Greyhounds

You don’t see many greyhounds unless you go to a track where they race. They have a pretty sad life as long as they are winning. After they are done making money for the owner, they get retired. Thankfully, some agencies foster these elegant, quiet, and meek couch potatoes

We adopted two of them. Not only are they sweet, gentle, and thin-skinned, they are amazingly fast. In a sprint, they can go faster than a horse, though it is noticeably short-lived. After their 5-minute run, they will be content to lay on the couch nuzzled with you or maybe without you.

   They are sighthounds — they will run after anything that moves.  You will not catch or stop them.  They have caught several rabbits in our yard as well as a few birds taking flight.

   Unfortunately, if you were to get out of their sight, they might not find their way back home.  A Greyhound’s eyes are only focused on what they see that moment, or should I say, what they are chasing, totally unaware of an approaching car or other dangers.  

   Many times, we are like the greyhound, letting our eyes wander.  Not necessarily on anything bad, but maybe on things that are not profitable.

“All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient…” (I Corinthians 6:12)

  We often get fixed on the negatives: Illness, lack of funds, or such like.  Yet if we would stay focused on Jesus and His Word, we would be better off. 

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (II Corinthians 5:7)

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Have You Ever Had A Splinter?

Teresa Poucher

Who hasn’t had a splinter? It can be annoying as well as irritating. If you’re blessed, you can pull it out with a pair of tweezers. At other times you may need a magnifying glass to see it. Even then you might not find it. You surely can feel it though.

I have been known to take a pair of nail clippers and just cut a tiny area where I know it has found its new home. Don’t worry, this unwanted guest will be given an eviction notice. If it fails to leave, the evacuation plan will be implemented — It will start to get infected. You just thought this little itsy-bitsy splinter was annoying.

Now you have a red tender spot that you don’t dare touch. Good news:The infection usually will flush that foreign body out. Wha-la! I’m healed.

This reminds me of Song of Solomon 2:15, “Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes.”

Foxes are beautiful if they are not being a menace to you. They are nocturnal, so they come out at night while we are sleeping and unaware. They love to burrow by the root of the vine, causing the branches and grapes to come under stress and making it difficult to produce good mature fruit. What a sly fox that ole Devil is

Much like little offenses. Funny how we know when someone does us wrong, we know we need to forgive. Yet we tend to ignore those little wrongdoings, sweep them under a rug so to speak. It would behoove us to forgive those as well before we get infected and have crop failure. Don’t we want to get that itsy-bitsy splinter out before we get an infection?

Don’t Let The Sun Go Down…

Teresa Poucher

  I love Daylight Saving Time.  It gives me more time to enjoy the sunshine.  In the winter when the sun goes down, I’m about ready to go to bed.  

“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:” (Ephesians 4:26)

I always figured God gives us a day to “be angry and sin not.” Then you better get over it! That way bitterness doesn’t have time to take root. Recently, I saw if I hold on to what has hurt or angered me, the sun goes down and it becomes dark, clouding my vision and making me grope in darkness.

I Know I’m Right

By Teresa Poucher

Everyone knows someone who knows everything. They’ve been there, they’ve done that, they even have the T-shirt. Usually, this person gets under our skin. They haven’t actually been there, but maybe they read the book or watched the movie. They surely haven’t done that, but maybe were present when somebody else did it. They might have a T-shirt, but maybe someone bought it for them. Well, it seems like that anyways.

Truth is, we all think we are right. We don’t want someone to prove us wrong. Some of us will shut someone down before they show us the error of our ways.

Every way of man is right in his own eyes... Proverbs 21:2

  The Bible is amazing.  God’s word is always right.  Could that be the reason why some people don’t want to read it?  It is full of promises, but they are always with conditions.  If I don’t read it, I don’t feel guilty about what I should or shouldn’t do. 

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 16:25

  Yet when I stop seeing my errors, I stop seeing my need to live for God.  If that’s the case, please tell me I’m wrong.

Are You Looking For A Sign

By Teresa Poucher

If we told someone the signs of his returning are everywhere, many times we get, “they have been saying that for years.” I heard it just yesterday from a believer. If you are reading this, you probably already believe Jesus is coming soon (I hope.) Actually, there are signs you and I see every day that remind us of our walk with God.

The U-TURN sign is the first one to follow – make sure to repent! That means more than just saying, “I’m sorry.” It means to change your direction. If you’re not living for God, do an about-face — “Repent…” (Acts 2:38)

NO PARKING AT ANY TIME: “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned…” (II Timothy 3:14), “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Hebrews 12:1) Keep moving, we’ve got to get our steps in as “…we walk by faith…” (II Corinthians 5:7) We need to exercise our rights to praise the Lord!

When we see a ONE-WAY sign, it should remind us of what Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6) and of what the Apostle Paul wrote: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism.” (Ephesians 4:5)

I don’t mind a YIELD sign, but must we yield to God? Yield! “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”(James 4:7), “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Proverbs 3:6) Give God the right-of-way as His way is right with
no U-Turns. Once you are going in the right direction, do not turn back to sin. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12) Remember Lot’s wife, who “looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26)

The first sign you probably learned was a STOP sign. You will fail your driving test if you fail to stop at this sign. Even if you slow down and do a rolling stop, you will fail. We must stop and get away from the phone, Facebook, YouTube, or whatever keeps us too busy. Make time to spend with God. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

Last but not least, the GREEN LIGHT: It’s not a sign. It’s not a stoplight either. It’s green. It’s time to “Go ye into all the world, and preach…” (Mark 16:15) “Preach” also means to proclaim or to publish, so “Tell it!”

Now we have our signs, will we obey them?

I Can’t See

By Teresa Poucher

  Saul of Tarsus, also known as Paul of the New Testament, was very much a God-fearing man.  He was well educated, taught by Gamaliel, a Pharisee doctor of Jewish law. 

Saul persecuted the new Christian faith. “…How that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God and wasted it:” (Galatians 1:13) He was sincere, yet sincerely wrong.

In Acts, chapter nine, Saul is on his way to Damascus to arrest more Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem when suddenly he is struck down. A light shines brightly upon him and he hears a voice: “Saul, why are you persecuting me?” He gets up off the ground. He prays and fasts for three days. Now he is humbled and groping in darkness. He is depending on a servant to lead him. Directed and prayed for by a Christian that he would have had arrested. As Ananias prays, he receives his natural vision, as well as a revelation that Jesus, is both Lord and God. He is filled with the Holy Ghost and is baptized in Jesus’ Name.

He had to become blind to realize he couldn’t see Truth. “Where there is no vision, the people perish…” (Proverbs 29:18) Strong’s Concordance equates the word “vision” (H2377) to “revelation.” Since the last book of the Bible is the Revelation of Jesus Christ, shouldn’t the end -time revival be one of revelation?

Dear Lord, give us a revival of revelation in 2020 that we might have 20/20 vision for the end-time.

Get The Axe

Teresa Poucher

The word “seed” is mentioned 48 times in Genesis alone. We plant a seed in the earth and from there the root springs forth. The root system is the foundation of the plant.

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,” (Ephesians 3:17)

“Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:7)

The root must have enough water and good soil to grow strong and healthy. The amount and quality of fruit depend on the health and quality of the root.

“… The seed is the word of God.” (Luke 8:11)

We are begotten by the Word of God: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,” (I Peter 1:23)

This seed being incorruptible will never die. It can be idle for years, yet the life is in the seed. Everything that seed needs to bring forth life is within itself. This seed is perfect, without any flaws.

When we try to modify the Word (the seed) to fit our lifestyle we are corrupting the seed. We end up with a plant that is like a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO.) The reproduction of the plant has been altered and we are modifying the seed. GMOs are affecting our health. Go ahead and look it up; it’s kinda’ scary: https://responsibletechnology.org/10-reasons-to-avoid-gmos/

GMO’s make a larger, stronger, disease-tolerant plant. Sounds good,huh? We know everything reproduces after its kind. They have engineered these plants to withstand Roundup and other chemicals. They take DNA from other plants and make a new, “better” plant. I took a seed from an overripe cantaloupe and planted it. It produced a fruit that looked like a cross between a gourd, pumpkin, and cantaloupe. Because it was not its kind, I did not get the same fruit. The seed had been perverted or adulterated.

Satan has perverted the seed by adding to the Word of God or by taking away from His Word, sometimes by taking just one word out of context. He sows his seeds of discord and perversion. We MUST destroy the root.

“And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” (Luke 3:9)

“See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:10)

“But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up.” (Matthew 15:13)

It is high time we bind that root of bitterness. “Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15) and curse the root of deception, discord, and perversion. “And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.” (Mark 11:20)

Let’s Get The Ark Back

Teresa Poucher

  And she named the child Ichabod, saying, The glory is departed from Israel: because the ark of God was taken, and because of her father in law and her husband. And she said, The glory is departed from Israel: for the ark of God is taken. (1 SA 4:21)

  The Ark of the Covenant was gone for 20 years.

 

  David tried to bring it back to Jerusalem which was a journey of nine to eleven miles. He was unaware of how to handle it and Uzzah died because he touched the Ark. David was very upset. He returned home and studied how to transport the Ark. He realized he must be obedient to God’s direction as well as worship.

 

  The priests were then instructed to carry the Ark with poles upon their shoulders and David worshiped and sacrificed: “And so it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and a fatlings.” (II Samuel 6:13) This was a journey of nine to eleven miles so, you figure the math, steps, and how many sacrifices were made.

 

  David wanted to bring the Ark back because he wanted to bring God’s presence back to Jerusalem.

 

  I would say God’s praise was continually on his lips. Why? To get the presence of God back.

 

  “By him, therefore, let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

 

  “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.”  (Psalms 34:1)

 

  If we want God’s presence, it will come by obedience and the sacrifice of our praise. Isn’t it time we get the ark back?

Breach In Revival

Teresa Poucher

Last week we heard of two dams giving way in Michigan and causing 10,000 people to evacuate. Where to? With COVID-19, this caused a tremendous amount of stress.

It brought me back to August 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. There was a breach in the levy. This was a disaster, to say the least since New Orleans is under sea level.

To live in south LA at this period was quite an emotional season. So many lost loved ones as well as all they ever owned. Many were displaced from their homes, loved ones, and pets. The effects of this hurricane for some would prove to last a lifetime. All because of a breach…

2 Samuel 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark.
5 And David and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
6 And when they came to Nachon’s threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.
7 And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for hiserror; and there he died by the ark of God.
8 And David was displeased, because the Lord had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he calledthe name of the place Perez–uzzah to this day.

According to Strong’s Concordance, the name Perez-Uzzah means “breach of Uzzah.” The ark had been stolen from Israel by the Philistines. The Philistines were plagued and sent the ark away. It stayed at least 20 years with Abinadab. Now David is King, and he wanted the ark back. He has 30,000 leaders rejoicing and it all came to a halt when Uzzah touched the ark, and God made a breach. This started as a great day, a day of revival. Then it all comes to a halt. Because of a breach.

David searches how to bring the ark back. The ark symbolized God’s mercy, presence, and power. Do we really think we can have this glorious presence and power if we have a breach?

David did bring the ark back. Only by obedience many sacrifices and praise.

Why am I In The Valley Again?

Teresa Poucher

Every life is filled with mountains, valleys, wilderness, and plains. A valley is a place between two mountains or hills, which makes it a depression. Remember, it was in the valley, in the brook in the lowest part of the valley, that David found the smooth stones to slay Goliath. When you are in the valley, look around and ask the Lord, “What am I supposed to pick up while I’m here?”

There are many references to valleys in the Bible.The 23rd Psalm might be the most familiar:1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.6. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

In the first three verses, David is talking about the Lord. He then realizes, although the valley is dark, he is not alone. In the remaining three verses, he is talking to the Lord. A rod and staff require us to grasp hold (of His strength, comfort, and provision.)

According to Strong’s Concordance, this table is a king’s table. It provides not just bread and water as to a prisoner, but anything and everything we will need. 

David found the stones to kill Goliath in the Valley. And it was in the valley of Elah that he took the sword from Goliath and beheaded him. David will also benefit from this sword later in his life.

Perhaps you are in a place of depression. Maybe you want to isolate yourself; bury your blues in ice cream or chocolate. Instead, ask yourself, “What’s in this valley?” What’s at God’s table that I need to pick up?” 

It’s in the valley where you will find what you need to win your next battle!