious sin against God.  Some people don't think twice about it. 
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. This has really lost it's importance in the world.  I remember when stores weren't open Sundays!  I don't know that God cares what day you make your Sabbath, as long as you rest from your work.  God made this day holy when He rested from creating the Earth.
5. Honor your father and mother. Have you ever been defiant against your parent(s)?  Of course you have- everybody has, including me. ( I was probably one of the worst.)  This is a sin against the Holy God.
6. You shall not murder.  Most of us haven't killed anybody.  But have you wished anyone dead?  God knows your thoughts! Have you ever aborted a baby? Whether you like it or not, that's  murder in God's eyes.
7. You shall not commit adultery.  Some of you are the victims of your spouse committing adultery.  Maybe you were the one that cheated on your spouse.  It's obvious that you have broken this commandment.  But I ask honestly:  have you ever looked at a woman or man with lust?  Matthew 5:28 says, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." So have you sinned against God?
   
   
8. You shall not steal.  Have you ever stolen anything in your life?  You are a thief in the eyes of God. 
   
   
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.  Have you ever lied about someone that would lead to their punishment?  
   
   
10. You shall not covet your neighbor's house, you shall not covet your neighbor's wife; or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's. I am pretty sure I can confidently say we have all done this. 
    
    

According to these commandments, I violated God's law (and this is just "The Ten"- there are many more through Scripture).  I am considered a lying, blaphemous, adulterous thief who worshipped other gods, coveted my neighbor's house, dishonored my parents, and did not keep the Sabbath holy.   One day we will stand before a Judge, and He will look at us and judge us- for His laws that we have broken.  God will give justice to all of us- since none of us are without violation to one or more of God's laws.  The punishment for sin, is death- eternal death, in hell.  But by God's goodness and mercy, there are 2 things that can keep us from hell.  Repentance and trusting in Jesus.   Jesus was sent as God's only son to pay the penalty for our violations by dying on the cross and shedding His blood.  And even though we still sin, the Judge, because of our punishment already served by Jesus, declares us not guilty.  God dismisses our case against Him and sees us as spotless and without blemish if we remain repentant of our sins and continually trust in Jesus. 

 God knows our hearts. Some of you would say that God is a loving God and he knows my heart-he wouldn't send me to hell.  But God is also a fair God.  If in a real court case, a murderer says, but it was a mistake, I have a good heart- even with other testimonies to his goodness, he still committed murder. A judge wouldn't excuse his punishment for a crime because he is a good person at heart.  God knows our hearts, and although we think we can fool God sometimes, we can't.  He sees every part of our heart- even the parts we keep hidden from the world.  and that is why even if you commit these sins in your heart, you have sinned against God. 

So, back to 1 John 5:

(verses 1-3)  "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments.  For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.  And His commandments are not burdensome."

What does this mean, not burdensome?  My ESV Study Bible has this in the footnotes.  "When rightly understood and followed, God's commandments bring believers great joy and freedom, not a sense of oppression."

If the world would just follow God's commands, life on this earth would be so much better.  It's because we violate the 10 Commandments as well as other commands throughout Scripture that this life can be miserable and dysfunctional.   Can you imagine the world if all these commandments were obeyed?

I challenge you today- since you have violated God's law, ask yourself: "How will I be judged?"  Will you be proven guilty because of your sin, or not guilty because your sins have been paid with the blood of Jesus? 

(verse 12) "Whoever has the Son has life, whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."

When Jesus is our Savior we are told that, "if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests we have asked of him." (verses 14-15)   What is God's will?  His will is detailed greatly in His Word, the Bible-it's what pleases Him.  If you are praying for something that goes against the Bible, it obviously won't be answered- i.e. to be rich.  The goal of prayer is not to get what you ask for- but to deepen your communion with God.  You get this when you have aligned yourself with His will.  You have been praying for days- months- years for something, and God still isn't responding!  But you prayed and prayed and prayed for that person's life, and they still died of their disease!  But you asked with confidence and that person still died without knowing Jesus!  How can we believe this verse if we have tried to put it into practice honestly and prayers weren't answered?  The Lord loves us, more than we can imagine- more than we can love another human being.  God wants the best for us.  He is good all the time.   When we pray, pray in complete faith, patience, obedience and submission to Him.  There are many times when God does not answer prayer the way we think he should.  But who are we to know His thoughts?  Sometimes it seems unfair when He doesn't heal someone, change their heart, provide for the family, restore a marriage- but His thoughts are much higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8) and we have to put our trust in His godly and loving wisdom before judging His answer based on our human finite minds.  Don't give up on asking God just because He hasn't answered yet and don't lose faith in Him just because He didn't answer your prayer the way you wanted Him to.  Instead, trust Him and continue to love and worship Him.


~Leanne~

 Verse 1 says this: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world." And this is why there are so many "beliefs" out there!  Just stop and pause- think of how many "religions" or "belief systems" there are in the world including things like karma, universalism, yoga... etc.  These have all formed from false prophets, or as this chapter also calls them- antichrists.  Verse 2 and 3 say this: By this you know the Spirit of God; every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh, is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already." Some of you, who do not call Jesus your Lord, are thinking this is crazy talk.  BUT IT IS THE TRUTH.  Continuing on in verse 4: "Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them." I am going to paraphrase this for ya!  You, brothers and sisters in Jesus, you are a son/daughter of the Living God, and because of who HE is and who we are IN HIM, we know the truth and can see the error and deceit in the teaching of the world.  You, unbelieving friends, do not belong to God, therefore you are vulnerable to what the world teaches: whatever that may be.  The deceitful doctrines you listen to are made up from men/women who are just as lost in the world as you are.  PEOPLE OF GOD, may we pray for those in the world, who belong to it- that they would hear the TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD and BELIEVE IT becoming adopted into God's family, being freed from all of life's shackles and allowing God to use their testimony to bring more UNBELIEVING to repentance and eternal life!  PEOPLE OF THE WORLD, may you SEE that God is Light, and only He can satisfy.  You were made BY Him and FOR Him.  NO OTHER teaching of the world is truth.  I know that sounds naive, but it's only reality.  STOP listening to the world- and all of it's heresy and LISTEN to this.  Jesus wants to be your Savior.  HE ALONE CAN SATISFY.  Stop chasing things and gods that will never complete you.  LET JESUS SHOW YOU the reason you exist.  Let Him complete you. (RECEIVING CHRIST)

        Is there someone you have enmity towards?  God wants His people to have unity.  By not loving your brother, you are sinning against God.  Sin against God results in separation from Him.  I don't know what grudge you have against the person.  I don't know what they did.  Maybe they cheated on you.  Maybe they lied to you.  Maybe they rejected you.  Maybe they left you.  Maybe they raped you. WHATEVER the maybe, you need to forgive them.  Loving someone doesn't mean liking them.  Heck- I know there are many people that don't like me.  So be it.  But God says that whoever loves Him must also love his brother. If the person you hate is not a believer, I still exhort you to forgive them.  What they did to you might be unexcusable- it might be painful.  But we are called to forgive because we are.  Whatever that person did against you, also did against God, and He will bring justice.  Forgiveness does not show that you are a weak person, but rather showing humility by forgiving the one you dislike strengthens you, and your relationship with the Father.  Forgiveness doesn't do as much for the forgiven as it does for the forgiver.  You become released from the bondage of bitterness/hatred/envy.  If you are in a broken relationship with another believer, I encourage you to be reconciled in unity with your brother and/or sister in Christ.  If there is not unity within the body, the body is broken and will not be able to work as well as the body.  Just as if one of your own bones are broken, your body cannot function as it should, so also- if the body of Christ is broken in relationship, it cannot function as it should.   Therefore, "If we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us." 

      Who do you need to forgive in order to love?  This love isn't the type that fancies someone, but rather imitates the love of Jesus for the glory of Him.  Matthew 6:14-15 says this:"For if you forgive others their trespasses (sins), your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." 


~Leanne~