Moving to a new blog - Please follow me there

Due to some unfortunate circumstances, I am making some changes with this blog "A Joyful Noise"   - -

I am re-opening my other blog and changing its name to "Chewing the Bread of Life."  this is the site address:   I will be posting there for now:  https://letmetelluastory.blogspot.com/


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Blessings to you all. 
Hazel Moon

Praise in the Storm

From my notes I present a digested Bible Study at our church

 

 

Our Bible Study lesson began with Matthew 14:22-36, John 6:16-21 and Mark 6:47-51. These are three versions of the story about the disciples leaving in their boat without Jesus; as He stayed behind to pray.

The darkness of night plus the wind and waves of a storm were giving the fishermen deep trouble.  Suddenly in the shadows they could see a figure of a man walking on the water toward them.  Fear struck their hearts thinking this must be a ghost, but Jesus spoke and said, “It is I, do not be afraid, but be of good cheer.”  

 

Peter still doubting, but exercising boldness, said, "IF it is you, bid me come to you."  Jesus replied, “Come,” and with courage, Peter made that leap of faith and began to walk on water toward Jesus.

 

However the circumstances of life overcame Peter as he took his eyes off Jesus, and he began to sink.  “Lord save me,” Peter cried.  Jesus reached out and lifted him up above his problems and together they walked to the boat.  Immediately the storm was stilled and the terrified disciples welcomed Jesus and Peter into the boat.  They worshiped Jesus, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

Jesus was revealing to them His glory a bit at a time. 

The Children of Israel were just leaving Egypt and Moses requested God to go with them,  God said His presence would be with them in their journey.  Moses then asked to see the glory of God  Exodus 33:14-23  and God said:

“You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.” And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

Later Moses met with God for 40 days on the mountain, and just being in God’s presence caused his face to shine.  The people were terrified to see the glory of God surrounding Moses. 

We must not judge the disciples or the people who were frightened of the glory, because at times we too are guilty.  We hesitate to take that extra step and enter the glory cloud where the Holy Spirit will be able to show us great and mighty things.

The disciples did not understand that Jesus was to become the sacrifice for the sins of the World.  They were being told almost daily, but their understanding was thickened and dull. 

 

When John proclaimed “This is the Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world,” their ears were not attuned to receive truth.  They had a different scenario in mind expecting Jesus to take over the government and become King, so they were not open to hear the message of death and resurrection.

We question and ask:  Why is there suffering, pain, fear, emotional distress and death in this world?  Does God do this? 

As we look at Job, we see that it was the devil that caused destruction to Job’s family and his wealth.  God allowed this to happen, but God did not cause it.  This was a test to see how Job would respond if he lost children and worldly goods.   During the pain and suffering, God revealed himself to Job and taught him that through it all, God was still there with him.  God asked Job to lean on Him.  

 

God also asks us to lean on Him.  Trust is strong and God is revealing his glory to us as we seek Him.

Jesus wanted to take his disciples to a higher level of faith - - no matter what circumstance we are facing.  The disciples were like a yo-yo believing and doubting even after Christ death and resurrection. 

 

Jesus gently was opening up their understanding as he taught them for 40 days.  At Pentecost they were infused with the glory of God and began to realize that there was more and God was making his power available to them.

If we are in a storm of life, may we learn to praise God IN the storm as praise and worship will bring us peace, because Jesus is taking us safely to the other side.

 

God’s Plan for 2018

From my notes I present a digested sermon as Pastor Allan ministered on Sunday.

 

 

 

The atmosphere at church was charged with the presence of God, and Pastor hesitated to pull away and begin preaching.

 

He began:  I don’t know about you, but 2017 for many of us, we experienced bad things; Sickness, death, fires, and threats of a flood and destruction.  But through it all, God was protecting, and keeping us in His care.

 

We try to figure out things for ourselves and maybe we would have done things differently, but we must enter a New Year with eyes wide open with NO regrets.

 

There were positive things too in 2017.  We were encouraged about the unity at the prayer service at the State Theatre. 

 

Our attitude is important as we enter 2018.   Know God has a good plan for you – A Hope in God.  He knows exactly His plans, but it is important to stay in His will.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

Psalms 50:15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me."

 

Understand that God always has YOU on His mind, for a good future, and that is good.
 

Jeremiah 33:3 Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

 

There are pressures, and we sometimes allow things in our life that should not be there.

God loves you and He desires you to be free from things that hinder you.

Psalms 145: 18-19 The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.

This New Year, continue to have conversations with God.  He desires to prosper and bless you.  Realize it is the enemy who does not want God to bless you.

 

Learn to claim answers to your own prayers, and don’t depend on Grandma’s prayers.

God desires to bless you, but there are conditions.  Walk in His truth and in His Way.  Keep a tender heart and keep seeking God.

 

At Christmas time, we turned on the TV and there was a program about “Treasure seekers,” who have given all their fleshly life looking for what may or may not be there.

 

The truth is that the treasures of God are real and not fantasy.  His will is to bless and his plans are good.

 

Seek Him and know He wants to be found.  Your Heavenly Father knows you need certain things. 

 

Don’t worry about tomorrow, but seek first the Kingdom of God and all these other things will be added onto you.
 

One of my favorite things is to listen to others tell of the great things God has done for them.  Serving God is exciting, with out ever a dull moment.

 

Lastly I would encourage you to ask, “What can I do for God in 2018?  How much more can I give?  Pray for your neighbors even those in conflict with you.  Show God’s love to others.  You might not be able to change the world, but let God change you. 

 

Without Love all good works are simply nothing.  You are missing it if you are not ministering with love.

 

God loved us and gave us His Son.  Receive the fullness of His love.  All service to God in interlinked with love.

1.     God loves you and has a good plan for you.

2.     Operate in His will to know what his plan is.

3.     Go deeper in God, seek His face

4.     Love others.

 

You might say:  “You want me to go where?  To do what?  You want me to give up that?

If you really want a deeper level then we must be willing to obey.

 

But someone hurt my feelings !!   Honestly so was Jesus hurt, betrayed, beaten, criticized, but He did not allow his hurt to stop Him from fulfilling His destiny.

 

What is holding you back?  Are you willing to set it aside and step forward?

I encourage you to engage in prayer daily.

 

Realize God’s plan for you is Good.

 

 

NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS AND HOW TO KEEP THEM

As I began to wake up this morning, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me and teach me; “How to Keep New Year’s Resolutions.”  I quickly got up and went to my computer to write it all down.  The Holy Spirit desired that I share this with our church today.  At church, I went to our Pastor and shared that the Lord has given me a word for today, and asked, "is it okay for me to have about 5 minutes."  He said yes.  I asked him if he would you like to review it? as I offered him the written paper.  “No,” he said, “I trust you.”  It was good he did not look at the paper, because that might have handy-capped him with his sermon today. You see, the Holy Spirit often is telling more than one person what He is desiring to say for that day and time.  Usually each person will have a different slant, but it will all fall in place.

~ ~ ~

Most of us have at one time made a New Years resolution, and by the next day we have broken it.  Our intentions were good, but the pull was just too great. 

We like Adam and Eve, have been given a “FREE WILL” or the power of choice.  We can by sheer grit and determination decide to make a decision to quit those things that have been giving us trouble.  We know the difference between right and wrong and some things are simply right and others are definitely wrong. 

Each year we make a list and say to ourselves, I will give up certain practices, and will stop doing this or that.   We grit our teeth, and lock our jaw and say, I will put this aside and quit doing this - - -  

In the past we have made those decisions by our desire and our “Free Will.” 

Now may I ask:  “How has that been working for you?  - - Hum-mm?? 

The power of Free will is strong – but I must tell you that it is NOT STRONG ENOUGH.  We make certain choices by our own self – our own weak and spindly Free Will and wonder why we fail. 

Today I desire to present to you God’s way to over come - - Once and for all - - and be FREE of those things that have held you down in the past. 

Not by our own will because our will is feeble, tired and exhausted, but by using the “WILL of GOD.” 

Jesus prayed in the garden;  “I give up, I surrender to YOUR WILL GOD.  Not my will but thine be done.” 

Some of us have walked in darkness in the past, but Jesus promises if we will follow Him and fully surrender to HIS WILL (not our will) then he will remove the darkness and place within us the LIGHT of LIFE which is the Will of God.  

John 8:12 “Jesus, said, 'I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but shall have the light of life.'" 

So I lay before you a choice:   To use your FREE WILL and make a quality decision to SURRENDER your will to God’s WILL.  God's will is for you to be FREE, to be blessed and to prosper.  God's will is Good, and He desires only the best for you.

It is time to receive God’s Will, not your own will, and his strength, not your own strength, and you will be able to walk free for the rest of your earthly life. 

So in review:

1.  I will Surrender my own Will and exchange it for God’s Will.

2.     I will Invite Jesus into the dark rooms of my heart bringing with Him; His Light of Life.

3.     I will Invite Jesus to live in me, the LIGHT of LIFE and daily I will allow the Holy Spirit to be my guide.

 

The Light Shined in the Darkness

As Pastor was speaking, the Holy Spirit was sharing with me which has been added to this message.

 

Pastor Allan was reading from John chapter 1 and then he continued reading the Christmas story: 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that hath been made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shined in the darkness; and the darkness could not put it out.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word became flesh and He was the Light of the World.

Perhaps during 2017 there were dark moments, but the light was still there and was not extinguished.  The Holy Spirit was active in the beginning and also at the conception of Jesus in the Virgin Mary.  Light has come as the star shone over the place where the young child was. 

May the Light of Life during 2018 shine over you and your family.  May God’s will be revealed to you in all its brilliance. 

2018 will be full of surprises, both good and not so good.  Understand that God is not sitting still but He is standing and even moving to establish what His plans are for you.

Do not fear, Do not doubt, but realize that God’s love is greater than any adversity.  God is busy applying strength, boldness and confidence where knees are weak.

God is active and is working to restore relationships that were broken.  Do not frustrate the grace of God, but be willing to allow Him to fulfill His will in your life. 

Allow God to rebuild the bridges that have been washed away.

Jesus came as a tiny baby, and even as a young child, His presence was a blessing to many.  The shepherds rejoiced, Simon and Anna prophesied of His future as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit. 

It is the season of busyness as we prepare for dinners, gifts, and fellowship; but let us slow down to enjoy all that Christmas means.

Christ was born for a reason.  His life and death and resurrection fulfilled prophesy.

His eternal life is available today to all who will receive Him. 

Come, Oh come all ye faithful and let us adore Him.  He is Emanuel who is God with us and God in us. 

Let us approach 2018 with joy and anticipation for all that God will reveal to us as we seek His face.

Chili Rellenos

Chili Rellenos via Aurora Snider

The day was cold, and we decided to assemble one of our favorite easy recipes. I mixed the eggs, flour and milk and then grated the cheese.

I decided to strain the egg mixture over the finished product to get out any flour lumps.
Here is our favorite recipe and quick to fix.

Chili Rellenos Easy and Simple

1, 7 oz can chopped chilies (Ortega)
½ cup grated Cheddar cheese
½ cup grated Jack cheese
2 T flour
2 eggs
1 can evaporated milk
1, 8 oz can tomato sauce

Sprinkle ½ chilies in a 9×12 Pyrex baking dish. Layer the cheddar cheese next.
Add the rest of the chilles. Top layer is the Monterey Jack cheese.
Beat eggs, flour and milk in a bowl and pour over the top of the mix in the pan.
Bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Then pour over the top, the can of tomato sauce.
And bake 15 minutes more. Let stand 10 minutes and serve.

We cut any left over into serving size pieces, wrap and freeze.

For a Pot Luck - double the recipe and bake in a long cookie pan.  

Check your Own Heart

A digested Lesson taken from my notes at our Bible Study at our church.

 

 

Our Bible study taught by teacher Linda focused on the story in John 5:10-47 about the man at the pool who was healed after his encounter with Jesus.

At Jesus command - - the infirmed man was now able to walk and carry his bed, but alas it was the Sabbath day.  Jewish leaders were quick to ask him, “Who told you to pick up your bed and walk on the Sabbath?”  At first the man was not sure who had healed him, but afterwards, Jesus found him and said, “Behold you are made whole, but go and sin no more lest a worse thing come upon you.” 

The Jews immediately upon discovering it was Jesus; wanted to kill Him not because He healed on the Sabbath, but because the way he spoke of His Father God, making himself equal with God.  Jesus told them, “It was the Father who has given me authority, but marvel not on this for the hour is coming when the dead shall arise.  The Father has committed judgment onto the Son, and as I judge as I hear the father say.”

Jesus continued to urge them to “search the scriptures as they testify of me and my time has come.”

As she wrote on the white board, our teacher asked us to help her compile a list of the attitudes of the religious leaders in this story - - -

Their robes were not clean, and they glorified themselves as they followed traditions.  

They were full of pride, and abused their power.  They were dishonest, unholy and their ego was unhealthy.  A spirit of control was their tool, and they were selfish, hateful and dishonored others.  They had a fear of death, but set unholy boundaries,  were judgmental, hypocritical, and angry with those who did not agree with them.  Murder was in their heart. 

 

Why were they so angry?  Did the teaching and ministry of Jesus present a new way of living that they were contrary to?

Our teacher gave us scriptures as in Proverbs about a merry heart makes a cheerful face, and the importance of gratitude and thanksgiving.

You might want to research these few scriptures and others like them - -  

Zechariah 7:8-10 true Justice is to not oppress one another and to care for the widows and others.

Psalms  51:16-17 God loves a broken and contrite heart.

Proverbs 15:7  16:7 God gives supernatural peace and makes even our enemies to be at peace with us.

Hebrews 13:16 Do good sharing with others, listen intentional to develop a good relationship.

Matthew 5:44  Love your enemies, bless them that curse you and pray for them.

1 Timothy 2:14  Pray for leaders and those in authority for wisdom and for salvation.

1 Timothy 5:1-4  Honor to whom honor is due and respect others.

Luke 5:16  As was his routine; Jesus withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.

As Christians we need to be careful when God begins to move in a way we may not be familiar with, lest we rise up in criticism.  Check your own heart and also the Scripture and see if it is in the Word of God.

Our own self-righteousness may think these Jewish leaders were awful, terrible and dreadful, but stop and consider if perhaps we are at times harboring these same or similar attitudes. 

God requires us to reflect on our personal thought life and to be deliberate in our choices to think on those things that are pure, gentle, loving and of good report.

What does God expect of us?

Micah 6:8 And what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?

 

 

Write Out Your Prayers

 Pastor Allan welcomed everyone and I took notes about the service

Write Out Your Prayers

Our Sunday morning Service began with an opening prayer by one of our young men. 

Bible Teacher Linda shared a hand out about the Gospel and presented a short admonition.   A young man led the worship as he sang and played his guitar while the other instruments accompanied him.  

Pastor Allan began speaking;  The last several weeks we have taught on different kinds of prayer and that prayer is the foundation of our Christian walk with God.  The only way we can learn to pray is to just do it.  

Begin by expressing what is in your heart.  Pray in your secret place or where ever you are.  Lift up a prayer through out the day. 

Jesus gave us a model of how to pray.  Worship first, ask for God’s will, and your needs.  Ask for forgiveness but be willing to forgive others.  Request to be delivered from evil and not to be tempted, and exalt His name.

Matthew 6:9-13  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Pastor then asked two young men to pass out a gift pen to everyone and then a half sheet of blank paper.  He requested us to write out a prayer to God that has not yet been answered.  Time was given to do this.

Then Pastor asked us to fold the paper in half and exchange it with a neighbor not looking at the prayer.  Pastor asked us to hold up the prayer paper and pray for it.  Next he asked us to walk to the rear of the church and pin the prayers to the bulletin board and then return to your seat.

Pastor stated that God is working on those requests and now he asked if anyone needed physical healing to raise their hand.  Many hands went up.

Pastor requested that we pray for those near us that God would administer healing to them now.

He reminded us that we are sitting at the table and it is up to us to take and eat.  God desires an active church and we have a responsibility to conform to his will. 

As a church we are going to be proactive in prayer.  We pray over our city and stand up for what is right.  We ask God to separate the wheat from the chaff and establish His will in this place.  God desires a holy people.

Pray for the peace of Israel and pray for the peace over our city.  God is welcome at our city council meetings.  Pray for our godly Mayor and our chief of Police and other Christians who want God to make our city "Great Again."

God is requiring a willing heart to conform and make choices pleasing to God.
Pastor closed with a short prayer: 

"Lord continue to reveal to us how to pray so that your will is accomplished on earth as it is in heaven."

Begin Your Encounter with God Early

           From my notes I present a digested Bible Study Lesson from our church.

Begin Your Encounter with God Early

First thing in the morning, begin your encounter with the Holy Spirit.  As you begin your day, perhaps as you wake up, acknowledge God is with you and in you.  

God is there, even in your shower or bath and in the private areas as you prepare your day.  Have reading supplies next to your bed and a writing tablet with pen or pencil to write your prayers or dreams.  

Understand you may communicate with God as you drive your car, as you walk and do your chores.  God is listening.

Our study was from John chapter 5:2-5.  “Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 

In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.”

(The sheep gate was the first gate to be re-built in Nehemiah 3:1)  Sheep were gathered there in preparation for the Temple sacrifices.  

The man at the pool, needed spiritual healing as well, as evidenced when Jesus told him NOT to sin any more - - lest a worse thing come on him.

(From 'Got questions.org:') The Pool of Bethesda was the focus of a local Urban legend about healing, but Jesus showed that faith in religious legends and superstition is misplaced. 

It was at this pool that Jesus performed a miracle showing that He is greater than any human malady and that superstition and religious folklore are foolish and feeble substitutes for faith in God.

There was a logical explanation for the waters being stirred, as water was often released from an upper pool to add to this pool.  Today we have pools of healing such as Palm Springs, and the Hot Springs; their waters contain minerals and some claim to find relief there.

To our knowledge the Pool of Bethesda probably did not have healing minerals, but according to legend an Angel troubled the waters and first one in was healed. 

The power of belief was so strong that some actually did receive their healing after entering the water.

As Christians, we must research the scriptures when you are being taught by teachers or preachers.  Go to the Bible for yourself. 

Jesus asked the crippled man, lying there for 38 years, “Do you want to be healed?”

(Today, some may not want to be healed because they will lose their disability check and need to go to work.  It is sad when people lose their initiative.)

Jesus had told the man to get up and take your bed and walk; (Jesus did not wave his hand over him, but only using faith filled words.)  Jesus does not do magic, but his power is supernatural from heaven.

The Jews seeing this man carrying his bed on the Sabbath day; were furious upon discovering it was Jesus that healed him.  Community tradition said, don’t carry your bed on the Sabbath. 

Are you carrying a bed that you need to lay down?    Perhaps a bed of tradition that needs to be set aside and allow the Bible to be your guide.

Stand in the Gap

          Pastor Allan's Sunday sermon from my notes

A Call to Intercession

                                

Pastor Allan was ministering.  - - It is necessary to pray and step up our prayer life by increasing our set time of prayer.  God wants a greater opportunity to continually change you into His image. The only way God can change you is in prayer.  There are different kinds of prayer.  Pray with the Holy spirit, pray in agreement with others, pray as you worship and intercession.  Intercession is when you stand in the gap for a specific person or persons. 

We have a Godly mayor and we need to pray for our Mayor and her staff, pray for our city.  Pray for our chief of police.  Intercede for a city that may not be yours as Abraham did for Sodom and Gomorrah.

God said to Moses, “Get down from this mountain, for the people have sinned and I will wipe them out and make of you a great nation.  Moses bargained with God and stood as an intercessor telling God “No, you can’t do that, because what would other nations say after you brought them out of bondage?”  God listened to Moses and changed His mind about destroying them.  However because they had corrupted themselves God punished them, but did not wipe them out.

God has heard the cries of His people here in the United States.  He orchestrated an election to put President Trump in a Position; that amazed the so called majority.

What is going on in our city?  Many are in need; physically, mentally and spiritually. 

There is a need for jobs, and a solution for the homeless and those battling addiction.  Is there hope?  Can there be change complete and not just to enable those with problems.

Jonah rebelled at first, but finally he obeyed and gave the message to a large city.  He walked for three days over the miles preaching to repent or God was going to destroy Nineveh.  The King put on sack cloth and ashes, and repented as did the people.  God changed His mind when he saw their change of heart. 

As we intercede, God will answer.  We think some are a lost cause and there is no hope for them.  But the Holy Spirit says to pray for them anyway.  Pray that their minds will be turned from evil and embrace the truth of the Gospel.

Intercede for the “Dope House,” and for the “Red Light Houses.”

Do you want to see changes in your neighborhood?  Intercede for them.  They are not happy, and are in a hell of their own making.

There are so many scriptures that tell us that God will restore and heal our land as we humble ourselves and pray.

God loves the world and all in it, including those we may disdain.  God sent a sacrifice to save them.  He sent the Lamb of God to turn their hard hearts to righteous living.

God has beautiful orchards and lands, but some have been left to wither.  Due to the heat of summer, they weren’t watered and cared for.  This can be applied to our citizens in our city.  We need a culture of prayer and intercession. 

There are places in our city where you can’t walk in safety, but they are the ones that need Jesus.

Intercede for others, and be reminded that someone has interceded for you.

Jesus said in John 17:8-9 For I have given unto them the words which thou gave me; I pray for them which thou have given me; for they are thine.

Jesus is our High Priest in heaven and continues to intercede for you.  

Hebrews 7:25,26  Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever lives to make intercession for them.  For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens - -