Side by Side Hand in Hand

Exodus 3:1-3 Now Moses was pasturing the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; and he led the flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. Then the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the midst of a bush; and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not being consumed. So Moses said, “ I must turn aside and see this marvelous sight, why the bush is not burning up!”

A couple of things to notice…

• It was God (we know what Moses did not yet know this) getting the attention of Moses
• It was a blazing fire, not just a little flicker and smoke
• Though fire might be normal, the bush not being consumed was not

Have you seen a burning bush like this lately?

What about that time, you were having a “normal” day and that abnormal thing happened that should have destroyed you… but didn’t?

What about that time, when all of life felt like the furnace Daniel and his friends were thrown into, and yet you walked through the heat and were not consumed?

What about all those times that could’ve/should’ve/would’ve been called “God showing up” but it didn’t cross your mind to turn aside and see this marvelous sight?

What about all those times that someone you knew declared that they had walked and talked and SEEN God?

Did you turn aside to see God? Or did you turn aside to avoid God?

When the Lord saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”  Exodus 3:4

Maybe, God called out to you from the burning bush you were in front of, but you ran from Him instead of standing before Him to HEAR GOD SPEAK!

Then He said, “Do not come near here; remove your sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”  Exodus 3:5

Maybe, you did/do not feel worthy to stand on holy ground. Maybe, holy ground scares the living daylight out of you because you KNOW, God is there! Maybe, you just don’t want to hear from God, because His ways are not your ways and His thoughts are not your thoughts.

And He said, “ I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Then Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.  Exodus 3:6

Maybe you have judged God, and refused to know the truth and be set free.

And the Lord said, “I have certainly seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their outcry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, Exodus 3:7-8

Maybe you just don’t want to be RESCUED from the powers  you wrestle with… our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness (Satan, who is the prince of this world) in the heavenly places (not God’s heaven but the “heavenly”/above the earth, places around the world). Ephesians 6:12

Maybe you don’t love God, but let me tell you, let me YELL it loud and proud, “GOD LOVES YOU!

God IS love! Where as evil can ONLY steal, kill, and destroy, God can ONLY love! 

We blame God for not keeping us completely from evil, never realizing WE bring evil in and give it a place at our table. We blame God for allowing ‘bad people” and “bad things” to harm us and our world, after we have “canceled” Him (God) from having any influence, jurisdiction, authority in our government, our courts, our schools, our communities, and even our churches, and especially ourselves.

Someday evil will be completely eradicated. The cross of Jesus Christ paid the price (wages of sin is death) and His resurrection declared the victory.

Other than evil, God does not wish for ANY to perish (including you) which would happen should anyone not have the opportunity to RECEIVE Jesus as their ONE & ONLY who SAVES them.

When the time comes, and all God’s precious children have been brought back to fellowship with Him, when all opportunities have been presented, considered, and decided, when all have chosen whom they will serve, then, in God’s time (and only He knows) His will, will be completed on earth as it is in heaven!

Now this, will be the MOST MARVELOUS Sight of all… 

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.”  Revelation 21:1-4

Someday…

In the meantime… we should look for the burning bushes in our own lives.

Those times when we really should have been consumed by the fire blazing in our life but were not.

We should answer when He calls us, breathlessly answering, “Here I Am!”.

We should remove the sandals from our feet because WE ARE DEFINITELY STANDING ON HOLY GROUND!

Rather than fear, we should boldly kneel before the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and hand Him all glory honor and authority, knowing that He is GOOD all the time and ALL THE TIME He is good! 

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.  James 1:2-4

God so loved ________________ that He gave… Himself! He came down to rescue you (each and every one of us)!

A Marvelous Sight Gift, Indeed!!!!!!!!!!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Psalm 27:4 One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.

My Rabbi, (Rabbi Michael Vowell) asked the question, “What is your legacy?” 

Mmmm???

My dictionary defines legacy as: • a thing handed down by a predecessor: and then gives an example; the legacy of centuries of neglect. So, it is a “thing” – someone or something left behind – to someone or something that came after. According to the example, this thing could be good, bad, or both, probably somewhat dependent upon the receiver’s memory and application of carrying the “thing” on.

If I apply all this to myself, my question would be, “What do I want to be remembered for and what is the example I wish to hand down, with the hope ‘my thing’ will be carried on?”

What is my legacy? It’s a GREAT question! But in order to answer, I HAD TO change it just a little… what is my DESIRED legacy?

Almost 40 years ago (I know this because Jason will soon be 40 years old, and he was just a little guy!) I was born again. I declared myself dependent upon the sacrifice of Jesus for all the sins of my life that would be the death of me. He declared me His and blew into me His breath of life. He baptized me with His Holy Spirit, who took up residence in my life… in my NEW life… to seal me, identify me, and train me up as the child of God.

He is my legacy! And… my desired legacy is to leave no other legacy than Him. Though I cannot GIVE Jesus to anyone else, for He requires a personal, face to face, chosen, relationship with each and every person He comes for, (Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20) I desire the memory/ the legacy I leave to be, “OPEN YOUR DOOR!”. 

For the first 30 years of my life, I was much like Israel was… Hosea tell us they only needed God when trouble they had created and could no longer fix came upon them. Like them, and seemingly the people of this world God has given us, my deeds would not allow them (me) to return to their (my) God (the God who created each and every one in His own image). For a spirit of infidelity is within them (me), And they (I) do not know the Lord.  Hosea 5:4

God’s only recourse, because of the His unconditional love and His gift of Free Will (the absolute freedom to CHOOSE His way, His truth, and His life), was to leave them to discover that the were doomed without Him. “I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their distress they will search for Me.” Hosea 5:15

But God… didn’t leave them completely alone… He sent/sends His word (through prophets, and saints, and Jesus – who became flesh and dwelt among us)

So God’s word, which goes out of His mouth; will not return to Him empty, Without accomplishing what He desires, And without succeeding in the purpose for which He sent it.  Isaiah 55:11

God said to them and says to us… you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will let Myself be found by you,’ declares the Lord,  Jeremiah 29:13-14

Thirty nine plus years ago I said, “When You said, ‘ Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, I shall seek Your face, Lord .”  Psalm 27:8 

And my legacy was written!

But still, even in my “older years”, I have more to do to insure my legacy will shine and not be compromised by moments of the past spirit of infidelity raising its ugly head.

Brothers and sisters, I do not regard myself as having taken hold of it yet ; but one thing I do : forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

The Mission of Beth El Shalom says it well… to inspire all people to wholeheartedly follow Jesus.

I pray, my legacy… the one thing I asked from the Lord and that I seek… will inspire those who remember me to ask and seek the same… That they too may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of their life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple.

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Luke 6:27-28 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you.

The choice is ours, EVERY MINUTE of EVERY HOUR of EVERY DAY, in wonderful moments of fun and fellowship and in horrible moments of being the victim of bullying and brutality.

Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.  Luke 6:29-30

It seems more intuitive, more satisfying, more “just”, to give back what you have received.

But Jesus says, “Treat people the same way you want them to treat you.”  Luke 6:31… in other words… “In everything, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12

Please note; this does not say to give them what they EVIDENTLY want. Nope, your choice is not to be based on them or what they have done, but on you. Who you are, and what you claim as the primary desire of your HEART. Love or Hate?

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. Luke 6:32-34

Even sinners…

For those of us who have turned from our sins, to THE ONE who sent His Son to saves us from our sins, we have now been given a higher calling.

But love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil people. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  Luke 6:35-36

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”  Luke 6:37-38

By my standard of measure it will be measured to me in return.  Today is the perfect day for me to be immersed in this training. Today, January 20, 2021 will live in my memory as the boot camp of measuring my standard of measure.

The election is over, the inauguration has taken place, the battle has played out, and unfortunately, we were not all winners. The consequences for the losers have yet to be put into place. In our society, losers are not regarded as friends. In this particularly contentious election we have just come through, whether the looser claims the winner as their enemy or not, the winners seem to have declared that all losers are their enemy and wish to CANCEL them.

What will I, a child of the most high God, choose if I am identified as an enemy? The choice is mine, EVERY MINUTE of EVERY HOUR of EVERY DAY, in wonderful moments of fun and fellowship and in horrible moments of possibly being “canceled”  through bullying and/or brutality.

I used to nod my head in agreement every time I’d hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are abusive to you. “Preach It brother!” “Amen and AMEN!”

Hearing it is easy peasy!

Doing it, for more than a minute, is highly improbable and probably impossible for me.

But this is BOOT CAMP so I will…

Realize my struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12

Put on the military grade full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Ephesians 6:13

I will stand firm, having belted my waist with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having strapped on my feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which I will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Ephesians 6:14-17

Then, I will pray at all times in the Spirit, Ephesians 6:18

In other words, I WILL NOT because I CANNOT, do this without my MIGHTY Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

And finally, I will ask and learn, as I sit at Abba’s feet, WHAT is love and HOW do I DO IT.

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered , it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

It’s NOT my brand of love, or the world’s brand of love, or even our enemy’s brand of love. It isn’t friendly love, that has manipulation as it’s goal. It doesn’t require agreement, but may require silence in the aftermath of heated discussion. It turns against holding grudges and offers forgiveness for the wounds, intentionally or unintentionally suffered. It doesn’t GIVE UP in discouragement or GIVE IN to the temptation of vengeance (which is God’s!)

It is SACRIFICIAL LOVE!

In other words, Love never fails! EVEN when I fail to give it!

This is the day the Lord has made for me… maybe He made a similar one for you. Love or hate, (by the way, we all KNOW hate – what it is and how to give it, so I didn’t feel the need to describe the difference), the choice is ours, EVERY MINUTE of EVERY HOUR of EVERY DAY. Each time I have the choice, I KNOW which one I want to choose! I pray it is the one I WILL CHOOSE. 

Will you pray with me?

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Romans 8:5-8 For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

I was in tears this morning, weeping for our country and crying out to God that this hatred and chaos is too much! Actually, if I were really honest (with myself), I would confess that my tears were more for me than for those in the midst of this idolatrous season. I confess that…  “I DO NOT WANT TO SEE THIS!” 

I prayed for God to rein judgement down upon the evil done to man by man! I moaned, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” and then I failed to forgive them and I harbor hatred and vengeance in my mind.

What good, Father, would this blog do today?!

And He said to me, “Mary, What’s On Your Mind, today?”

“Which do you desire for yourself and your country?”

Blessing or Vengeance?

“ Blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, And whose sins have been covered . Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not take into account.”
Romans 4:7-8… or… the wrath of God, for it is written: “ Vengeance is Mine , I will repay ,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19

Which did you desire for yourself when I stood at your door and knocked?

Ummm… 

What’s On Your Mind today?

But… just a reminder before you answer…

The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace… which is it Mary? Tears for your flesh or using this blog to encourage life and peace? “ But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.  Romans 12:21

You are NOT under obligation to the tears of your flesh…  If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. So then, brothers and sisters, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— for if you are living in accord with the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:10,12-13

Remember when… Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is  a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. All these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ… God was in (a past/perfect verb that is always happening) Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  2 Corinthians 5:17-19

NOW, you are called to God’s ministry…as an ambassador for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through you;

The task… I beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:20-21

Begging?????

This is probably the word my flesh hated the most this morning. In the midst of all the VIRTUE SIGNALING that isn’t virtue at all, but a DEMAND for complete capitulation.

In our world today, to be accepted and acceptable and not canceled, one must bow to those who have declared themselves and their “friends”, THE BETTERS!  

Jesus did not come to to capitulate to this world or its sin. Jesus came that we could be reconciled to God.

I… we… will not be begging to be acceptable to our world! 

For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “ Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ,  Romans 8:14-17

We are declaring our freedom and our adoption and our Father’s desire for ALL to become His children and heir.

We don’t want to become your “BETTER”, we beg to become your brother/your sister/your fellow heir of God, where, there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.  Romans 8:1

We can plainly see what happens to those the current world hates…“Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved.  Matthew 10:21-22… What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?  Romans 8:31

Were my tears this morning for what is happening, for what is to come in this world?

For certain, it is very scary stuff! There will be no healing nor reconciliation as long as GOD IS CANCELED from the culture. 

History, (no matter how it is rewritten) will always prove, if we bite and devour one another, we’d best take care that we are not consumed by one another. (Galatians 5:15) Eventually, our REAL enemy – EVIL /Satan –  will consume all who refuse the salvation and protection of our great I AM – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then again, if God is for us, who is against us? (Romans 8:31)

WE KNOW that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become  conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will  tribulation, or trouble, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:28-30,35,37-39

NOW THIS is What’s On My Mind.  

At least… it’s what I WANT on my mind, forever and ever, Amen!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Job 1:22 Despite all this, Job did not sin, nor did he blame God.

Have you heard his story? Job’s story might just be the original 2020 story. He had everything (he was indeed blessed!), he also lost everything (including his health) didn’t know why! According to him, (and God, though Job never heard God’s bragging on him) this was NOT payment for sin. In fact, according to Satan (the EVIL one among us!), Job greatest “sin” was to love the Lord his God with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength.  Deuteronomy 6:5

**Just a reminder** there IS evil and our struggle is not against flesh and blood! our struggle is against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Ephesians 6:12 … evil that we gave/give a position in our lives to kill, steal, and destroy!

According to Satan, he, Job, would not have done this if God wasn’t, ‘spoiling him rotten’. Obviously Satan was referring to all the “other” people who didn’t/couldn’t/wouldn’t love God because God didn’t PROTECT THEM from his, Satan’s, plans to kill, steal, and destroy them. (The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; John 10:10)

I will admit, Satan needed God’s permission to attack Job, BUT PLEASE note, it was indeed EVIL that attacked! In giving Satan permission, God never allowed evil possession of Job’s life – only temporary harassment.

For many people, this would have been enough to disassociate themselves from God, which in turn gives Satan even more freedom to steal, kill and destroy… in our upside down world today, somehow it makes sense to blame God for everything we don’t like and pursue the entity who will gladly give whatever we crave, EVEN THOUGH most of what we crave will steal, kill and destroy everything good in our lives and the lives of those we love.

Yep, 2020 could be our year of identifying with Job. In fact, I hope it is! 

WHAT!!??

Job started out knowing & believing in God…  He said, “ Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”  Job 1:21

But when all was said and done (remember he did not sin, nor did he blame God) Job KNEW God! He asked for a meeting with God to state his case, believing that all would be well if he could just SHOW God how deserving he, Job, was of His mercy and justice, and how wrong it was for God to withhold them from him.

I’m not sure Job really wanted or believed he would get a face to face, “LET”S TALK!”, mostly I think he was just “venting” to his friends who were trying to “FIX JOB”. Whether you are the venter or the fixer(come on – don’t lie – you’ve been both!), I pray everyone of us would a “put on your big-boy/big-girl pants, face to face, meeting in the whirlwind”, to meet, greet and REALLY KNOW OUR ABBA – our DADDY!

Without a doubt, everyone of us would finally, like Job, have the moment of TRUTH and it WOULD SET US FREE!

“I know that You can do all things, And that no plan is impossible for You. ‘Who is this who conceals advice without knowledge?’ Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know. ‘Please listen, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore I retract, And I repent, sitting on dust and ashes.”  Job 42:2-6

2020 could be our moment!

All we have to do is ASK…

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

Read Job 38 and 39… Then the Lord  answered Job from the whirlwind and said, Job 38:1  Better yet… ask God for your very own WHIRLWIND MOMENT!

Our God is the God of details. There is no detail too small nor unimportant to Him. EVERY DETAIL is created and cultivated and sent with the love of God. If there were such a detail (small and not important), let me assure you, it would NOT be a detail in your life.

EVEN IF it’s the year called 2020!

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares 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.  Isaiah 55:8-9

Remember; Job did not sin, nor did he blame God.

Are you a member of the upside down crowd in our world today, those who wish for destruction of the good and snuggle up with love for evil because the side seems to be winning? Is it all about who seems to be winning at this moment? Of course who doesn’t want to be on the winning team?

Has 2020 convinced you that God, if He exists, must not care because you’re just not feeling “the love”?

Before you give your final answer… and before 2021 arises to take its place, ask God to tell you the truth. He will answer with His Word – My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:11

2020 is indeed a year that needs a voice that can be trusted to speak the truth, and only the truth. There is many voices, but there is only One who not only speaks the truth but is The Truth… The Way… and The Life (John 14:6).

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

Though there is suffering in a world that is falling apart because of mankind’s desperate claim to me, myself and I, God has a plan and He has the victory in His hand!

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified.  Romans 8:28-30

But don’t take my word for it…

Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20 

Wow… Job got a whirlwind… we get to dine with Him!

2020… A Good Year Meet With God!

Dinner is ready… answer the door!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

Luke 1:46-50 And Mary said: “ My soul exalts the Lord, And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has had regard for the humble state of His bond-servant;… For the Mighty One has done great things for me; And holy is His name. And His mercy is to generation after generation Toward those who fear Him.

I wish I had said that!

But it wasn’t me. 

Not then… but today… I echo the very same thing!

I haven’t been given the privilege of birthing the Son of God into a world which is desperate for redemption and salvation whether we know it or not. I have been given the privilege of being vowed to a man who is as faithful as Mary’s Joseph. A man who is as kind and protective and loving in the face of questionable times.

I’ve also been given the privilege of birthing three wonderfully, rich in spirit, children. They have faithfully given me a crown of white hair which I have honorably polished to a full head of white hair crown.

And now, though one couldn’t imagine anything more privileged, the Mighty One has done an even greater thing for me. He has called me, and sought me, and bought me, and is changing me into His very own child.

A miracle is certainly happening here! And there! And… look over there… God is birthing, and seeking, and calling, and paying the outrageous price for, and changing so many into His very own children. A number that eclipses even the grains of sand on this earth.

A miracle is indeed happening here!

We are in the midst of Hanukkah and I have had the privilege of “picturing” this Festival of Lights – this re-dedication of a temple that was savaged by an ugly Greek king who wished to destroy God’s possession – Israel, and make them slaves of his kingdom. (Not that much different today, as those who hate God, wish to damage His people and destroy their altars.)

But God… always makes a way in the dessert when there is no way to be seen. Whereas our eyes seek miles and miles of green pastures, God provides small tuffs of grass, EVERY MORNING, amidst the rocks of the desert and the morning dew. Enough to feed all the sheep who are walked every morning along the paths where they are led by their shepherds. The sheep don’t worry about having enough to overfill their bellies and the shepherds don’t judge the paths before they lead the sheep on them, nor worry there may be better paths to seek. A miracle? EVERY morning? I’m not sure anyone even notices… but God!

When the Maccabees defeated the enemy and took back their Jewish ways, the first priority was to re-dedicate God’s Place back to Him. That meant lighting the lamps and keeping them lit which took (takes) oil (God’s brand of perfect oil) everyday. The nasty Greeks left them only enough of their temple oil for one day, and it takes at least eight days to make one.

What would we do in that situation? 

They lit the lamps and began making the required oil, going forward with the rededication!

As I created the Hanukkah Swag Bag, with it’s eight days of gifts, I had many moments of dwelling upon the miracles happening all around us everyday!

What would it have been like to “expect” the lamps to go out and see the fire lighting them never going out? Would the seeing of such wonder, cause me to believe? Would the knowledge of the impossible leave me breathless? As the rededication continued, would I REDEDICATE myself to my God who provided this stunning happening only He could provide?

I had the opportunity to artistically hand make, eight days of gifts to highlight eight days of God’s Word to Train us up in the way we should go!

The first day; I pondered the miracle Hanukkah is famous for and WHO is our light today…  Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”  John 8:12 

The second day; I wanted to display God is Good – ALL THE TIME, and I wanted to hang it within eyesight as a reminder to our hearts, of His love and blessing…  Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘In this way you shall bless the sons of Israel. You are to say to them: The Lord  bless you, and keep you; The Lord  cause His face to shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord  lift up His face to you, And give you peace.’ So they shall invoke My name on the sons of Israel, and then I will bless them.”  Numbers 6:22-27 

The third day; We only need Faith the size of a mustard seed… (Matthew 13:31-32)

The fourth day; there is always the temptation of distraction by gold and such…  For what good will it do a person if he fails the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26

Day five; let us stir up love with our fellowship (and fun and games)… meeting together (Hebrew 10:24-25)

Day six; the oil… our oil… which comes from the Holy Spirit along with the wisdom to keep our lamps filled… (Matthew 25:1-4)

Day seven (SPOILER ALERT that’s tonight); something to do with “This Little Light of Mine”… and a city set on a hill (Matthew 5:14-16)

Everyday of this festival has been a revelation of the miracles God speaks into our lives, EVERDAY and ALL DAY THROUGH! 

The picture of one day’s worth of oil provided all they needed for the time they needed it, led me to wonder how many miracles have I NOT SEEN? How many miracles do I (we) take as expectations of a good life, luck, not a big deal, just our imagination? 

How many? Do I (we) take for granted the BIG ONE? The biggest of all! Creation! And EVERY MOMENT life is sustained by the pain of God.

The greatest gift from creation?  Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being. Genesis 2:7

God’s greatest gift to you, and me, and each of the millions of living beings who has His breath in them. His greatest gift! OUR LIFE!

For You created my innermost parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. My frame was not hidden from You When I was made in secret, And skillfully formed in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my formless substance; And in Your book were written All the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:13,15-16 

His greatest gift to you is YOU! His greatest gift to me is ME!

I will give thanks to You, because I am awesomely and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. How precious also are Your thoughts for me, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.  Psalm 139:14,17-18

Do you know it very well? Does your soul know it very well? Are His thoughts of you precious to you? Do you have any idea the vastness of them?

The last gift in the Hanukkah Swag Bag is a tiny box with the words, “To God With Love”…

A Miracle is Happening Here…

What will you fill this tiny box with to give back to God? I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

And then????

The miracle of God to beat EVERY OTHER MIRACLE happens…  For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons and daughters of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons and daughters by which we cry out, “ Abba! Father!” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, Romans 8:14-16

Our Abba is GOOD ALL THE TIME! And all the time, our ABBA IS GOOD!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

Genesis 24:12 And he said, “ Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham.

Of all the blessings an encourager can give, prayer is the highest gift and the highest priority. Of all the needs of someone who needs encouragement, prayer beats all other gifts given. In fact I will suggest, every encourager, MUST FIRST BE and intercessor! 

My favorite picture of encouragers is Aaron and Hur… Moses HAD to hold his hands up so Israel prevailed in the battle with Amalek (Exodus 17:11) Moses’ hands became heavy.

As encouragers always do, Aaron and Hur watched for an opportunity to come alongside to participate in huge tasks and ease the heart and spirit of those suffering under the weight of huge tasks. So they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. So his hands were steady until the sun set.Exodus 17:11-12

For an encourager, every opportunity for encouragement should be as huge as Moses’ need, because, every need bears the possibility of war/defeat with an enemy (Satan) who counts on weariness and pain as weapons of destruction.

Who of us doesn’t want/need/crave our own encouragers like Aaron and Hur, to hold our arms up in the midst of battle?

This weeks Torah Portion showed me an even “better” encourager.

Now Abraham was old, advanced in age; and the Lord had blessed Abraham in every way. Genesis 24:1 (the older I get the more I want/need/crave my own faithful encouragers!)

Unable to to go himself, Abraham said to his servant, the oldest of his household who was in charge of all that he owned, “ Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I live; but you will go to my country and to my relatives, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” Genesis 24:2-4 (without question, he would be the one I would ask… oldest – trusted with everything I own!)

Servant, you say? But, aren’t we talking about encouragers and intercessors? Are we also to be SERVANTS??!!

Yep… But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”  Matthew 20:25-28

And how much better for those who need encouragement? Not only does one have a friend willing to help, but as a servant we now have someone who willingly bears an obligation (Please place your hand under my thigh, and I will make you swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth) to the job at hand. 

This is someone who desperately wants to fulfill the tasks at hand with excellence – in other words, “get it right”. The servant said to him, “Suppose the woman is not willing to follow me to this land; should I take your son back to the land from where you came?” Then Abraham said to him, “ Beware that you do not take my son back there! What if she doesn’t want to come? (What should I do then? Plan B?) But if the woman is not willing to follow you, then you will be free of this oath of mine; only do not take my son back there.” So the servant placed his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham, and swore to him concerning this matter. Genesis 24:5-6,8-9(It reminds me of all those requests and promises I made to pray) do I/do you/do we… take an oath within ourselves to follow through on requests asked and promised, for as long as this takes? This servant does! 

Promise made – travel accomplished – time to put the plan into action. First thing this servant does when he gets there… intercession! And he said, “ Lord, God of my master Abraham, please grant me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 

He asks for his own success, yes, but he asks for the BENEFIT of Abram – the master he loves. Then he proceeds to pray the plan so he might KNOW God’s answer.

And what should his wondering eyes behold???? And it came about, before he had finished speaking… Genesis 24:15

Know what he did then? This servant, this encourager of his master’s plan, this intercessor for his master’s desire… the man bowed low and worshiped the Lord. And he said, “ Blessed be the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned His kindness and His trustworthiness toward my master; as for me, the Lord has guided me in the way to the house of my master’s brothers.” Genesis 24:26-27

After this weeks Torah Portion, I’ve decided I want to change the position the gift of encouragement holds in my life.

Instead of calling myself an Encourager, I want to be an encouraging Servant Intercessor.

Let me urge us all, as Paul so clearly does… brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone…  always seek what is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18… to become Servant Intercessors!

May we see it came about, before we had finished speaking (Genesis 24:15)!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

 

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 

But then, when God doesn’t work things out exactly like we thought He would, what do we do with that?

Still… Do not be anxious about anything??????

Maybe just a little???

Nope! But in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Then, and only then, will we arrive at the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:7

I’ll admit it, (will you?), I’m still a little anxious! What’s going on? Where is my piece of the peace of God?

Hold On, there’s just a “few” things the Holy Spirit is correcting me about…

Do not be anxious about anything – in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving – let your requests be made known to God

Thank God, His Holy Spirit is about correcting NOT failing me. No matter how many times we have to go over this material, He is ready, willing and able to “Train me up in the way I should go”! And no, I am never too old, even if I do have birthdays regularly. Scripture says, “when I am old, I won’t depart from it.” So, evidently, I’m still young enough to need His schooling!

The school bell is ringing…

Do not be anxious about anything – Whoa! I have the reins here. I… need to call a halt to my anxiety… about… anything! Did you notice, earlier, I gave myself permission to be just a little bit anxious… mmmm!

In everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving – But, but, but! This wasn’t just a minor EVENT! And I DID PRAY with PLEADING! Maybe I left thanksgiving off cause you know, how can I be thankful for THOSE PEOPLE praying against my prayers?

Let your requests be made known to God – Pride does indeed go before the fall… my requests are much more dressed as demands with all the bling i can attach to make them palatable to God’s desires. OOPS!!!

My test score for this one?  0 + 0 + 0… Ummm, I think I need Holy Spirit Tutoring! Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5

I need to do a little WHATEVER studying!  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8

NO, I need to do a little WHOEVER studying! “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares 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. Isaiah 55:8-9

No matter how much bling I dress my “requests” in, they DO NOT WORK like God’s! “For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it produce and sprout, And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11

Even Jesus knew the prayer that needed to be said ALWAYS and WITH THANKSGIVING – the prayer that can never fail! And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” Luke 22:41-42

Guess what, I am no longer anxious! Most of our my anxiety comes from demanding our way and worrying that I won’t get it. I’ll admit it, will you? I want to do it MY WAY instead of God’s way. When I put my way on the altar of God, I gain the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension! It guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus, Who is the greatest Peacemaker of ALL TIME!  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16 Peace between God and us!

On this, The Day After we might not have gotten “our” way, however, let us not be anxious, let us become a peacemaker like Jesus.

Here’s His recipe…

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven;” Matthew 5:9,43-45

Much better for our soul and spirit on The Day After… and no anxiety hangover!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Psalm 139:17-18 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand. When I awake, I am still with You.

Two weeks ago I was THE OLDEST participant at a “glamping” event called Sukkot. How does that happen?!

The oldest??? Mmmmm!!!  I know how Sukkot happened. (**The names used in the Torah are Chag HaAsif, translated to “Festival of Ingathering” or “Harvest Festival”, and Chag HaSukkot, translated to “Festival of Booths”.^[6] This corresponds to the double significance of Sukkot. The one mentioned in the Book of Exodus is agricultural in nature—”Festival of Ingathering at the year’s end” (Exodus 34:22)—and marks the end of the harvest time and thus of the agricultural year in the Land of Israel. The more elaborate religious significance from the Book of Leviticus is that of commemorating the Exodus and the dependence of the People of Israel on the will of God (Leviticus 23:42–43). ~~ from Wikipedia)

Whether we are talking the end of harvest season or the temporary housing provided to people of Israel for the 40 years of wandering, I am reminded (by the Holy Spirit) that this vessel God gifted me with is valuable for both. As I get ready for ANOTHER birthday, I am reminded there have been MANY harvests so far in my life and this dwelling is TEMPORARY! 

Both conditions, leave me shaking in my booths (haha… boots) and amazed at God’s work in my Sukkah (Hebrew word for booth or tabernacle).

He built it… For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Psalm 139:13-15

He encloses it above, behind, before and on top… You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such  knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. Psalm 139:5-6

He looked and saw and ordained ALL my days… Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:16 

I’m in His Book!!!!

And so are you!!!!

We ARE the Precious Thought of God before we were wove me in our mother’s womb.

We don’t deserve to be. Certainly didn’t earn them. And yet, as His eyes beheld our unformed substance, He wrote His Precious Thought in His book and ordained all of our days as His Will.

Surprisingly, He never erased them! Even when I/we didn’t live up to the term “precious”. 

When I FINALLY met my way at the end of the highway that I was sure would get me to where I wanted to be, there was nowhere else to go. 

I chose The One who met me there… He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:2-3

Thank God that He does not wish for any of His Precious Thoughts (those in His Book of Life) to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 

Thank God that He so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  John 3:16

And Thank Jesus that He agrees with The Father! He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life, and I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Revelation 3:5 LISTEN and HEAR, if you have an ear!!! He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life which is in the Paradise of God.’  Revelation 2:7

As my birthday falls on a Sabbath of God, the day God blessed and sanctified, because in it He rested from all His work (I believe this included ALL the unformed substances He made in secret and ordained the number of our days, in His Book of Life. ) which God had created and made, (Genesis 2:3), I believe He and I will spend some time in His Book… the one containing every one of His Precious Thoughts… How vast is the sum of them!

It will surely be a Happy Birthdays!

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.

Matthew 4:1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.

Evidently, being led by the Holy Spirit, does not keep the devil from trying to bring us down! Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

He is indeed like a roaring lion but also more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made (Genesis 3:1). He will come after you when you’re the most vulnerable, the least threatened, and totally unprepared for his visit. WE are totally unprepared…

Jesus… came to PREPARE the way for us. We should take our instruction from Him and not from our own arrogant and foolishly ways! We shouldn’t go before evil without training, preparation, and the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12

Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having  put on the breastplate of righteousness , and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  Ephesians 6:13-17

Let’s go into the wilderness and watch Master Jesus take care of business! 

And after He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He then became hungry. (Yes, Jesus was fully man and became hungry!)

And the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”  Matthew 4:2-3 Satan knows exactly WHO this is and he knows humans. If ever there was a time to achieve victory over Jesus, it’s when He is one of those, pesky, foolish “human beings” (easy peasy like Adam and Eve!). Humans do not care much for suffering, so, one way or the other they will find a way to ease any pain and suffering.

We might even call upon God to show us how to and give us power to point and declare these stones to become bread. After all, He loves us so we can assume that whatever our need, or the needs of others is, God will give us the power to defeat our enemy. “If you are a child of God”… now THIS is a challenge no human can resist!

Not Jesus… He quotes the Word of God!

But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’”  Matthew 4:4

I have to ask, “DO YOU (do I) live on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God? Do I even ask for His Word in the wilderness of this life????

Satan doesn’t give up easily… Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘ He will command His angels concerning You’; and ‘ On  their  hands they will bear You up , So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone .’” Matthew 4:5-6

“Come on man, EVERY human wants to (craves to ) show off their power!”

Again, not Jesus! Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:7

DO YOU (do I) put the Lord your God to the test? Do I proclaim God’s will as proof positive I can be, should be, and will be (if I have anything to say about it), happy, healthy, and wise? Do I declare that any and every stubbing of my toe is a sign of His concern/care of me? Do you?

Ok, people, one more try!… Again, the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; and he said to Him, “ All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Matthew 4:8-9

Every man, woman, and child desperately wants power and control over their lives, and the lives they believe they could manage so much better! All one has to do is sell their soul (lock, stock and barrel) to the devil. “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Is it any wonder, he saves the highest of high mountain tops to offer this one? It is reserved for the time in our life when we are at the peak of our life and full of joy, and arrogance, and pride, and accomplishment – a very “special” wilderness to be sure!

Do you (do I) believe THE LIAR and his iie? DON’T DO IT!

Listen to Jesus who IS, the Way, the Truth and the Life… Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’” Matthew 4:10 We know the ending – JESUS WINS! Then the devil *left Him; and behold, angels came and began to minister to Him.  Matthew 4:11 

Into the Wilderness with Jesus! Let’s do it His way!  

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord  forever.   Psalm 23:1-6

This whole world is the wilderness we walk through. Who are you going to walk with? Who am I going to walk with? Let’s walk With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,  Ephesians 6:18

**All Scripture quoted comes from the “Bible Gateway” app and is the NASB version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.