 Are our ears open to hear stern words of loving correction from God? In 2026, God is still shaking foundations. Hebrews 12: 25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.” 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.” To review how this has affected my call… In 2016, the Lord called me to start Into the Waters which was a non-profit ministry to Christians to encourage them to linger longer, to draw near and know Christ. Over a period of 7 years, God blessed it and prospered it! Then suddenly He stopped it! He had me draw it down in 2024; and shift to intercession, local focus, observing spiritual signs, studying the Word, witnessing in shelter settings, ministering to women in transition, and walking in deepened trust. Initially, I had a lot of trouble understanding why He would turn me away from a ministry focused on intimacy with Christ, a ministry that was growing! One day as I was struggling with letting go, He clearly said, “Enough”. There was a distinct tone of authority and impatience in His countenance as I received that in my heart. I’ve thought about that moment here and there, and now more than ever, I understand. More and more I’m deeply connecting with the grief and frustration of His heart over the state of His people's worldly ways, and our lack of healthy reverence/fear. Many ministries have messages either from the pulpit, or from their non-profit platforms that are unbiblical in that they overly catering to emotions. As a quick example, in John 11 where Jesus weeps, it is taught that Jesus wept to identify with the emotions of Mary and Martha and others mourning the death of Lazarus. It’s taught as Jesus showing “his humanness”. Yes, He loved Mary, and Martha, and Lazarus, but that is not why Jesus wept. This is a reason to read scriptures in more than one version. Specifically it is good to check versions that are more literal to original manuscript language. This is the reason I use NKJV. In the NKJV, the scripture says 2 times that He was groaning and deeply troubled, John 11:33 & 38.
(Note that some important intent of original language is stripped out of NIV version.) That word "groaned" in those scriptures is a Greek word that means to “snort with anger, have indignation, to sternly charge”. Jesus is shedding tears from exhaustion, frustration, and anger over the amount of unbelief still around Him as He heads into his final days on earth. I’ll share more of my observations about his emotion in this situation in an upcoming blog that focuses on Martha. For a quicker example of how we overly cater to emotions, consider how many of us use Psalm 34:18- - The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Who have you given that scripture to? I know I’ve used that scripture out of place many times. I’ve used it to too quickly to comfort people that I know have a block of rebellion. I should not be giving that scripture in those situations, because repentance is needed first. If we’re honest, it’s not hard to see that much brokenness in our day is due to openly rebelling against God. The brokenhearted being referenced in Psalm 34:18 is not meant to mean the unrepentant. Speaking that way to Christians in sin is like giving a cookie to a child throwing a tantrum. All they learn is that you cater to their flesh when they misbehave. There are no consequences, just comfort. With the direction of this world are you perceiving that these are days we need to wake up and repent? That we need to return to the Lord and deepen? The blogs I've been sending have shared spiritual signs to consider. Go back and read some of them. (Note these come via email, so sign up if you do not receive them! I only post a few blogs on the website!) More shakings are coming, and for those who are not deeply rooted in faith, those shakings will likely cause them to fall away and deny Christ, because they have no root. Matthew 13:21- 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. We need to speak more honestly into people’s lives who say they are a Christian. Too often we are afraid of loving counsel or calls to accountability. Too often we are afraid to call people higher. Too often we are afraid to challenge long-time Christians that they know very little about the Word of God, and that they have not grown in knowledge of the Lord. We often choose keeping a relationship and not ruffling feathers, over staying true to the Lord. And to the many in rebellion, too often we self-justify, and root ourselves in our own victimhood, versus having a healthy fear of God. That was me. When I was in rebellion, I’ve previously shared that I distinctly noticed that God’s presence left me. I couldn’t feel Him anymore; or sense Him anymore. It truly bothered me. So, I decided to do a spiritual fast for the first time. His voice came back with a precise strike. His sword of the Spirit pierced my heart quickly and deeply. I was given these scriptures as His voice returning. These scriptures are from Proverbs 1: 23 Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. 24 But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, 25 since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, 26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you-- 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. 28 “Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me, 29 since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord. 30 Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, 31 they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. 32 For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.” Those scriptures truly shook me. I had only been a Christian for a few years at this point. My rebellion began about 6 months into my walk with Him. So that was the first time in my few years of walking with God, that instantly, I had a healthy fear of God. Those words were as if He was in my presence, speaking them to my face. I knew He was rebuking me, and I am so thankful for it!!! I knew I had refused to listen Him. I knew I was defiantly refusing to pay attention to His hand reaching for me. I disregarded His advice repeatedly. I did not accept His rebukes. And disaster was indeed striking. I was caught in a horrible, destructive, chaotic, abusive, oppressive relationship that He had already rescued me from. But I went back, even though He warned me repeatedly not to do so. I thumbed my nose at God. Yet in my rebellion, I had acted as though His grace was always available. I had been calling, but God was no longer answering. I had been looking for Him, but I was not finding Him. I knew something was terribly wrong. I had refused His knowledge. I had not chosen to fear Him. Now I was eating the fruit of my ways, being filled with the rotten fruit of my schemes. I was deeply afraid for what I had done. I disrespected the One who generously and graciously filled me with His Spirit and comfort and love and help and truth and goodness. So, in that moment, the comfort of Psalm 34:18 was NOT for me. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Many take the Lord for granted. I’ve been engaging with many doing so, and their lack of self-awareness is truly troubling. Many are taking His grace for granted while openly rebelling and engaging in the flesh. No conviction. Walking in obliviousness. When I call it out by lovingly warning, their countenance towards me has sometimes changed quickly. Christians often resist facing their sin. This should not be so. So this is the reason and His countenance behind Him saying to me, “Enough”. Enough of ministering to just the few who want more of Him. They are to figure it out, and press in. Instead, turn to speak to those who don’t want more of Him. Speak to those justifying themselves in their victimhood or living in open rebellion to Him while, at the same time, confessing Him with their lips. Urge Christians to deepen in their understanding of the Word. Witness to the lost. Notice the shakings beginning to happen in greater measure. Point out the signs of the times. Practice warning people to prepare for His coming. As you read this, do you need to admit that you don't want to know about the stern side of God? Let go of that, and turn. Because His sternness is great blessing! Romans 11:22- 22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. Some of us need to admit that we only want the part of Him that comforts us. If that is you, you are fashioning a god of your own making. And that is an idol. In my experience, it is the rare Christian who is trapped in sin, who is open to the convicting message. Interestingly, there have been many mornings where I wake up with itching ears. It is one of God’s ways of keeping me focused on the spiritual times. These are days of 2 Timothy 4:3-  Many churches have shifted to feel-good messages. As well, there are many other ministries that are super hesitant to call out Christians living in sin and flesh-based rebellion.
We need to open our ears to hear that the Spirit of the Lord is calling many Christians “adulterers and adulteresses”, James 4:4. Shocking language, but true. Many Christians love the world and prefer friendship with the world over God. Would we accept James in our churches in these days? Would we accept a pastor who called us out with that kind of language in these days?
Only 5% of Christians give 10% or more of their financial resources to the Lord. 95% don’t. The average gives about 3-4% of their income per year. How many are not expressing thanks to God by generously and joyfully giving to Him as we are taught to do, 2 Corinthians 9:7? Our worldliness is catching up to us. These are days that many are seeing the fruit of their own ways as debt climbs, anxiety doubles-down, families fracture, health fails, storms destroy, prices rise, etc. Let each one reflect. We can absolutely grieve God, Ephesians 4:30-31. And God is not mocked; we reap what we sow. I can ONLY say these things with great confidence because I’ve had to receive these scripture corrections for myself. He does not give me messages that He has not already used to convict and lovingly sanctify me. I've learned to obey and to expect His favor when I do so. For deepening of my faith during these days, I did not have enough finances in May to make it because one donation was held up in processing. Despite that, God told me, “tithe”. So, I skipped paying my mortgage in May, so I could obey and tithe. And then He surprised me with an above and beyond gift that I didn’t know was coming!!! What a shock and joy!!! Our economics are not His! God's Word is true! Do you trust Him with your finances in this way, Malachi 3:10? A healthy fear of the Lord and of His Word is path to blessing! He wants to pour out upon you when you sow to please the Spirit! Galatians 6:7-8- 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Please take time to consider the following scriptures. Are there people in your life that God would have you talk to about these scriptures? · Communion- Paul has strong words of warning to those who take communion in an unworthy manner. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11 that you can drink judgment on yourself, verses 27-32. He says it is the reason some are weak, sick, or have died. There are many “Christians” who have not taken communion in years! May they turn! · Baptism- There are “Christians” who have publicly declared Christ as Lord in a baptism ceremony, but are openly involved in sexual relationships outside of covenant marriage. There is strong warning against that-
The Spirit is calling us to sanctify ourselves in these days, 1 Thessalonians 5:23- May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is to be my message spoken in love, that people would have a healthy fear of God. He is showing me signs of the times to point out, to bring urgency, to reveal more shaking is happening and coming. These signs are revealed in love that we may repent and be healed. We need to prepare, for the Day of the Lord is coming… Joel 2: 11The Lord thunders at the head of his army; his forces are beyond number, and mighty is the army that obeys his command. The day of the Lord is great; it is dreadful. Who can endure it? Rend Your Heart 12 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” 13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. 14 Who knows? He may turn and relent and leave behind a blessing-- grain offerings and drink offerings for the Lord your God. What are some practical ways to repent?
John 14: 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. May you hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying! May you go deeper into His Word and call for this hour. He is preparing His people to meet Him. May you be rejoicing in the power of the Spirit as you anticipate meeting our Lord and King face-to-face!!! Eternal joy and happiness is ours, as we endure to the end!
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 Most of the blogS I send are not posted here. I send them via email. Sign up to receive inspiration in your inbox! 👀 Notice I didn't say "fasting" is unbiblical, but that Lent is unbiblical. Lent was instituted as a tradition, by religious men, many centuries after Christ. THE HISTORY IS TOWARDS THE END OF THIS BLOG.
🤓 If we look at what Jesus teaches about fasting, Lent would likely be considered "old wineskin". It's an ancient religious practice. It's not new. In Matthew 9:14-17, related to fasting, Jesus said to consider wineskins. Old wineskins is a picture he gave for old covenant laws of God. So, for modern application, we can reasonably qualify Lent as old teaching. He said not to put new wine into old wineskins, because it would cause the skins to burst. But for the now, what if we applied the reverse, which would also be true. What happens when you put old wine into new wineskin? When you put old wine into new wineskins, what happens? Nothing. The wine has already fermented, so the new wineskin will not be stretched and matured by old wine. The old wine will do nothing except stain the new wineskin. The old way of saying "Hey God look at me, look how I try really hard to deny myself and please you..." is dead works. According to scripture, Christians who try to be good enough, and to show others how righteous they are to follow religious traditions, place themselves in dangerous territory. Galatians 3:10 For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” 11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” 12 The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. What this means is that Christ met all the standards on your behalf. He redeemed us from the curse of trying to be good enough. And by the way, He already fasted 40 days for you, Matthew 4:1-11. He did it. He never commanded you to do it. He calls you to rest in His finished work- John 19:28 After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I thirst!” 29 Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. 30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. So you who started out by the Spirit, through Christ who made you new, are you now attempting to finish in the flesh? Galatians 3:3- Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Here is more information related to the history of Lent... Lent is an act of the flesh instituted by man. It is about following rules. Following rules will only frustrate you. You will be obsessing about your inability to complete the fast. That is why "the Sunday rule" was added. I just learned that according to Lent rules, the 40 day fast can be broken on Sunday. So stuff your face on Sunday, but then pick right back up for denial on Monday. Colossians 2: 20If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: 21“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? 22These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. But religious men adjusted the rules to appease the weakness of the flesh. So go ahead and break the 40-day fast every Sunday. What? You WERE NOT meant to fast for 40 straight days every year as a RULE TO FOLLOW. Anyone who fasts for 40 straight days had better hear clear direction and call from Jesus. It would be a personal thing, not a call for all Christians at a prescribed beginning and ending every year. Calling believers to a 40 day fast is false teaching. The annual tradition and scheduled "old wine" of human effort "in the Name of God" will only sit in your "belly". It won't change you. It will only leave a stain on new wineskin, a stain for others to see. It will leave a stain that is hard to get out. Jeremiah 2:22- Although you wash yourself with soap and use an abundance of cleansing powder, the stain of your guilt is still before me,” declares the Sovereign Lord. In Latin, Lent means 40. The Lenten fast was mentioned as a new tradition around the Council of Nicaea in 325AD. The 40 days of fasting was to be in preparation for celebrating Christ's death and resurrection. Urged observance came through Pope Athanasius around 330AD. He urges a 40-day fast observance in 3 different Paschal letters he wrote to "his flock" across the world. In a letter from 339AD, he decides that "he who neglects to observe the fast of forty days, as one who rashly and impurely treads on holy things, cannot celebrate the Easter festival." Do you see it? According to this man, if believers do not observe the 40 day fast, believers are judged as treading on holy things? Believers cannot celebrate the Easter festival? Is that what Jesus taught? Yes, Jesus said, "When you fast..." But there is no mention of 40 days. The fast he mentions is private- Matthew 6:16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." As already mentioned, related to fasting, He also taught that it would be a disaster to put new wine in old wineskins. Matthew 9: 16“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Old wineskins have already expanded and contracted through a prior ferment of grape juice. As fresh grape juice ferments, it releases gases. A fresh batch of grape juice for wine production needs to be held by a new wineskin. The new wineskin can stretch and expand under pressure and time. But to use new wine in an old wineskin would be disaster. As Jesus says, the skins will burst. As a believer in Christ, He made you new, 2 Corinthians 5:17- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! You only overcome your flesh with the help of the Holy Spirit- Romans 8:13- 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. By the Spirit, you put to death the misdeeds of the body… by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body… by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body… Do you know how to apply that? “Lord Jesus, I am weak. My flesh is weak. Father God, I need supernatural strength. Lord, I can’t live your way without the help of the Spirit. Forgive me for lying to myself and others whenever I have postured that I have it all together. I don’t. I don’t want to do life in my power. I want the new way. I want the new wine. I want to come to the end of self-reliance. I can’t do it. Change me. Transform me. Help me Lord. Amen.” Pour that new wine into His presence. Carve out time with Him. Let your confessions be new! He will fill you with fresh filling of His Spirit that will stretch and mature you in His power, and not your own! PREPARE FOR HIS COMING ALL THE TIME! Blessings! #lent #Lent2026 #biblestudy #religion #tradition #grace #LawVsGrace #byfaithalone #FaithWithoutWorks #falseteachers #catholic #fastingandprayer #GraceThroughFaith #savedbygrace  Advent Reflection: Pray for the Holy Spirit to focus your attention and teach you... (Note this is 1 of 5 Advent devotionals I'm sending out. Sign up to receive them via email. This is the only one posted on my site.) Consider... how deep are your convictions in the infallibility of God's Word? Gallup's survey in 2022 found that a majority of Americans (49%) now think it is "inspired", i.e. inspired by God, but not to be taken as the literal Word of God. The next highest percentage was 29% of Americans who say the Bible is a combination of history, fable, and moral precepts recorded by man. The lowest percentage (20%), are Americans who believe the Bible is infallible. It is slightly higher (25%) when asking American Christians. Which category are you? It takes focused intent, along with the help of the Spirit, to look very closely at the Word. Once you do this, you will be in awe at the perfection of the Word! It grounds your faith in amazing ways to trust in God's Word as infallible! Some argue that differences in Jesus' genealogies by Matthew and Luke prove the Bible has mistakes. Why are there 2 different genealogies for Christ's lineage? Matthew has his in chapter 1. Luke has his in chapter 3, and it doesn't match Matthew's. Why? Let's compare how the Spirit inspired Matthew and Luke to record detail differently, but still accurately- Matthew 1:16- and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. Luke 3:23- Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of Joseph, the son of Heli, So Matthew says that Joseph's father was Jacob? Luke says it was Heli? That's confusing?! It's not if you focus very closely on the language and intent of each. Let's look at a few clues... Both Matthew and Luke make the case that Joseph was NOT who fathered Jesus. They say it in different ways for different purposes. Matthew's audience would have mainly been Jews. Matthew traced Joseph's lineage DOWN FROM Abrahamic covenant promises and Davidic lineage for kingship. Matthew shows legal (Covenant Law & Promises) in the lineage of Joseph as father. And in so doing, Jesus was proven to be the legal and RIGHTFUL HEIR to the throne of David. Pay attention also that Joseph's lineage starts with the MIRACULOUS birth of Isaac. Matthew 1:1- This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac,... Matthew also uses "father of" language throughout the entire lineage, but STOPS from saying Joseph is the "father of" Jesus. Matthew 1:16- and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah. Matthew instead says that Joseph was the husband of Mary; and that Mary was the mother of Jesus. The rest of Matthew chapter 1 is Matthew telling us that Joseph was visited by an angel of the LORD. He is finishing the lineage of Jesus; that is, God being the father of Jesus. Open your bible and read Matthew 1:18-25 to observe what Matthew is showing you. Now turning to Luke, his language and approach is different. He says Jesus was the son "so it was thought"... Then he says "Joseph, the son of Heli,..." Luke repeatedly says "son of" in his lineage for Jesus. Luke also starts the lineage with Joseph and GOES BACK to the beginning of time, to Adam, "the son of" God. Luke 1:38- 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God. Even thought Luke goes all the way back to the beginning of humanity, it still doesn't reconcile why there are different names between Matthew and Luke? Let's look more closely at Luke before we look at his genealogy for Jesus. Different than Matthew, Luke's audience is strongly believed to be a Roman (Gentile) audience. Luke writes both the Book of Luke and the Book of Acts. In both, he starts chapter 1 addressing his writings to a Roman authority named Theophilus, Luke 1:3 & Acts 1:1. He names names on purpose. In Luke 2:1, he references the worldwide census of Caesar Augustus which meant Theophilus could check that Jesus was recorded by name in that census. Roman law required that once newborns reached 8 days old, they had to be registered. So Jesus was registered in the first worldwide census! Did you know that? Luke 2:21- When the eight days before His circumcision had passed, He was named Jesus, the name the angel had given Him before He was conceived. Then in Luke 3:1, Luke references Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate, and Herod. Luke is carefully mentioning Roman leadership so his work can be checked and verified. He is also believed to be a Gentile believer, so probably had natural ties to those Roman leaders. Maybe he was their doctor/ since Luke was a doctor (Colossians 4:14)? He ministered with Paul, and was part of the inner circle of Apostles & disciples. This meant he probably interviewed Mary. Let's look how Mary is in Luke's genealogy through his using "son of" language for Joseph. In Luke 3, he repetitively uses the phrase “son of”. It does not mean “fathered” like Matthew’s use of the term “begot”. “Son of” has a much wider use, which includes son-in-law! So Heli was not Joseph's father, but Mary's! Women were rarely if ever named in ancient genealogies. Culture was patriarchal. Men had absolute power over wife and children. Rome was ruling the Jews at the time, and as already mentioned, Luke wrote his account to a Roman leader name Theophilus, Luke 1:3. In his assigning Joseph as stand-in for Mary's name, Luke was conforming to patriarchal authority. And this writing style would have been known to first readers of Luke. They would have known that according to marriage, Joseph was a son of Heli, as his son-in-law! Where is another example in scripture where a son-in-law is called a son? We can look at 1 Samuel 18:27- David took his men with him and went out and killed two hundred Philistines and brought back their foreskins. They counted out the full number to the king so that David might become the king’s son-in-law. Then Saul gave him his daughter Michal in marriage. In that passage, David is referenced as a son-in-law to Saul. Now we read forward to 1 Samuel 24:16- When David finished saying this, Saul asked, “Is that your voice, David my son?” And he wept aloud. In that passage, Saul calls David his son, when in fact we know he was his son-in-law. So do you see how both Matthew's genealogy and Luke's genealogy are accurate, even though different? ⁉️ What are 3 things you learned from above? Can you repeat them to someone else? Try it so that you retain what you've learned about the veracity of scripture. ⁉️ How does this background challenge your knowledge of the scriptures? Do you realize you need to go deeper to carefully study the Word? 🙏. What doubts do you have about the Bible? In 2026, what commitment will you make to inquire of God, and settle doubts you have about the Bible? Confess to God any doubts you have. 🙏. Pray right now and ask God to show you how His Word is infallible, to overcome your arguments, to pull down strongholds, and all the high things (self-knowledge and opinion) that exalt themselves over the knowledge of Christ. As a final help, notice how the genealogies of Matthew and Luke both trace back to King David, but to different sons of David. The Bible is not contradictory! It can be verified through the treasure of scripture, with the help of the Holy Spirit! Do not read the Bible without the help of the Holy Spirit!   (Note: If you have happened upon this blog, this is an excerpt from the devotional I send out to those who receive my devotional in their email box. Also in the blog I sent out this morning, I included some signs to observe in the US that should sober us, and urge us to return to Jesus. I have sent out about 12 email blogs since my last public post on this website in April. Please sign up to receive future email devotionals to get to know Jesus better!)
Can you explain the differences between soul, spirit, heart, and mind? I'm releasing a four-part series for you to better understand the difference between soul, spirit, heart, and mind. There are competing voices in our day that convolute and confuse the spiritual significance of each. This has always been true, of course. But what does it sound like in our day? Where is there confusion on what the soul is, what the spirit is, what the heart is, what the mind is? Compare definitions in our day to biblical definitions based upon scripture truth, and you'll see we now have corrupt and godless definitions. People's opinions and modern thought have greatly diminished original meaning of spiritual truths. Definitions on soul, spirit, heart, and mind have been either dumbed down or hyper spiritualized in unhealthy ways. It can cause a lot of confusion in you and others who are spiritually seeking and wanting to land on truth. Knowing the spiritual significance of each one as it's taught in the scriptures is a critical part of understanding your need for Jesus. “People say things like, "Well, you're going to die, but your soul is going to live on." That's it? Where is it living on? What does that mean exactly? A woman that I felt I was supposed to go up and pray with as I was walking in a park, had stage 4 cancer. We got to talking about her beliefs. And what she told me is that when she dies, her spirit is just going to go as light into the universe, and that is just how it's going to continue to live, just as this light floating around. 83% of Americans believe that we have a soul. But that only tells a small portion of the story when you talk to people and get answers like above. Have you tried asking people, "What is the soul?” See how many different answers you get. Other forms of belief like Hinduism say that there's an infinite cycle for the soul of birth, death, and rebirth coming into different bodies. Buddhists believe our souls are a consciousness that can leave our body, and enter another after death. There's so many varying opinions about what people think the soul is. Modern day science often debunks the existence of the soul, dismissing it as human belief only because they say there's no verifiable proof of the soul. Psychology teases that the soul is bound up with the idea of a future life and a belief in continued existence after death, saying that the soul is the ultimate animating principle by which we think and feel, but it's not dependent on the body. Psychology says that the soul is esoteric, it's mysterious, it's unable to be known. Science says the soul is separate from the body. What do you believe? What does Jesus say? Please listen to the episode to educate yourself on God's definition of the soul (click on pic above to listen). Please consider sharing it with a friend! Jesus has a hope and future for our soul and body beyond this sin sick world. He has a plan to make all things new! I pray that you listen to this series, and that you become clear on how God defines your soul, spirit, heart, and mind. And that you know how each one contributes to the quality of your life now and your future forevermore. Your soul never dies, but where will it go? Psalm 107:9- For He has satisfied the thirsty soul, And the hungry soul He has filled with what is good. Knowing Jesus with Gina podcast can also be found on all other podcast apps. Other episodes recently released include:  Positioning for a miracle?
Lessons from Hannah & others whom Jesus healed. How many years do you think Hannah was barren? One clue we have is in verse 7 of 1 Samuel: This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. 10 years? 15 years? 20 years? Another clue is there was enough time for her rival Peninnah to have many sons and daughters, 1 Samuel 1: 4 Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. 5 But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. The account of Hannah's suffering reveals it took a toll. She became emotionally distressed and embittered, 1 Samuel 1:10- And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. It's reasonable to assume Hannah had an extended season of waiting. A season that seriously tried her soul, made her especially sorrowful during annual worship feasts, and caused her to reject the kindness of her husband. Maybe you relate. Are you in a season of waiting that is deeply affecting your worship, your closest relationships? Do you need healing? What is or who is a thorn in your side during the waiting? What did Hannah do? How did she position? What did she say to God? How can we glean wisdom and hope from her account? In the 2nd episode of my new podcast (Knowing Jesus with Gina), I'm looking at Hannah, and also noticing similar details in a majority of healing miracles from Jesus. What can you learn? Are you to reposition? What things can you open up to that you've not tried before? How can you soften and open up to the LORD, to deepen in trust and His love? I pray that you listen to the episode. Try taking notes. Try pausing to write down interactive questions that I present to you. Have your bible. Become familiar with the her story. Go beyond what I present to you, and read the full account of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1 and 2:1-10. And notice the New Testament healings of Jesus. We're to observe that what she did is also found in the behavior and words of others who received miracles from Jesus. You'll hear me review some of them. I counted 34 instances within 23 miracles of common behaviors and actions of the one receiving the miracle. Be wise, slow down, pursue, and position the way they did. Hebrews 11:6- But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. I'll keep going with the healing theme in the next episode!  Have you thought about the fact that some of the most painful things Christ endured happened to His face?
Would you ever slap your parent? Spit in their face? Has anyone ever spit in your face? Has anyone ever blindfolded you and beaten you and mocked you? Matthew 22:67-68 Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped Him and said, “Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?” The WORD of God repeatedly calls for us to seek His face. Psalm 27: 7-9 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me. When You said, “Seek My face,” my heart said to You, “Your face, O LORD, I shall seek.” Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, O God of my salvation!… Psalm 105:4- Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually. Being able to see God’s face is blessing not accessible via any other religions! ❤️ Christ is the only God who put on flesh so we could know God’s face; and not be afraid when gazing upon Him! When in the presence of God, looking at His face, we are to be without fear of punishment and unashamed of our humble and vulnerable reliance upon Him for our salvation. He willingly laid Himself down! Now we have the PRIVILEGE of drawing close to God to talk, whisper, weep, confess, sing, gaze upon, and focus on Him and him alone! This is the heart of the first commandment which says, “You shall have no other gods before me.” The literal translation of Exodus 20:3 in original Hebrew is- No other god powers will exist for you “upon my face” or “in My presence”. No other powers will exist when we are so consumed with gazing upon the face of Jesus!!!!!!! So as we consider His suffering... is it any wonder there is such abuse of His face in His walk to the cross? Do you think that spitting in Christ's face is one of the most obviously disrespectful things that happened to Him? What part(s) of His walk to the cross makes you wince in disgust or horror? I wince in thinking that He was beaten repeatedly over the head. Can you imagine beating your parent over the head? It's horrifying to consider!!! Yet this is what happened to our precious and Holy Savior! What meditation will be fresh in your spirit to maybe share with a family member or a friend on Easter? How can you help someone understand the cost of Christ's suffering? ❓ Maybe ask them, "Can you ever imagine blindfolding and then beating (y)our parent(s) over the head while mocking and spitting upon them?" 🤔. Shock value might open the door for a challenging conversation about Jesus' suffering that they can connect with. Otherwise, it is upon this Good Friday that we can take a bit of time to remember the Messiah’s walk to the cross. Enter the difficult moments. Look at Jesus' face as he suffered and took upon himself the full wrath of God. 1 Peter 4:1- Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, If you try, it's not hard to imagine His face feeling the disgusting spit of mockers as it landed and dripped down. Especially with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can work up in ourselves seeing his face writhing in pain as it was repeatedly struck with a reed, perhaps a nose broken or a cheek bone split from blows, a head pierced with thorns, blood dripping down, blurring his vision. We can imagine the sounds of his cries from the repeated blows to his head; and his ears taking in the sounds of it all, especially public mocking. His beard pulled out, his mouth dried with his tongue sticking to the roof of his mouth, no water to quench desperate thirst, only his own blood to swallow. Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. 4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. Matthew 27: 27-31 Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the governor’s residence and gathered the whole cohort around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe around him, and after braiding a crown of thorns, they put it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand, and kneeling down before him, they mocked him: “Hail, king of the Jews!” They spat on him and took the staff and struck him repeatedly on the head. When they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes back on him. Then they led him away to crucify him. As the Good Shepherd was struck, his sheep scattered (John 10:11, Zechariah 13;7, Matthew 26:31). While at the time of his crucifixion his followers scattered, that no longer has to be true. Now that we know death did not hold him, we can stay with him in that walk and look at His glorious face! We can whisper sweet things to him and praise him! His face is the place to undo our own words of mocking and unbelief that has reached his ears. His grace is sufficient! May you be willing to meditate on aspects of Christ’s suffering. May you be willing to admit you are one of multitude who put him on the cross, Romans 5:8. Walk with him to the cross, see the depth of His love. Let your heart be softened by breaking as an eye-witness, share in his grief, grieve with Him and then celebrate His glory displayed in the face of the risen Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6- For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ. ✨. BLESSINGS BE UPON YOU AND YOURS AS YOU CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION LIFE OF JESUS! LUKE 24:6-7- He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’  The ARGUMENT- JESUS NEVER DECLARED HIMSELF TO BE GOD IN THE SCRIPTURES...
✅ TRUE OR ❌ FALSE? If true, do you know how to prove Jesus never declared Himself as God? If you have confidence in the Bible, you can easily prove it as false. You can push back on anyone who says that Jesus never declared to be God in the scriptures. You gently push back and say, "Prove it." They will most likely stumble over themselves or point to some false teacher like Bart Ehrman. They will not have strong argument. They will not be able to prove it, because the scriptures don't support their lie! You can prove their lie as false if you know the scriptures! We must approach the Bible as ancient Eastern text. We must read it in context of those ancient times and cultural relevance of those times. You can only do that with the help and guidance of the Spirit of truth... promised to those who humble themselves like little children. John 14:26- But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. In fact, the very first words Jesus preached were a declaration of Him as King bringing the Kingdom of Heaven to earth! When Jesus used the word "gospel" or "good news", he was saying... "turn from worshipping Caesar as the gift given... I am the son who was born, I am the King of All, the gift that brings peace to all the world..." That one word "gospel" was only used for the worship of Caesar Augustus. It was a false gospel, and Jesus called it out right away!!!!!!!!!!!! “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe in the Gospel.”- Mark 1:15 What time has come? How is the kingdom of God near? Repent and believe the Gospel? Mark 1:14 clearly says he began his ministry by preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Do you think it wild that Romans, Greeks, and Jews would have immediately recognized the word “Gospel” before Jesus? It's pretty clever of God to have that word as common language BEFORE He began preaching! - Gospel- (Greek #2098 Bible lexicon) - euaggelion: Gospel, Good News Here is THE GOSPEL OF CAESAR AUGUSTUS- verified by archaeological discovery of an ancient Priene calendar inscription found from 6BC-. ‘It seemed good to the Greeks of Asia, in the opinion of the high priest Apollonius of Menophilus Azanitus: “Since Providence, which has ordered all things and is deeply interested in our life, has set in most perfect order by giving us Augustus, whom she filled with virtue that he might benefit humankind, sending him as a savior, both for us and for our descendants, that he might end war and arrange all things, and since he, Caesar, by his appearance (excelled even our anticipations), surpassing all previous benefactors, and not even leaving to posterity any hope of surpassing what he has done, and since the birthday of the god Augustus was the beginning [arxen] of the good tidings [evangelion] for the world that came by reason of him,” which Asia resolved in Smyrna.’- https://read-scripture.com/mark-1-1-and-priene-inscription/ Note the false gospel- Providence is feminized… “whom she filled with virtue…” Providence sends a savior, i.e Augustus. Augustus is for them and their descendants to be worshiped as god. On the birth of Augustus, he was to be known as the “beginning of the good tidings” (beginning of the gospel) for the whole world. It was used to announce military victories of Caesar Augustus also! The King was to be worshipped as Victor!!! OBSERVE: 👀 That is a lot to be said and understood by the masses, just by using one word- GOSPEL. Meditate upon that. Get it inside you. Share it with doubters. Before Jesus, 1st century hearers knew the Gospel as worship of a King! It was royal declaration of Caesar Augustus as god and good news for the whole world. Yet, here comes Jesus starting His ministry boldly declaring that He was the real Gospel! Jesus' first words to "...repent and believe the Gospel" was His bold declaration to turn from the false gospel of Augustus to the true gospel of Himself! He was announcing he was the King bringing His heavenly kingdom. Jesus was boldly declaring that He was the Son given who had come to bring peace on earth to all! Mark (Book of Mark), intentionally and boldly starts his gospel the same way Jesus started his preaching, declaring Jesus' royalty and heavenly victory as Messiah and Son of God. Mark 1:1- The beginning of the good news (gospel) about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God, Point unbelievers to that scripture and Mark 1:15 and explain to them that Jesus declared Himself as God right out of the gate. As did His disciple Mark. Mark starting his gospel that way would have been understood as bold declarations AGAINST the Roman empire. This is believed to be why Mark was dragged through the streets of Egypt shortly after releasing his gospel account! He died a terrible death! He didn't succumb to death in the first public dragging through the streets, but was dragged again the following day and died! Who would endure this unless they experienced the resurrected Savior? When you know the cultural details of the day, the words of Jesus and the accounts of His life come alive in powerful ways! These are the hidden details that treasure hunters seek and find! Mark and Matthew and John were very clear who Jesus was as God, and to their deaths... proclaimed Him that way! Don't believe lazy doubters who have never scrutinized scripture with the help of the Holy Spirit. Never give in to those who casually say- "Jesus never declared Himself to be God in the bible". FALSSSSSSSSSSE!!! The full Gospel is that Jesus' birth was a royal birth through a virgin named Mary who was impregnated by the Holy Spirit. Christ was the Son who was given as the perfect sacrifice and atonement for sin. He was the good news for all who call upon His Name. He is Peace and Forgiveness for all men who believe. He was the gift sent from God who suffered and paid for your sin and mine, dying a shameful death on the cross! He willingly gave Himself as payment for all of your mistakes so that you can stand perfect before God the Father and be welcomed into Heaven! It’s Good News that His Father didn’t abandon Him to the grave, but instead, exerted His power and raised Him from the dead. Jesus ascended to His heavenly throne, to be permanently installed as King of Heaven and earth. He was given power, authority, and glory that all people of all nations and languages would worship Him as God, Daniel 7:13-14. His Kingdom is now an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion one that will never pass away. He will reign and rule forever and those who call upon His Name as Savior will experience His eternal life and joy forever! Amen! So be clear... the "Gospel" of Jesus trumps Caesar’s fake gospel by a long shot, by incalculable strata. Jesus was, is, always will be God. Caesar, just a man. Jesus, was the child born with the government resting on his shoulders. Caesar Augustus, just a man who had to call for a census to count the people, Luke 2:1. Whereas Jesus can weigh the mountains on the scales and calculate the dust of the earth in a measure, Isaiah 40:12. Caesar wouldn't be able to accurately count the dust fallen in a square inch! The scripture can be scrutinized! Who can you share this with? Who doubts that Jesus clearly declared Himself as God in the scriptures? Who doubts the Word of God as infallible? Talk about the Word as true! Defend the Gospels! Thank you to those who are giving! Jesus is taking me month-to-month! He is so faithful! Even though I lost my largest donor, He is rescuing me! May great favor and blessing be upon those giving! I walk by faith! All the ministry I do is freely given! Pay it forward and seed into this ministry of the Spirit! Many people I minister to are without resources, like young adults or women on the brink of life! I'm still preaching and teaching 2x per month at 2 women's shelters! I'm led by the Spirit! Thank you to those who pray for me and for giving cheerfully! You can donate by clicking on my Donate page!  Easter 2025 series...
 Are fears and anxieties overwhelming you? Do you wonder if sudden loss due to fires, hurricanes, floods, and storms of life will take you out? Jesus wants to give you peace, but you have to draw near. It is NOT enough to have a casual relationship with Jesus... You must spend time BEFORE HIM. In Hebrew that word also means face and presence. Strong’s Concordance #6440.  So, when you are “before” something you are also in close proximity.
If you are across the room from someone, you are not “before” them. Their face and presence are not near. Additionally, it's very possible that objects are blocking your view, in the way, or maybe people are blocking access. You would have to take deliberate steps and actions to move yourself from across the room, and put yourself in front of the person you want to know and experience. Only then would you be able to look into their eyes, feel their breath, and be front and center, in their personal space. You’d be “before” them. Did you know there was an experiment done where men and women were paired to talk about life and values through a series of 36 increasingly personal questions, and then ended by staring into each other's eyes for 4 straight minutes? It was found that people fell in love. Some got married! A Japanese study looked into why that would be the case. They discovered that brain activity synchronized! Mutual eye-gazing bound people's brain waves into a singular connected system. Reference this article. Does your marriage need invigorating? Gaze into each other's eyes! Do your thoughts needs to be transformed? Gaze into the eyes of Jesus! His Word! His promises! His presence!
To have God going before you is to have Him very close. “I will send an Angel before you…” He is in your personal space to keep you and bring you to His intended destination that is full of provision and safety and hope, a place He has prepared in advance. To have His presence going with you is to give you rest. My presence will go with you… It is to have Him so close as to even carry you. Isaiah 63:9- In all their affliction He was afflicted, And the angel of His presence saved them; In His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old. To seek His face means that you are so close to Him that His joy is yours. It is contagious and you have His joy. In His presence is fullness of joy, Psalm 16:11. To not have other "litte g" gods “before” Him, is looking so intently at Jesus that there are no other powers that block your intimacy with Him. Fear cannot also be present. Lust cannot also be present. Being consumed with other relationships cannot be present. Pride can not be present. God resists the proud. Religion and striving can not be consuming you. It is impossible to be in God's presence when you are so consumed with other things. The presence and power of God destroys those distractions! You have to let go. You have to unburden. You have to make strategic decisions to remove what is blocking your attention on the LORD. There is rest in His presence. ❤️ In Greek, prayer tells the same story. It is a compound of 2 words:
🤕 Consider... How are you positioned? What are you "facing" towards? What is blocking your view of Jesus? What are your eyes gazing upon?
🙏 Consider... Do you have peace? Do you have joy? Are you striving and consumed with earthly things? Are you grieving over relationships and longing for them instead of God? You must get in front of His face so that His breath gives you new life.
👤 What is blocking God’s presence? What steps do YOU need to take to have nothing interfering with gazing upon His face?
⏳ What are you waiting for? He has everything you need!
👑 Hebrews 4:16- Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. He is waiting for you to draw near. Seek Him so that He can give you peace that surpasses understanding, Seek Him that He can hold you and wipe your tears. Be before Him so that He can counsel you privately. He will give you His thoughts. He will root out lies and heal shame infested wounds. He will console and comfort and strengthen and encourage and teach you the way you should go. Follow so closely behind Jesus that He is the one leading you, instead of wandering in the wilderness, trying to figure life out on your own. Get to know Jesus! #lafires #whereisGod #losteverything #Jesussaves #hurricanehelene #hurricanemilton #flooding #homeloss #faithinJesus #repent #returntoGod  ✨Blessed New Year!✨
Yet, will it be? How are you positioning? Have you started on your knees? It is the state of your soul that launches your year. I encourage you to meditate upon Ephesians 3:14-21 as you begin the year. Meditate and reflect BEFORE you pray it. It will give you some counsel on the state of your soul and help form your prayer language. Consider:
Don't just pray the words. Take them deeper into your soul for examination, counsel, sanctification, and surrender. Blessings dear ones! Go deeper into His love! Riches of His glory awaits! #NewYear #2025goals #2025reflection #Godswill2025 #lessofmemoreofHim |
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AuthorHi my name is Gina; and I'm a prayer coach, intercessor and bible teacher. My 30 year journey with God has been centered on immersing myself His Word, in the safe relationship God offers, learning about the power of surrender, and praying for His life in greater measure! Archives
March 2026
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Gina Williamson
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