My three ebooks are FREE today through Sunday.  Go to Amazon.com, then to kindle books and type in my name J Marilyn Adams in the search.  If you do not have a kindle, you can still download them onto your phone or computer.  There is a little box under the picture of the cover that says “Read on any device.”  Click on that and you can see how.

Please tell your friends, family, church, etc.  Spread the word and write reviews.  Thanks.

Trophies of Grace, Power of Thoughts, and Watermarks.

I wanted to tell you my exciting news.  I just published the first two of my five ebooks.  They are very short with a single subject, but with powerful timeless truths.  They will be on Amazon in 48 hours and available world wide.  I also took the option to give them away for a short time period.  I will let you know about that when I figure it out 🙂

Here are the two covers:

Inner Truth~The Effective Messenger

THE BITE OF THE BACKBITTER

2 Corinthians 4:2 says, “But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling he word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 

Sins behind the back compromise our conscience.  Our conscience helps us discern right from wrong.  To quench it, causes us to lose spiritual sensitivity.  Psalm 66:18 says, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.”  Proverbs 28:13 says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.”

Bitebitting is verbal rejection spoken behind someone’s back.  Proverbs 15:4 says, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.”  Backbitting words spoken to the face would crush the spirit. 

Paul addressed the Corinthians church in 2 Corinthians 12:20 about their negative behavior.  It says, “For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults.”

Luke 6:31 says, “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”  If you would not want others to malign your character to your face, then do not malign other’s behind their back.  Malign means to speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner.  Bitebiting words affect not only the speaker but the hearers.  They defile everyone involved by sowing seeds of distrust.  Have you ever listened to the words of a backbiter?  You are defiled.  If you judged them, then you will do the same thing.  Backbiting is a grievous sin.

A backbitter is double minded.  James 3:2-12 talks about the tongue.  Verses 9-10 says, “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things out not to be so.”  Backbite and worship are like oil and water.  They do not mix.  James 1:8 says, “He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.”  A backbitter lacks the character of consistency.  To be double-minded is to be drawn in two opposite directions.

If you have been caught up in backbiting, James has the antidote.  James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”  The Amplified says, “…(realize that you have been disloyal) wavering individual with divided interests, and purifying your hearts (of your spiritual adultery).”  We cannot backbite and walk in intimate communion with the Lord at the same time. 

Inner defilement contaminates our temple.  1 Corinthians 6:20 says, “For you were bought at a price; there glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Backbiting is sin against God.  David helps us understand that all sin is against God.  Psalm 51:4 says, “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight–that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.”

Choose words that will build up and strengthen.  Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”  David penned words that can be our prayer.  Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Our words are first thoughts.  If you find yourself entertaining negative thoughts about another, change your thoughts.  If you don’t they will come out of your mouth when you least expect them.  After satan had tempted the Lord Jesus in the garden, he left with a hidden agenda.  Luke 4:13 says, “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed form Him until an opportune time.”

John 13:3 says, “And supper being ended, the devil having already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him.”  Verse 27 says, “Now after the piece of bread, satan entered him…”

Do not give the devil any ground in your life through your thoughts.  Don’t set up those opportunities.  Ephesians 4:27 says, “Nor give place to the devil.”  The Amplified says, “Leave no (such) room or foothold for the devil (give no opportunity to him).”  He will put fiery dart thoughts into our minds.  We must quench them through our faith.  Ephesians 6:16 says, “Above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. j marilyn adams ~ April 14, 2016

Last night the Holy Spirit gave me wholehearted obedience to meditate on.  I never saw this connection before.  His higher way is our joyful response because we love Him.  Heart obedience rooted in our love.

We quickly and joyfully obey as a demonstration of our love.  Psalm 119:97 says, “Oh, how I love Your law!  It is my meditation all the day.”  Psalm 1:2 says, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.”

I don’t know your childhood mode of obedience.  Mine was compliant on the outside but rebellious on the inside.  Much like the little boy who was repeatedly told to sit down.  Finally he sat down, but muttered “I’m sitting down but I’m standing up inside.”  Or I submitted out of fear of punishment.

Isaiah 29:13 says, “Therefore the Lord said: Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me, and their fear toward Me is taught by commandment of men.”

Our heart attitude towards obedience as a child carried over to others in authority, and ultimately in our relationship with the Lord.  Romans 6:17 says, “…obeyed from the heart…”  Amplified says, “…you have become obedient with all your heart…”

Paul and John spoke about their converts as their children.  Galatians 4:19 says, “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.”  3 John verse 4 says, “I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth.”

Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account.  Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

The Lord has great joy when we obey from the heart.

We have a tendency to live in our past which is passed.  Our past is only in our thoughts.  Therefore, our thoughts are to be in the present.  Right now, walking in the Spirit, empowered through His grace.

Here is a new song.  I wish you could hear the music, as it is a catching little tune 🙂

New Day Rising

This new day is rising with new mercies for me

Grace abundant for every situation

I am not alone You are Ever Present

Leading and guiding through Your Word

Your Word’s my life it gives wisdom and direction

I look to You in expectation

I open my heart to hear Your words of strength

They fortify my faith and gird my mind with truth

I walk in the joy of our intimate communion

Have Your way in me today

                                            April 7, 2016

Inner Truth~The Effective Messenger

CHARACTER DEFINED

Character is inward motivation that governs our actions whether we are with others or alone.  The Greek word for character is kharakter.  It speaks of an engraved mark, which is a tool for stamping, engraving, or making an impression.  It is the word used in Hebrews 1:3 which says, “Who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” 

The lines in an old hymn say, “Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart.”  Our character is who we are in the core of our being.  Character modulates our actions, as a governor curtails the speed of a school bus.  Decisions are weighed through our character.  It is the motivation to do right no matter what it personally costs.  Our character of diligence is a gift to others.

Psalm 15 is a great barometer to measure character.  Two questions are asked in verse one, and answered in the following verses.  “Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle?  Who may dwell in Your holy hill?  He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.  He who does these things shall never be moved.”

Character is integrity of heart and is our inner compass.  It is our navigational instrument, like a sextant is to a captain of a ship.  No matter which way our life turns, or how many storms we are in, proven character always points due truth.  Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.”

CHARACTER OF DILIGENCE

Proverbs 4:23-27 is like a compass.  It says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.  Put away from you a deceitful mouth, and put perverse lips far from you.  Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids look right before you.  Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.  Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.”  Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”

One with diligence engraved on their heart will do everything possible to walk in purity.  They discipline their thoughts.  They bring stray thoughts captive and do not allow them to have a voice.

Proverbs 22:29 Amplified says, “Do you see a man diligent and skillful in his business?  He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.”  One with diligence excels.  Daniel is an outstanding example of diligence.  He was one of three governors.  Daniel 6:3 says, “Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.”

When Daniel knew that the king’s decree had been signed, he stood through character.  He never flinched or wavered.  Daniel 6:10 says, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home.  And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”  He did not break stride even though his life was on the line.

Daniel’s innocence was proven in the den of the lions.  Daniel 6:22 says, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”

Psalm 24:3-5 is another character barometer.  It begins with two questions, and the answers follow.  It says, “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?  Or who may stand in His holy place?  He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.” 

Characteristics of diligence: excellent spirit, thorough, dedicated, consistent, conscientious, plodder, finisher, integrity, persevering, tenacious, focused, wholehearted, disciplined thoughts, dedicated, hardworking.

Proverbs 27:23 says, “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.”  We can apply this to those in our influence.  Joseph was in charge of the prisoners.  He was diligent to know their state (Genesis 40:4-8).  His proven character prepared the way for the Lord to fulfill His word.

j marilyn adams ~ March 24, 2016

Inner Truth~The Effective Messenger

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character hope.”  The Amplified says, “…knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.  And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity)…”

Our faith is tried in the crucible of our trials.  Abimelech’s heart was tested when Abraham lied about Sarah.  He was able to say this to the Lord in Genesis 20:5, “…In the integrity of my heart and innocence of my hands I have done this.”

Proverbs 11:3 says, “The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them.”  Balaam lacked character.  He was easily swayed.  Numbers 22:32 says, “…Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way was perverse before Me.”

Amy Carmichael was a missionary in India.  Through a devastating injury she spent the remainder of her life bedridden.  Yet the Lord turned what seemed like a tragedy into a crucible ministry.  She wrote from her constant pain to others in their pain.  Her words came from the fiery trial that purified her faith.

How like the Lord.  What satan would design as something to crush our spirit, the Lord turns into a ministry.  There are countless effective ministries today birthed in the crucible of a hard trial.  Some are global, and some one-on-one.

Luke 22:31-32 says, “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon!  Indeed, satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”  Peter later wrote the timeless truths of 1 & 2 Peter.  Verses today that still minister centuries later.

Amos 9:9 speaks of the Lord’s sifting Israel, saying, “…as grain is sifted in a sieve; yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground.”  The sieve was a large mesh screen, that when vigorously shaken, removed the undesirable.

The apostle Paul’s suffering was intense.  Yet through that, the Lord gave him a ministry that encourages everyone who reads his prison letters.  Paul’s character was forged in the crucible of his trials.

Character is that deep abiding quality of behavior that is the same alone or with others.  It has been proven in the crucible and refined as silver is refined.  Temptations only deepen and reveal the true moral fiber of the heart’s integrity.  Integrity is defined as: honor, moral strength, moral fiber, rectitude, uprightness; fortitude, strength, resolve.

Hebrews 4:13 Amplified says, “And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.”  It is a glorious truth.  We cannot hide.  Character thrives in the light.

Psalm 66:10-12 says, “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us as silver is refined.  You brought us into the net; you laid affliction on our backs.  You have caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; but You have brought us out to rich fulfillment.”  This is a Psalm that could easily have been written by Joseph.

Young Joseph had dreams that foretold his future.  His brothers rode over his head.  Psalm 105:18-19 is a poignant description of Joseph’s crucible.  It says, “They hurt his feet with fetters, he was laid in irons.  Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him.”  The Amplified uses the words that his soul entered into the iron.  The iron entered into his mind, will, and emotions.  The Lord used the wrath of those against him, as the testing fire to prove his character.

Here is a new song called Song of Endurance

In the stillness of the morning I come to seek Your face

To hear Your words of wisdom to know how to run this race

It’s not to the swift to finish the course

It’s to the one who endures and rests in You Lord.

Your promises are true they fortify my faith.  I look to You in each trial I face

You’re my Rock in which I stand You’re my shelter in each storm

You faithfully support me and hold my hand

To rest is the key when impossibilities loom

My strength to endure is abiding in Your Word

Your Word is my stability when everything shakes

I remain standing in You.  No matter what you’ll not forsake

                                                                            December 7, 2005

j marilyn adams ~ March 10, 2016

I posted this on facebook.  This is a picture of my dad yesterday, sharing the Gospel at the rest home on his 95th birthday. (sorry it is fuzzy)

He accepted the Lord in the winter he turned 19.  He always tells folks, “it is a good salvation.”  He was 7 when his parents were saved while attending a meeting put on by the the American Sunday School Association.  Later that association because Child Evangelism Fellowship.  Yesterday he said, “That was 88 years ago.”

Inner Truth~The Effective Messenger

THE POWER OF WORDS

Do the words you speak match your walk?  What you speak comes from your thought life.  Preconceived ideas keep us in a rut.  They also keep us from learning.  The book of Proverbs talks about wisdom. 

Proverbs 16:23-24 says, “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.  Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.”  Our bones are the strength of our body.

The Proverbs are full of verses that use the mouth and lips together.  Our words give verbal expression of our thoughts.  Our words come through our mouth when we open our lips.  David understood this.  Psalm 141:3 says, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”

Our words have power.  Proverbs 18:20-21 says, “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”  Life words are pleasant and wholesome.  They feed and benefit the hearer.  However death words are acidic and bitter.  They crush and destroy the spirit.

Ephesians 4:29 Amplified says, “Let no foul or polluting language, or evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk (ever) come out of your mouth, but only such (speech) as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it.”  Wholesome means: uplifting, edifying, health-giving, uncontaminated.  Contaminate means: pollute, defile, infect, poison.

Proverbs 12:18 says, “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health.”  Amplified uses the word rashly.

The fruit of our lips is the expression of our thoughts.  Proverbs 13:3 says, “He who guards his mouth preserves his life…”  Proverbs 21:23 says, “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”  James 3:2 says, “For we all stumble in many things.  If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.”  Verse 6 says, “…The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body…”  Verse 10 says, “Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be.”

What we think controls our brain, and our brain controls our body.  What we speak is expressing our thoughts.  Our verbal words sow seeds into our hearts and the lives of those around us to bless or defile.

“I can’t” is focused on ourselves.  “I can” is focused on the Lord and His strength.  Our thoughts of “I can’t” send a negative message to our brain.  It is contrary to what the Lord designed our brain to do.  The brain tells the body it can’t.  We create a double negative.

Our thoughts are private, but our actions are on display.  Our actions are the fruit of our thoughts.  Have you ever said something you wish you could take back?  Our words are seeds we sow that will produce.

Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.”  We reap far more than we sow.  One seed produces many seeds.  The seeds we sow to our flesh, will make our flesh stronger and more resistant to the Holy Spirit.  The seeds we sow to the Spirit will increase our sensitivity to be led by the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 15:18-19 says, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.”

We are not responsible for how others think.  However we are responsible for how we react to the expression of their thoughts through their words.  Harsh, derogatory, defiling words spoken over us do not have to be received.  It depends on the condition of our heart.  If your heart’s soil is full of thorns and nettles, it will receive the weed seed. 

However Proverbs 26:2 says that the undeserved curse will not alight.  Therefore if the soil of your heart is free of the things that choke out life, like unforgivness, bitter root judgments, and anger, the seed will be sterile.  It will have no effect.

Psalm 103:5 says, “Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagles.”  Psalm 104:33-34 says, “I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.  May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the Lord.”  The soil of our heart depends on our thoughts.  Cultivate a right spirit by hiding His word in your heart.

j marilyn adams ~ February 25, 2016

I put this on my facebook this morning, so some of you will get it twice.