Into The King's Garden: March 2013

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Friday, March 29, 2013

Currently Untitled-
written by Savannah Blakeley
3/28/2013

Together as one,
the battle is won
Separate and apart,
we are a broken heart

Set apart for each other,
there is no other
We only have one in this life,
it is a consistent strife

A relation ship sails away,
but a marriage ship never drifts away
Pain and sorrow are trying;
you will rise above and not be left dying.

Jesus loves us,
He died for us.
He’s coming back for a bride;
He’s on his final stride.

He is coming,
we are going
Light your lamp,
He’s on the ramp

I sense his presence,
I feel his essence
Destruction is behind us,
life more abundant is a front us

Jesus is leading me home,
forgetting all the cares of this world for home.
I bask in his love,
he calls me his dove.

I long for his touch,
I love him sooo much.

Picture Post - Good Friday

                    It May Be Friday
                              but!
                Sunday is on the Way!

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Maundy Thursday Teachings

Maundy Thursday

This week is Holy Week in the Year of our Lord Jesus Christ 2013, the week leading up to Easter and the celebration of Christ’s resurrection. There are several important days this week, and one of those is Maundy Thursday, the day before Good Friday.

What is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday (pronounced like “mohn-di,” rhymes with “blondie”) is the day that commemorates Christ’s last meal (or Last Supper) with his disciples. It was on this Thursday that He and the twelve disciples observed the traditional Jewish Passover meal together.

Holy Thursday: Feet Washing

There are several ways that Christians take part in celebrating this Holy Thursday. Feet washing is observed by many, because it was on this day that Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. He got up from the meal to serve the disciples in this way.

"So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him". John 13:4-5

Maundy Thursday Meaning

Maundy Thursday is recognized as a holy day of Christianity. Maundy Thursday, meaning Commandment Thursday, gets its name from the Latin word mandatum (or mandate, translated as commandment), which is the first word in the Latin translation of Christ’s words in John 13:34. This is the day that Jesus gave his followers a new commandment – a new mandate to love.

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples". John 13:34-35

If you take a look at John 13, you can read about the first Maundy Thursday in detail. After the feet washing, Jesus announced that He was going to be betrayed by one of the disciples. Judas then leaves the group to go do just that, and after he is gone, Jesus gives the remaining disciples some final instructions, including this new commandment: to love each other. He explains that their love for each other is how other people will know that they are followers of Christ.

People often celebrate Maundy Thursday not only by feet washing services, but often other acts of kindness that involve more physical care and outward displays of love at work. Helping a widow with yard maintenance, cleaning an invalid’s home, or painting and upkeep at your local church are just a few ways that you can demonstrate love in action on Maundy Thursday. Any service done for another without a thought of being repaid reminds us of the Savior’s sacrifice for us. And how there is more than just one way to love one another- by word and by deed!

Love Longing

Longing for The Lord

For many years
I have longed for a place,
safely tucked away
from the human race.

Where quiet mingles
with songs of a bird,
Where serenity
is all that is heard.

To feel the calm
that God meant us to know
To cleanse, purify,
and spiritually grow.

To be with nature
and to grow more gentle,
A spot, that with time,
becomes sentimental.

It is here that Peace on Earth
begins with me
in the hope that it will
somehow, someday be.

And she wandered away and away,
with Nature the dear old nurse,
Who sang to her night and day,
the rhymes of the universe.

And when the way seemed long,
and her heart began to fail,
She sang a more wonderful song,
or told a more wonderful tale.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Picture Post

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

And It Was Passover 2013

The Passover of The Lord
Christ's blood shed for our accord

For the History of Passover; please read:

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/history-of-passover.html

Also Read: "The Art of Foot Washing"

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/lost-art-of-foot-washing.html

When Israel left Egypt
God said to celebrate,
For He would 'deliver' them their firstborn sons
and to Him they'd dedicate.

He passed over them
when He saw the blood,
As it showed Him their OBEDIENCE
in doing what they should!

For Pharaoh had refused
to let God's people go,
Now he would be reaping
exactly what he did sow.

Yet today we celebrate
our deliverance from SIN,
For the Blood of JESUS
covers every stain within.

As we have obeyed His call
and taken JESUS as our Savior,
So He could 'bring us out'
of all our sin behavior.

Now, remember, as you celebrate
what EASTER'S all about,
The observance of The 'LAMB' of God
Who frees you of all DOUBT!

Doubts about your 'salvation'
and doubts about His Love for you,
As God sent CHRIST for this very purpose
if your search for HIM is really true.

Now BLESS His Holy Name
and please do not forget,
He has 'forgiven' you
and paid your final debt.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

~ Palm Sunday ~ 2013

~ Palm Sunday ~

During Jesus's earthly ministry, He often told people not to tell anyone who He was. Even when his brothers encouraged Him to go public. He said it was not yet the right time. But the day He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey was the appointed time, the only public announcement that He was God's promised Messiah, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9.9. His announcement was rejected by many, yet God's plan for mankind was still yet fulfilled. Praise Him!

~ The Waving of the Palms ~

They waved palm branches as He passed
And hailed Him as their King;
Yet, they knew not of the sorrow
The coming week would bring.

The glad acclaim would soon give way
To jeers and mockery;
In Pilate's court He'd be condemned
To a cross on Calvary.

But Jesus knew He was the price
In God's redemptive plan,
The Sacrificial Lamb come down
To die for sins of man.

The centuries have passed and still
He seeks those lost in sin,
Pleading with unyielding hearts
To repent and follow Him.

On this day we shout our praise,
O, let us not delay;
The palm-strewn path of long ago
Still leads to Him today.

Jesus rides a donkey,
Through the city gate,
He is the gentle ruler,
Of every nation state.

Christ enters the city,
Named the place of peace,
Foretells our heaven homeland,
Where joy will never cease.

The people sing hosannas,
Christ is king and lord,
Messiah who redeems us,
By all will be adored.

The people welcome Jesus,
They raise a shout of cheer,
But there are those who hate him,
They laugh and mock and jeer.

The enemies of Jesus,
Protest this grand procession,
Jesus says the very rocks,
Would cry out their confession.

Christ has come to die for us,
In a few short days,
Then the third day after,
From the dead he'll raise.

Christ over the city looks,
It causes him to weep,
So many will reject him,
Despite his sufferings deep.

Christ is coming once again,
Comes with greatest might,
Putting all things back to new,
He shines with glory bright,

The devils are all vanquished,
By Christ's gentle power,
He will crush them underfoot,
In that final hour.

Christ alone has conquered,
Sin and death and hell,
Freeing us from bondage,
Let us thank him well.

Good people, come now, greet him,
Welcome with your praise,
Children, come now, meet him,
Your joyful songs now raise.

Let hosannas ring
and joy abound,
For the Lord our God
rode a donkey to town!

For More Easter Week Teachings - Please See ...

~ It Was A Week Of ~

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/it-was-week.html

~ The Lost Art of Foot Washing ~

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/lost-art-of-foot-washing.html

~ Jesus' Prayer at Gethsemane ~

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/jesus-prayer-of-submission-at.html

~ History of Passover ~

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/history-of-passover.html

~ HE HAS RISEN! ~

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/he-has-risen.html

~ Dawn With Fresh Eyes ~

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/dawn-with-fresh-eyes.html

~ A Medical Perspective of the Cross ~

http://intothekingsgarden.blogspot.com/2012/04/medical-perspective-of-cross.html

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Easter Bonnets

The History of the Easter Bonnet

The Christian holiday of Easter coincides with the beginning of spring. The customs and traditions of Easter symbolize the new life that emerges following winter. In the midst of the hatching Easter eggs, baby lambs and budding flowers and trees, ladies used to don decorative hats to wear with their Easter dress to the church service. In recent years, however, more casual church services have decreased the popularity of the Easter hat.

Early Easter Headdress

The original Easter head accessory was not a bonnet or a hat. Before Easter was an official holiday, women would celebrate the arrival of spring by decorating head wreaths with fresh flowers. The circle of the wreath symbolized the earth's orbit around the sun as well as the cycle of the seasons.

Post Civil War

On Easter Sunday following the end of the Civil War, women and their daughters traded their dark, mourning veils for the pastel colors and fresh flowers of spring. They adorned their hats and bonnets with ribbons and blooming flowers.

New York

In the 1870's, a tradition emerged in New York City. On 5th Avenue, the social elite would attend church service, then parade down the street aferward to show off their Easter fashions. With each passing year, the hats of the Easter paraders would become larger and more creatively decorated. Spectacular head gear has included live bird nests, portable flower gardens and pets.

Easter Parade

By the late 1940's, the famous Easter Parade expanded out of 5th Avenue and extended from Madison Square to Central Park. The event was made into an American icon with the 1948 musical "The Easter Parade", written by Irving Berlin.

~ Easter Parade ~

In your easter bonnet,
with all the frills upon it,
You’ll be the grandest lady
in the easter parade.

I’ll be all in clover
and when they look you over,
I’ll be the proudest fellow
in the easter parade.

On the avenue, fifth avenue,
the photographers will snap us,
And you’ll find that
you’re in the rotogravure.

Oh, I could write a sonnet
about your easter bonnet,
And of the girl I’m taking
to the easter parade.

Modern Easter Hats

Today, Easter hats have become a holiday novelty and are not seen often at church services. Still, they can be found on the heads of fashionably conscience elderly ladies and well dressed little girls. The hats that remain on the scene are light weight, usually made of straw. They are decorated with ribbons, lace or artificial flowers.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Let Me Be Disturbed

Disturb Us, O Lord

Disturb us, Lord,
When we are too well pleased with ourselves,
When all of our dreams have come true
Because we have dreamed too little,
When we have arrived safely
Because we sailed too close to the shore.

Disturb us, Lord, when
With the abundance of things we possess
We have completely lost our thirst
For the waters of life;

Disturb us, Lord, when
Having fallen in love with life,
We have ceased to dream of eternity
And in our efforts to build a new earth,
We have allowed our vision
Of the new Heaven to dim.

Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly,
To venture out onto wider seas
Where storms will show Your mastery;
Where losing total sight of land,
We shall find the stars above.

We humbly ask You to gently push back
The horizons of our hopes and dreams;
And to press into the future You have prepared for us
With strength, courage, hope, and love.

Amen.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Zip Your Yapper

Not Another Word!

Stop Bringing it Up!

“I, even I, am He that blots out your transgressions for My own sake, and remembers your sin no more."
Isaiah 43:25

When someone reminds you over and over of the things that you have done wrong in your life (your sins), have you ever felt like shouting, “I wish you would STOP bringing that up?!”

When Jesus went to the cross He died for the sins of all mankind and He also died for the sins of those who had just sinned against Him. The ones who sinned against Him were His disciples; the closest ones to Him, the ones He poured his life into for three years. Think about what they did to Him, they abandoned Him at His darkest hour. Peter lied and even denied he knew Him. But, after the cross Jesus didn’t even mention it, He didn’t bring it up ever again! He Forgave them!

To be Christ like means we forgive people for the wrongs that they have done and we don’t keep making the person pay by bringing up their sin(s) over and over, again.

To be Christ like, we must travel through and on to the Cross and declare that it is finished; the blood of Jesus paid the debt they owed. It is enough.

Precious Lord, please help me to be Christ like all the time and not just when it is convenient or suits me to be. Help me to treat those who have hurt me the way you treated your disciples. Help me not only to to forgive them but also to completely and totally let it go forever, and not bring it up to them again ... ever! Lord, remind me and humble my spirit when I keep bringing up someone’s mistakes (sins) that what I am really saying is ... that Your blood was/is not good enough.

Please forgive me Lord.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Right Spirit

Fresh and Clean

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10

This is THE “Upright Heart” cry; a prayer I have learned that I must pray each and every single day if I am to enjoy peace, joy and all manner of blessings within and without.

Each day of our life we collect clutter in our hearts. The clutter that comes from the cares of the world, and emotions we feel when people hurt or disappointment us and when things don't turn out exactly the way we planned. Harsh thoughts and bad feelings can pile up like a mountain in just one day if we let them. You must release them, you must let them go, and you must take every thought captive - each and every day.

The Lord is waiting for you to whisper the “Upright Spirit, Clean Heart” cry of prayer right now. And He promises "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." (Ezekiel 36:26)

We can lift our heart to the Lord every night, and within a few moments, we can release the burdens and disappointments of an entire day. When we release all the disappointments of yesterday, we clean out the closet, making ready for the blessings of the new day. God is a loving Father, and He always has blessings in store for those who are ready to receive them.

If you are a parent think how it would feel, if you told your children to clean out their closet, and make room for all brand new gifts and yet they choose to hang on to what they have - in spite of the majority of it being junk. Packing the junk down tighter in the closet so that they may continue to add even more junk to it. Doesn't make a whole lot of sense; does it? Children know that is far better to have new gifts than old junk but adults ... not so much.

Why would anyone choose to keep old junk instead of receiving new gifts? The short answer is fear.

“Fear” will stop you from cleaning your closet. The spirit of fear is in charge of all the junk. Fear created it and doesn’t want anyone to mess with it! You won’t get rid of junk until you kick fear out the door and tell him to go. Until you release the power of Jesus over the fear in your life then you are going to stay trapped in a closet of junk.

A fresh, clean closet makes room for a whole lot of new gifts. Let's start cleaning today! Amen?!

When we unpack our closet of junk and release our burdens to the Lord, it prepares our heart to receive His daily blessings; a fresh Word, a divine opportunity, or who knows what? I mean; really! Our Father owns the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10) so it is nothing for Him to rain down all kinds of blessings on your head- but only if you have the room to receive them. How much room do you have in your heart for God's blessings?

John the Baptist cried out; “Prepare ye the way for the Lord.” (Mark 1:3, Luke 3:4, John 1:23, Matthew 3:3, Isaiah 40:3) and his voice resounded mightily through a thousand deserts and valleys. We prepare the way for the Lord when we first prepare our hearts to receive what God has for us.

Open your heart; release all the junk in it and make way for the Lord!

Monday, March 18, 2013

Passing the Test

The Testing Phase

“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; ...” John 3:11

Have you wondered why sometimes the Lord is silent? If we don’t have understanding, we can misinterpret His silence.

First of all, He is a heavenly Father. He is not like your earthly father. You may view God's silence in the way that you experienced your earthly fathers silence. For me, silence meant that my father was probably pretty displeased with something I may have done that disappointed him or he was simply just caught up in his own thoughts and problems and maybe didn't know what to do about them. God always knows what to do. He created the next step that you will take.

Secondly, He is not silent because He is upset with you; because you blew the last assignment. He is not silent because He has changed His mind on the assignment that He gave you. He is silent when you are taking a test.

He is a good Teacher and a good teacher will not continue to teach when the student is taking a test. If God is silent right now, you are being tested on what you just learned. Passing a test gives you an excellent testimony. A testimony that is the witness that you have passed a test and are moving on in your spiritual maturity. As soon as you past the test and are able to give testimony of what you have learned, you will hear Him speak again - speak about other things- things that will help you to grow even more. Do not despair in the silence. Even when God is silent He is still with you and cheering you on!

Precious Lord,

Show me clearly the next step so that I may walk in Your path, in Your truth. Open my spirit, open my heart. I humble myself and my own thoughts in order to hear and obey You.

I want to live in the fullness of what you have for me and be consumed with Your heart for me. Help me to pass the tests that come my way so I may overcome. Guide me with Your wisdom, guide me with your Truth.
Help me not to lean on my own understanding when testing comes. I believe that You are with me, even in the silence.

In Jesus' Name, Amen!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Picture Post

~ Just Stating Who I Am ~

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Faith Living

Living By Faith Alone

Abraham is held up to us as an example of a righteous man who was justified before God; but, Abraham merely did what all men must do. He believed God.

"2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness" (4:2-3).

Plain old ordinary Christians are expected to "live by the faith of the Son of God" (Galatians 2:20), to provide for them-- body, soul, and spirit. "25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 33 But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. 34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof" (6:25-34).

Briefly, what is living by faith?

First, faith must be in God, not man. "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man" (Psalm 118:8).

Second, the Father has specifically appointed His Son as the object of our faith. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life" (John 3:16).

Third, faith is the voluntary confiding in and trusting of the LORD Jesus Christ, Whose "Name is called The Word of God" (Revelation 19:13).

Fourth, faith is a product of the Word of God and the Spirit of God, working in a willing heart. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17). "And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My Statutes, and ye shall keep My Judgments, and do them" (Ezekiel 36:27).

Fifth, living by faith is necessary for those who desire to please God. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6).

Sixth, living by faith is in contrast to allowing yourself to be controlled by simply what your physical eyes see. "We walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).

And, finally, since faith is the substantial controlling element of every aspect of the Christian life, no part of life can be divorced from its overriding influence. "1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report" (Hebrews 11:1-2).

Those who realize their need to live by faith must read, meditate upon, and study much the Word of God. "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4).

It can be seen that every Saint throughout the ages has had the responsibility and privilege to trust God and live by faith. "The just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4).

Whenever we find ourselves making decisions and judgments without asking the Spirit, "What saith the Scripture?" (Romans 4:3), or consulting the Father through prayer, then we are walking like the world, and "not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8). "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, [the Holy Spirit] saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left" (Isaiah 30:21).

Recognizing that God is able to direct our thoughts, we are to consciously choose out "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8) with the understanding that this is walking by faith.

This is thinking God's thoughts after Him. "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work" (John 5:17). This then is discerning the pattern of action that best corresponds to our understanding of His Word. "I being in the way, the LORD led me" (Genesis 24:27).

In addition to the supremacy of the Word of God and a continual attitude of praying "without ceasing" (1Thessalonians 5:17), to those who walk by faith, many other factors need to be considered:

(1) The LORD Jesus Christ is the sum total of all-- moral, physical, material, and spiritual-- the supply of what we need to walk by faith. "But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

(2) Our moral agency should work in concert with God's sovereignty and not get in the way, if we seek Him first. "But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

(3) A confession and hatred of personal sin, so that we walk in no known sin, must be the rule of those who walk by faith. "23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way Everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).

(4) God's Providence in our circumstances and in current events must and will guide us, if we are looking for His guidance of our walk of faith. "Seek, and ye shall find" (Matthew 7:7).

(5) Patience will be necessary in our walk of faith, the "trying of your faith worketh patience" (James 1:3), because we are not aware of all the factors that God must manage in the performance of His promises. "Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD" (Exodus 14:13).

(6) Communion with God, where we continually converse with the Most High One That Inhabiteth Eternity in the consciousness of our mind, keeps our purpose fixed to live by faith. "And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him... for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Genesis 5:24; Hebrews 11:5).

(7) Stepping away from the World-- "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:17)-- stepping away from the day to day influences of the world is necessary, if we are to live by faith.

(8) Ensuring that we allow our physical bodies to do no more than make suggestions to us of our physical needs - pain, hunger, thirst, and pleasure, we must not allow ourselves, as the world is, to be dominated by them, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world" (1 John 2:16), if we would live by faith. "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Corinthians 9:27).

(9) We must ask for and desire earnestly the protection under the shadow of the Wings of the Almighty against the temptations and assaults of the Devil, if we expect to live by faith. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you... Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your Brethren" (James 4:7; 1Peter 5:9). And,

(10) an expectancy of the imminent return of the LORD Jesus Christ, "and the LORD, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His Temple" (Malachi 3:1), to Rapture and Resurrect His Saints, and to judge the world for its impenitent sins, will be our hope and encouragement for sanctified living and service, in our present distress, because we are living by faith. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Amen, and Amen.

Well; at least that is my understanding of "Living by Faith"

Maranatha!