Judges 13-16 You need your vision but don't it won't work by by sight

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.   A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth.

The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:1-5 NIV)

When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, “Our god has delivered our enemy into our hands, the one who laid waste our land and multiplied our slain.” (Judges 16:24 NIV)

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”  Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other,  Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. (Judges 16:28 NIV)

Jasmin's Testimony

Greetings All,

Looking back over 2012 and reviewing everything that has gone done in my life I  give God praise. I have to worship God for still being able to stand. I went through things in a 12 month period that would have taken most people out and it should have me but God.

My confession is still "No Lack, No Worries & NO LIMITS!!!" Yeah, I know that is a bold declaration but it is mine. It has been that kind of season in that everywhere I turned doors closed, things withered and died but I still said, Hallelujah. As many believed the Mayan prediction and anticipated the end of the world; I stood firm in my belief "it really didn't matter for neither life nor death will separate me from the Love of God.

I learned so much about me. I discovered a few things about Jasmin one of which is my strength comes from the Lord. There is no other logical explaination as to why I am still here if not for Lord. My plans, devises and schemes have no purpose outside of what He has predestined for me--my life. Everything, literally all else has no merit nor bearing on what God's plan for me is.

Jasmin's Prayer

Father I enter your courts with praise and thanksgiving.  You Are the light of my Life, my strength and redeemer. My whole being makes a boast in you. You are worthy to be Adored and Lifted UP!

In my times of distress, sorrow, anguish, and despair My God, My Father, you have been right there. You saw my every tears, witnessed my deepest pain and though you were saw and were touched you were not moved. I cried and you heard me when my circumstances threaten still to crush me. You stepped in the nick of time and saved me from going completely under. I learned to wait on YOU, trust YOU and not TO lean on anyone not even my own understanding. It was in the darkness hour that I received my vision, and I realized that my strength comes from you & YOU alone; I discoverED my vision can't be obtained by my sight but comes from YOU and everything you have already spoken about me.

I pray now, that your chosen and called come to the knowledge YOUR Will will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Help them connect with their whole hearts to the divine vision you placed in each of us before we were shaped in our mother's womb. Allow them to realize as You caused me to know that no weapon formed against them shall prosper & no matter what they see before them has no bearing or merit on What YOU have spoken about them. For YOUR Word shall not return to You void but accomplish EXACTLY what You Sent it to DO.

KEY FOR WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

 

 

 

Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so the Lord delivered them into the hands of the Philistines for forty years.   A certain man of Zorah, named Manoah, from the clan of the Danites, had a wife who was childless, unable to give birth.

The angel of the Lord appeared to her and said, “You are barren and childless, but you are going to become pregnant and give birth to a son. Now see to it that you drink no wine or other fermented drink and that you do not eat anything unclean. You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:1-5 NIV)

When the people saw him, they praised their god, saying, “Our god has delivered our enemy into our hands, the one who laid waste our land and multiplied our slain.” (Judges 16:24 NIV)

Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.”  Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other,  Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. (Judges 16:28 NIV)

If someone were to write your life story what would it say? Would you find it hard to believe that it ended up just they way it was supposed to? Some might find it really difficult to believe their life was anything other than a total disaster. Look at Samson's story. many might interpet his life as a great disappointment. Few would find it hard to believe his temperment, disposition and pinchot for the wrong company would have been just what would bring victory to a nation and glorify God.

I am sure you like me have had your share of epic disasters and failings happen in your lifetime. Each time you fell short there was somebody watching and surmising that you messed with God. Your family, friends and even your enemies often make judgements about your life and how you are living that have no merit or bearing on the Word that God spoke before He formed you in your mother's womb.  You nor anyone else on this earth have any idea that the things you go through are being worked out by God for your good and purpose just as He plan. Even the terrible things that cause pain and disappointment in our live work according to the purpose and plan of God. Okay, you don't believe me. Just think of Jesus. God didn't spare His Only Begotten Son. Think about that.

Back to Samson. Samson came into existence from a barren womb. His coming was no accident; it is the exact opposite--it is the PLAN OF GOD.  God had delivered the Israelites into the hands of the Philistines because they did evil in His sight. You will notice God sight is not the same as His vision. God saw before Him the evil they did, delivered they into the hands of their enemy but prepared a barren womb to receive a deliverer. It would not be the first time or the last that He would do such a thing to direct purpose of His Vision. We are God's people and He is our God. He so loves us that He sent His only begotten Son so we can have life more abdundant and have it everlasting.

As you read the story of Samson, understand his lineage and legacy know that what happened in between is not so significant in the entire matter. God's Plan, Will and Purpose for Samson's life is manifested. Despite the wrong turns, the mishaps and ill-fated situations even his own demise, God's Plan, Will and Purpose is achieved.

You and I may stumble and bumble along this journey called life but evenso you nor I can thwarted God's Plan, Will and Purpose for our lives. You may not see your life shaping up the way you want, especially with all hell breaking lose around you; let me tell you don't be discouraged by your sight (what you see). Your sight is not your vision. You can lose the ability to see but never lose your vision. Fight like hell to keep your vision. Make sure your vision aligns itself with God's vision of you. You can find out what God's vision of you is by reading His Word about you. For example you God vision of you goes a little like this...

• You are the head not the tail; above not beneath
• You are bless going in and coming out
• You are healed
• You are fully redeemed
• You are more than a conqueror
• You are the righteousness of God, and shall not beg bread

You get the picture but get into God's Word for yourself and allow the Word & Truth to be your guiding light. Don't look at the highs and lows or the missteps in you or anyone else's life as failing but view them as the carrots that strengthen your God vision and God's vision of you. Though Samson lost his eyesight (he was blinded by those around him, what they did & said, and what he saw) he did greater works and brought the greatest deliverance because in the end he called forth His Vision.

 Here is the Key: "You need your vision but don't it won't work by by sight."

2 Kings 2 -2 Kings 8 Will You Find Favor in the Lord's Famine

" When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” [2 King 2:9-10 NIV]

"She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” [2 Kings 4:7 NIV]

"The officer had said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” The man of God had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!”  And that is exactly what happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died." [2 Kings 7:19-20 NIV]

"Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” The king asked the woman about it, and she told him. Then he assigned an official to her case and said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.” [2 Kings 8:5-6 NIV]

Jasmin's Testimony

Greetings All,

I am so excited about everything that God is doing and is going to do for you. It is great to be alive. This morning I rose early just before 3 a.m. and I was taking in some valuable pearls of wisdom from LaShanda Henry's SistaSense Power Circle Video Chat. Then I started tooling around the web looking for job opportunities. I was struck but not surprised by what I saw on some the temp agencies websites. The job listings with a few of the more prominent temporary agencies were merger. I am looking for a job; not neccessarily a long term commitment and I am finding not only has the job market changed so has the job search. In times past hunting and securing a job was not an issue for me--normally I got something fairly quick. I admittedly felt a pang of disappointment with my a.m. job prospecting.

The truth of the matter is my wee hour morning activity was shaping up into this awesome blog post. As I said, I was enjoying and basking in the pearls of wisdom from LaShanda Henry's SistaSense Power Circle Video, LaShanda, Carol and Yalanda were very candid in sharing on the topic--Stop It! Small Business Killers and How to Avoid Them. (FYI: You can search YouTube for this video and more from LaShanda Henry--you won't be sorry). The key thing was I was operating in two completely different mindsets. Something  was brewing in the spirit realm it was no happenstance, me job search, gleaning business ownership tips and observing the rough economy of today--it all served to bring me divine revelation. When I hit my morning hour for Bible study, worship and prayer, the Holy Spirit tuned me into 2 Kings chapters 3-8. After a short while I got some revelations and of course a key.

I and my prayer partner Phyllis are in the habit of gleaning and reaping from God's Word. This such a dynamic time in our day that many will miss out the dynamics of the times we are in due to wrong thinking, diverted visions and ungrateful hearts, as was the case with many I found in the study. I am known to say "Favor ain't fair" very often. I discovered God's favor is not fair. You cannot trace it really. Better said, you cannot look at someone's life and pinpoint why God is favoring them or how God will choose to give them His favor. The old folks testimony is "You don't know like I KNOW; what the LORD has done for me!!!" And, you don't.

Despite, everything that I am going through, I have got a right to praise HIM. The truth of the matter is in spite of it all, I have God's favor and that all matters. I feel like the Widow with oil and Shunammite Woman blessed and highly favored. After reading through the scriptures and receiving a Word of Knowledge. I clearly have to acknowledge, it is well.

Jasmin's Prayer

Father I enter your courts with praise and thanksgiving.  You Are the light of my Life, my strength and redeemer. My whole being makes a boast in you. You are worthy to be Adored and Lifted UP!

 

Heavenly Father open the eyes of your people and show them there is more with us than with them. Like Widow with the oil and Shunammite Woman they are blessed and highly favored. Despite anything they may be facing right now, help them face it with You and your favor. Let them know that they must be ever ready to expect You to cause them to have leftovers in the famine that you declared. Let them see everything returned to them including the residuals like Shunammite Woman. Help us to avoid attitudes like Naaman, and Gehazi which will only serve to get us twisted up in some stinking thinking. Don't let us become paralyzed by fear of moving out in faith because we are fearful of what may be ahead.

 

You are cleansing and purifying in this season of famine. And evenso, we like the lepers can walk by faith and receive Your favor in your Declare Famine. For that we sing praises and shout Glory.

 

 

KEY FOR WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

 

 

" When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.” [2 King 2:9-10 NIV]

"She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.” [2 Kings 4:7 NIV]

"The officer had said to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?” The man of God had replied, “You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it!”  And that is exactly what happened to him, for the people trampled him in the gateway, and he died." [2 Kings 7:19-20 NIV]

"Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, “This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” The king asked the woman about it, and she told him. Then he assigned an official to her case and said to him, “Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.” [2 Kings 8:5-6 NIV]

 

The amazing thing about 2 Kings chapter 2-8 is the people. In that day they were living in some rough times. There were all types of mindsets very much like today. Some humble, some haughty, and some hazardous but God was in the midst of them all and doing great things however, not all were positioned to receive. God declared a famine in that day in the land (much like now). They like us now apparently were experiencing a very spiritual purging but really did not have an understanding that God sent the tough times purge them. (Look at 2 Kings 7) The mindset of the officer was so far removed from the prophet Elisha that it caused his death.

Let me say, now is not the time to be doubtful, fearful, uncertain, arrogrant, naive or foolish. The widow cried out to God and found the man of God for her case (debt) and because she did everything she was instructed to do she obtained more than enough in a time of need and destitution.  The Shunammite Woman, a wealthy woman, was not spared because of her wealth, but rather her wisdom in perceiving and receiving the Man of God. Her astounding heart to serve propelled her to safety and divine restitution of all and even more than she had.

It is wise not get into a mindset that puffs you up and causes you to believe you have entitlements to anything as in the case of Naaman and Gehazi. You cannot afford to have that "I am going get mine" attitude nor should you think you are above dipping in certain waters as Naaman did, that attitude nearly cost him his complete healing. 

I will point to 2 Kings 2- Elisha would not leave Elijah side, though the company of prophet continually questioned why he continued on the journey, knowing the Master Prophet would be soon dead. Elisha said, he would not leave Elijah side as long as God and Elijah lived. He essentially told the company of prophets to shut up about it too. You cannot afford to let situations, circumstances or people change your mind about your place in God. Shut them the up and stay right there (wherever there maybe for you). For me it is right here. Because like the Widow with debt and a small amount of oil God will pour out into your situations more than enough and give leftovers. Or should the Lord move you to place of safety to spare you and yours; He will hold, reserve and keep all that is yours to restore it all back to you with residuals. HE IS A MIGHTY GOD. Get in position for His favor to find you.

Hopefully, as you read 2 Kings 2-8 you to will see and receive the key:

Be positioned for God's Favor to Find YOU.

You can find God's Favor in the Lord's Famine, but will you? It is a choice to position yourself in such a way that God's favor finds you. 

Comfort in the Uncomfortable Circumstance

"The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts." [Proverbs 17:3 ESV]

"And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The Lord is my God.'" [Zechariah 13:9]

Greetings One & All,

It has been awhile since I posted a key for Jasmin's Praying a Walking in the Spirit. As most of you know I never write here unless under the unction  or influence of the Holy Spirit. I have been supping with the Father, feasting on His Daily Bread (the Word of God), studying (implementing the supplement in my daily walk of life) and recieving new keys for walking in the Will of God. I am humbled and honor to share some with you now.

You will note a few slight changes to the format of Jasmin's Praying and Walking in the Spirit-nothing major but nonetheless changed. 

Jasmin's Testimony

I last posted exactly seven months ago on May 6, 2012.  Since that time I have experienced a number of battles, hardships; well in a nutshell the issues of life. All in all during the past seven months I arrived at the conclusion, I have the capacity to get comfort in the uncomfortable circumstances or places in my life. I discovered a new key for praying and walking in the spirit. Knowing. Knowing is such a powerful key but it also a very difficult key to obtain. In order to obtain the key of knowing you must become proficient in not knowing. 

There came a time in Apostle Paul's life, despite being a highly educated man,  he started testifying that he decided he know nothing expect Jesus Christ crucified. "For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." [1 Corinthians 2:2 NIV] I am admittedly am nearly at that place. I say nearly at that place of resolve to know nothing because I am truly a control freak.  All my life has been about acquiring knowledge--knowing. I needed to know the how, what, where, when & most definitely WHY.  I know no one else is as bad as I in this control thing.

I am a witness and testify that God will take one to place of knowing nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified. On the journey to that place despite have multiple degrees, having obtained accolades of friends and foes; much acclaim one will resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. The roads to such resolve came to me under heavy burdens--I had to give them all to Father. At the place of departure I did not have any insights of the delays, detours or deadends that would be encountered along the route to my destination. There were many miles between my wrong turns, missed signs and overshot exits. I cannot tell you of all the U-turns I had to make or how long before I would inevitably need to make that 180 degree turn back to this missed point. Along the journey I discovered in spite of the mishaps my destination is sure--as it was God who started on my way.  I gather my wits and take comfort in the uncomfortable circumstances as I journey as I have given the steering wheel into God able hands.

Jasmin's Prayer

Father I enter your courts with praise and thanksgiving.  You Are the light of my Life, my strength and redeemer. My whole being makes a boast in you. You are worthy to be Adored and Lifted UP!

Father you are most loving and kind. Your Justice and Mercy is not as mine nor as any man or woman I know. I am comfortable with YOU driving and I am sorry (most regretful) that I took so long to give YOU the wheel. I know You want the best for me and I have to admit I don't know what that is or even when I will obtain the best that You have planned to give me --I simply  know now that everything you have for me will be mine.

It has taken much time  for me to resolve  to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I want to see where I am going, to know what I am doing and how it going to get done at all times, that is just me being real with you, Father. But is also real for me to say, 'I love You and also love the truth'. The Truth is what Your Word says: " No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him." [1 Corinthians 2:9 NIV]. I am further resolved to know "that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purspose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the first born among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; tos he justified, he also glorified. [Romans 8:28-30 NIV] I am resolved to the know the Truth that there is nothing I, anyone or anything can do to stop this love affair we have going on "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in christ Jesus our Lord." [Romans 8:30-37 NIV] Amen.

KEY FOR WALKING IN THE SPIRIT



"The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts." [Proverbs 17:3 ESV]

"And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, 'They are my people'; and they will say, 'The Lord is my God.'" [Zechariah 13:9 ESV]

It is not wise, prudent or intelligent to be at odds with the process of life. You are not born into this world with knowledge to life as God intended you to. We are born in sin & shaped in inquity. That is the truth. Jesus left his position in Heaven and came here just like us but choice to sin not. He did what the Father asked him to do by Choice. He gave up his will to do the will of Him who sent and sit him on the path. Jesus said to his disciples, "Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come." [Luke 17:1] The mere reality of walking out our journey to the road to living life the way God originally planned is a battlefield. Look at what Jesus said carefully--'things that cause people to sin are bound to come.' Sin to be clear is anything that is disobeys God's instructions for His people. As you continue reading Luke 17 you see Jesus transparency and insightful telling us messing up is part of the journey but so is forgiveness, faith ('as small as a mustard seed') and the expectancy to carry out God's assigned tasks. (Take time and read it for yourself ). 

Let me address the scriptures I openned with that reference silver & gold. Do your own research on silver and gold. Please comment here & let me what you find. These precious metals have to be processed. They must go through their processes in order to achieve value or worth. What of you?  As you go through your processes that are uncomfortable, do not think it strange or attribute your refining process (that is from God's point of view) meant to give you valuation.  There is comfort in the uncomfortable circumstances to know nothing at all except Jesus Christ and him crucified. Think of Jesus' walk, ministry and reign. It was not easy but it also was not with cost. There came a point Jesus couldn't see going through but evenso, though he didn't see how he gave in and way to WHO. He put his trust in the Father's capable hand to do it for him and the rest has given us all access to abundant and eternal life.

What good would it be for obedience to exist if there was no disobedience. Remember God put all the trees in Garden of Eden but He gave man the choice. Jesus despite what you have learned also had a choice. He faced them all the time but he loved and obey the Father who sent him to die. Jesus laid it on the line and allows us to get a clear example that it is a choice to do the will of the Father, which is to love & obey Him.

What is baffling to me is that we are willing to spend so much time & energy in gathering knowledge to achieve results that equate us with the creation but not so much with the Creator. Honestly speaking from your own prospective--what has that yielded for you?  Jesus did many unheard of signs & wonders without exerting any effort. Water-turned to wine; a few loaves of bread & fishes feed thousands; demons fled; dead people rose...fig trees died. Today's we struggle with paying bills, fighting diseases, depression (emotional and economic) despite being highly educated, capable and intelligent. 

Allow me to give  you this invaluable tip--forget about it. God knows all about every uncomfortable circumstance you face, but take comfort in knowing you will be refined through whatever it is and you shall come out as gold. 

Send me your prayer requests. Let me come in agree with you. I take comfort in knowing in all things God is working it out for you.

Joshua 1:7-9; Isaiah 41:10 THE JOSHUA GENERATION

^{Prayer for Today}

Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Holy Spirit direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, the Body of Christ and the Kingdom today.

I will not be afraid, fear shall not abide with me and when it would challenge me I will lift up The Word of God against it. I am of God's good courageous, resting and abiding in His Righteous Right Hand. Father in you I trust and shall not be ashamed for YOU ARE all I ever need. Amen

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit 

As I share with you the Key to walking in the Spirit today, understand beloved brother and sister I am a witness. God is taking Me (Jasmin) on this walk and revealing some very powerful truths that  sets me free in mind, body and spirit. Herein, is the reason I can only write to you as led by the Spirit of the Living God. Today, I received a very powerful Key to release to you, my family. Be courageous, don't be discourage God (the Great I AM; our DADDY) is holding YOU in HIS Righteous Victorious Right Hand.

Thought for Today 

Let me be very brief, clear and concise. I don't know you but I know God. With all my issues of trusting folks, their minds, hearts and agendas, I need not really even concern myself with any of those issues. They really are non-issues. Any apprehensions, reservations and yes, even False Evidence Appearing Real is truly null and void because God's promise and His Word is my Truth. My focus isn't on my issues with my issues or my issues with anyone. My focus is fixed on God. So as long as I live I will trust HIM and never doubt Him. I doesn't matter that I can't see my way, not sure of where I am going or exactly HOW I am getting there because I am held in the Powerful, the RIGHTEOUS, the VICTORIOUS Right HAND of my Daddy. It is my Daddy that will be with me wherever I go, causing me to be not dismayed, He strengthens and helps me. Joshua's Generation serves as the witness, of what God is doing in Jasmin in this Generation, this time and among those He  aligns and set forth to fulfilling HIS plan and purpose today. Your alignment, your showing up in my experience and I in yours has a righteous and victorious outcome. What God has positioned and purposed for us to accomplish even though weapons may form they shall not prosper, But WE SHALL be prosperous wherever we go as long as we keep, observe and do HIS  Commandments. This is how and why Joshua's generation had long and Godly success.

The Prevailing Truth for me Today:

 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law  my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:7-9 NIV

So do not fear, for I am with you;  do not be dismayed, for I am your God.I will strengthen you and help  you;I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV

John 8:12 and Matthew 5:14-16 Be the Light

^{Prayer for Today}

Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Holy Spirit direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, the Body of Christ and the Kingdom today.

Father teach us to know our worth. We are the Light as YOU are the Light and  because you called us to be the Light. Help us not grow dim or hide our light but allow it to shine for all. Teach us that we follow Your example as the Light of the world. You have appointed to every one of us who are called by Your Name.

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit 

Questions: Are you the Light of the world? Have you thought about what it means to be the light of the world?

As you grow spiritually you will note numerous changes in your physical world. There will be former attitudes and attributes that shift or change. The places you used to go, and people you used know are rapidly changing or evolving. People may begin to see the changes and say you look radiant, happy or they may avoid you because they cannot understand or pinpoint the changes in your life. Nonetheless, the shifts and changes are evident to you and them because you are the light of the world. When you show up there is going to be illumination and there is nothing that can be done about for you are the light. The key to being the light is simply to be. Jesus called us the light--rightly so. When God said, let there be light, there was light. 

Thought for Today 

I started this "be" the salt and the light topic because we all need to have a clear comprehension of how powerful we are in the earth and world. As we are called to be the salt of the earth (you can read the previous blog post "Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:49-50, Luke 9:25-34 "Being Salt"); Jesus also told us we are the light of the world. We know that Jesus said of himself "I am the light of the world." Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The Bible reports Jesus was faced with opportunity to judge and condemn a woman caught in the sin of adultery just prior to him telling those present "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." The same Pharisees who brought the accusation against the adulteress challenged Jesus' witness and declared it invalid. Look at what Jesus replied to them:

John 8:14-18 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “Even if I testify on my own behalf, my testimony is valid, for I know where I came from and where I am going. But you have no idea where I come from or where I am going.  You judge by human standards; I pass judgment on no one.  But if I do judge, my decisions are true, because I am not alone. I stand with the Father, who sent me. In your own Law it is written that the testimony of two witnesses is true. I am one who testifies for myself; my other witness is the Father, who sent me.”

Essentially, Jesus said 'look I know who I am even if you don't and I don't need you to validate my testimonies or witness of my being who I am.' The light is the light. The properties and source of light need no validation because it light. There is no mistaking light for something else. Right?


What is this light defined as and what has it come to mean to us naturally? According to Dictionary.com 'light' is

1. something that makes things visible or affords illumination: All colors depend on light.
2. Physics, (A) also called luminous energy, radiant energy, electromagnetic radiation to which the organs of  sight react, ranging in wavelength from about 400 to 700 nmand propagated at a speed of 186,282 mi/sec (299,972 km/sec), considered variously as a wave, corpuscular or quantum phenomenon. (B) a similar form of radiant energy that does not affect the retina, as ultraviolet or infrared rays.
3. the sensation produced by stimulation of the organs of sight.
4. an illuminating agent or source, as the sun, a lamp, or a beacon.
5. the radiance or illumination from a particular source: the light of a candle.

Let's examine the natural properties of visible light. The properties of visible light are:


Reflection- bending back; an image, representation, counterpart. The reflection of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation occurs when the waves encounter a surface or other boundary that does not absorb the energy of the radiation and bounces the waves away from the surface.


Refraction- is responsible for image formation by lenses and the eye. It is the bending of a wave when it enters a medium where it's speed is different. The refraction of light when it passes from a fast medium to a slow medium bends the light ray toward the normal to the boundary between the two media.


Refractive indices the simplest way to define the refractive index is to say it is a dimensionless number that describes how light propagates through an optical medium (substance).


Dispersion- the refractive index of substances or materials varies with the wavelength and frequency of light; this is called dispersion. Dispersion causes prisms to divide white light into spectral colors and provides the explanation of how rainbows are formed.

We can see from examining light's natural properties that light does not simply illuminate it moves, bends, divides, propagates and forms. Bearing these natural properties in mind what then is Jesus really saying when he says, "You are the light of the world..." (Matthew 5:14 NIV) and declares "I am the Light of the world..." (John 8:12 NIV). What must we know about the spiritual properties of this light and how it is to light the world?

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. Gen 1:3 (NIV)

This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3: 19-21 NIV)

The Amplified Bible says even clearer:

The [basis of the] judgment (indictment, the test by which men are judged, the ground for the sentence) lies in this: the Light has come into the world, and people have loved the darkness rather than and more than the Light, for their works (deeds) were evil. For every wrongdoer hates (loathes, detests) the Light, and will not come out into the Light but shrinks from it, lest his works (his deeds, his activities, his conduct) be exposed and reproved. But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are--wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon Him]. (John 3:19-21 Amp Bible)

So when we revisit John chapter 8 and re-read the events John 3 becomes the testimony for people who love darkness and hate the light as the accusers shrink from having their sins exposed. We also see  a few properties of spiritual light being revealed. This spiritual light is exposing, revealing, and reproving, but it also repels, disperses and causes some hide or reject it. When the Light that Jesus speaks of comes on the scene things happen. The first thing that is noticeable is the interaction between the Light and that which being illuminated; responds with attraction or repulsion; either love or hate. Exposure and reproving will occur, the subject will either come into the light and become fully exposed and reproved or he/she will shrink and retreat from being exposed or revealed. Another key element to note when the Light shows up is the presence of God Almighty himself. As the light of the world shows up and you are the light understand what happens. You must know there is nothing you can do to hid the light that radiates from you, for you are created in God's likeness and image. You are the light of the world.

Revelation 1:1-8 "HE WENT WILLINGLY"

^{Prayer for Today}

Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Holy Spirit direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, the Body of Christ and the Kingdom today.

Father You are Alpha and Omega beside you there is no other. While we reject you; Your only Son came and bore our transgressions, iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon and by His stripes we are heal. Jesus is the Resurrection. Thank you for revealing HE WENT WILLINGLY while we sought to live outside obedience, looked to other gods and would reject His grace at every turn, He went willingly to  redeem us from sin by becoming sin himself. O what love is this?

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit 

Question: Will you go willingly?

Can you understand the power of will? This most powerful key for walking in the spirit is not to be taken lightly. There something so powerful in submitting to the plan, the Will of God. Understand you have free will to do, to be and exercise authority and live in dominion. Will is your mental faculty to deliberately choose or decide on a course of action. We exercise will with diligence, purposefulness and determination. Our will is our self; self control or self discipline (self-governing). It is your desire, purpose and determination as it relates to the authority God gave you, free discretion, inclination or pleasure. Humans/mankind has Free Will. Will you willingly submit even to death? 

Thought for Today

Yesterday, I cried as the Father spoke these three words to me "He went willingly." The gentle caress of those words quieted my troubled mind. As I thought on many things that perplexed me, obstacles in my way and conflicts that appeared; I could do nothing but shed many tears at those words "He went willingly." Those three simple words arrested me--humbled me. Because, I could see Jesus going willingly into service, taken on a job that He did not have to do; being rejected, despised and scorned. I sawJesus stepping in my mess, my sin, my pain, my suffering to get me out. Look, you know you and where you are...how you live. Jesus came to willingly into your mess and became a substitute to set you free. The reality is the world didn't reject Him, man did!  It is very simple your ways are not God's ways and your thoughts are not God thoughts. We all live in a perpetual state of let me do me. We have agendas, plans and ideologies that are as far removed from God as the east is from the west or as is the earth from the heavens. We want to serve if we can find a niche, a market an audience if you will but God forbid people to don't receive you and that you sell. Want friendships, to be acknowledged, and to be seen. But, when Jesus said, "I will go," He knew, he would be bruised, wound, and the chastening of our sins would be on Him. He knew he would get spat on, lie on, talked about and ultimately slain.  He knew he'd be rejected by the very folks He came for. But, He went willingly. So as I pondered the road ahead for me on this journey called life and as I attempted to put all the answers in perspective I heard, "He went willingly."  At that moment I worshiped the Father and the Son because suddenly all my worrying seemed so small. I recognized, I have been redeemed, reconciled and renewed. I am not alone in this journey. It is my battle any longer. All the hurt, pain; all the worry and perplexities are not mine to bear. It is done, finished because Jesus went willingly. The day I hardened not my heart, and heard the knock, I opened the door and received the invite to sup with HIM. I am not the same nor will I ever be. I decided to submit and obey; to follow wherever He leads. My life is not my own because I decided to go willingly; exchanging my will for the Will of the Father. Let me be clear, I know I have been called to service and serving in places where it is not pleasant. But, I am go willingly. 

Today's Scripture Reading Revelation 1:1-8 NIV

The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,  who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.  Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. John,To the seven churches in the province of Asia:Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.to him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood,  and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”and “every eye will see him, even those who pierced him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

Matthew 5:13, Mark 9:49-50, Luke 9:25-34 "Being Salt"

^{Prayer for Today}

Father, I worship you and give YOUR Name the praise. For you alone are worthy of all the praise. I invite you to step in this place and take control. I submit to Your will, Your Word and Way. Holy Spirit direct my steps and guide me on my way. What is it that I can do for You, the Body of Christ and the Kingdom today.

Father teach us to know our worth. We are the salt because you called us to be the salt. Help us not lose our saltiness for it is our acceptable service to You and the discipleship You have appointed to every one of us who are called by Your Name.

Today's Key to Walking in the Spirit 

Questions: Are you salted? Have you prepared to present your body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God?

One of the greatest things about walking in the spirit is the level of revelation that is availed. Revelation of who you are and what you are created to do. The things of spirit cannot be handled or understood unless you will put the flesh on the altar daily. You cannot bring the mere mind to the table of God and expect to sup with Him. We are going have to learn how to present our body as living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God this our true and proper worship. (Romans 12:1 NIV) The key to walking in the spirit is to avail oneself to the covenant of salt (Christ), be holy (separated for the Master's use) and please God (read Proverbs 16). Be salted. 

Thought for Today

Here in this blog, Jasmin's Praying and Walking in the Spirit, I don't want to be just blogging, writing and speaking willy nilly. If God's not speaking than I really have nothing to say here. I have others blogs where I express myself on a variety of intellectual levels. The previous blog post I spoke regarding Matthew 5:13-16 as Jesus told us we are the salt and the light. But, do we know why he said it and what it means? Today's walking in the spirit key is "Be Salted." Let me explain how to be salted and why we who follow Christ need to do this. 

I tell you salt is needed and it is valuable. There are thirty-odd references to salt in the English translation of the Bible. Those references are found in the Books of the Law (Genesis, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy), the Books of Judges, Joshua, and Ezra, the Books of Wisdom (Psalm, Prayer of Manasseh, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, Wisdom of Solomon, and Wisdom of Sirach, the Books of Prophet (Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel) and the New Testament Matthew, Mark, Luke, Colossian and James.

There are 14,000 uses for salt known to man. These are a few of the basic characteristics of salt:

• needed mineral, 
• essential element of diet (human, animal and plants), 
• it is the most effective and widely used (food) preservative [even used in Egyptian mummy preserving], 
• it used industrially, and medicinally, it is a taste enhancer, 
• it is used as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge in many cultures, 
• salt was used as a currency in many cultures (Ezra 4:14), 
• salt was used in sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13)
• Salt spiritually represents an unbreakable bond between us and God.

Though salt has natural properties it also has spiritual properties that are important to the believer and non believer. 

For the believer, we are called the salt (the seasoning, preserver, and cure) of the earth (the realm we are to subdue and have dominion). As we offer our bodies a living sacrifice the offering must be salted.Christ is covenant of salt [2 Chronicles 13:5] (Kingdom established forever), He is an everlasting covenant, and bond that cannot be broken. If we. who are called by His name, have not been crucified, and raised with Him we are speaking lies. If we who are called by His name do not pick up our cross and follow Him we are not His disciples. Because we have been made heirs we are part of the covenant of salt that God gave David. So were are the salt by virtue of salvation. 

Leviticus 2:13 reads: "And every offering of your grain offering you shall season with salt; you shall not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be lacking from your grain offering. With all your offerings you shall offer salt.


2 Chronicles 13:5 reads: "Don’t you know that the LORD, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and his descendants forever by a covenant of salt?" 


Salt cannot be ingest alone. You cannot eat salt without measure. If you use too little, it has no effect. Likewise if you use too much it is useless. As we are the salt of the earth it is important to know how much we need to use. It is also vitally important we know where to use it. Salt is not meant for everything. In some instances salt brings about desolation and barrenness.


Ezekiel 47:3-12 reads:

"As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits^[ and then led me through water that was ankle-deep.  He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?”

"Then he led me back to the bank of the river.  When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river.  He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Dead Sea. When it empties into the sea, the salty water there becomes fresh.  Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live.  Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Mediterranean Sea.  But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.  Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

There was point in water Ezekiel could not go. As matter of fact Ezekiel says, "no one could cross." The salt according to scripture went to specific part and then it salty water became fresh water. Note: the fresh (living) produced more life and healing.  Christ, the covenant salt, became fresh (living) water for us.

John 4:7-15 NIV reads

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans). Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?  Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

It was not by happenstance that Jesus demonstrated how salt became living water in Samaria (among a people Jews did not associate). It is no coincidence that her impurities are washed out and she stands convicted by the Word of Truth. Her deliverance, the clarity of spirit and worship begin to show up as she receive the Living Water. What follows after is produce (life and healing). Life produce life.

When the Samaritan Woman, evangelizes, she is salt. She became the salt of the earth. She brings the cure, and  the preservative. The woman's life was evident as was her transformation. The entire region believed and followed her to Jesus because of her testimony. But, at point they said, they believe because they experience the living water for themselves. 

John 4:39-42 NIV reads:

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”  So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

This is discipleship. It is not enough that we are saved, go to church and hear the Word. We are called to be the salt. We must bring the cure, be the preservative and in order to do that we have to become a living sacrifice that has been salted by the Christ, the covenant of salt and we must drink from the well that does not run dry.

My final thought regarding the salt is our speech must be seasoned. Colossians 4:6 NIV reads, "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."  The key word is everyone. We need to know how to answer EVERYONE.

Grace & Peace.