#3 commandment..thou shalt not take the LORD'S NAME in vain barbara hutchinson

Ex 20:7 thou shalt not take the LORD'S NAME in vain; for the LORD will not hold you guiltless that takes HIS name in vain.   vain in dictionary means unproductive, empty, worthless, fruitless, without hope, no purpose, no effect.   James 5:16 says the effectual prayers of a righteous person availeth much. In other words having dynamic power in its working.
Therefore it does not mean just cursing or cussing in the name of the LORD alone as most people thinks that it means. It is vitally important to every aspect of our lives of victory of being able to bless one another & ourselves in the process. We need to reflect on each WORD we speak to GOD, one another, ourselves, because JESUS is THE WORD, THE NAME OF THE LORD with all the power of THE LORD'S NAME behind it.
As we read todays lessons in 2nd Kings 25 of tearing down the temple (1st cor. 3:16 we are the temple of GOD) we can apply the third comm. to see if we are tearing down the temples of our bros. or sisters with idle words of gossip thereby our own temples having no effect of blessing one another. Remember the old testament was physical the new testament is spiritual & the SPIRIT OF GOD DWELLS IN US today. we must reflect on this past year if we gossiped in vain. Can we do better this year?
2 chron. 36:16 they mocked the messengers of GOD, & despised HIS WORDS, & misused HIS prophets until the wrath of the LORD arose against HIS people till there was no remedy. (no hope, fruitfulness, purpose, not effect.)
Jeremiah 40 - 41 tells us Ishmael was cursed & cursed in vain. he brought this upon himself.
Rev. 12:11,12 And they overcame him (satan)by the blood of the LAMB, JESUS THE WORD,  AND, by the WORD of their testimony; & they loved not their lives unto the death (the curse). Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them (us). Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has but a short time.
When we worship & pray in the LORDS NAME  and not in vain because HE has overcome satan FOR us whom HE loves, we should reflect on the words we speak. Not let them be idle words of the world that are death of griping, murmuring, complaining, talking unbelief, but words of rejoicing, gratefulness, thankfulness for the victory of being free of fear.
We reverence the LORD by being not afraid, strong & courageous in our three braided umbilical cords of FAITH, TRUST & BELIEF our lifelines attached to the WORD, OUR JESUS, our VICTOR MENTALITES, OUR FREEDOM OF FEAR.  The root of the curse is the fear of death!
Reflect on what we say because the power of life or death is in our tongues, we use our them to GLORIFY OUR LORD.     GLORY HALLELUJAH, IN JESUS NAME     AMEN.   
WE ARE BLESSED ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !

Divine Mentor: Revelation 11: The Two Witnesses by Hilary Litzinger

What Faith Can Do

Today's Reading: Revelation 11:3-12

Instead of a specific verse, I enjoyed the passage of The Two Witnesses. In this time of the beginning of the end, God appointed two people to prophesy for 1,260 days! They will speak the word of the Lord, the beast from the abyss will kill them, but three and a half days later, God will give them life for all to see.

I'm in love with the story of these two witnesses God will send to prophesy the end. Whoever they are I know that they will have a GREAT faith! I'm sure standing on the streets in sackcloth, people around them may look down on them. They may be poor or whatever the case may be; their appearance I am sure will put a judgement in others' hearts. You don't see many people these days walking around in sackcloth. I am used to seeing people in mostly high end fashion clothing. Depending on the setting of where these witnesses will stand most likely they will be looked down upon. I've seen people in my days see someone who isn't fortunate and be afraid of them for whatever reason. On top of not looking suitable, they are speaking God's word, and they probably won't be pretty words of encouragement either. I'm sure they'll be prophesying of the sin's that have been committed and to repent, the Lord is coming! In today's world, people that aren't Christians do not want to hear about God coming after them or the fact that they are going to die for the sin's committed. Others may think they are looney birds, gone koo koo in the head. Others will most likely be mocking them, but THEY WILL PROPHESY FOR 1,260 DAYS! I love the word of God and sharing that with people, but I'm not sure how I'd react when telling someone about the wrath that's coming and then be ridiculed for it. I truly believe that this day will come.

Usually, when God comes into a conversation with an unbeliever and I share my belief and they don't agree, it's hard for me to bring the subject but up. These witnesses will surely have others discouraging them, but will continue to do it until the beast kills them for it. They will have such a great faith that God will give them power to devour enemies with their mouths, send out plagues, and such when they wanted! God gives us power to do day to day things when we have faith but a faith that BIG deserves great power. I can only imagine of such a great faith. The best part is when the beast attacks them and he THINKS he has shut them up for good. Think again, God breathes life back into them after three and a half days of time. And the people on the streets get to see them lifted up into the heavens. It is funny to think of the beast and how he probably thinks that he took care of it and doesn't have to worry about hearing anymore of it and then the commotion that is risen on the streets of these witnesses bring brought back to life and then lifted into the skies! 

On the side note, I was thinking about the witnesses and their relationship to each other. God didn't just want one person to prophesy, he wants two. It is very encouraging to be in the word of God with another believer. One believer is good but to bring two or more believers together can bring power! Oh, what faith can do when you bring it together.

Heavenly Father, help me to build my faith, to build my relationship with you and others, so that we can face the enemy and do the works you have called us to do. Give me the strength and courage of these two witnesses. In Jesus Name, Amen! 

Divine Mentor- Forever King

Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11

Scripture: Rev. 11:15. "...and there were great voices in Heaven, saying, ' The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever.' "

Observation: Forever and ever! Ruled by Jesus! Satan defeated, sin overcome, no more pain, no more death. New Heaven, New Earth. Everyone knowing the One True God and His Son, Jesus Christ!
FOREVER!!!

Application: How many times have I heard this verse? Read it? Sung it? Over and over and over. I can never get enough of it. Without a doubt, it is true. God has never failed to keep a promise-.  He promised a Savior!   Now He promises a King!  Our lives may be in turmoil and our world out of control , but Jesus is coming back, and He shall reign FOREVER AND EVER!

Prayer: O God, I honor You for Your wisdom and power and I thank You for this promise of the reign of Jesus forever. Help me today to live in the expectation of this forever kingdom. Amen.

Divine Mentor: Sell Myself to What??? by Hiliary Litzinger

Today's Reading: Ezekiel 22-24, Revelation 9

Verse that spoke to me:

Ezekiel 23:29

"They will deal with you in hatred and take everything you have worked for. They will leave you naked and bare, and the shame of your prostitution will be exposed."

I believe in this passage God is speaking to Ezekiel about the cities of Samaria and Jerusalem and prostituting themselves to the Assyrians. Basically they are, as I see it, giving themselves up for the things that Assyria has. It reads earlier that the cities lusted over what they had seen. Instead of giving themselves to God they went after things that have no meaning and turned away from God's ways. So God is sending the Babylonians to strip them of everything that they own and "burn them in the melting pot."

I know that nothing good lives in me, that is in my sinful nature. I've been dealing with my fleshly desires frequently in the past few weeks. It's been hard to follow the path of righteousness. There are sins that I have committed, in the form of the prostitution metaphor, in this passage. Recently, I've technically given myself to someone/something hoping to get something in return. Either for my benefit or my own plan, not God's plan. Reading this helped me realize that in doing that, I have opened doors for the enemy to attack me. And when committing sin you give birth to death. I know, in Christ, that is not the person that I am. I am a new creation in Christ and He is the light that shines through me. He does not leave us bare and shameful. There is nothing worse than "prostituting" or selling your soul to the enemy. You may think that things are groovy with all that you may be receiving in return, but sometimes you're giving up something that has more meaning. For instance, your life or even true happiness. In the end it will show what what you have given your life to. Anything done or built with the Devil's hands will be burnt and put to shame. I choose to have God help me on my workings so that He will be well pleased and glorified in the end.

Heavenly Father, I pray that you give me the strength and courage to follow your footsteps. I dare not want to be in lust or intrigued in things that will only lead to sin. I only want to please you and show others a the life that is worth living for. In Jesus Name, AMEN!

Divine Mentor - Obedience like Ezekiel - by: Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading:  Ezekiel 22-24, Revelation 9

When I was reading these chapters in Ezekiel it so reminded me of the world we live in today. Ezekiel is a prophet and thru out this book Ezekiel says: The Lord says to me:. Ezekiel was obedient and would tell the people exactly what God shared with him. The news Ezekiel shared was horrible news - he basically told the people they would be destroyed because of their actions. He could of been killed by the Israelites with the news he was sharing.  

Ezekiel's obeyed God wholeheartedly.  I should be obedient wholeheartedly to God.  When God ask me to share or reach out to someone - why do I hesitate.
I have good news to share!  When God puts a person on my mind to call or send an encouraging note to - I should make this a priority in my life.  

God has called me to be obedient even when I don't feel like it.  
God I pray, that I am willing to serve you completely as Ezekiel did!!!

Psalm 112:1 The fall feasts Barbara Hutchinson

Ps 112:1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth (obeys in faith), that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
Thursday is the first of the three fall feasts, it is called ROSH HA SHANNA. meaning the first of the jewish new year. 10 days later on Sat. 14th is YOM KIPPUR or also known as DAY OF ATONEMENT.  Then 5 days later on Thursday 19th is FEAST OF TABERNACLES.
Many biblical scholars that know & follow the jewish belief say that the ten days signify we are to study & reflect on each commandment individually to see if we have actually obeyed it this past year. How it affected our thinking & thereby our actions. Did we really take it serious & apply it to situations that arose & were we successful & did we have fruit of it that changed our lives and those involved around us. These are also known as DAYS OF AWE  or DAYS OF REPENTANCE. Showing us if we truly are in a COVENANT, MORAL RIGHTEOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LORD, in our three braided umbilical cord, our lifeline of faith, trust & belief in our joyful, submissive, obedience to our LORD GOD ALMIGHTY DADDY. 
Exodus 20:3
day 1    Thou shalt have no other gods before me
day 2    Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image  (idols made with our own hands & bow down to 
                 worship them.
day 3    Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD  thy GOD in vain.     no cussing or cursing
day 4    Remember the sabbath day & keep it holy.
day 5    Honor thy father & mother
day 6    Thou shalt not kill............murder with tongue by gossip, or with thy hands.
day 7    Thou shalt not commit adultry
day 8    Thou shalt not steal
day 9    Thou shalt not bear false witness......no lieing
day 10  Thou shalt not covet
This takes us to DAY OF ATONEMENT OR YOM KIPPUR and this means after reflecting on how we did through out the year and brutally honest with ourselves making no excuses (an excuse is a sin wrapped in a lie so we will not hold ourselves accountable for our sin but blame others...you made me do that or its your fault I did that) truly look within ourselves did we really try or not to be successful. Then we can in PEACE be at-one-ment with our DADDY knowing we did our best in HIS strength, knowledge & wisdom.
KNOWLEDGE IS AN INPUT.........WISDOM IS THE OUTPUT!!!!!!!!! IT VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE SEEK THIS FROM HIM by remembering how we did in obeying HIM this past year. When we truly reflect & HE sees we are trying HE honors that tremendously because HE knows our faults, weaknesses and our vulnerabilities far better than we do. As parents we do this for our children HE so graciously shares with us why would we think HE would not do this for us.
HE just wants us to be very conciously aware of our actions and the 10 commandments are only a guideline to live in a moral righteous relationship with HIM. They are the moral fabric, foundation and moral compass of our lives to live in HIS safety, security, structure, stability and protection of HIS RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND over us.
As we reflect back on this last year we are to talk to HIM about our obedience and ask for wisdom on how to grow up in HIM and where we can be better. HE promises there is always room to grow but we must know where we are TODAY.    Not live in the past, yesterday is over, we are look forward to tomorrow but its not here yet, we are to be conciously aware of this precise moment of TODAY.
The last feast is TABERNACLES and this is the feast we will celebrate through out eternity in the presence of our DADDY. In otherwords the magnificence of the mightiest FAMILY REUNION CELEBRATION in the full SHEKINAH GLORY OF OUR FATHER FOR ETERNITY.    GLORY HALLELUJAH!!!!
We are the tabernacles, the temples our LORD JESUS. We are HIS body seated in our rightful places at the table for MARRIAGE SUPPER WITH OUR LAMB. A never ending supply of freedom of worshipping our DADDY and peace we have never experienced before. What could be more hopeful than that.   WE ARE TRULY BLESSED BEYOND OUR WILDEST IMAGINATIONS.
GOD BLESS YOU          AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Divine Mentor--Out of the Mundane

Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

Scripture: Ps. 111:3 "Glorious and majestic are His deeds, and His righteousness endures forever."

Observation: Most days we are caught up in the mundane: the everyday stuff, the schedule, the problems, the disappointments.  Occasionally we see a beautiful sunset or experience an emotional "high" , but most of the time it seems like it's just enough to get through the day crisis-free.

Application: Today this verse reminds me that God's glory and majesty are evident every day and in everything. I will praise Him all day long!  I will look for Him  to reveal Himself, and I will listen for Him to speak to me.  Yes, to me!!  He loves ME that much.

Prayer: O God of glory and majesty, help me today to see You everywhere and in everything.