“Oh Well…: Steps from Samaria to Spiritual Success”

Parched. Cracked. Scorched. Malnourished... These are only a few of the many unattractive words available to describe the dry places Life takes
us to at times. I'm not talking about planned luxury vacations to Sedona or the Negev, either, dear reader. In any season or location, what
the Bible simply calls trials and tribulations and other spiritual, even poetic traditions call the "dark night of the soul" await us in different
forms along the journey. Painful as they can be, their ultimate purpose, as James 1:2-5 suggests, is good -- to perfect us, imparting strength
and improving character. A resounding "what?!" may emerge from the hearts and mouths of the good parent/spouse/friend/citizen who
knows times when finances, knowledge or other resources just beyond reach may have been the missing link to the joy and health of a loved
or otherwise deserving one; the helplessness you may have felt, if only for a minute. Even Christ, being supremely empathetic towards
humanity and terribly thirsty in His agonal moments, had foreshadowed the vinegary bitterness of betrayal near the cross, asking if it was
alright to pass on the full Savior's cup. Imagine the sense of torture! In His dry place, the very figure touted with being the greatest Love and
Rock of Ages almost felt the opportunity to drink up the premier title in the world was as worthwhile as a mirage! Thank God that Jesus,
Yeshua (or any of the rightful names per His calling) approached the crossroads with such selfless confidence.

By standing firm in the face of adversity to shed true and enduring Light on the ways of the world, now and in the times to come all who
follow His shining example can discern the shadows and other 'mirages' (e.g. mind tricks such as doubt and confusing deception) the fallen
and evil use to distract righteous journeys. Much like the Mizpah site of Moses' prayer in Genesis 31:49, the word Samaria translates from
Hebrew as "watch-station" or "watch-mountain." It is written that in Jesus' time, Samaria was a place of ill repute, not readily visited by
Jews, nobles, priests or anyone of His true caliber otherwise. Not only did His duty lead Him to decide that "it was necessary for Him to
go" through the area per John 4:4 [AMP], but He did the unthinkable by holding conversation with a common woman at a local well during
the hour of day when only prostitutes and outcasts gathered there. My own struggles and decision to love them to death by seeking wisdom
have led me to believe that the spiritual implications of this location make Samaria an ideal meeting point of common ground for us to come
together just as we are, establishing understanding between you and myself, us and the Almighty. To quote a favorite soul singer of mine,
Sade, from her Lovers Rock album, "We have seen some suffering, baby / It has not always been perfect / After all this time, after all is said and done /
Darling, you know it / whatever may come / We can get through it / as if it's just begun / It's all about our love / So shall it be forever ~ never ending!"

In today's high-speed world, the pace of the movers & shakers is often fueled by countless individual water bottles and then fought by the
need to reduce such excess, for Heaven (and Earth's) sake. Christ's saving grace reaches out to remind every soul that the well -- almost
forgotten except in rural and "Third World" areas or the Holy Bible I drew this work from -- embodies the symbolism of deep, dark pasts
and, more importantly, steps to an eternal Living source of refreshing clarity needed by and useful to everyone. It is my faithful intent that
the next seven chapters of select scriptural solace with some commentary serve to encourage bite-sized yet hearty 'wellness' you can take
with you anywhere in the spirit of Isaiah 49:8-10, which reads "This is what the LORD says: 'In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the
day of salvation I will help you; I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people, to restore the land and to reassign its desolate
inheritances, to say to the captives, 'Come out,' and to those in darkness, 'Be free!' 'They will feed beside the roads and find pasture on every barren hill. They
will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat upon them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside
springs of water."

In Christ, Tara Nova

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Well, Well, Well

I Don’t Feel Too…
Ne’er Do Well
Well Runs Dry
“Immanuel”
It is Well
Well Done!

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 “Oh Well…: Steps from Samaria to Spiritual Success”

Well, Well, Well

To get us started on the road away from Samaria, Proverbs chapters 1 and 9 counsel that the fear of the Lord
is considered the beginning of wisdom, for better or worse, sometimes we encounter frighteningly
unbelievable 'what have we here'-type moments along the way to "(the) well." Remember: shaking one's
head can make it hard to drink in what's good and necessary! The more we hear the Word of God and see
its active truth in our lives, the stronger our faith in His greater fulfillment will become. Review the
following scriptures and let's take these first mental steps in the subjects' shoes. I will have less to add to
the Word as we trod, allowing us to be gradual yet genuine with ourselves and trust that, by God, we'll get
there...

* Genesis 13:8-17 tells of strife between the relatives Abram and Lot and their agreement to part ways from
the desert place they possessed. Verse 10 in particular shows how Lot opted for the "well-watered" choice
resembling a ready-made paradise, not knowing the destruction that would come to his choice due to the
locals' evil nature. "And Lot looked and saw that everywhere the Jordan Valley was well watered. Before the Lord destroyed Sodom and
Gomorrah, [it was all] like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar." [AMP] As time -- and Sodom's sins --
progressed, Lot would need to truly be watered well by God to counteract the salted spirit of his wife from looking back at
their destroyed home.

* In Genesis 21:19, we find Hagar in a state of disbelief. Having overstepped her boundaries by taunting
Sarah, the rightful wife and mother of promise to Abraham's chosen, the handmaiden and her son Ishmael
were banished to the desert called Beersheba (lit. "well of the oath"). Her sorrow mounted as the boy
nearly died of thirst. God, being faithful as always, provided life-giving water for them as an extension of
His servant and reason for her to develop humble obedience to His will. "Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well
of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink." Later in verse 30, Abraham reflected the
example of His maker by establishing a treaty with the area's leaders that he, too, would treat Abimelech's
lineage properly. The animal gifts he brought and the well bore witness to the oath, fulfilling the name. "He
replied, 'Accept these seven lambs from my hand as a witness that I dug this well.'"

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* Can you even imagine being far past a typical childbearing age and learning that you & your spouse were
expecting a baby? Would your reaction be anything like Sarah's in Genesis 18:11-12 or Zechariah's in Luke
1(:8, 17)? "Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed
to herself as she thought, 'After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?'" "But they had no children, because
Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years." "Zechariah asked the angel, 'How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and
my wife is well along in years.'" [NIV] On the opposite end of the spectrum from the wizened couple are youth,
good looks and a sense of virile capability. Being young often makes us feel invincible or just attracts others
to us who think contact with such freshness will somehow transform them into the same. Genesis 39:1-10
tells the story of an Egyptian executioner named Potiphar's wife and her inappropriate advances toward his
servant Joseph, another faithful albeit young man before God. Verses 6 and 7 read "So he left in Joseph's care
everything he had; with Joseph in charge, he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and
handsome, and after a while his master's wife took notice of Joseph and said, 'Come to bed with me!'" Like Abraham, he maintained
an inner sense of duty to God's direction and rejected the woman.

* Writing further of Joseph, his righteousness was not immediately rewarded or even appreciated by those
closest to him. Actually, it was his own brothers, the other members representing the body Israel, who
were the reasons he'd been virtually enslaved by Potiphar in the first place. Having harmed, framed and left
him for dead for their father's favor and inheritance, Joseph was later found alive and held captive, much
to his father's dismay. It turned out that the family Israel's tricks could not succeed as a token they planted
on Joseph for negative purposes was required for them to advance. They had to appeal to the very
imprisonment they left him to be retained in, eventually revealing their deceits and turning the tables on
themselves. Genesis 40:14, 43:28 and 44:10 help illustrate the situation. "But when all goes well with you, remember me
and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison." - "They replied, 'Your servant our father is still alive and well.'
And they bowed low to pay him honor." - "'Very well, then,' he said, 'let it be as you say. Whoever is found to have it will become my slave;
the rest of you will be free from blame.'"

* Early as we are in this discovery, some of God's great desire to reach every heart and rules for spiritual
success are already becoming clear and simple. While the Ten Commandments are a straightforward guide
along Life's path, Exodus 23:12 highlights one of the most important tenets of keeping the Sabbath holy. It
also makes a point of duty to show that the instruction applies even to strangers to your territory. "Six days do
your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien
as well, may be refreshed." It is in Numbers 22:26-38 that we further learn the importance of obedience; that even
the so-called uncivilized beast is able and expected to respect the governing nature of God. Verse 38 in
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particular provides the outcome of a rare case of angel leading animal leading man in Divine order. "'Well, I
have come to you now,' Balaam replied. 'But can I say just anything? I must speak only what God puts in my mouth.'"

* About a beastly nature and the type of savagery that would fill Saul's attitude toward David, the young
shepherd turned crowned psalmist, verses 17-18 of the 16th chapter of 1 Samuel shows us the taming power
of music when orchestrated by God. "So Saul said to his attendants, 'Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.' One of
the servants answered, 'I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks
well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.'"

* Extending two legacies of blessing, David's wise son, Solomon, later had an opportunity to recognize the
virtue of a younger person in 1 Kings 11:28. "Now Jeroboam was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young
man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the house of Joseph." Because God and His sovereign memory
is unchanging, a twist of fate occurred in the lives of Solomon (due to his marriages to allegedly loose and
falsely spirited women) and Jeroboam (wherein he was promised a kingdom, but later squandered his soul
in God's sight with wayward spiritual actions of his own).

* As for Acts the book, chapters 24(:11-23), 25(:9-11) and 26(:2-4) teach of the bold ways God can work with
and through a believer, even an individual righteously challenging a whole court of experts and otherwise
judgmental people on the Law while in chains. Verse 22 states "Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way,
adjourned the proceedings. ‘When Lysias the commander comes,' he said, 'I will decide your case.'" Verse 10 continues that "Paul
answered: 'I am now standing before Caesar's court, where I ought to be tried. I have not done any wrong to the Jews, as you
yourself know very well.'" Verse 3 almost closes his case of positive character "and especially so because you are well
acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently."

* Once walking with the Lord, it is easy to assume that a split-second transformation into paradise will take
place. Many believers, new and experienced alike, are shocked to learn that things may even become more
challenging. I don't believe this means that God takes pleasure in torturing His flock. It does, however,
mean that we are becoming more sensitive to our fellow humans and the ways we used to re/act towards
common things are phasing out as options. When sheer discipline replaces the slap, slur, substance or
strong drink, sometimes it feels like torture. There's that James 1 truth again: these practices yield
perfection and add positivity to life's purpose! Specifically, verse 9 of 1 Corinthians 4:9-20 exhorts "For it seems
to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like men condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a
spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to men." Even 2 Corinthians 8:2-3 adds optimism to the sentiment by

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testifying on behalf of the saints of Macedonia with "Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme
poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their
own…”

I am not at liberty to force or dictate to you regarding what the personal God-ordained
details of your actual work duty on this Earth are. Like the Macedonians, you are
somewhat on your own there. I did, however, consider, compile, comment on and call to
your attention these words to stoke the fires of our faith in Christ. Know also that the
Almighty delights in waking and inspiring millions to and for His glory every day. In that
case, you are not alone. Let's continue together.

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I Don't Feel Too...

This section takes a look at the mixed feelings that often follow our initial surprises.
Deeper understanding and/or acceptance of just how deep we are into a troubling
situation can leave us with a sick, disturbed feeling or even numb us to others'
perspectives and that people/places/things outside of our personal boxes may also be
going through a lot. As such, this section is pretty self-explanatory. As far as Life
principles are concerned, very little is new in, beyond and under the sun, so read along
and you may find yourself or someone you know amidst the wavering plight in these
verses. With a hopefully activated compassion, try if you can to reach out to those in that
similar boat so another can gain gentle relief from the 'seasickness' and get well ~ too!
* The longing of a spouse in a legally multiple marriage situation
Genesis 30:14-16 "But she said to her, 'Wasn't it enough that you took away my husband? Will you take my son's mandrakes too?' 'Very
well,' Rachel said, 'he can sleep with you tonight in return for your son's mandrakes.'"

* Worrying that you may lose your very life, at the hand of your sibling no less
Genesis 32:7 "In great fear and distress Jacob divided the people who were with him into two groups, and the flocks and herds and camels
as well."

* The burden of responsibility for self, family, community and even animals in dangerous times
Genesis 47:19 "Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with
our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate."

* Knowing that a catastrophe beyond your control is coming to claim many and having to bear the news
Exodus 11:5 "Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the
slave girl, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well."

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* Having a best friend you love dearly but have to contend with someone close to them (e.g. a parent)
hating you with a deadly passion
1 Samuel 20:3 and 7 "But David took an oath and said, "Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has
said to himself, 'Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.' Yet as surely as the LORD lives and as you live, there is only a step
between me and death." "If he says, 'Very well,' then your servant is safe. But if he loses his temper, you can be sure that he is determined to
harm me."

* Eating humble pie served with, well, humility by an inferior that you should be ashamed to have slighted
in the first place
1 Samuel 24:17 and 19 "'You are more righteous than I,' he said. 'You have treated me well, but I have treated you badly.'" "When a
man finds his enemy, does he let him get away unharmed? May the LORD reward you well for the way you treated me today."

* Realizing that the surprise battle is not over, even when you've offered respectful surrender to the
opponent who is desperate enough for witchcraft or surrounding you by beasts and remembering that true
victory (like the battle) is only in God as you go forward wearing His full armor
1 Samuel 28:2 and Daniel 1:4 "David said, 'Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.' Achish replied, 'Very well, I will
make you my bodyguard for life.'" "...young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well
informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the
Babylonians."

* Thirsting for righteousness so fervently that you'd sooner pour out a much-needed refreshment as
libation to God than quench yourself.
1 Chronicles 11:17 and 18 "David longed for water and said, 'Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the
gate of Bethlehem!' So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to
David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the LORD."

* When the boundaries of religion need to be transcended to heed the Almighty's message and see the free
movement of the Holy Spirit at work
Acts 10:28 "He said to them: 'You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with a Gentile or visit him. But God has
shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean.'"

* When the rules for a simply decent life get a bit fuzzy and a quick reminder will do
Acts 15:29 "You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.
You will do well to avoid these things. Farewell."
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* When you are tempted to claim divinity and believe speaking in tongues or facilitating tricks liken you to
the Almighty God who alone has the sovereign power to endow or chastise us all
1 Corinthians 14:17 (from within the context of verses 15-20) "You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is
not edified."

* In honor of the fact that countless people have taken similar steps, shedding blood, sweat and tears that
linger to remind us that we're not completely alone as we leave our own Samaria
1 Thessalonians 2:8 "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well,
because you had become so dear to us."

* When evil seeks to do its only job of stealing, killing your spirit and destroying your will to meet what
good God has for you with whispers, undue accusations, assumptions and more
1 Thessalonians 3:3 and 4 "so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. You know quite well that we were destined for them. In
fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know."

* A reminder that what feels good now may not be prudent or allow the time for correction later
1 Thessalonians 5:2 "...for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."

* When you've walked long enough to get dust from both sides of the street on your feet, yet cultivating
peace
Philippians 4:12 "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any
and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want."

* Regarding the human nature of even high priests and how they become, just, that.
Hebrews 5:3 "This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people."

* When it is within your power & resources to indeed help another, beyond thoughts and words
James 2:16 "If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what
good is it?"

* To remind you that we can intercede for each other by the blood and in the name of Christ
James 5:15 "And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be
forgiven."

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Ne'er Do Well
Even with all the signposts and assistance along our way, sometimes we humans still go
off-track and enter negative territory. The following examples reference times when even
good people have done or said bad things to get by.

* A wife can be sisterly in the level of comfort her spouse shares with her, but she is not her husband's
sister. To say or act so would be incest, practiced but still frowned upon in those times. To say or act
incestuously for worldly gain or favor is an even greater violation.
Genesis 12:13 and 16 "Say you are my sister, so that I will be treated well for your sake and my life will be spared because of you.” “He
treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, menservants and maidservants, and camels."

* When deception is uncovered and the expected strife breaks out

Genesis 26:10, 19-21 "Then Abimelech said, 'What is this you have done to us? One of the men might well have slept with your wife, and
you would have brought guilt upon us.'" "Isaac's servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there." "But the herdsmen of
Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen and said, 'The water is ours!' So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him." "Then they
dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah."

* Because light and dark, good and evil, love and fear cannot occupy the same space with the same power,
even families may have to split along harsh lines by the hand of God (e.g. Father of Israel, Jacob, from his
brother Esau; later Israel's son of the bounty Joseph and the misunderstanding of father Jacob and the
family regarding the gifts God had given the young visionary).
Genesis 36:6 and 37:10, 13-14, 20 "Esau took his wives and sons and daughters and all the members of his household, as well as his
livestock and all his other animals and all the goods he had acquired in Canaan, and moved to a land some distance from his brother Jacob.”
“When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, 'What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and
your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?'" "...and Israel said to Joseph, 'As you know, your brothers are grazing
the flocks near Shechem. Come, I am going to send you to them.' 'Very well,' he replied." "So he said to him, 'Go and see if all is well with
your brothers and with the flocks, and bring word back to me.' Then he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. When Joseph arrived at
Shechem..." "'Come now, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we'll see
what comes of his dreams.'"

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* Speaking out against injustice may unfortunately bring that very thing to you -- for a moment.
Exodus 2:15 "When Pharaoh heard of this, he tried to kill Moses, but Moses fled from Pharaoh and went to live in Midian, where he sat
down by a well."

* When fear, human ridicule, shyness or the like encourages you to pass the buck on God's call...
Exodus 4:14 "Then the LORD's anger burned against Moses and he said, "What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can
speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you."

* As in the case of the king of Edom regarding the Israelites' passage through his territory, there are people
and situations that will not honor a righteous request. The same will often receive unrighteous dishonor.
Numbers 20:17 "Please let us pass through your country. We will not go through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We
will travel along the king's highway and not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory."

* Sometimes another is so far gone in dirt, you can only bring them forth, wash your hands and leave them
in God's.
Deuteronomy 19:13 "Show him no pity. You must purge from Israel the guilt of shedding innocent blood, so that it may go well with
you."

* For those who are filled with evil workings yet cloaked in goodness, even the guise of another, and seek
to piggyback on God's graces falsely
Deuteronomy 29:19 "When such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself and therefore thinks, 'I will be
safe, even though I persist in going my own way.' This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry."

* Even royalty has to watch the company it keeps, especially the secret affiliations.
2 Samuel 3:26, 10:6, 11:25, 14:7 "Joab then left David and sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the well of
Sirah. But David did not know it." "When the Ammonites realized that they had become a stench in David's nostrils, they hired twenty
thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maacah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand

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men from Tob." "David told the messenger, 'Say this to Joab: Don't let this upset you; the sword devours one as well as another. Press the
attack against the city and destroy it.' Say this to encourage Joab.'" "Now the whole clan has risen up against your servant; they say, 'Hand
over the one who struck his brother down, so that we may put him to death for the life of his brother whom he killed; then we will get rid of
the heir as well.' They would put out the only burning coal I have left, leaving my husband neither name nor descendant on the face of the
earth."

* Sometimes 'well' is not a good state of mind and body but a place to hide.
2 Samuel 17:18, 19 and 21 "But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left quickly and went to the house of a
man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it." "His wife took a covering and spread it out over the
opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it." "After the men had gone, the two climbed out of the well
and went to inform King David. They said to him, 'Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.'"

* When the Lord is not too proud to give or take away from who or what will harm His family, His pride
2 Chronicles 26:11 "Uzziah had a well-trained army, ready to go out by divisions according to their numbers as mustered by Jeiel the
secretary and Maaseiah the officer under the direction of Hananiah, one of the royal officials."

* The way I see it, every now and then, life's highs and lows can make anybody feel it's the song that never
ends.
Psalm 119:122 "Ensure your servant's well-being; let not the arrogant oppress me."

* The straight and narrow Way of Christ leads to Life, but stolen waters are as difficult to extract as they are
harmful to ingest.
Proverbs 23:27 "...for a prostitute is a deep pit and a wayward wife is a narrow well."

* Even prophets of old knew that evil ways would flow, however foul, not forever but far into the future.
Jeremiah 6:7 "As a well pours out its water, so she pours out her wickedness. Violence and destruction resound in her; her sickness and
wounds are ever before me."

* Unfortunately, such a spiritual gift may be taken lightly, mocked or ignored for badness' sake.
Ezekiel 33:32 "Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well,
for they hear your words but do not put them into practice."

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* The equal, opposite action is to take an insult seriously, offering respect and paying the needy villain
extra attention only for goodness' sake.
Matthew 5:40 "And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well."

* That humble forgiveness and forward movement beyond the offensive, however challenging, is the better
option
2 Peter 2:17-18 "These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever."
"For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were
clean escaped from them who live in error."

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Well Runs Dry

When warnings and the right path still aren't followed, it might be said that the beast-
like paws or claws of evil are controlling our lives. This often leads to a pause imposed by
God. Let's consider these examples and learn the better, if not easier, Way.

* After the glow of adultery and similar affairs dims, all that may be left is a sincere plea to the Most High
who witnesses and knows All - especially a penitent heart.
Genesis 16:14 "That is why the well was called Beer Lahai Roi [lit."well of the Living One who sees me"]; it is still there, between Kadesh
and Bered."

* The wages of sin is death, being the stagnation of the rightful flow of energy. The chosen of God restore
Life and do His business.
Genesis 26:15 and 18 "So all the wells that his father's servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up,
filling them with earth." "Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up
after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them."

* Rolling away a boulder is no easy feat for us humans. I have heard of One who can make that job light,
however.
Genesis 29:2, 3, 6 and 8 "There he saw a well in the field, with three flocks of sheep lying near it because the flocks were watered from
that well. The stone over the mouth of the well was large." "When all the flocks were gathered there, the shepherds would roll the stone away
from the well's mouth and water the sheep. Then they would return the stone to its place over the mouth of the well." "Then Jacob asked
them, 'Is he well?' 'Yes, he is,' they said, 'and here comes his daughter Rachel with the sheep." "'We can't,' they replied, 'until all the flocks
are gathered and the stone has been rolled away from the mouth of the well. Then we will water the sheep.'"

* In Jericho, before a mighty battle of God was fought, prophet Elijah crossed the stream of his life to rejoin
the essence of his Maker. In loss, his spirit of prophecy and power was written as being given to Elisha two-
fold. The locals were said not to have believed in this early transfiguration, choosing instead to disobey
Elisha's instructions not to search for the elder prophet. The site held both miracles and a point to be
moved from to continue God's work - through Samaria.

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2 Kings 2:19 "[ Healing of the Water ] The men of the city said to Elisha, "Look, our lord, this town is well situated, as you can see, but
the water is bad and the land is unproductive."

* Where the Lord's ordained can bring the water of Life to a situation, those who oppose Him can be just as
successful in turning a flourishing situation to nothing.
2 Kings 19:24 "I have dug wells in foreign lands and drunk the water there. With the soles of my feet I have dried up all the streams of
Egypt."

* We've probably all heard many times that bad things occasionally happen to good people. That doesn't
necessarily make it feel better. The straight and narrow road is not only hard at times, but it can hurt too.
Job 12:3, 13:9, 15:21, 16:12 and 21:24, 27 "But I have a mind as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know all these
things?" "Would it turn out well if he examined you? Could you deceive him as you might deceive men?" "Terrifying sounds fill his ears;
when all seems well, marauders attack him." "All was well with me, but he shattered me; he seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has
made me his target..." "...his body well nourished, his bones rich with marrow." "I know full well what you are thinking, the schemes by
which you would wrong me."

* Even when the flow in your life is on the 'up-and-up,' conforming to or allowing influential room for evil
& negativity proves only a downstream trip.
Proverbs 25:26 "Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked."

* Giving the enemy an inch of stronghold on the path can prove unworthy for miles.
Jeremiah 50:33 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: "The people of Israel are oppressed, and the people of Judah as well. All their
captors hold them fast, refusing to let them go."

* We are all of Divine origin. That same source can claim us at will. It only makes sense that our wills be
aligned with His righteousness.
Ezekiel 18:4 "For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son—both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who
will die."

* The re-birthright that we share, should we choose to claim and walk in it, is just proof that no one is tall
enough to box (with) God.
Ezekiel 31:14 and 16 "Therefore no other trees by the waters are ever to tower proudly on high, lifting their tops above the thick foliage.
No other trees so well-watered are ever to reach such a height; they are all destined for death, for the earth below, among mortal men, with
those who go down to the pit." "I made the nations tremble at the sound of its fall when I brought it down to the grave with those who go
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down to the pit. Then all the trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, all the trees that were well-watered, were consoled in the earth
below."

* Newborn, as we grow in the faith, we realize that some delays-rejections-low and dry places are just
incubators and waiting rooms for our proper development.
Luke 6:25 and 26 "Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep."
"Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets."

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“Immanuel”

In Christ, High Priest and Living Water who transforms His teachings into the True Vine-
ripened mature wine of the Holy Spirit's fruits from tree of Jesse, we have ultimate
examples of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control." We are taught that even with real threats of being maliciously mocked,
cursed or hung out to dry, "against such things there is no law." [Galatians 5:22-23, NIV]
Our crossroads then become crosses within our flesh that straighten and strengthen our
backbones as well as support arms that stretch out to help others and receive our own
healing. Like the sun's influence on the cloudiest day on Earth, it becomes plainly evident
that "God [is] with us!" This segment concentrates on the gospel(s) of Jesus.

* Almost everyone thrives in an atmosphere of acknowledgment and approval.

Matthew 3:17, 17:5; Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22 and 2 Peter 1:17-19 "And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love;
with him I am well pleased.'" "While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is my Son,
whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!'" "And a voice came from heaven: 'You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well
pleased.'" "...and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I
love; with you I am well pleased." "For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory,
saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."

* I will always love the anointed artistry of Stevie, but Christ is such a wonder.
Mark 6:14 and 7:37 "[ John the Baptist Beheaded ] King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were
saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." "People were overwhelmed
with amazement. ‘He has done everything well,' they said. 'He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.'"

* As stated earlier, the Fruit does not fall far from the Tree.
Mark 12:32 and Luke 20:39 "'Well said, teacher,' the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but

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him.'" "Some of the teachers of the law responded, 'Well said, teacher!'"

* The wise ones knew a time would come when the government and gangs would be upon His shoulder for
various reasons, even as a child. Aren't even moths attracted to light? How much larger are we and our
potential for bearing witness to His Light with awe?
Matthew 13:52 and Luke 4:22 "He said to them, 'Therefore every teacher of the law who has been instructed about the kingdom of
heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.'" "All spoke well of him and were amazed at
the gracious words that came from his lips. 'Isn't this Joseph's son?' they asked."

* He encouraged that the Father's business is always done but never done away with.
Luke 14:5 "Then he asked them, 'If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull
him out?'"

* And now the sweetness of Samaria: the humble courage to ask any form of the right question "What must
I do to be saved from the wayward nature of the world that I've adopted as my own?" instead of giving up
on your higher calling with a mere "Oh Well..."
John 4:6, 11 and 12 "Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth
hour." "'Sir,' the woman said, 'you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?'" "Are
you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and
herds?"

* The answer: Seek His face and grace first, all-ways!

John 4:14 "...but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water
welling up to eternal life."

* He taught that true wellness (read: knowledge of self, freedom from the inner demons that stunt our
forward progress) can be ours if we would only work our faith towards that destiny in Him.
Matthew 15:31, Luke 17:19; John 5:6, 11 and 14 "The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made
well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel." "Then he said to him, "Rise and go; your faith has made
you well." "When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to
get well?" "But he replied, 'The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" "Later Jesus found him at the temple and
said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." "The man went away and told the Jews that it
was Jesus who had made him well."

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* An encounter with Christ can make us thirst for more, but He reminded us via John 13 that truly taking in
or taking on his cleansing provides an eternal refreshment of the whole body, mind and soul. We need only
watch and correct our steps as necessary along His Way.
Verse 9 states "'Then, Lord,' Simon Peter replied, 'not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!'"

* As the Living representative of the greatest commandment, Christ embodies all ten, especially honor of
the parents over His worldwide sacred family in which there is no separation. There's no coming between
the Sovereign head of many mansions, the Holy Spirit of comfort and communion and the Truth-
illuminating Son.
John 14:7, 15:23 and 1 John 5:1 "If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have
seen him." "He who hates me hates my Father as well." "[ Faith in the Son of God ] Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of
God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well."

* Without being bought, sold or traded, the power of Christ abides in many places and serves to Master
them all.
John 21:25 "Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not
have room for the books that would be written."

* A brief yet bright and blessed assurance of goodness that is and is to come
2 Thessalonians 1:7 "...and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from
heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels."

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It Is Well
There is an old hymn that speaks sweetly of what my grandmother used to call "that
settled peace" and Philippians 4:7 describes as the kind that "passeth all understanding."
Seasoned in both trials and triumphs, with the Loving help of Immanuel in your life, you
greet each of your days with gratitude and decent order, trusting that God is doing the
same for us by Grace.
* Man was given woman and she, him to help and heal each other under God. The Almighty may see to it
that we are comforted with love even after loss.
Genesis 24:11, 20 and 25 "He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go
out to draw water." "So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his
camels." "And she added, "We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night."

* When even the sins of the father are rectified by ushering the Father into the situation.
Genesis 26: 22, 25 and 29 "He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarreled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying,
"Now the LORD has given us room and we will flourish in the land." "Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD. There
he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well." "'...that you will do us no harm, just as we did not molest you but always treated you
well and sent you away in peace. And now you are blessed by the LORD.'"

* Before Immanuel, sacrifices and savors such as these were expected to grant wellness before God.
Leviticus 4:11, 6:21, 7:12, 21:22 and 25:7 "But the hide of the bull and all its flesh, as well as the head and legs, the inner parts and
offal-" "Prepare it with oil on a griddle; bring it well-mixed and present the grain offering broken in pieces as an aroma pleasing to the
LORD." "'If he offers it as an expression of thankfulness, then along with this thank offering he is to offer cakes of bread made without yeast
and mixed with oil, wafers made without yeast and spread with oil, and cakes of fine flour well-kneaded and mixed with oil." "He may eat
the most holy food of his God, as well as the holy food;" "...as well as for your livestock and the wild animals in your land. Whatever the
land produces may be eaten."

* We have to get our (inner spiritual and bodily) houses in order to best receive and serve the Lord.
Numbers 21:16 and 31:20 "From there they continued on to Beer, the well where the LORD said to Moses, "Gather the people together

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and I will give them water." "Purify every garment as well as everything made of leather, goat hair or wood."

* The Lord so wants us to be well, it is repeated often enough here to make you sick (of living outside His
will).
Deuteronomy 4:40; 5:16, 29; 6:3, 11, 18; 12:25 and 28 "Keep his decrees and commands, which I am giving you today, so that it
may go well with you and your children after you and that you may live long in the land the LORD your God gives you for all time." "Honor
your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the
land the LORD your God is giving you." "Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it
might go well with them and their children forever!" "Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you
may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your fathers, promised you." "...houses filled with
all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant—then when you eat and
are satisfied,..." "Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good
land that the LORD promised on oath to your forefathers..." "Do not eat it, so that it may go well with you and your children after you,
because you will be doing what is right in the eyes of the LORD." "Be careful to obey all these regulations I am giving you, so that it may
always go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and right in the eyes of the LORD your God."

* That message and mission of His will continue even to the ends of the Earth.
Deuteronomy 7:18, 8:16 "But do not be afraid of them; remember well what the LORD your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt."
"He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end it might go
well with you."

* Deuteronomy 10 writes of the Lord being your inheritance when you wholly respect Him.
Verse 6 in particular showed that "(The Israelites traveled from the wells of the Jaakanites to Moserah. There Aaron died and was buried,
and Eleazar his son succeeded him as priest."

* Sometimes the Lord will assure victory to the team and not just a specific member. True victory will
ALWAYS be His!
Judges 4:9 "'Very well,' Deborah said, 'I will go with you. But because of the way you are going about this, the honor will not be yours,
for the LORD will hand Sisera over to a woman.' So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh..."

* As in the case of Isaac and Rebekah's union following his mother Sarah's death, God can see and grant all
your heart’s needs abundantly; a crown of guiding love at (Ruth and Boaz's) home and a true, heartfelt
friend (through abundance and loss) in your life.
Ruth 3:1 "[ Ruth and Boaz at the Threshing Floor ] One day Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, should I not try to find
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a home for you, where you will be well provided for?"

* Well before he was king, David is written to have been a boy then man of excellence. By the blessing of
God, the creative and otherwise capable well in him was deep, wide and fresh, even -- no, especially -- in
the face of opposition.
1 Samuel 18:5, 30 and 19:4 "Whatever Saul sent him to do, David did it so successfully that Saul gave him a high rank in the army.
This pleased all the people, and Saul's officers as well." "The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did,
David met with more success than the rest of Saul's officers, and his name became well known." "Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his
father and said to him, "Let not the king do wrong to his servant David; he has not wronged you, and what he has done has benefited you
greatly."

* The Proverbs (16:7) agree that a person whose ways are pleasing to God with know peace with his
enemies.
2 Samuel 18:28 "Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, 'All is well!' He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said,
'Praise be to the LORD your God! He has delivered up the men who lifted their hands against my lord the king.'"

* His power to heal and bring peace in the death's shadow and valley rests in the human extensions of His
staff as well.
2 Kings 4:8 "[ The Shunammite's Son Restored to Life ] One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged
him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat."

* Even when the decree is to stay in the dark place for a time, His light will prosper you from within.
2 Kings 25:24 "Gedaliah took an oath to reassure them and their men. "Do not be afraid of the Babylonian officials," he said. "Settle
down in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you."

* When the prosperity outpours into your physical and material life, it is important to stay humble and
obedient to the One who provides all.
Nehemiah 9:25 "They captured fortified cities and fertile land; they took possession of houses filled with all kinds of good things, wells
already dug, vineyards, olive groves and fruit trees in abundance. They ate to the full and were well-nourished; they reveled in your great
goodness."

* Some of history's greatest tests were passed in brilliant, Living color even when evil insisted upon failure.
Job 1:12 and 2:6 "The LORD said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a
finger.' Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD." "The LORD said to Satan, "Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must
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spare his life."

* Job 8 teaches from his friend Bildad's ("son of contention", argumentative) point of view that humility
and healthy humanity should go hand-in-hand. To act against or forget God especially when one is richly
blessed is a terrible mistake! Verses 20-22 equalize large egos, low self-esteem and the influence of evil alike.
Verse 16 and chapter 29’s verse 11 speak of good ol' days. "He is like a well-watered plant in the sunshine, spreading its
shoots over the garden..." "Whoever heard me spoke well of me, and those who saw me commended me..."

* Money, worldly status and possessions may build one's sense of being somebody, but living well
according to the rhythm of God's grace and teaching is the only thing that can make any of us
“psalmbody!” May the following sentiments of the Psalmist create true harmony with our hearts, minds and
souls.
Psalm 104:16, 109:21, 139:14, 141:6, 144:12 "The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted." "But
you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me." "I praise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." "...their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs, and the
wicked will learn that my words were well spoken." "Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be
like pillars carved to adorn a palace."

* Wisdom, like that which his son Solomon was known for, also contributes to wellness! Receive these
elements of the Proverbs, his Ecclesiastes and his Song of Songs as a lamp to your feet and health to your
bones.
Proverbs 4:13, 23; 5:1, 15; 23:1; 24:25 "Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life." "Above all else,
guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life." "[ Warning Against Adultery ] My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words
of insight,..." "Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well." "When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is
before you..." "But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them."
Ecclesiastes 7:14; 11:6 "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider: God has made the one as well as the other.
Therefore, a man cannot discover anything about his future." "Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for
you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well."
Song of Solomon 4:15 "You are a garden fountain, a well of flowing water streaming down from Lebanon."

* Remember the Fruit of the Spirit written of earlier (and, of course, well before my involvement here)? It is
wise to sow these seeds.
Isaiah 3:10, 12:3 and Ezekiel 24:25 "Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds." "With
joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." "And you, son of man, on the day I take away their stronghold, their joy and glory, the
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delight of their eyes, their heart's desire, and their sons and daughters as well-"

* Depending upon the well or human vessel in question, wellness can exist in hills and valleys, with plenty
and with little.
Jeremiah 22:15 and 42:6 "Does it make you a king to have more and more cedar? Did not your father have food and drink? He did what
was right and just, so all went well with him." "Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the LORD our God, to whom we are
sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the LORD our God."

* Simply, God is the greatest.

Matthew 6:33 "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

* His Way is as a strong tower to watch over your life and a firm foundation upon which to build it with
lasting value.
Luke 6:48 "He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck
that house but could not shake it, because it was well built."

* When a soldier, who knows well the fine line between physical life and death, exercises faith in power
beyond his experience, he learns also of victory beyond what he's known.
Luke 7:10 "Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well."

* We need each other to survive, but God allows us first to live then thrive.
3 John 1:2 and 6 "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting
along well." "They have told the church about your love. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God."

* Adding positive work to the substance of harmless hopes adds Life.

Hebrews 11:4 "By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God
spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead."

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Well Done!
Having learned to bear the weight (and wait) of Holy armor as you walk by faith and
choose Holy fruit of the Spirit for your fare, your appetite longs for the taste of approval
from God just as the deer of Psalm 42. With acts-habits-character-a destiny of faithful
virtue, the fruit of your own works will reflect the Way of Christ and reward your spirit
with rich praise in Him (Proverbs 31:31).
* Our bodies are the temples of the Holy and Living God. House the blueprints in your heart!
1 Kings 8:18 and 2 Chronicles 6:8 "But the LORD said to my father David, 'Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my
Name, you did well to have this in your heart."

* Blessings belong to the ancestors, present gifts, children and grandchildren of righteousness. All those
with the benefit of near-misses and a fervently, rightfully praying guardian have an idea of what I mean.
2 Kings 10:30 "The LORD said to Jehu, "Because you have done well in accomplishing what is right in my eyes and have done to the house
of Ahab all I had in mind to do, your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation."

* Focus your 'eyes' on the encouragement of Psalm 19:8 and Matthew 6:22 with loving belief and praise.
2 Chronicles 19:11 "Amariah the chief priest will be over you in any matter concerning the LORD, and Zebadiah son of Ishmael, the
leader of the tribe of Judah, will be over you in any matter concerning the king, and the Levites will serve as officials before you. Act with
courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well."

* Grace is what saves and guides us along the fluid ways of Life while faith keeps us afloat. Learning and
spreading the Truth of God creates buoys for others in the flow, even in the excessive, challenging waters of
spiritual Babylon.
Ezra 7:6 "...this Ezra came up from Babylon. He was a teacher well versed in the Law of Moses, which the LORD, the God of Israel, had
given. The king had granted him everything he asked, for the hand of the LORD his God was on him."

* When God delivers, there is no cut-off time or minimum purchase fee. The price is paid over and again by
the sacred observation of the Cross within.
Psalm 35:27 "May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who
delights in the well-being of his servant."
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* Rightful use -- not abuse -- of the talents (referring to money, weight or skill) that the Master has given us
will always yield well to His will.
Matthew 25:21, 23 and Luke 19:17 "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few
things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'" 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied.
'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'"

* Lawlessness is by no means the same as freedom from Law by grace and self-control. Even those
considered the elect have rules to follow.
1 Timothy 3:4, 12, 13; 5:10 and 17 "He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect." "A
deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well." "Those who have served well gain an
excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus." "...and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children,
showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds." "The elders who
direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."

* The Proverbs (3:3-5 and 22:1) teach the importance of truth in Love, faithfulness and a good name. A
certain man whose birth name tagged him as a follower of an Earth harvest goddess is written to have been
engaged in a livelihood of making miniature silver temples to a lunar goddess of the wild hunt. When that
man learned to follow Christ via the apostleship of Paul, his name took on a new dimension.
3 John 1:12 states "Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone—and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that
our testimony is true."

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So what does this all mean?

What is the purpose?
Well...
We who believe and receive Divine instruction are a royal priesthood, created to lead the world in love,
peace and truth. Strife, greedy or jealous motives, gossip and other forms of evil may seem to have
significant influence in this world, especially via the ‘prince of the power of the air’ (media &
telecommunications) mentioned in Ephesians 2 [AMP]. We were led out of those dry places, dirt, the
death of our spirits and are yet assisted through the new lessons & trials as Philippians 3:12-14 teaches in
order to understand that the light of God is the strongest, most sustainable power source to exist. His
movement through our lives on this green Earth is sustained by the Holy Spirit. There is little, if any,
lasting benefit in being dragged to the depths our base natures and following wayward spirits that seek
company in their miserable falsehood. 3 John 1:11 reminds us "[not to] imitate what is evil but what is good.
Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God." As its inverse 1 John
3:11 states "This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another."

All are welcome to positively refer to and share this thematic bible study e-book for
FREE, as the Love and Truth of God should be!

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… from Samaria to Spiritual Success

(c) 2009-2010 Tara 'Nova' Thomas for Psalmbody/PMLLC; Scriptures derived from varied versions of
the Holy Bible (public domain). This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-
Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/us/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171
Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.

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For more from Tara Nova and Psalmbody/PMLLC, please stay tuned to

http://www.iampsalmbody.org

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