A prophetical glimpse in the book of Isaiah of what the LORD had planned for you and me. OH WHAT A SAVIOUR!!! OH WHAT A GOD!!! The post title says it all. He gave. Pay close attention to verse 6 of Isaiah chapter 50. This is just some of the suffering JESUS went through prior to being nailed on the cross at Calvary. He did this for you. For me. Take time out and really think about it. Let these Words, God's Love, His giving, His suffering, let them grip your heart. Sincerely, R.C.


Isaiah 50:2-10, Wherefore, when I came, no man? when I called, none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinks, because no water, and dies for thirst. I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

The LORD GOD has given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: He wakens my ear to hear as the learned.

The LORD GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back.

Verse 6,   I GAVE MY BACK TO THE SMITERS, AND MY CHEEKS TO THEM THAT PLUCKED OFF THE HAIR: I HID NOT MY FACE FROM THE SHAME AND SPITTING.

Because the LORD GOD will help me; therefore I will not be confounded: therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.

HE is near that justifies me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is my adversary? let him come near to me.

Behold, the LORD GOD will help me; who is he that will condemn me? lo, they all will wax old as a garment; the moth will eat them up.

Who is among you that fears the LORD, that obeys the voice of His servant, that walks in darkness, and has no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay (lean,rely) upon his God.

I am so glad I know the One that reigns. The One that is in charge. In charge of my life and in charge of the affairs of the universe. No one can top that. That's just one of the reasons you can trust Him with your life. So, for your reading enjoyment here is Psalm 93. Enjoy. And be blessed.
Sincerely, R.C.

The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty; the LORD is clothed with strength, He has girded himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.

Your throne is established of old: You are from everlasting.

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice, the floods lift up their waves.

The LORD on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yes, than the mighty waves of the sea.

Your testimonies are very sure: holiness becomes your house, O LORD, for ever.

Acts 24:13, Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

Eventually when you or I stand for what is right there will always be those that oppose us. That falsely accuse us. As unpleasant as it is, I feel that the LORD wants me to deal with this subject before going on to something else. From my last post entitled "SPEAKING BOLDLY IN THE LORD", someone left a comment and accused me of being like that hate group that goes around protesting funerals. Mostly military funerals. (Hmm, that's odd. Seeing how patriotic I am. And still in the process of being cleared to go back in the military. How about that? The very idea of protesting a military funeral is disgraceful!) So, just like Paul here in the book of Acts. He was falsely accused and his accusers could not prove the things they said. So along with Paul I say to my accuser, or accusers, Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 

Actually I can prove by my life that what was said is absolutely ridiculous. Absurd. The very idea of being part of a group, hate group that is, and go and protest a military funeral?! Come on now. I find it ironic that the same people that gave Paul such a hard time are the same ones (same hateful spirited people) that will give you or I a hard time when we stand for what is right! Standing for truth's sake! I even talked about the Love Of God in the same post! The greatest thing about all of this is that I have God as my defence. My witness. And many others that would testify for me if necessary. But won't be necessary. After writing this post I hope not to address this issue any longer. If the truth be known the one that wrote the lie is probably the hateful one. Full of bitterness and deceit.

Verse 10 of chapter 24 of Acts Paul says in the latter part of the verse, "I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:" So, like Paul, "I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:" That which I have now done to some extent. And felt it necessary to do so. This forum, this ministry, my ministry that God has given to me I want always to be one that is above reproach. Even dealing with the negative which we have to do at times, with God it always turns around to be a positive. That which only makes us stronger. Reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures. That being Romans 8:28,

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

This scripture is powerful! Reminds me of another favorite scripture about the Word Of God. But, here in Romans we see a great and marvelous truth. ALL THINGS! Yes, all things. How is that possible? All things are possible with God. To them that believe. Notice in verse 28 of Romans how it says, to them that love God. Someone might say, "How do you know that you love God? Let's look at the Book. That's where all of our answers are. Let's look at I John 2:3-6,

And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He that says, I know Him, and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But, whosoever keeps His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby we know that we are in him. He that says he abides in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked. (Can you picture Jesus going and protesting a military funeral? No way! Actually, I am reminded of a funeral that He attended. What did He do? He raised the young man from the dead! He was the only son of this poor mother. They were on their way to bury this young fellow. That's the Jesus I serve!) 

I stated above how that Romans 8:28 is powerful, and reminded me of another favorite scripture of mine, it's found in the book of Hebrews. Here it is, Heb. 4:12-13,

For the Word Of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.

With whom we have to answer! And one day we all will have to answer for the life that we lived in this body. I for one want to be able to say like Paul, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself! On that day to say cheerfully, I SAID YES TO JESUS! HE IS MY SAVIOUR! MY LORD! MY GOD! Also to be able to say with an honest and sincere heart the words that Paul said in the book of II Timothy 4:7-8,

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the righteous judge, (not a bad judge) will give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

Are we looking forward to His appearing? Do we love the very thought? If not, why not? Not why not Minot. Which is where I was born back in 64. No matter though. Although I have fond memories of Minot North Dakota, (thanks to my Pop who faithfully took us every year on family vacations. Oh what fun we had!) it really does not matter where we were born. What matters is if we have been Born Again. Born from Above. Just like Jesus taught Nicodemus in the book of John. That's what matters most! Check it out for yourself! Read John chapter 3. Ask God to help you to understand. Do it with a honest heart and God will help you. He did me. And He will for all that would come to Him. Period! I even pray that God would open the eyes of the one that falsely accuses me. That's the Love Of God working in my life! Not hate! I hate lying! I hate every false way! As I should. Sincerely, R.C.

Acts 14:3, Long time therefore they abode speaking boldly in the LORD, which gave testimony unto the Word of His grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

What is it to speak boldly in the LORD? It means to be frank, or honest in speaking. Confident in spirit and demeanor. The way a person behaves towards others. Their conduct. Their bearing. Their appearance. All these things are important. Yes our appearance is important. God cares how we appear to others. As a matter of fact God says to avoid all appearance of evil. In saying that, people fake it all the time. But, eventually the truth is known by the way they live, or conduct their life. Their manner of life. Is it Godly? Is it one that brings honor to God? That's what being a real Christian is all about. There are many nominal Christians. In name only. But why pretend? Let's be real why don't we? Let's be honest with ourselves and others. And God. He sees and knows all anyway. That's what these men here in the book of Acts are all about. Being honest. Confident. Behaving themselves accordingly! They were the real deal! Real Christians. Sent by God. That's what we want. And R.C. MINISTRIES TO BE ALWAYS. Bold for the LORD. Honest.

Talking about behaving reminds of a scripture in I Corinthians 13:5. This chapter is about the Love of God. It is often referred as the love chapter. What the love of God is and is not. Here's 13:5,

The Love Of God does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; 

One reason these men here in Acts were able to speak boldly in the LORD is because they had the Love of God working in their lives! That's the key. THE LOVE OF GOD! Or rather, that's just one of the keys. Verse thirteen of that same chapter in I Cor. says that the Love of God is the greatest. These men were driven by the Love of God. Speaking boldly, speaking honestly in the LORD. Conducting themselves towards others in a Godly manner. We should conduct ourselves towards others in a Godly manner. One that would please God. This is what will bring results. Making a difference in other people's life for the better. For God. To bring honor to Him. To the one that died on that cruel cross that day for you and me!

One could say that these men here in Acts were well mannered men. Paul and Barnabas being their names.  Men with good manners. They were not behaving in a manner that was unbecoming of a Christian. How about you and me? LORD help us to behave in a manner that is not unbecoming to You. People of good manners. Godly manners. The Love of God working in our lives as it was in the lives of Paul and Barnabas way back in the book of Acts. Speaking boldly as they did. Speaking honestly and sincerely like them. To be continued. Sincerely, and Honestly, R.C.

 Here's your blessing! Sincerely, R.C.

Numbers 6:24-26, The LORD bless you, and keep you:

                           The LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:

                           The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.

 THAT SPECIAL PLACE!  That place like no other. Set apart! Separate from everything else. A place beyond ordinary human understanding. It's a place for all to come, but limited to only those who are authorized to come. I used to have a secret clearance as a young G.I. when we were part of the United Nations while stationed in Korea. That clearance doesn't even come close to the one we are referring to now. That authorization, that clearance, access that you and I and anyone and everyone can have if they so choose. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, Come unto me, all you that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

It starts with coming to Jesus. He is then the one that will give us the authorization, the clearance,  and the access to where we can go to places we have never been before. (THE SECRET PLACE)

Romans 5:1,2, Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
      By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:18, For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

A PLACE BEYOND ORDINARY HUMAN UNDERSTANDING:

I Corinthians 2:14, But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (Examine, investigate)

If you or I would only examine, and investigate the Word of God. Spiritual examination! Spiritual investigation! This will equal spiritual understanding! Notice how the scripture reads above, But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God? This is key here. This is where you have to have that personal relationship with the LORD JESUS CHRIST. He is the one that will give us that spiritual discernment. He is the key!

I want to go ahead and try to wrap this up and then publish it for all to see in hopes that it would be a blessing to someone out there. If nothing else it has been a blessing to me to study God's Word, and share the goodness of God! I want to leave you with Psalm 91. Sometimes referred to as the Psalm of protection. When I was in the 1st Gulf War this became my safeguard. Not knowing at the time this is considered the Psalm of protection. But the one Psalm in which I was drawn to and then felt compelled to commit to my memory. Which I did do. But you know what the key was? I believed every Word! I am thankful today that I still do believe every Word! 

It was yesterday while spending time, quality time with my God, my Father in Heaven, and the Word of God, that's the key. Spend some quality time in the Word of God! Believe what you read is true. Because it is. Trust me I know. Trust Him because He knows! As I began to read the first verse of Psalm 91 it dawned on me, I was in the secret place. After all the times I have read this Psalm, and have never got tired of reading it over and over I might add, there I was alone with God in the secret place. I have asked myself before when reading this verse, Where is this secret place? I was in it! I had been there many times before. Alone with God. In prayer. Communion with God. And His Word. It was something so refreshing. Something God was teaching me. Sharing His goodness and mercy and love with me again. There isn't anything that is more wonderful than Him. His Word. His Son. His name is JESUS. I leave you now with Psalm 91. Be blessed. I am. It's personal to me. I hope to you also. Sincerely, R.C.

PSALM 91 He that dwells in the secret place of the most High will abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge, and my fortress: my God; in Him I will trust.
  Surely He will deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
  He will cover me with His feathers, and under His wings I will trust: His truth will be my shield and buckler.
  I will not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flys by day;
  Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday.
  A thousand will fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it will not come near me. (This really happened to me in the war)
  Only with my eyes will I behold and see the reward of the wicked.
  Because I have made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, my habitation;
  There will no evil befall me, neither will any plague come near my dwelling.
  Because He will give His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. (That He did)
  They will bear me up in their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone.
  I will tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon I will trample under feet. (Didn't tread upon any real lions, or trample any real dragons. I did tread and trample on the lies of the devil though! Which he is referred to as a lion and dragon in the Word of God. How about that?! satan is real. and he is your enemy. the enemy of your soul)
  Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known My Name. (Have you set your love upon Him?)
  He will call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
  With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my Salvation. (He has shown me His Salvation! You should know by now who that is.) 

Deep subject, hey? Oh, yes! This would include you women folk out there too. I don't want you to feel left out. And by no means you are! We are in this together. Right? Of course we are. This post title, "A MAN'S LIFE" was taken from Luke 12:15. We see Jesus teaching not only on a man's life in this passage, but life itself. The considerations and warnings, instructions and keys and preparations of life. Answers to some of life's questions. And who better to teach them but the Giver and Maker of life Himself. He gives us the answers to the things that are the most important in life. Let's look at it for a little while shall we? Here is the verse to consider carefully. If you will do this, and ask God's guidance and help, you will be blessed for it. I promise!

Luke 12:15, And He said unto them, TAKE HEED, AND BEWARE OF COVETOUSNESS: for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

Let's break it down. Take heed? Pay real close attention, consider carefully. And, beware? Be on guard! Observe! Of what? Covetousness. It is a sin. It is an unlawful desire of the property of another; also a desire of gain or riches beyond what is necessary for our wants. Or rather, beware of all inordinate desires. The desire to have more and more and more... Let a person possess whatever he may. Jesus taught to take heed, and beware of this type of thinking. This type of desire and affection. This will only lead to much misery and sorrow and brokenness. Unsatisfied! Discontent! Hence the strong warning by the LORD!

In the latter part of the verse Jesus gives us an explanation. How about that? GOD IS A GOD THAT EXPLAINS THINGS!!! So we can understand. He makes it plain! Jesus says, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: Why?

for a man's life, or you could say, because a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things which he possesses.

That is, a man's life depends not on the abundance, the possessions. Nor preserved by the abundance. His possessions will not prolong it. The things of the world will never satisfy the desires of a soul.

I would like to add a small excerpt from my journal here. Yes something very personal to me. I feel in my heart to do it. Why? Hopefully to be a blessing to you and me. That is the whole purpose in what I am endeavoring to do here. Through all of this that you would be blessed by the LORD Himself. That my life would make a difference in your life for the better. For eternity. This excerpt was the very first entry in my journal. This is mainly about my Pop. Here it is,

Entered on August, 2oth, 2009. My dad turned 74 yesterday. As I sit here in this peaceful, beautiful, and lovely garden, outside this huge hospital complex, which is full of wonderful color, that's the garden I speak of now. Although there is equally and perhaps more wonderful color and beauty, and peace, inside such a large complex such as the U of M. I am not talking about the building, but among all the sickness, and vile and ugly diseases, and the pain and suffering, and sorrow, brokenness, and death, there is life! There  is the wonder and beauty of the color of a man's soul! WHO HE REALLY IS! Not in what he possesses in terms of the material, but the color of character in which he possesses. The very thing in which we will be remembered. I will always remember my Dad, or my Pop, which I refer to him more often as, a man of great color of character. One of the bravest men I know. And glad to say my hero. Who in the last days of his life, and throughout, shined forth with such brilliant color the man he really is and was! and always meant to be! MY POP!!!

The bravest man to ever have lived, and died, was and is the LORD JESUS CHRIST! That was the whole purpose in His coming. To die. For you and me. So we could live. He's not dead anymore! But He is alive for evermore. Arms wide open to receive you and me. And all that would come and receive Him into their life. THE WONDER AND BEAUTY OF THE COLOR OF A MAN'S SOUL?! BEHOLD THE ONE THAT DIED ON THAT CRUEL CROSS! That was none other than the LORD HIMSELF! The life that shined brighter than any life ever lived! Shine Jesus Shine! In my life and all who would say yes to You! THE GREATEST HERO EVER! AND EVER WILL BE! HIS NAME IS JESUS!!! You want to talk about pain? Suffering? Brokenness? Sorrow? Vile and ugly disease? Behold the One that hung on that awful cross that day! If you dare? That's right! I challenge you to stop and behold the cross at Calvary! Look upon the one that was crucified! Take heed! And beware! Pay close attention. Consider carefully! Be on guard and observe! Do this with honesty and sincerity of heart and you will never be the same. Go ahead. Just do it. Remember though, He did this all for you and me! Oh what love! Oh what grace and mercy! Unmerited favor! Receive it! Believe it! Receive Him! Believe Him! The greatest hero ever to live and die! This is none other than Jesus. My number one hero. My Pop knew this about me. I am so very thankful for this! To have been able to share my faith with my Dad. My Pop wasn't a pretender. He never claimed to be something he wasn't. He taught me a great lesson. Thanks so much Pop! And to the greatest lesson teacher, and the One that never claimed to be something he wasn't, that is NONE OTHER THAN JESUS!!! Thank you so much Jesus! I am forever indebted to You. Forever thankful and forever grateful! Sincerely, R.C.

Jeremiah 17:7-8, Blessed is the man that trusts in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

   For he will be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and will not see when heat comes, but her leaf will be green; and will not be careful (anxious) in the year of drought, neither will cease from yielding fruit.

WHAT IS YOUR TRUST IN RIGHT NOW? If it is not in the LORD, you and I are not truely blessed! Not truely happy, content. The Bible speaks much on this subject of blessed, and contentment. Feelings of anxiousness, carefulness. These are things that come at us in our life. But, when we face these things what do we do about it? Who do we go for help? Who is our trust in?

   Just the other day I was feeling anxious. Distracted. Consumed by certain thoughts that arose in my heart and mind that caused me unrest. What did I do you might ask? I WENT TO THE LORD IN PRAYER! You can never, I say again, never go wrong with doing this same thing. I understand that life will always bring to us the challenges of various things that we have to face. Some are normal everyday things, then there are those things that we really need help with. That is if you and I are really going to conquer them. And our greatest source of help is and always will be the LORD! This Bible, this Book of Books, has never failed me. Never! And it will never fail you or anyone else that puts their trust in it. Puts their trust in Him!
   Talk to Him! He craves our company! He longs to hear from us. You and me. Once I shared with Him what was bothering me, my mind went to some scripture in the New Testament. He was guiding me to the answer I needed at that particular moment. Here's the scripture;

Philippians 4:6-7, Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanskgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

   And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

How about that for an answer!? GOD KNOWS HOW TO ANSWER US! Believe me I know. So, after praying, then reading, then came the trusting. Works everytime! Try it for yourself. Don't take my word for it, although you can, because what is shared here is God's WORD! HIS WORD IS THE GREATEST!
You can trust in the LORD! There will come a peace so sweet, so real, oh so good! And that's what came when I took it to Him. That's how you will know that you have made the connection with God. There will come a peace so real, you will know, and then you can't help but trust in this awesome God! Sincerely, R.C.

One year ago today my Pop, my hero next to Jesus, passed away. Oh how I miss him!!!

I SAMUEL 30:6, but David, (but R.C.) (put your name in there) encouraged himself in THE LORD HIS GOD.

Go ahead, do it! Encourage yourself! IN THE LORD YOUR GOD!

Sincerely, R.C.

This was referred to under the post title of "I MUST WORK". I had made mention that there was scripture for this thought, but did not know where it was at the time, but would find out later and post it. So, here it is.

Isaiah 55:6, SEEK YE THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND, CALL YE UPON HIM WHILE HE IS NEAR:

Even though this is Old Testament, We can find this same truth in the New Testament. What I would like to do, and going to do is continue with Isaiah. Let us let God's Word speak to our hearts and minds! Let GOD'S WORD WORK IN YOU!!! Sincerely, R.C.

Isaiah 55:7-9, Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and HE WILL HAVE MERCY UPON HIM; and to our God, for (because) He will abundantly pardon.
        For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
      For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Quite thought provoking scripture. That's the intention here. Go ahead and let His Word work in you! Allow God's Word to excite you! To move you to action! Act upon His Word!