Sunday, December 29, 2013

Let Us Abide In Yahushua





Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Lunchboo





Thursday, December 19, 2013

Morning Dev0tional





Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Quiet Moments With God 12/17 by GICTC | Religion Podcasts

Quiet Moments With God 12/17 by GICTC | Religion Podcasts

Come Eat and Drink Freely.





Saturday, December 14, 2013

Be not wise in thy self/





Morning Prayer





Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Psalms 4 and Proverbs 30:5





Monday, December 9, 2013

Restoring The Creator's Name: Ha'shem Revealed (full length version)

He sits in All His Glory





Friday, December 6, 2013



Listen to "Knowing Jesus Through His Miracles and Signs" by Minister Gordon given live today.



Listen to more of Minister Gordon Teaching every Fridays at 12:00 p.m. CT. on Mixcloud

If you would like to be apart of Friday's teaching you can call

559-76-1300 Code: 935910 every Friday afternoon's 12:00 p.m. CT.

You can also find Minister Gordon on audioboo with short messages from the Lord.


Friday, November 29, 2013

3:00 prayer





Scripture Reading For Nov.29,2013





Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Judge Not





Friday, November 15, 2013

Yahweh will complete the work in you.





Wednesday, November 13, 2013

God predestined you to himself.





Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Knowing your self.





He sometimes speaks softly.





God is Faithful





My first BOO





Sunday, November 10, 2013

Armor of Yahweh





Saturday, June 15, 2013

The Armor of God - The Cloak of Zeal - Lesson 9

Lesson 9: The Cloak of Zeal

Another piece of armor, not described by Paul but mentioned in Isaiah, is the cloak of zeal. While not listed with the rest of the armor of God, this cloak factors heavily in the lives of Christians everywhere.
On July 16, 2009, one young man stepped ashore of Marina Del Rey to complete his 13-month-long journey around the world. At the conclusion of his trip, Zac Sunderland officially became the youngest person in the world to have circumnavigated the globe alone in a boat. 
This amazing accomplishment began long before Zac set sail. His family was a sailing family and was fully supportive. They ensured Zac had all the latest safety equipment, from GPS to satellite phone to access to the best weather information. But ultimately it was Zac's own zeal that propelled him through the months of preparation and 13-month sailing marathon.
Zac and his 36-foot boat, the Intrepid, endured an impressive list of hardships while out at sea, which, according to a Los Angeles Times article, included "trying to fix broken rigging in 15-foot seas and gale-force winds" and a close call "in the Indian Ocean [with] a mysterious-looking vessel that seemed sure to harbor pirates." 
Zac could have landed in a port and called it quits at any point during his voyage. And let's face it; a potential scuffle with pirates would be enough to encourage most to throw in the towel and never set sail again. Yet Zac stuck with his goal and, as a result, gained the irrevocable title of the first person under 18 years old to sail around the world alone. 
What kept him going? In his own words, "I think society puts young people in a box—people 15, 16, 17—and does not expect them to do much but go to high school and play football and stuff like that. This just shows they can do a lot more with some strong ambition and desire. My [advice] is to get out there and do your thing with all you got." 
In other words, it was zeal that carried Zac through. He decided on a goal, and his zeal to achieve it kept him going, even when things turned ugly.

Cloaked With Zeal

When cloaks appear in movies or books, it's often in conjunction with mysterious and enigmatic characters, shrouded in airs of intrigue or danger. But beyond their appeal in works of fiction, the cloaks used by ancient armies had a variety of uses that make them relevant today, not as a point of fleeting interest, but as an invaluable tool in our constant war against Satan.

What purpose did the cloak serve in the Roman army?
Armor of God: The Cloak of Zeal
The cloak served multiple important functions for the Roman soldier. It provided warmth, which was important to defend against the cold. Natural oils were used to make it nearly waterproof, which was important when the rains came. It also provided makeshift bedding, which was important during long marches.
Without his cloak, a soldier was subject to bitter cold, freezing rain and painfully uncomfortable nights. These unfortunate conditions would give a noticeable edge to a better equipped enemy, since a cold, wet and sore soldier can easily be a demotivated soldier. And a demotivated soldier, while not incapable of fighting, will not be performing at his peak.

What is zeal?
Zechariah 8:2
Thus says the Lord of hosts: "I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her."
God Himself is zealous and fervently passionate about His people and His plan. In simplest terms, zeal is fuel. It is anything that drives people: their passion, their purpose, what they live for. For Christians, zeal is a burning desire to do God's will and to live according to His purpose.

Why is the cloak of zeal important to us as Christians?
Isaiah 59:17
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on His head; He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak.
Just as a soldier without his cloak could quickly find himself demotivated and unable to operate at his peak, so we soldiers of Christ will quickly find ourselves unable to operate at our peak unless we are fueled by zeal.

Can our zeal go astray if we don't base it on right knowledge?
Romans 10:2
For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
Paul himself was zealous in persecuting the Church (Philippians 3:6), until he learned that was not what God wanted. When he aligned his goals with God's plans, his zeal became very effective.

What biblical examples of zeal can we learn from?
Numbers 25:5-11
So Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Every one of you kill his men who were joined to Baal of Peor."
And indeed, one of the children of Israel came and presented to his brethren a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping at the door of the tabernacle of meeting. Now when Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose from among the congregation and took a javelin in his hand; and he went after the man of Israel into the tent and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her body. So the plague was stopped among the children of Israel. And those who died in the plague were twenty-four thousand.
 
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal."
When Israel's sexual immorality with their pagan neighbors led them away from the true God and toward worshipping the pagan god Baal, Phinehas took a stand. After God told His followers to kill all those who were now worshipping Baal, an Israelite had the nerve to walk—in plain sight of everyone—to his tent with a pagan woman. He apparently thought he was too important to have to obey the laws against adultery and idolatry. Phinehas, on fire with zeal for God, followed the two to the tent and ran them both through with a spear.

It seems like a harsh response, but Phinehas receives commendation from God and a later reference in the Psalms. Why? Because when God gives us a command, we are to keep it. The zeal of Phinehas is remarkable because, while the rest of Israel just stood and watched, Phinehas stood up and took the initiative, acting on the word of God. God does not command us to take lives today, of course, but the example shows the kind of zeal we must have.
Colossians 4:12-13
Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
We are given only the briefest glimpse of Epaphras through the pages of the Bible. From this passage in Paul's letter to the Colossians, we learn two important facts about the man. First, he was a member of the early New Testament Church; and second, he had zeal. Paul commends him to the Church for "always laboring fervently for you in prayers" (verse 12).
This was how his zeal showed itself: He cared deeply about his fellow laborers in Christ and as a result dedicated much of his time toward petitioning God on their behalf. True zeal for God's way means a love for and a desire to serve our brethren, just like Epaphras.
John 2:15-17
When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up."
What better example of zeal could there be than our Savior and King, Jesus Christ? When He saw that money changers and sellers of livestock had overrun God's temple and were cheating people (in Matthew 21:13 Christ said they had made it a "den of thieves"), He drove them out. The disciples recognized this as a case study in being motivated by godly zeal.

Are we on fire for God's way? Do we care deeply about our brethren? Are we willing to serve, to act and to live as God would have us live?

Apply Now

Imagine a driver filling up his car with gas and then letting it idle for the next several hours as it eats up his hard-earned fuel, getting him absolutely nowhere.
Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? But we're no different if we fill up our spiritual reservoirs with zeal and then go nowhere with it. As mentioned before, it is a type of fuel, one that gives us strength to live God's way. So how can we put zeal to work in our lives?

Jesus and Phinehas both saw situations that showed disrespect for God, and took appropriate action. While we aren't to run anyone through with a spear, we should be driven to take a stand for God's way when we see it defamed. And the most effective way to do that is by letting our actions show the truth.

We should also direct that javelin-hurling instinct inward. What sins in our own lives keep us separated from God? Are we content to let them remain in His temple, purchased at such a high price by Jesus Christ's death? Study 2 Corinthians 7:11. Our zeal should provide us with the desire to eliminate sins from our lives immediately.

Don't forget the example of Epaphras. Zeal is also serving our brethren. Take note of those who need prayers and seek out ways you can serve, both at church services and throughout the week. A true disciple of Christ, like his or her Teacher, is always seeking how he or she can serve those in need—not out of a desire to get ahead, but out of a zeal for our Father's house.

Next Lesson: Congratulations! You have finished the Armor of God series.

The Armor of God - The Power of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit - Lesson 8

Lesson 8: The Power of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit

Prayer is an important part of our day-to-day lives. But how often do we think of it in association with the armor of God? Turns out, it's one of the most vital parts!
Artur Aleksandrov, a recent high school graduate in Tallinn, Estonia, tells this story:
"Just recently I was a high school senior, trying my best to balance school, God and various 'cares of this life.' When the new year started, I wanted to focus on picking the right national exams to take. When I decided on which ones I prefer, it didn't even come to mind that one of them could fall on the Sabbath. By nature being rather forgetful and slow, I didn't notice the day of the week I was to sit for the first two exams (both were on the Sabbath). I lived on unsuspectingly until, about three weeks before the first exam, one of my teachers casually mentioned something that made my pupils triple in diameter. That's when it hit me!
"...I wrote a letter of request to the center explaining my affiliation with a Sabbath-keeping church and then I started to wait. They tested my faith and patience for a whole month before I got a reply on the 5th of May. They also requested an affirmation from the Church as proof, which Mr. [Johnnie] Lambert duly composed for me.
"They respected my beliefs, and although my request came way too late, allowed me to sit for the exams on the additional day appointed by them. This was another blessing from God. It was an answer to numerous of my prayers to Him while I was still awaiting the reply from the center. In that period, I was partly preparing to receive a negative answer, which meant failing to graduate and staying for another year in school, and partly really hoping that God would still provide an easier way out. I knew He could—and He did!
"...So, dear brethren, as you can see for yourselves, our gracious and all-powerful Lord responded to our collective prayers with abundant gifts... There is nothing more powerful in this world than the prayers of God's servants—His saints."

Praying Always

God's armor is comprehensive. In this series we have spent time examining it, from the ideas behind it, to its purpose and application. It is an absolutely essential part of surviving and winning our battle against Satan. However, right on the heels of his description of the armor of God, Paul adds that we should be "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit" (Ephesians 6:18).
Is there any significance to this admonition appearing immediately after the listing of God's armor? You bet there is!
Armor of God: The Power of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit
Barnes' Notes comments, "No matter how complete the armour; no matter how skilled we may be in the science of war; no matter how courageous we may be, we may be certain that without prayer we shall be defeated. God alone can give the victory; and when the Christian soldier goes forth armed completely for the spiritual conflict, if he looks to God by prayer, he may be sure of a triumph" (Heritage Edition, Vol. 12, p. 133).
If we equip ourselves with God's armor, we must also be determined to keep a steady line of connection with Him. He is the commander of His spiritual army, and He alone knows how to lead it to victory.

How can we be "praying always"?
Luke 18:1-8
I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?
Luke wrote that Jesus gave the above parable to teach that "men always ought to pray and not lose heart," so it serves as a good starting point for understanding what praying always means.
In her quest for justice, the widow never gave up in seeking help from the unjust judge. In our quest for victory, we must never give up in seeking help from our perfect God. The command to pray always is not to say that we must be in a continuous, unceasing dialogue with God every second of every day. Rather, we must develop a connection to God—one that is maintained through regular prayer, Bible study and a godly lifestyle—that allows us to instantly come before our God in prayer in times of distress and need.

What is supplication?
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God...
The Greek word translated supplication in both Ephesians 6:18 and Philippians 4:6 is transliterateddeesis by Strong's Concordance and means a petition or a special request of God.

What role does the Spirit play in a Christian's prayers?
Romans 8:26-27
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit [itself] makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because [it] makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Since we don't always know how to pray as we should, if we have the Spirit in us and are led by that Spirit (Acts 2:38; Romans 8:14), Paul says "the Spirit" will make intercession for us. This means that although we do not always know exactly what we should be praying for, God knows our hearts by living in us (John 17:23).
No matter how clumsily Christians present their requests and no matter how jumbled and confusing they are, God will always know what they are trying to say. Through His Spirit working in us, He has intimate knowledge of our hearts and minds. He understands us and will always work things out for the best in the long run (Romans 8:28).

Who or what should we be praying about?
Matthew 6:9-13
In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
In what has become known as the "Lord's prayer," Jesus Christ lays out for us a framework for praying to God. It is not a strict, inflexible format to which we must adhere every time we come before God (Matthew 6:7), but rather an excellent checklist of things we do need to take the time to pray about. We should be praying on a regular basis for, among other things, God's will to be done, our needs to be taken care of, the forgiveness of our sins and deliverance from Satan.
Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.
Luke 21:36
Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.
Along with praying for others, it is vital to also pray for ourselves. Our lives are filled with reminders that we can't make it on our own. It would be inconceivable to refrain from asking God for the help we so desperately require.
Our God stands ready to provide us with the strength, wisdom and courage we need to stand against our enemy, but He wants us first to come before Him and ask for it. Will we?
Matthew 26:39
He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will."
When Jesus prayed fervently before His crucifixion, He knew what He wanted to happen. But He always remembered that His Father was in charge and had the eternal best interests of everyone in mind. It is important for us to pray for God's will to be done too.
Ephesians 6:18-20
...praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
The ministers of God's Church, on whom falls the bulk of His work, are just as human as the rest of us. They, too, are subject to exhaustion, sickness and heartache. They, too, can—and at times, will—fall short of the high mark God has set for us. Also, they can face difficult trials (Paul spent time in prison for obeying God) and many challenging decisions in doing God's work. Paul was particularly concerned that God would continue to give him the courage, opportunities and clarity to boldly preach God's truth even at the risk of suffering or death.
As this is the case, we should be sure to keep God's servants in our prayers—and not only His ministers, but all His people. We are in this battle together, and prayer is one of the most effective ways we can support each other, care for each other and fulfill the God-inspired command given to us in Philippians 2:4.

Apply Now

How often do you pray? Throughout the Bible, we see repeated examples of people who prayed regularly. Daniel, an Israelite taken captive to Babylon, made sure to pray three times a day (Daniel 6:10). The author of Psalm 119 seems to have prayed seven times each day (Psalm 119:164). While there are no set numbers for how often or how long we should pray, we should be sure to give God adequate time on a regular basis.
If you don't already, set aside time each day to talk to God, and don't take it lightly. Don't put it off or delay it; make the time to talk to your Creator. If we fail to establish a steady, well-founded relationship with God, we will not be in the proper mind-set to be praying always—nor will we be in the proper mind-set to win our spiritual war.

Next Lesson: The Cloak of Zeal

The Armor of God - The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God-Lesson 7

Lesson 7: The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God

The sixth piece of armor Paul mentions in Ephesians 6 is "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." How does a Roman soldier's sword help us understand how to use the Bible to win our spiritual battles?
The Bible, in Judges 7, records the story of Gideon and his 300 men:
Gideon and 32,000 Israelite troops gathered near the Midianite camp, but they were severely outnumbered by their 135,000 oppressors. Gideon was ready to do battle, but God had other plans. He was about to show His people just how powerful a God He was.
God told Gideon to let anyone who was afraid of the upcoming battle return home. Twenty-two thousand men took the opportunity to leave their ranks, leaving only 10,000 remaining. But God was looking for a smaller group still.
God then told Gideon to have the remainder drink from the spring, and all those who lapped the water like a dog would remain, while the rest were sent home. Finally, with only 300 men, Gideon and his little army surrounded the Midianites. On signal they blew trumpets, broke the pitchers covering their torches and shouted, "The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!" (Judges 7:20).
Then the unthinkable happened. These 300 men—holding not swords, but torches and trumpets—routed the entire Midianite camp. Scripture records that God "set every man's sword against his companion throughout the whole camp" (Judges 7:22). So before the Israelites even had a chance to reach for swords, God plunged the enemy camp into chaos and wild defeat. The Israelites were delivered from their foes by a miracle.
This famous story illustrates an invaluable lesson: It is God who gives the victory. His sword is what will deliver us. 

Taking the Sword

Throughout the world, there are certain individuals—real and fictional—whose identity remains almost inseparable from their weapon of choice.
From England, there is King Arthur and his sword, Excalibur. From the Middle East, Ali and his scimitar, Zulfiqar. From Spain, El Cid and his long sword, Tizona. From Scotland, William Wallace and his unnamed claymore.
The sword is the only item listed by Paul that serves in an offensive capacity. Even if we have all the rest of the armor equipped perfectly, without our sword, we amount to little more than heavily armored moving targets.
Armor of God: The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God
Perhaps this is why we remember the name of King Arthur's sword and not, for example, his footwear. While the rest of the armor is undoubtedly vital, it is the sword and only the sword that allows us to attack—to directly do the work that needs to be done.

What purpose did the sword serve in the Roman army?
The Roman gladius has become known as "the sword that conquered the world." Adapted from a Spanish design, the prowess of the gladius in close range combat made it a fearsome tool in the hand of a skilled Roman warrior. When sharpened, its dual edges wreaked havoc on unarmored foes, while its tapered point could pierce through even heavy metal armor.
A Roman infantryman would go into battle armed with more than just hisgladius. He would also have a dagger (pugio), several one-time use spears (pila) and lead-weighted darts (plumbatae), but the sword was his main means of attack. The sword is the only weapon Paul lists as part of the Christian arsenal.

What is the Word of God?
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
God's Word—the Holy Bible—illuminates. It reveals to us the good and the bad, the wise and the unwise. It is the ultimate tool in learning how to live the best possible life, free from the restraints of stumbling in darkness.
John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.
God's Word is truth, plain and simple. We can have perfect confidence in the fact that His words are accurate, true and unerring. When followed, they guide us without fail in the paths that we need to walk.
We can be destroyed by lack of the knowledge of God (Hosea 4:6), but we will be blessed if we hear and keep the Word of God (Luke 11:28). And the knowledge is not just for us. We are to be ready to answer others who ask us (1 Peter 3:15).

Why a sword?
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
The all-powerful sword of the living God is able to cut through every defense our enemy can raise—down to the very division of bone and marrow. When wielded by a servant of God, nothing can withstand its ability to cut straight to the core of a matter and uncover the truth. As soldiers in God's army, it is our responsibility and duty to use His Word to discern the truth and then follow it. When God's Word shows us something wrong in ourselves, we can use this spiritual weapon to "surgically" remove the offending thoughts and actions (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).
Unlike all other pieces of the armor of God, which are solely defensive, the sword is uniquely suited for both defensive and offensive roles. A solid defense is invaluable, but the sword is the only way we can complete the work we have been given to do.
Notice that Jesus Christ used the Bible to counter Satan's attacks (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10). We must also learn to live "by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

Swords are used for close combat, not long-range warfare. Could this imply the nature of the battle a Christian fights?
Acts 14:22
...strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."
James 1:2-4
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
The Romans relied in part on assailing their enemy from a distance with javelins and darts, but God does not give us that option as Christian soldiers. If we were able to fight our battles from a distance, we would never experience an actual trial.
At first glance, that might not seem like such a bad thing. But when we stop to consider that without trials, there is no growth, and without growth, we will not be able to enter God's Kingdom, we see that trials, however uncomfortable, are essential in our journeys as Christians. After all, the promises of Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26 and 3:5, 12 and 21 are given "to him who overcomes" and not "to him who remains as he is."
Paul only lists one weapon because we only need one weapon: There is no enemy the Word of God, coupled with His Spirit, cannot defeat. And so, armed only with our sword, we step out to fight our enemies head-on. The struggle is real. It is immediate, and it is in front of us. Our future in God's Kingdom is on the line, and we take up the battle so that we may hold fast to the future He has promised us.

What promises can we stand on?
Matthew 24:13
But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
We fight knowing the end of the story. Two of the many powerful and sure promises in God's Word tell us that if we remain dedicated to God and His Word, we will make it to the end, and we will be saved. There is no doubt in this statement. God's promises are as sure as the one He told Isaiah: "Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it" (Isaiah 46:11).
So take up your sword. The battle is ours.

Apply Now

A sword needs to be sharpened if it is to remain useful—and it certainly won't sharpen itself. Set aside some time every day for regular Bible study. Pick a topic you don't know as well as you'd like or a character trait you would like to improve and delve into it. Through continuous practice, we will keep our blades razor sharp and always be ready to defend the hope that lies within us.