Meditating on 1 Peter

When I was in Bible school, an assignment was to read 1Peter, verse by verse, each day and journal your thoughts as well as what God spoke to your heart.  I just found those notes and have been compelled to write them for whatever reason.  Certainly, getting them off the paper (which was written in pencil) and onto a typed sheet will be a blessing to me if no one else.


1Pe 1:22  Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:


Websters:  1. Earnestly; eagerly; vehemently; with great warmth.

Strongs:  Adverb from G1618; intently: - fervently.

God's Message To Me Today

My soul is purified when I obey the truth. If you wonder why there may be unrest in your soul ask yourself if you are disobeying the truth, not walking in sincere love of the brethren or whether your heart's pure toward your brother.

1 Peter 1:22

I am born again by incorruptible seed through the word of God that lives and abides forever. Therefore I should love brethren out of a pure heart.

Love is a choice.  I choose to love.

Command:  Love one another fervently with a pure heart.  

The Word of God lives and abides forever.

Practical Application:

When impure thoughts come, check how my thoughts have been about my brother, sister, husband, children or anyone else in my life.  Fight in prayer to push those thoughts out of your mind by replacing the thought with the Word of God about that person.  

Father, forgive me when I fall short of obedience in your Word.  Help me to love others fervently, intently, on purpose.  .  

No Fear

Fear is such a stronghold in many people's lives that we need to address it. Hopefully, these scriptures will help anyone reading this to come against fear in their life.


Rom 8:15 For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

There are 63 verses that tell us not to fear.

• 189 verses talk about being afraid.

Fear is a spirit!

When and how did fear come into the earth?

Gen 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Gen 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Gen 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Gen 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Gen 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Gen 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
Gen 3:9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
Gen 3:10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
Gen 3:11 And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
When Adam gave his authority to the devil, fear was now part of life on earth. Fear is the devil's work. Fear is a spirit.

• All voodoo operates by fear. If you didn't fear that something a person could do to you, they would never be able to do it. If you didn't fear lugaroo, your imagination would not run away with you.

• If people didn’t fear for their lives or their family they would not pay the debt to the devil. That’s bondage, and you are free from bondage.

• Talk about the crosses on the mountain.

• Talk about the lady who would stand outside the church and throw curses.

• Talk about the rocks that a man worshipped that held him bondage.

If God hasn't given us a spirit of fear why would we be afraid?

1.) We don't believe God
2.) We don’t believe the Word of God
3.) We don’t have scripture to fight with.

If God hasn't given us a spirit of fear can we get rid of it?

• If someone is manifesting demons what do you do? Tie them up and slap the demon out of them?

• NO you speak to the spirits. You tell them to let go in the name of Jesus. You cast them out.

• You can cast out a spirit of fear as well.

• It has to go in the name of Jesus because it's a spirit.

How? You speak to yourself out loud. In the name of Jesus spirit of fear go from me.

Don't get into bondage again to fear.

• As you work to build this church, don't allow fear to come upon you.

• As times get harder and they will get harder, it's not just about building a new church. You need to stand firm against fear.

• When the gangsters came to our house during the Aristide war, all of them with guns calling for Pastor Gary, I went to the Word of God. We had been praying Psalm 91 every day over the ministry and over our lives. The gangsters left they didn't storm the house.

Listen to Psalm 91.

Psa 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
Psa 91:2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
Psa 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
Psa 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psa 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
Psa 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
Psa 91:7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Psa 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
Psa 91:9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
Psa 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
Psa 91:11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
Psa 91:12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Psa 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
Psa 91:14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
Psa 91:15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
Psa 91:16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

WHEN we are serving God THERE IS TO BE NO FEAR.

IF YOU ARE AFRAID IT'S NOT GOD IT'S THE DEVIL AND YOU HAVE POWER OVER HIM. FEAR NOT!!

(Gen 15:1) After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

(Deu 31:6) Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

(1Ki 17:13) And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

(Isa 41:10) Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

(Isa 41:13) For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

(Luk 1:13) But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

(Luk 1:30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

(Luk 2:10) And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

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Facebook

Blogger, Facebook, Twitter....how does one keep up with all the places to post information, thoughts, actions, results...oops, I forgot email! It's almost more than the brain can process, especially when it comes to logins and passwords. I wonder how much time is spent by people like me who forget their password?

I remember listening to a testimony which was quite interesting. She'd had a dream about entering heaven. The people ahead of her were asked why they should enter (the needed a password) and they were failing miserably, not allowed to enter. This made her very nervous (as it would anyone watching others failing to enter heaven and not having the right password). It finally became her turn to be asked the question. All she could say, knowing she had no merits of her own to use was: The Blood of Jesus. To her great joy, the door was opened. She got right in. She had the right password.

Gary and I have nothing within us that would cause a ministry to be successful other than the Holy Spirit. It's as though we are standing on the sidelines watching things happen and are awestruck. Last week, we said yes to parents who'd come to enroll their handicapped daughter. She is about 8 years old, unable to use her hands to grip anything. The parents were overjoyed because who would take her into a regular school? My only comment was: why not? She is a child who needs to be loved, accepted, trained. Knowing the way things work in Haiti, there will be more parents come with their handicapped children.

This could be a door for the Lord to work mighty miracles. It could be a door that leads to a whole new ministry to the outcasts. Passwords can be simple or complicated but they must be remembered or no entrance. Ours is simply, Jesus. It's His work, we stand and watch amazed.

Trying to figure out how to work the blog....once again

I am wondering why there is no icon for pictures any longer on the posting part of the blog. It's very frustrating to not find what is normally there. Just like not being able to find glasses, keys, you name it. One of the things that I could not find for nearly two years was my wedding rings. I was ready to leave for Haiti, started to put them in the bowl in the bathroom, heard the Holy Spirit say, That is not a good idea. Well, when we got back from Haiti, nine months later, I went to the bowl and the rings were not there. I looked high and low, and no rings. So for nearly two years, I decided that they'd been stolen by a neighbor who moved quickly after wrecking the house they were renting. That was my story any time the subject came up. Right before my birthday in August of this year, I said to the Lord, after hunting again for my rings (although I believed they were stolen, I never gave up hope of perhaps finding them in the house)...I said, "Lord it sure would be nice if you gave me my rings for a birthday present." Fifteen minutes later, the rings were on my fingers! That's God. He's so good. Now,I would really like to understand why this blog is not allowing me to post pictures. Oh, you are wondering where I found the rings aren't you? Well, seems when I'd heard the Holy Spirit's caution, I must have gone to a jar above the refrigerator on a shelf and placed them there. He guided me to them and to my surprise, even though I was thinking, there is nothing in that jar, they were there!!! I don't remember placing them there. But, He knew all along. I had to repent for thinking my former neighbor a thief, and for not listening the first time I prayed as to where the rings were. Or could it be that they had been stolen and returned and an angel placed them in that jar? I'll know someday, just like I'll soon know why I can't post pictures. Carolyn

Getting Closer.....

Did you ever want to get so close to a loved one that you plaster yourself against them? Love is like that. Desire is like that. "Wanting" is like that. Emotions run deep when it comes to family and friends, but I wonder how deep they run when it comes to God.

No matter how close I'd like to be to my grandchildren, they don't see the desire the same as I do. Father God wants to get close, so close that we can hear His heart beat and yet, we don't always have the same desire He has.
What is it that causes us to falter in drawing close to Him? Each must answer that question for themselves. My answer may not be the same as yours.

I was at my 50th high school reunion last night. It was very interesting to see all the "kids" from yesteryear, now grandparents, some ailing, some fit, some lost, some saved, but all of us dying. Some have already gone to eternity, 48 out of 253 graduates. Forty eight makes a long list. The man who read it had a hard time getting through the list as he reflected on knowing them as young, vibrant personalities. Listening to each name was very sobering. I think the hugging we did was a celebration of the life we have yet to live. But, how many there has LIFE? My best friend's kidneys are failing, another gal was on oxygen, many of the men were not in good shape....all I could think of was their eternal state. Do they know the Lord? They go to church. Do they know the Lord?

Do I know the Lord the way I know my granddaughter? Do I know Him so well, that I want to press myself against Him? If we don't get to know Him here, get close to Him here in this life, do we have eternal life with Him? I'm sure that question would bring a myriad of answers and perhaps some heated discussion! It's not a theological question, it's really a question to cause each one of us to ponder this life and eternity. If I didn't know anyone at the reunion would I have belonged? My granddaughter permits me to lean against her because I spend time with her, not because I am her biological grandmother. Remember at the "Last Supper" when John leaned against Jesus breast? He longed to get as close as he could to the Lord because he loved Him. I pray we too have a longing to get close to Jesus day by day, so that when it comes time we will pass from this life to a greater one. Time is given to us all and how we use it will determine what our future state will be.

I will sing to the Lord as long as I live: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. (Psalm 104:33).

Fear Full

Four years ago, we purchased land in St Marc, Haiti. With hopeful hearts we knew we'd see a building or two in no time. There are no buildings on the land to date. The question always rises up: "Why?" Can we logically answer why when we don't see what God sees? Does asking "why" stagnate us so that we never move from where we are? When the whys come, so does fear. Fear that what is so hoped for will never become reality.
There have been instances since this picture that fear has tried to all but dominate me. What a battle! When does the battle rage? As soon as it's time to sleep. Remember the little prayer we've taught our children before we knew how to pray and believe God? Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep, if I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take. Thank about that prayer a minute or two and what it does to a child. If I should die before I wake........when I was a little girl, I was so afraid I'd die during the night that I couldn't stand to hear my heart beat. I feared it would stop beating. Maybe it was that prayer that instilled the fear? It could have contributed to fear but the fear was there then and now, thoughts of why and how and what if this and find their way into my thoughts when as I lay down to go to sleep. Is it aging that causes this fear battle to rage more today than ever? What is it that I'm afraid of now? I remember my mother saying, "If I just knew you kids would be okay, dying isn't a problem." I still hear her and it's exactly how I feel. I think I fear everything from what will happen to me to what will happen to my children, and what will happen to my grandchildren.
STOP! This is not the way a born again, spirit filled woman should be thinking. There are so many scriptures that encourage but sometimes I wonder if we want to be encouraged? Sometimes it may seem easier to wallow in the fear. Fear of everything negative is greater when my heart has dipped into what is around me, circumstances...situations...and why does that happen? When we don't take time to fill our hearts and minds with God's Word, all sorts of thoughts take over.......fear being the basis for them all. Remember when God spoke to Cain? Genesis 4:5-7: ...but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."
We know that Cain didn't listen and killed his brother. What if we change the word "angry" to "fear." When fear rules us our countenance does fall doesn't it? We try to hide it but it shows (either on our countenance or in the words we speak). And if anger is a sin that lies at the door wouldn't fear be sin that lies there as well? If when I lay down to sleep I become filled with fear, isn't that the same thing as sin lying at the door? Why is fear a sin? Because it consumes our thoughts. Whether it's anger or fear, anything that consumes the mind and all thoughts go that way, it's sin. So, without belaboring this point any longer, I think it's right to find the solution. What is the solution?
The solution is to find scriptures that combat the fear. Does that sound too easy? Or maybe it sounds too hard. It's actually very powerful. The Word of God is alive, it's sharper than a two edged sword, even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit. And it's a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) The Word goes forth and doesn't return to the Lord void, but accomplishes that which pleases Him.(Isaiah 55:11) It goes forth from His mouth and when we speak what He speaks.....it conquers the sin that lies at the door. It destroys that which is trying to rule over me. I speak it out of my mouth, it goes forth. What scriptures should I use to conquer this fear? How about Psalm 23? The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want, he makes me to lie down in green pastures, he restores my soul, he leads me in paths of righteousness for his name sake, and though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for He is with me. (HE is with me)! And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. How much greater a prayer to teach a child than "Now I lay me down to sleep". Psalm 23 gives hope and faith that no matter what happens He is with me and I will dwell in His house forever. As this particular scripture goes forth from my mouth, it goes forth containing everything I need to rid myself of fear. I have green pastures. I have protection, I walk in righteousness and no evil can befall me. The fear that lies at the door suddenly isn't ever present in my mind because the Word accomplishes what pleases God. God is pleased when I'm filled with Him. No more fear. What will happen the next time I lay down to sleep? Fear will still try to come and take over my thoughts but from now on I will keep my foot on the sin of fear by using the Word of God against it. Amen!