He Will Have to Flee

...He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there... by the way he came, by the same way shall he return...

Isaiah 37:33,34 NKJ

This verse can be used to keep your thoughts undisturbed and in complete tranquility, serenity and composure!  Satan uses thoughts like flaming arrows - to lodge into our minds and arouse us to anxiety, fear, insecurity, anger and ultimately defeat...

The Greek word for “devil” (diabolos) is composed of two words:

    dia - through

    ballo - to throw

It is Satan’s strategy to attempt to throw (shoot) arrows through (at) believers to ignite trouble within him (Ephesians 6:16).  In this passage the Lord is speaking to the people of Israel, that their enemy WILL come against them, but he will not be able to so much as shoot an arrow into their city... HALLELUJAH!!!  As Christians, we can have that same protection.

    our minds can be so fortified with the Word of God

    our hearts can be so filled with His Spirit...

    our walk of faith can be so sure, by His divine presence and support that the enemy of our heart and mind will have to flee the same way he came against us...

    Painless

        Pointless

            Powerless

Be Strong, my friends,

Pastor Jody

Judah shall take root downward and bear fruit upward...

And the remnant who have escaped of the house of Judah shall again take root downward, and bear fruit upward.

Isaiah 37:31 NKJ

A tree grows in three directions: 1. Upward 2. Downward 3. Outward.  This verse promises growth, strength and expansion for the life of every believer.  This process is demonstrated in stages.

Taking root downward speaks of an internal process known only by the Lord and us.  The root system is below the surface and out of sight, out of mind.  Just like a tree, you and I have growth that goes unnoticed and undetected but make no mistake about it, our roots will influence our fruit - and our fruit will influence the lives of others... The Fruit is In The Root!

Baring fruit upward speaks of the outward, visible manifestation of the good things of God in us.

    “...you shall know them by their fruit...” Matthew 7:16 NOT by the thickness of their bark, the size of their leaves nor the color of their flowers... but by their fruit - their attitude and action concerning God and one another... We are to bear fruit that will glorify our Heavenly Father!

The rings on the inside of a tree may be totally hidden from the human eye, but year after year they record a message...

    Faithful...

    Fruitful...

    Flourishing...

Press Forward,

Pastor Jody

Be Cool, Man

He who has knowledge spares his words, and man of understanding has a cool spirit.

Proverbs 17:27 AMP

In our society the word “cool” has taken on new significance.  A “Cool Dude” or “Cool Cat” is one who is though to have it all together - they are in the know of the latest fads and fashion.  They arehip, mod and trendy!

As far as we know, Solomon was the first to use this term cool in scripture, but he was not trying to be “in” with the fads and fashions of his surroundings, especially with spiritual matters...

The righteous person truly is “cool” because they are disciplined, well balanced and in touch with the Holy Spirit.  They don’t “blow up”  or lose control of their emotions at the drop of a hat.

Cool (kar) can be defined as:

1. •    quiet
2. •    calm
3. •    self-controlled
4. •    composed

Composed is a term often used to describe an artist who can take a variety of notes, pitches and sounds - then arrange them to make a melodious masterpiece!

So, let’s “be cool” in our daily routines.  Lets turn our sorrow into singing and our tragedies into triumphs.  We are not victims - we are victorious through Christ our Lord!

Play on, my friends...

Pastor Jody