Given Spring 2004
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony;” Revelations 12:11 I heard someone speak on, “pleading the blood” over their kids each day for their protection. That sounded like something I should be doing too. During prayer that morning, I was doing just that, not really knowing much about it except that there is power, protection, and life in the Blood of Jesus.

But I was reminded of the time in the Old Testament when God instructed the elders of Israel through Moses and Aaron to apply the blood of a lamb to their doors so they would be protected. “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the LORD will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the LORD will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.” Exodus 12:21-23

Now, the way I see it since that day, is that I am the elder of my house. I plead the Blood of the Lamb over my family for protection each day. By doing that, I see myself standing at the door with the Blood on it, directing my family inside. I call them by name as each one comes in. I include everyone; my immediate family, their spouses and kids, my Mom, my brother and his family, my wife’s family, anyone I consider a part of my family. And you know, I even include the girlfriends of my unmarried sons. If they’re with my boys, they can benefit from being a part of our family! I usher them all in and close the door! Inside, we are safe and protected from whatever bad stuff that’s going by outside.

I don’t really know what has “passed over” us while we were inside but I do know that God is watching over us and we are in His hands. What a comfort!

I’m experimenting once again. Today, I’m posting a regular Revelation but I’m adding a link to an audio version as well. I find I like to read blog posts but sometimes I’d like to hear it too. We’ll see how it goes. Please comment below with your thoughts. God bless you!

Given September 1, 2002 (Audio Version)
I stepped out on my porch on this beautiful Sunday morning and the birds and squirrels scattered and I was reminded that they share “my property” with me. God made it all and the animals have had use of the property since the beginning. However I, through Adam, was given dominion over it and over the animals too, (Genesis 1:26)

God takes care of the animals, (Matthew 6:26), by providing food and shelter on the land but I can help by planting nut trees, setting out bird seed, and building bird houses. When I jotted this revelation down on that day in September, I also made the note, “I’m not sure what God is telling me about this.”

This evening, I asked God what He meant when He showed me that revelation. After a few seconds, this is what I got:

God made the earth and everything in it and He takes care of the animals. Even though I can help by providing some food and shelter for them, they can get by fine without my help. They, can I say, automatically enter into and follow God’s plan for them. But mankind isn’t like that. We don’t automatically fulfill the plan God has for us. We have to choose.

Now granted, we have a much greater reward and God’s plan for us is better that His plan for the animals but we have to decide to take it. And that’s where each of us come in. Even though the birds and animals don’t need my help, my fellow human beings do. Some of them won’t make it if I don’t help. Some of them won’t know about the love of God if I don’t tell them or show them. And you know, some of them live on my property or the property next to mine. And some of them live on your property too.

You know, it’s easy to put some birdseed out but the birds don’t really need it. Your family, friends, and neighbors do need you though. Look around and see who you can “feed”. You probably already know.

Well, here we go. Try this audio post entitled, “I’ll Clean You Up“.
The recording is not to good but I’d like to know what you think in the Comments section below. Any tips on podcasting would be appreciated as well.

Given December 31, 2005
I’ve heard the expression, “I’m at the end of my rope.” for years and know it means someone’s about to give up or can’t go on. But recently, God showed me another way to look at this expression.

If you feel you’re at the “end of your rope”, which end are you talking about? In gym class, (I barely remember back that far), if you expended much effort and reached the TOP end of the climbing rope, it was a good thing. People cheered for you and you got a good grade. If you’re at the BOTTOM end of the rope, well, just let go and stand on solid ground.

I remember a similar time when I was a teenager at a local swimming lake. Part of the lake was set up for public swimming with sand and everything but the outlying areas were just lake, mud, weeds, etc. A kid’s beach ball had gotten blown into the outlying area and I went into teenage hero mode and swam to get it. But as I got closer, my wake pushed the light ball farther away and I had to swim some more to try and retrieve it. This happened sevral times and I was getting exhausted but couldn’t quit because it was too deep, I thought!

About the time I felt I couldn’t go on and was getting worried for my safety, forget the beach ball, I accidentally hit my foot on something solid. It was the muddy bottom! The darn water was only about four feet deep! How embarassing!

The point is, sometimes we struggle greatly with something when God wants us to abandon our own efforts and put our feet down, (or let go of the rope), and let Him take over. So, at which end of the rope are you? It could be that either end can work out well for you if you “let go and let God”. “You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.” Matthew 5:3 The Message

Given December 27, 2005
When the devil calls, don’t answer. You see his name on the caller ID. You know who it is, don’t answer! He wants to tell you some more lies and drag you down again; to get you off the path of light and into the dark places. Don’t answer! Quote the Word of God and just let it ring. It will stop. Keep doing this and the calls will become less and less frequent.

Don’t answer!

“And the Lord God said to the woman, What is this you have done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled (cheated, outwitted, and deceived) me, (she answered) and I ate.” Genesis 3:13 (Amplified Bible)