The Measurement of Love!

Is there a measurement of love? You know a scale or a guide to measure against. Something to measure the length and the depth? Most people just figure love is love. They figure love is an emotion. Well maybe, or maybe that's just a half truth or a quarter truth (if we are measuring tongue emoticon ). Think of it this way, whether you want to call it an emotion or what, your love for friends is different than your love for a spouse. A dog receives a different measurement of love than your child does.

Is there a measurement of Gods Love? Can it be measured?

Ephesians 3:18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Yes Love has a measurement. If I were poor and poorly clothed and I asked you to give me a jacket, would your love be measured by your response? Yes it would. If you just told me to be blessed, be warmed and go in the blessing of Christ without giving me the warmth of a jacket, where is the Love? I know we can't give to everyone realistically but the point I'm trying to make is the that our love is measured upon our actions.

I was studying (drinking coffee) and waiting for a friend to show up at Starbucks earlier. I read 2 Corinthians 8:8 which reads, "I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others." The Greek meaning of sincerity in this verse means 'legitimate'. The measurement Paul was using was a black and white scale that said either its love or it isn't love. its either legitimate or is illegitimate . I'd go so far to say that inner love that never comes out is more empathy than love. Yes you have the strong feeling of this and that toward someone or something but love is having both the inner and the outward: the action following the inner.

After meditating on this scripture my buddy shows up and begins to talk about a friend of his in Dallas Texas. This friend loves God and used to be a stand up church goer. Then a tragic moment happened

in his marriage that caused divorce. He went through so much, and nobody from the Church reached out to him. After a while his heart grew cold for his Church and the members that he thought he knew so well. He hasn't been to Church since. This made me think hard about this verse while my friend was mentioning all this. You see I'm sure they loved him (without action). They most likely empathized with his suffering but nobody pasted the test of the 'sincerity of love by the diligence of others' in which Paul spoke of. For God to just tell us He loves us is much different then Him showing us He loves us.

John 15:13 (NKJ) Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.

Continuously throughout the entire bible God backs up His love with many actions. Yes I agree, love can be in your heart, but I disagree with love never coming out of your heart. If you truly love, according to Paul's measurement, then it will come out. Sometimes there is true love but we miss the opportunity to pass the test by standing by and missing the mark. Lets love one another in deed and not just words. That man my friend spoke of, things may be different if he just had a weekly phone call. Just one call a week. God bless and I hope this inspires you to not miss the opportunity to prove the sincerity of your love this week!

~Rich Cohrs

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More Than!

So often we pray in our times of need. We are desperate. We need God to help us. We are a defeated and tempted race of creation. HUH? We like to pray and say, "God you are more than able to get me out of this junk" Look at the following verse.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV)
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

In this verse is God "able"? No He is FAITHFUL!!! Yes He is!! Look closer, now who is "ABLE"? YEP, We are!!!! Praise the Lord. Every temptation that befalls us, God has given us the status and honor to be called "ABLE". No temptation will be able to take this status away from us. God will not allow it. He is faithful to only allow temptations that we are able to defeat. In every one of them if we just hold still, turn around, look closely, and walk in the direction of light, we'll find that door, that way of escape that God has supernaturally placed before us. We are ABLE to walk through it. We don't need a key, a secret password, a secret handshake, a paid ticket, or anything of the such. We have the name of Jesus, we have His righteousness, we have His sanctification, we have His wisdom, and we have His Spirit that crucifies our flesh. So we are ABLE by the Spirit to put to death the deeds of the flesh and every temptation that comes our way, His power is made perfect in our weaknesses.

We are able, but what else are we. According to John the apostle, we don't know what we are to be in the future but we know we will be just like Him, the Lord Jesus. So that's in the future, but what are we right now. According to Paul the apostle we are born of the Spirit, a new creation, the seed of Abraham, the righteousness of God, and we are NO LONGER DARKNESS, but we are LIGHT IN THE LORD! And last but not least, we are not just ABLE but we are also MORE THAN CONQUERS in Christ Jesus who loves us. That's right, Paul said MORE THAN conquers. So not just conquers, but MORE THAN. Wow,

that's powerful! Its one thing to be a conquer, but we've been given the honor and status of being MORE THAN a conquer. Do you believe it? Do you want to believe it? Believe it or not, its MORE THAN JUST FACT Its golden. Its set in stone. You are in Christ now and you are so much more than what you think. So if you are feeling defeated, remember your defeat is simply a deception. You've been lied to. You've been told you can't do it. Rubbish! Believe the truth. Get up and walk in the name of Jesus. Those legs aren't crippled, those eyes aren't blind, you've been touched by a Holy God and He has made you ABLE! Now get up and do what you are able to do. Conquer what you are more than able to conquer. God who loves you has made you this way. Blessing to you in Jesus name!

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Father of MERCIES!

I love how the Word of God is rich in the food from Heaven. You can't even get through the introduction of 2 Corinthians without understanding God in a more profound way. Most have preconceived ideas of God being a God of wrath and hatred. Some have the ideas that He is a good Father but if you cross Him you better run and hide. The latter is actually not to far from the first idea conceived of God after sin. Adam and Eve hid themselves from a Loving God. A God who'd rather suffer the repercussions of our sin upon His own shoulders.

(1 Corinthians 1-3-4) 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

I love the names of God. I believe they were put in place for us to better understand His virtue and character. To better know who He is. There was a time in history where man didn't know what to call God. As people began to experience the Lord they'd question like Moses, "What is His Name?' what shall I say to them?" (Ex 3:13) God responded in a non-threatening way. He said "I AM WHO I AM". Our first impression of this response is not being dumbfounded or amazed but yet clueless. You see in those times there were many Gods, with many names. God was simply stating that HE IS THE ONE. The one and only I believe. Anyway, you know I could write for hours about different names God called Himself or names Holy Spirit inspired prophets or Holy people called Him.

Look at the verse in 2 Corinthians. I ask you, "Who is this Blessed God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?" Can you answer that? I'm sure you could give me a little bit of your understanding. If we all calibrated we could have a bigger understanding but the truth is we know very very little of our God. But one thing we do know is His names. Here He is the Father of MERCIES!!! Wow, hope that one knocked you out on the ground of your thinking. Let me say it again. The Father of MERCIES!!! Again,

why run? Why hide? Why tarry and tarry and tarry until you feel right? The Father of Mercies not the Father of Hatred. Not the Father of Wrath. THE FATHER OF MERCIES!! If you believe otherwise you didn't learn it from the Father of Mercies, yet you learned it from the 'father of lies'. You've been lied too!

Like Adam and Eve God draws us back to himself in His Loving Mercies instead of acting like the god we perceive Him to be as we run and hide. God SACRIFICED and hid (clothed) Adam and Eve in that sacrificed skin. His Sacrifice drew them back near. He was drawing them closer. Like that first sacrifice, now God in His Loving Mercies has Sacrificed His own Son and clothed us in His righteousness. Hiding the treachery of our sin, in the past, and now removing the sin in His righteousness in this present age. We are blessed and comforted by God in this. Not just hidden but literally changed. Why would we ever run from a God like that? Why would we run from the Father of MERCIES? When we sin, who is judge? Who dares to accuse you? Is it not God who is the judge. The judge who instead of judging you called you the 'elect', 'THE CHOSEN OF GOD'? In His awesome mercies He has justified me and you. Christ has been given the authority to condemn yet it is He who has chosen to die, and furthermore is RISEN and instead of
bringing your failures to God He sits enthroned next to the Father of Mercies making intercession for the both of us. NOTHING can separate you from the Love of God because He is the Father of Mercies. Read Romans 8:31-39 and see for yourself!

Last but not least, God isn't the one bringing you the tribulations, He is the one in His Loving Mercies comforting you in your tribulations. I hope this helps you be free from your guilt, and able to venture out in the courts of God's Love and experience His Kingdom in a new way. Bless you all, chosen Generation of the Father of Mercies. God Bless you!

Living Epistles, Writing Ministry of Rich Cohrs

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FREEDOM! HAPPY FREEDOM DAY!!

 I know we can all appreciate the pleasures of freedom whether it be our Nations Freedom or that particular day of spiritual freedom. We know that as our nation is free that there is an underlining truth that we aren't really free. We have deception that keep us from being a free country.We have levels of freedom that give us certain pleasures that other countries may not get to appreciate but all in all without Christ in ULTIMATE rule there isn't real freedom. Thank God that Jesus, the Son of God, is our Lord, King, Savior, Brother and Friend. Thank God that "whom the Son sets free is free indeed"! Thank God that His Anointing doesn't just set free, break or just remove, but instead DESTROYS the yoke of BONDAGE that enslaves. 

When God delivered Israel from the hands of their oppressors in Egypt what happened? Like going through a baptism they walked right through the red sea. Behind them were all the oppressors, Pharaoh himself, and the government that enslaved them. The sea was like walls of water on the left and on the right side as they walked on dry ground. As they reach the other side all that enslaved them were destroyed as those walls came crashing and gushing down and consumed Pharaoh and his army of oppressors. Not even the horses of their chariots survived. And then there was a gap of sea between their old lives of slavery and the new life that was before them,

separating, sanctifying, setting them apart, unto the one that was in the midst of the Cloud. There was no turning back. And from then on God himself was leading them. What and awesome testimony of the power of God in their lives. I couldn't imagine being in their shoes during those times, but knowing now what they went through afterward I'm glad I wasn't. 

Although they were free, they never mixed their faith with the truth of what God had and was doing in their lives. Not one of those free folks walked into the promise. Even Moses himself didn't make it. They struggled in their new lives with wanting the pleasures of their old lives. What was behind them, they wanted instead of what was promised before them. They cried out with murmurings of unrighteousness that indicated they'd rather be back in bondage and under the power of oppressors just for certain pleasures.  

In our "Christ Independence Day", our salvation, we experience a similar breakthrough from our old life to our new life in Christ. Instead of the Red Sea, we are buried, immersed  into the death of Jesus Christ, and then we are raised in resurrection with our Resurrected King, coming up out of this spiritual water. Christ the Anointed King destroyed the yoke of slavery that was in our lives so that we could now become slaves of righteousness. Bond servants of Christ. We go through wilderness times of struggles, where darkness blinds us and even though God's Glory cloud is before us leading us, all we see is what we want and what we think we need, and not what we truly need. God, who is in the midst of that glory, is all Israel needed. He proved it over and over and over. He provided over and over and over. Not one person got sick, not one piece of clothing became rotten. They even had more than they asked for. They, by the hand of God took plunder of gold and riches from the Egyptians. When they were thirsty God would do the impossible and cause streams of water to flow freely from a Rock. OH Christ

is the refreshing rock of our salvation. What more could they ask for. They kept asking for what they could obtain back in their bondage. They wanted the meat, and the experience they had in Egypt. They had holy marriage but wanted unholy pleasures of immorality. Would God not have given them better and in abundance in the promise land? 

What took Israel 40 years to achieve took Jesus 40 days. With all the temptation in the wilderness men fail, but Jesus is a victor in His wilderness. With no sin, yet tempted beyond measure, Christ goes before us. He is the GLORY! He is our leader! He knows the best solution in all our problems. He being tempted also has much much compassion on us who are tempted. We may still have this old man lingering around but we also have this NEW MAN in Christ that is resurrected and lives forever. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on Lord Jesus whom cloths us in freedom. Israel had Moses who was faithful in leading the house of Israel, but we have Jesus who is the BUILDER of this spiritual house whom we are, being fitted and built together in love. 

Israel just needed to follow that Glory to the finish line to see the promise. They didn't want it. I know we do. They failed, we shall succeed. They'd rather enjoy the old life they were delivered from but I know we want more. They didn't have the faith to add to the mixture of the message that God was cooking up for them but I know we are pouring our faith in the mixing bowl of God's presence and grace. Hold fast, don't give up, put your hand over your ears and quit listening to the devil. Your promise is on its way. Like Jesus said to the tempter in His own recorded temptations, "GET THE BEHIND ME SATAN", you also say, "GET behind me!" to all that holds you in bondage. Whether spiritual wickedness itself or simply you are being drawn away by your own lust that is in your flesh, just proclaim the Lord of your life and that you are brand new. Walk in the Spirit in whom has sealed you

for the day of your redemption, the day our Lord perfects us with immortality, with incorruptibility, as we all are greeted by Him together in the clouds. Until that day, be free! Until you are gathered together in the those clouds chose faith in the Son whom sets free indeed. Remember Christ is the glory of God, and don't turn your face from Him as Israel turned their face from Moses when the brightness of the glory of God was shinning from his face, instead look upon the face of Jesus Christ who changes you from Glory to Glory, with every new revelation of Jesus Christ. And don't forget that righteous baptism that Jesus entered before His leading into His wilderness. What happened? As He came out of the water the Holy Spirit, like a dove, descended upon Him. If Christ who was perfect, still needed the Holy Spirit, don't you think us, who are being groomed for perfection need Him much much more. The Spirit descended upon Jesus before His wilderness, don't you think we need Gods Spirit in our desert and wilderness experiences. Don't forget the Comforter was sent to you for a reason. Power has been released on you to be the witness of Jesus Christ. Power to walk in freedom, to give others freedom. 

Bless you today on 4th of July! 

Rich

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For They Are Ever With Me, OWN IT!

I've been studying about ancient Hebrew meditation all morning after my scripture reading took me on a rabbit trail (June 6, 2014). I was reading about Issac and how he went to the open field to meditate right before he saw Rebecca for the very first time (Gen 24:63). This struck my curiosity and wanted some details since this was way before the bible was written and way before the law (400 years prior) itself was written. In a nutshell, this type of meditation was most likely the ancient form of meditation in which man cleaved unto God. They were giving themselves over in silence and deep thought toward the Creator, Usually resulting in prophetic knowledge and wisdom, possibly even falling into trances and receiving revelation.

Other forms of Hebrew meditation have been taught since then but all involve knowledge Issac never had. Some meditated on the first 5 books of the bible, some on the names of God, and some on the precepts of God, some on prayers in a book, etc. I could imagine that Issac may have had circulated writings about creation, maybe even Enoch's writings about creation and prophetic insight of the end and destruction of all creation. I'm just speculating at this point, however the truth is that Issac indeed got away from everything to be alone with God and to meditate. I've got a gut feeling this wasn't just a religious practice but instead a relationship discipline. A tool he most likely learned from his father Abraham that was successful in SEEKING God and finding Him as well. This reminds me so much of the times when Jesus just needed to be alone with His Father. Where He withdrew Himself and went up unto a hill and just spent time, even much time, sometimes all night long. I believe Jesus wasn't coming back empty handed from those times and I believe the "Friend of God", Abraham, didn't either. Just as God Himself said "Shall I hide from Abraham what i am doing" (Gen 18:17).

Anyway, this is a very cool verse from the Psalms, (down below Psalm 119:97-100). It seems the author was focused more on the law, precepts of God. I like how it says "For they are ever with me". It is like he was declaring ownership of the commandments of God. The way it was written wasn't like the author was bragging about his religious status of being a victorious doer of the law like many others fell short of: the majority. It was more like the hidden meanings of the law and the commandments had produced wisdom and knowledge within himself which gave him power to overcome even his enemies. One form of ancient Hebrew meditation was literally just this. It was prophecy and wisdom becoming one during mediation. Many ancient Hebrew writings were written through this type of meditation.

Psalm 119:97-100 (NKJV)

97 Oh, how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98 You, through Your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.

I can't help but think of the Words of Christ being so powerful right now. The words in RED, the words before Christ ever shed His blood on the cross. How important meditation on these Words must be. As the famous apostle John wrote, "For the LAW was given through Moses, but GRACE and TRUTH came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17). And previously he wrote, "The WORD become flesh...dwelt among us.....full of GRACE and TRUTH" (vs 14). If Issac's mediation was to give himself over to the God of Abraham his Father (closeness: cleaving unto God) then I think it is a model we could draw from to grow the inner man that is being formed into Christ. A tool to be established and strengthened in grace in our innermost being. Paul (whom I believe was the author of Hebrews) spoke of having our hearts 'established in grace' (Hebrews 13:9). He also spoke to the people of Colosse and said, "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." and again "Your Word have I hid in my heart" (vs 11), written in the same Psalm I referred to early about meditation.

It is safe to say that our hearts must be establish or strengthened by grace. That the Words of Christ must dwell in us richly. That the Words of Christ will deliver us from the fiery darts of our enemies. That the meditation of our hearts should always be on the Lord, His Word, His Character, His miracles and wonders. It is safe to say that it is a great thing to have knowledge of scriptures, and it is an even greater thing to take that knowledge to an alone place, a place of solitude, and in the quietness of our hearts lay it all before the Lord with curiosity, praise, and childlike faith to allow God to strengthen our innermost beings with His Grace and fill us with His wisdom and power. Go forth in solitude with the Lord expecting that you will not return home empty handed! "FOR THEY ARE EVER WITH ME"!! Let His Word be forever with you.

And finally brethren: 

"whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8


Written by: Rich Cohrs

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A Stirring of Love

People from all different denominations and non-denom make a practice of telling people to "Not forsake the assembling of the saints" (leaving out the rest of this verse). They do this almost like it is a sin to not go to Church and that if you go to Church you have not partaken of that sin. If the context of this statement, if the entire verse and the previous verse is read, you will see that much more indeed was said. Why would simply showing up to Church be righteous? Why not just stay home and watch Church on television? The purpose of gathering was not simply to hear the Word and give a little praise during a few songs. Read this statement with the verse and the one right before it.

Heb 10:24-25
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Do you see that yet? More action was required when read in context. First the author says to consider one another to STIR up love and good works. If you just show up, worship, sit down, listen to the message, then shake a quick hand and go home, what was the difference really in going verses watching on the internet or on TV? Not much. The purpose of gathering is clearly having a type of interaction with others that makes them go home STIRRED UP. They leave with more passion to LOVE and to do GOOD WORKS! How does a handshake do that? Ummm you're exactly right, it doesn't. I'm not always faithful in stirring someone up when we gather, but I do make a point to look for someone I know, or someone I haven't yet met, that I can stir. It doesn't always happen. Sometimes it is me that gets stirred. The working of the body of Christ is so unique that it takes each others love for our growth.

Ephesians 4:16
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Do you see that, look at the word "Itself". Let me ask you this, does the word "itself" just mean YOU? Well you can build yourself up, yes, but the scripture says that we are held together, supporting ligaments (members of the body), and then we are built up. We give each other the correct support when we are together. How is it done? According to this scripture it is done in love. Love is powerful, but it is impossible to put love into practice at home watching Church happen instead of being at Church. It is also impossible to actively love, which causes growth and a stirring of love and good works, just simply by showing up. Church isn't just Sunday Church. How about bible studies, Life groups, fellowships or just simply meeting up with believers somewhere to love on each other.

So taking both of these verses and holding them up to the light side by side we can come to the truth that it is a GREAT thing to be part of the body of Christ. It is an even greater thing to be a part of a body of believes that LOVE. Holding these verses up to the light together will also bring us to the conclusion that gathering as a Church has the purpose of sending people out STIRRED to both love and to do good works. But it also should tell us that in order to send them out they must also be built up by nothing other than LOVE itself. Now God is Love, so in the Spirit we build each other up. We are led by the Father Himself to Love on our brothers. Love is the most powerful action men can do. Love is what we were created for. Love is what saved us. Love is what builds us up. Love is what stirs us. And love is what we gather for.

Hebrews 10:25.....and so much the more as you see the Day approaching

As the day is approaching, as the end is nearer, the scripture is saying that this kind of stirring is needed even more than in the days of the author. If he was saying that way back then, then what could you say about our time as we are so so so much nearer to that approaching Day? I say this, it makes no sense to just show up any more. If you are not changed and have not changed someone else, then nothing was productive. Nothing had virtue. We must become a strengthened body of ligaments knitted and held together in the strength of Christ as it is so important for the coming days ahead.

In order to grow, as Ephesians 4:16 says "...each part does its work", you are part of that. You are required in this work of the Lord, first to be stirred then to stir others, by love and good works, to do love and good works. A cycle of love and good works, exhorting each other in the love of God. Amen!!

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Insight into Real Sight! Let Him heal your Vision!

How have you been treated all your life? Have you been spit on and dust kicked in your face? Were you an outcast? Spiritually do you still see yourself that same way? There was a man who was blind and a beggar long long time ago. Years ago, when people viewed the lame and blind that were on the streets begging, they viewed them as outcast. They were considered the scum, the left over matter of humans: not worthy to be in the house of God. They were looked upon as outcast, the outcast of God. Learned by the religious leaders of that day, it was a doctrine that was well know, that if you had these problems you were sick in your sins. Also if your family stopped caring for you and put you out to the streets you were the lowest of the low. You were an outcast. They treated them very poorly. Some people gave to them, mostly out of duty to law, also out of shame and to get them to stop begging (I'm sure there were kind hearted people who gave out of mercy). Some were simply just disgusted with them. They would kick dirt in their faces as they sat at the edge of the road begging, pure cruelty. Some would even spit in their faces in disgust. 

Has this happened to you spiritually or even naturally? Well, this blind man I began to speak about had an encounter with God. Never has he seen anything, he was born blind. I wonder after a while of hearing the norm if this man began to believe the LIE spoken to him through the whispers, yells, and the actions of the people (friends, family, strangers, religious leaders); and became emotionally blind because of the lies. Did he believe he was scum? Did he believe he was born in sins from birth and God could care less about him? Did he believe he was as disgusting as the cruelty portrayed him to be? I'm sure he knew within himself that he didn't do sins worse than others. From birth he suffered blindness. I'm sure he may have even resented his mother and father for passing that terrible sin down that made him hated and blind by the hand of God (as they believed). I'm sure he resented them for casting him out as an outcast into the streets. This is just speculation I am stirring up within you that could be the very truth of this mans heart. Honestly his parents could have loved him very much but couldn't afford to take care of him. Who knows, but I'm sure this man hated his condition and felt the insecurity of being at the bottom of mankind as a blind beggar. It's funny, people may have indeed spit on him, kicked dirt in face, but the Father sent Jesus to that man that day. Not to spit in his eyes with shame, not to kick dirt into his face with disgust, but to restore the mans sight of the Fathers loves toward him. Jesus SPIT in the DIRT, made mud with it, and LOVINGLY ANOINTED the mans eyes with it. The very tool that brought insecurity to the mans emotion now is becoming the tool of Gods healing for that mans inner reflection. God was showing this man how to SEE the Fathers love toward him. This man saw God as someone that didn't care about him. That day the mans sight toward God had changed. God didn't see him as someone that was born in sin. He saw him as a testimony to the GRACE of Gods wonderful kindness. 

John 9:2-3 And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

Could this special word (written above) spoken right before this mans healing continue to resignate though the remainder of this mans life as the tool that set him free to SEE? The healing of his eyes were a plus, how wonderful, but the healing of his soul was much more powerful! He just heard the opposite of what he always heard. It wasn't his sins that made him sick. In fact he probably realizes now that it was a call of God on his life. He was called to be healed and sent! To SEE spiritually what the world around him couldn't see. God must have wanted this message to get out considering the world couldn't contain the books written of the works that Jesus did in those 3 years but God wanted this particular account to be written for a reason (John 21:25).

Emotionally destroyed men almost always lacks boldness. That same day he was brought into the very house of his destruction, the reason for his insecurities, set before the ones that taught the very doctrine that put this man into bondage of his self worthlessness inner view. He was brought before the Pharisees, the true blind of that day. 

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind. 

Wow talk about a test of the very truth you just received. This was like being set free then thrown right into the lions den after the lions hadn't eaten for weeks. All the same doctrine was discussed here. Sin was the center of the conversation. You see how prevalent it was in those days, even the disciples fell into the same hypocritical thinking as they asked Jesus if it was the man's sin or the sins of his parents that made him blind. 

How did the man respond? Did he respond in a timid way which would be normal fruit from this mans insecurity? No, not at all, this man responded with the anointing that Jesus anointed his eyes with! He spoke out of the freedom that he received that day. He spoke as one that was no longer in bondage to believing the widespread lie that God hated him. No longer did he believe he was the lowest of low, the scum, the outcast, but instead as one that God chose not to spit on, not to kick dust on. One that God chose to SEND. 

7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.

He didn't just come back seeing physically!! He was seeing for the first time how God viewed him. The anointing broke the yoke of lies from his soul that day. He was now seeing and instructing the true blind (Pharisees) on what real truth was. He began to rebuke the Pharisees with powerful inSIGHT (caps intended) in a way that a timid person could not do. His boldness was due to the healing of his soul. God that day anointed his eyes to see truth!

6 When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the spittle, and he ANOINTED the eyes of the blind man with the clay,

And now this timid man made bold, who was sent by God to proclaim the miracle of truth, spoke with a mighty rebuke to the Pharisees. 

28 Then they reviled him and said, “You are His disciple, but we are Moses’ disciples. 29 We know that God spoke to Moses; as for this fellow, we do not know where He is from.”30 The man answered and said to them, “Why, this is a marvelous thing, that you do not know where He is from; yet He has opened my eyes! 31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him. 32 Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was born blind. 33 If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”34 They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.

Ahem ..... OHHH YEAH he was teaching them! The unworthy timid outcast who now SEES the truth was SENT (Siloam) to speak the truth to the blind! 

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”36 He

answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him? 37 And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”

38 Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.39 And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”40 Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also? (if I were one of the disciples this is where I'd YELL at the top of my lungs "You better believe dat!") ”41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

Child of God, you are free! You are not the outcast of God. He has not cast you out of His fold because of sins you commit. He will not spit in your face nor kick dust in your eyes, but instead wants you to be healed. Don't believe the lie of your insecurities. Whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Be free Bride! You are washed, you are clean, you are being groomed for the wedding night to the one that CHOSE you! Yes you were Chosen! You are His Bride. You are the Fathers Child. Side note, just speculating, but I bet that this guys family was restored too. If this man held resentment to his mother and father for the sins that were passed down to him making him blind or how they put him on the streets, then I'm sure that the WORD right before he was physically healed, also healed this relationship (see below).

“It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.

How awesome that God sent this man to the very destruction (teaching of the pharisees) that caused him all his problems and in the midst he was reunited with his family. I believe God is in the business of setting you free, yes, but also setting you free to SEE your family the way He sees them. Don't be BLINDsided! See them with the eyes of God. 

I hope this blesses you. This is a longer than usual letter. Thank you for taking the time. God bless! Now “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”! Amen!

Written by Rich Cohrs

If the writings of Rich Cohrs bless you then please share. You can like this page, share on twitter and google plus.

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Her heart is much more attractive! Whoa!

I had a conversation with some guys today where I shared how I view attractive women. I agree looks matter. But looks are also deceiving. People may or may not believe me when I say that a super model is not attractive to me. OK, pause right there. Yes she may be beautiful, but I've spent so much time with Jesus that if I don't sense the same spirit of faith on a lady all attraction goes out the window (all that may be left would be lust). Lust is an attraction, and I'm not perfect, I fall, I sin, I REPENT! I SAID I REPENT! The hidden man of the heart is truly what I'm looking for. Do I need the physical attraction, yes I do. I'd like to be so humble as to say that doesn't really matter to me, but then I'd be lying to bring some sort of glory to my fake holiness. Yes physical attraction is needed but I'll be obedient to the Lord's will in marriage. I want to say another thing too, If God called me to marry a girl that wasn't that attractive to me, I know that my love would cover the imperfections and what isn't seen as perfection before has become much much more beautiful. I'd rather be blinded by my own love then deceived by my own sinful lust. When you grow old, you don't usually grow more beautiful, but somehow those who are greatly joined together with love and with God in the middle, infuse a bond together in holiness that can't be broken. I am just going to let you know that the bond had very little to do with the looks of your mate. That bond isn't skin deep. It comes from much deeper within. If your love and attraction is based purely on the body of the other then it is based solely on the lust of the eyes. It is worldly and is impure. And I'm afraid for that person because in the years to come if they never have that infusion of love bonding them together then when the body begins to wrinkle and age, the love (lust) will also begin to fade away.

King Solomon who was more than a master instructor in this subject due to his mighty experience and adulterous actions, spoke on the very subject. (Proverbs 5) A man having over a 1000 partners instructs by the wisdom of God to stay in love with the wife of your youth. With much regret I'm sure he wrote this. He instructs the young man to "always" be captivated by her love (to the end folks). Do you think looks alone can do this? Passion can be one night, or it can last months, or it can be on "PURPOSE" for a lifetime. Being captivated with her love, would be an action for the man to proactively STAY in love. Without being to graphic the King says to let her breast "SATISFY" you always. Do you really think an old ladies breast are going to be very visually captivating or do you think you have to choose to be in love? It would be better to just give yourself to someone that isn't just a nice catch or a pretty face. The love must be much deeper within. Much more he says but one more thing I want to mention from this passage is the warning of having a heart that goes after the flesh alone. Instead of being captive with real love he mentions that you will be captive by your own sins. And if it isn't taken care of, he explains that it will be much like ropes that catch you and hold on to you. You will be bound by lust, your wonderful looking girlfriend won't be the end, she will just be the beginning. It is better to fall to your knees for

help to crucify your flesh then to fall in the arms of what will simply not satisfy you for life but in the long run bind you to worldliness.

Proverbs 5:22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him...

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Perfect for each other!

Eph 4:16 (NKJV) .. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

The edifying of itself (Church) in love! We as a body are knit together. The word knit has a wonderful meaning in the Greek. It means to "organize compactly" or to be fitly framed (joined) together. God has organized us in such a way in the body of Christ that we are perfect for one another. Everyone wants the perfect spouse right? So did Jesus, He is perfecting us together. He has organized us in such a way that we are perfect for each other for the purpose of growth. We edify each other, build each other. We grow together as one. Edifying of ITSELF in LOVE. That word love in the Greek means love feast. We in love feed each other what is good for nourishment to cause growth. We commune with each other joined fitly together perfectly as Christ wants us at a Love Feast having a meal together, His blood, His flesh, His life His Words. The Covenant of His blood was meant to be shared in love with one another. Never think you don't have anything to give. Purposely and perfectly God has joined you to other believers so that we will build each other up. You have a purpose. Step into it.

We as body are never to do this on our own. In His Spirit we minister to each other, in His Word we give to each other. In the communion of the Lord and His body we grow. But again, we never do this without the Lord, even when the whole body has forsaken you, when you are all alone as Paul was in prison. When nobody came to minister to his needs, or his spirit, the Lord Himself strengthened him, gave him the ability to not be in chains while he was chained, for the Word of God to press on. If you are chained, He has the keys.

2 Tim 4:16-17 (NKJV) 16 At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. 17 But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. And I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

Even by yourself, just you and that lion, that Lion has nothing on the Lord who never leaves you nor forsakes you.

When they all scatter and no one is with you, He is still there. He strengthens you, delivers you, and is your banner, Your victory!

Just because you have the knowledge that the Lord is with you, doesn't mean you forsake the assembling of the saints. They are God's plan to build you up. Get with them and begin to build.

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Humility and the Hand of God!

There is a difference between humility of the mind and humility of spirit. God wants us to have both. Some pray and pray and pray, but think way to highly of themselves. Some are humbly on their knees yet in public are high on their thrones. The Greek word for humility in 1 Peter 5:5 is "tapeinophrosynē". It says to be clothed with "tapeinophrosynē". This literally means to not think to highly of yourselves or to have a humble opinion of yourself; lowliness of mind. The very next verse it says, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God". The word "Humble" in this verse is actually a different Greek word which means to be both humble in mind and in spirit. The word is "tapeinoō", which means practically the same but with more intensity. It actually comes from the root Greek word, "tapeinos". This word actually means to be "humbly LOW in spirit". Where I am going with this here, is that it is great to be humble but without both you can't expect for the hand of God to be upon your life to minister to others. The word Humble in verse six means to be both humble in mind and in spirit. The scripture tells us to do this under the mighty hand of God. Many people want God's hand to be upon them yet they can't handle the glory of His power. They think to highly of themselves. God will not anoint a man with His MIGHTY power if that man can't resist the pride of stealing His Glory. 

It takes time to build character. Power may come quick in a new believers life yet it also leaves quickly as that new believer gets high on his own throne. It is imperative that we seek God's righteousness while we are humble in spirit; on our knees in prayer. We must WALK out of the Holy of Holies CHANGED also in mind. It is great to have intense and dedicated prayer times yet if it never builds or grows the fruit of "clothing ourselves with humility" then maybe we aren't really humble in spirit either. The meaning for "be clothed" in humility, in the original Greek actually means to put humility on, then to bind a band upon yourself to secure it from coming off. Like putting a belt on so your pants don't fall off. To bind humility to yourself. From this you can draw the conclusion that Peter was literally saying that when you become humble in spirit, don't stop there but instead walk out of your prayer times and stay humble; to bind yourself with humility, to stay lowly. To walk in humility and resist pride. After all God resist the proud and draws near to the HUMBLE. 

There is so much more I can say about this passage of scripture, but I will finish with this. Why would you want to be under the mighty hand of God? Well if you study the Word of God you will find that every time in the old testament that it mentions a man or woman of God that God's hand was upon you see them demonstrating God's power in miraculous ways that is beyond human ability. If you see a man in today's times producing that kind of power yet he lacks this type of humility it is very possible that it isn't God's power at all. Not to be the judge but honestly it would be wise not to follow that man, because one day he will fall. Pride always goes before the fall. But here's the deal, if you purposely humble yourself in prayer just for this kind of power then your mind is not being humble. God loves a cheerful giver. He wants you to cheerful give yourself to Him in prayer without wanting to receive anything in return. So we must reprogram ourselves to just love God's presence in general, to be lowly in mind, and to stay Humble, not because we want God's hand upon our lives for POWER but instead for the closeness of His Presence. To walk with God like Enoch. To truly have 24/7 Divine fellowship all throughout the day as if we were in the Garden of God. This should be our intimacy goal with God. To become more and more intimate and to grow and grow more and more just like HIM. When you spend time in His glory, according to 2 Corinthians you begin to be changed into His very likeness from glory to glory. As He reveals Himself over and over to you it changes you each and every time. It soon becomes absolutely impossible to turn away. It become more and more impossible to contain doubt. It will soon become more and more impossible to not contain His power. HIS HAND WILL REST UPON YOU!.

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"Wake up God!"

Does God ever take naps?
If God is sleeping is that the reason we don't receive certain answers so quickly?

Great question. Most would probably answer no. I wonder if God does sleep sometimes. I'm curious if we just have to "NEED" Him so much and be persistent and zealous about waking Him up. In a place of dependence on God. Where we persistently and zealous plea for the answer and even perhaps that miracle that is truly needed.

Psalm 35:1-28
O LORD, you know all about this.
Do not stay silent.
Do not abandon me now, O Lord.
Wake up! Rise to my defense!
Take up my case, my God and my Lord.

In the above Psalm the word "rise" and the phrase "wake up" have more or less the same meaning in the Hebrew language. They both would be categorized as someone yelling in a panic. For example if a storm was coming that was so deadly you had to take cover in order to save your lives and someone nearby was sleeping. You would YELL, "WAKE UP!" "RISE". David was in need. David thought of God in a deep slumber. David was serious about God waking up and taking up his case.

Another example, in the flesh Jesus Himself took a mid afternoon solid deep deep sleep in the midst of a deadly storm. Really? I mean who sleeps in the middle of hurricane? Better yet, who "can sleep" in the middle of a deadly storm? I imagine there was no roof on that boat. Very little fishing boats had roofs on them back then. It was open air and probably even had water splashing all over our Lord, in fact the next passage below states that "waves swept over the boat". However, the future RISEN savior was not saving anyone at the moment, instead He was enjoying a much needed catnap. Waves of water nailing the skin of our Savior and yet He still wouldn't wake up. That must have been a mighty supernatural sleep He was having there, or perhaps He just wanted to teach us all a phenomenal lesson. The need arose for the salvation of the Lord but Jesus just slept. HE JUST SLEPT! The waves couldn't wake Him. I wonder what He was dreaming at that very moment.

Matthew 8:24-27 (NIV)
24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

So the waves indeed couldn't wake Him, but the disciples could. The waves didn't need Jesus, they were doing just what they wanted to do. It was the disciples that "NEEDED" Him. I just wonder how hard they must have wanted Him awake. How hard did they try to wake him? We won't know that until we are finally are face to face with the Lord, but take a look at this next set of scriptures.

Luke 11:5-8 (NKJV)
5 And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and he will answer from within and say, ‘Do not trouble me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give to you’? 8 I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.

Above there is a clear scenario of two "FRIENDS", one of which, "NEEDS" help from the other. You know many people say God will do this or that because He is my "best friend". Or I am a friend of God so I don't need to pray over and over to receive something, He loves me. All of that is true. He is our Friend, He is the one that loves us. Indeed He is our source of victory and helper in time of "NEED". But look again at this passage, it clearly is indicating that the friend who is in reference to the Lord Himself, has laid down with His children and obviously is going to sleep. It literally says the door was closed. He only answered from within. It was a clear refusal. How often do we feel that way? How often do we hear someone say or ourselves declare, "the door is just shut"? Oh really, now did the Lord say the door has to "stay" shut? Did we just give up? Like the apostles in the storm, many of us suffer in "NEEDS". They needed God in a desperate way. This man simply just needed God for a loaf of bread to feed his traveling friend, that is it, just 3 loaves of bread. I think the majority of us in the body of Christ would literally back away from asking God again on a matter if we heard God respond with, "Do not trouble me; the door is now shut" (verse 7). Would you? I am guilty. You see Jesus declared in many verses that He only did and says what the Father is doing or saying, yet Jesus napped deeply on the boat. This makes me laugh. I mean wouldn't the Father wake Him up through a dream or something and say, "SAVE YOUR BOYS!" LOL This hysterically makes my want to laugh. I think it is funny to me because it just has the Fathers fingerprints all over it. I mean waves of water landing all over you and you don't wake. He was doing what the Father wanted Him to do, SLEEP. Sometimes, we like David, have to frantically say to God, "Wake up!! Rise to my defense!!". It isn't good enough for us to just be friends with the Lord and expect the best. God wants us to use our faith and persistently ask. To pray without ceasing. To be fervent in prayer. He enjoys our faith. He is pleased by our faith. He wants to see our faith. I don't agree with ugly demanding at all. I don't agree with arrogant demands to God as if He is our genie. What I mean is that God wants us to want Him. He wants us to need Him. He wants us to believe that in Him we have all things. That He will indeed supply all our needs, but, indeed we have to put some muscle into it. We have to be patient and endure. We have to continue in prayer. We have to breakthrough for our breakthrough, as if the door was indeed shut. We have to diligently SEEK Him, as the rewarded of our faith. Bless you all. Stick in there! Be fervent! We all need the hand of God to work on our behalf. We are nothing without Him. We need him. As we pray without ceasing, pray not just for your own needs, but also of those around you. A selfless prayer is very pleasing to the God Almighty. Those types of prayers indeed move mountains.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 

Do I still think God sleeps or slumbers? This is what I do know, He is all knowing, He hears everything we pray. The eyes of the Lord go to and fro all over the earth. He is always watching. We can't hid from His Spirit, no matter weather someone ascends to the deepest parts of the earth or as far out in the universe as possible, you can't get away from God's spirit. So does He slumber, well yes in His human form He sure did,  but as God He will never leave your side. At times it seems He is sleeping but that is because He is pushing you further, stretching you, preparing you, and quite frankly enjoying you. He enjoys your faith and the fellowship that is birth with perseverance. In the same way that the bible speaks of God in slumber it also speaks of Him never bating an eye. I do believe God is supernatural focused upon all His creation and more importantly centered around us.


Psalm 121 (NIV)
A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
    where does my help come from?
2 My help comes from the Lord,
    the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip—
    he who watches over you will not slumber;
4 indeed, he who watches over Israel
    will neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord watches over you—
    the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
6 the sun will not harm you by day,
    nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.



Written by: Rich Cohrs
www.RichCohrs.BlogSpot.com

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"The Inquiring Prophet of God"

David was man after God's own heart. Why? Because he loved God's presence? What does that mean? 

David sought Gods "face" people. He wanted direction in everything he did. HE WANTED TO KNOW GODS HEART IN EVERY SITUATION! He was known as a King that continually "inquired" of the Lord. So much that he was also know as a shadow type of priest. Like high priest of God. His hands were clean and although He didn't continually go behind the veil of this earthly tabernacle he did indeed go behind the Veil continually. HE INQUIRED OF THE LORD! He entered the Holiest of Holies and God gave him grace and wisdom. He sought the the will of God. He was after God's heart. Yes David wasn't perfect, yes David sinned, yes David even murdered and committed adultery, however, spending time behind the Veil he understood God's grace was for him and not against him. He knew he needed to repent and he did!! God was gracious and merciful to Restore David back to a right relationship with Himself.

As a result for actions of the "Inquiring Prophet of God", as far as I know he didn't loose any battle. He was prepared beforehand almost always. He had insight that other Kings would only dream of. He wrote scripture and was known as the "man after God's own heart", He subdued Kingdoms and was trusted to protect Gods people. He was a perfect example for us Christians. Oh and not to mention his position of a "Giant Killer Mentor". That's right, not only dd he himself kill many giants beginning with Goliath but, those underneath him went on to kill so many as well.  

How does this relate to us, well so many awesome ways. For you single people who are warriors of God in the making, wouldn't it be awesome to inquire of God about your warring partner in life. The one to love and cherish. We are in battle everyday, all day, WE ARE WARRIORS AND KINGS! The best of Warrior Kings continually "inquire of the Lord". Are you looking to buy a new house, oh well would you rather have the house of dreams or the the house in the perfect location to help fulfill your God dreams. The place of battle position that you could be used for the Glory of the Lord. He cares, He listens, He gives wisdom for the future for those that will "GO AFTER HIS HEART", and inquire of His treasure wisdom. He pearls are perfect and free to those who trust in Him. He loves you. He LOVES YOU.

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