Josephine Mary Schmidt

A Place of Refuge for the Soul

Bible

A Voice Crying Out!

While in the hair salon, waiting for my appointment, I gazed around at the items for sale, SHOCKED at what I found. I took a photograph because I wanted to write a post. Before my eyes was a necklace with the number “666” with the interpretation below: – “Angel Numbers – 666: Reflect: Look deep for your higher truth.”

As Christians, we know what this number represents, and it takes wisdom from God to understand. 

A gold necklace with the numbers 666
I am shocked the Devil has become so bold to place this in public eye not fearing exposure!

On the drive home with Leo, I saw another sign, blazing as a banner across the front of a church building, that read, “Trick or Treat.” It’s that time of year, Halloween, and I am shocked, yet again this year, that Christian organizations are leading the community astray! And by doing so, are advertising their ignorance and lack of no power.

The Devil, I’m sure, is laughing!

A Trick or Treat banner hanging across the front of a church!
What do you think Jesus would say about a Trick or Treat banner hanging across the front of a church!

We must remember that if we are born-again Christians, filled with the Spirit of God and Christ, He has called us out of the kingdom of darkness. The realm of “ghosts and spirits,” which are actually demons, evil spirits; fallen angels that left God’s heaven and became part of Satan’s rebellion, and Anti-Christ’s power. It isn’t a fantasy. We have an adversary, the Devil, whose army of evil spirits and demons have the world fooled. But can we be ignorant? Or play this down?

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

Every year, Christians dress up or go to trick-and-treat “family” events at churches, so they have a safe place to celebrate this festival, Halloween, saying, “It’s just a bit of fun!”

It leaves a confusing message in our communities.

A poster for a church inviting people to a family trick or treat!
According to Wikipedia – Jack-o’-lanterns – represent either spirits or supernatural beings, or were used to ward off evil spirits. A definite compromise in witnessing Christ Jesus as the defeater of this evil, and Satan!

Let us be a Voice in the Wilderness crying out!

Behind these myths and legends hides a very real adversary that Jesus Christ defeated on the cross for us to stand and run free! Let us be a voice in the wilderness, crying out, “Make straight paths for the Lord” (Mark 1:3/Isaiah 40:4), and not a confusing message.

As a demon possessed person who praises Jesus for calling me out, I am not ashamed of the gospel that frees! Satan has the whole world deceived; let us not join in the deception!

“The righteous are as bold as lions!” (Proverbs 28:1).

When I first came to this country, I was not prepared for Halloween and was shocked that Christians wanted to join in with this celebration of ghosts, spirits, and death, as if nonconsequential, and do something they considered “safe and harmless,” as not to miss out! Is there such a thing in the kingdom of darkness and death and the spirits of the dead?

Let us not be ignorant but show our power and knowledge! 

Don’t you know it isn’t a fantasy to be called out of the kingdom of darkness? Yet Christians are behaving as if it never happened to them!

Let us not be ignorant but go on to better things, not snared by these things but spreading the gospel as we should with power and belief – our savior and Jesus who rose from the dead to make a public spectacle of these spirits and has called us out! Halloween isn’t a time to celebrate but declare!

Suffering for the Gospel

I haven’t written a post for a while. I’ve been deeply committed to finishing the book I have poured my life into to reveal God’s glory and might. I wanted to take a moment to reach out, speak the message of hope and life, and put it up on the website. I recall the Lord Jesus saying to me that it makes it look like I am alive and active. And I haven’t grown weary in doing good and the faithful work of the Lord that we are all called into when we receive Him as our Lord. So, I want to encourage you – as the world around us reveals its unbelief in our Savior more and more, let us not go in that direction!

My husband and I often enjoy sitting in the car and eating In and Out. It is the only takeaway meal that I can eat to avoid migraines. Sometimes we go to the cliffside in Carlsbad. Other times, when we don’t have the time to drive this far, we enjoy each other and our meal in the local parking lot – or as we Aussies say, “car park!” We have been living in San Diego for fourteen years now! And we have noticed the change – more and more loud, rowdy cars, screaming down the streets seemingly without a care and no one to stop them. It is astounding the number of times when drivers “cut in on the line” we are waiting in to order our meal. And it’s blatant, intentional, and bold, caring nothing for those before them but wanting to be first!

These are only small examples of the lawless world we are living in that is becoming bolder to be lawless! In the last days before the Lord’s return, Jesus warned that people’s hearts would grow cold because of society’s growing lawlessness. People want to be first, with the desire to be greedy and get all they can. To get away with things, make excuses as if it is their right, and trample on others ahead of them as if it was somehow their good fortune. The compass of love is all wrong because love for self has increased. And it is as others follow more and more the example of lawlessness around them. The hearts of people grow cold!

Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, (Matthew 24:12 NIV).

What’s the cause? Why is this happening? Who’s to blame – the culprit?

Persecution to righteousness, and the desire of people not to want to suffer for doing right!  – this is the reason.

False prophets have risen against the gospel and have turned many away from the faith!

Listen to Jesus’ warning; it is evident today if you want to see!

Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come,

Matthew 24:9-14 NIV).

It is easy to get annoyed; Leo often puts his gentle hand on my knee as I gasp when someone blatantly cuts in on us in the line. It’s easy to think we are better than someone else. But know that this is happening. And let us get on with what we, as Christians, are to do. And don’t follow along and “drop your game,” so to speak!

But persevere!

Our perseverance in following Jesus’ example is why Christ spoke these words and warnings to His disciples in Matthew – God’s prediction and foresight of knowledge and awareness of what it would be like for us today! And we must stand firm to the end and not allow ourselves to turn from the faith written about in the gospels and the epistles and spoken about by God’s faithful servants of the faith, according to God’s Word. We must be willing to suffer in the body and be done with sin!

The book of 1 Peter in the Bible is wonderful to study to learn about the suffering life of a Christian following Christ’s example. Jesus often instructs me to read it – because it’s hard and often lonely to be the only one who knows what’s going on, the wisdom of Christ, and the need to suffer in doing what is right when there is a world around going in the wrong direction thinking it is correct.

“Take heart for I have overcome the world,” lyric – “Walk in the Light,” album – Nothing Less than All of My Heart.
Walk in the Light

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 NIV).

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 

1 Peter 4:1-2 NIV

“Sweetness,” a rose my husband gave me with a message of faithfulness.

Life in Christ – Finish a Task

Sweetness Rose in Vase on Kitchen Bench
The rose, “Sweetness” that my husband, Leo gave me.

Before Leo and I sold everything and moved our family to San Diego, Jesus told me that I would write my book in California. It’s a project I’ve worked on for many years – thirteen, in fact! But I’ve been faithful to His calling, through thick and thin, times of struggles and anguish, and times where the Holy Spirit has flourished my words and moved the writing along speedily. It’s been a journey of ups and downs, hills and valleys, sorry and grief. But great excitement and joy when I see the project and this book taking shape for the Lord’s glory and my relief. 

I say relief because it hasn’t been easy. Nothing we do by faith is smooth sailing. Faith in Jesus and sticking to His plan and desire for our lives have fierce opposition. It has often taken me ages to finish a section in the book – weeks of prayer and fighting, waring in the Spirit. And I think to myself, “Why can’t you just write this! Why don’t you just put it down plainly on paper?” But you see, it is a battle. 

It is what Paul asked for in Ephesians 6:19 – “Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.” In Colossians 4:4, Paul asks for prayer to speak the message plainly – “Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” This book is about the great things Jesus did for me, miraculously teaching me His gospel when no one around could or with the ability to cast out the many demons inside my body. It is a much-needed book that clearly explains the way of salvation, and like for the Israelites, God performed many signs and wonders so they would believe and know He was the LORD. Miracles to tell the next generation so that they would believe in the Living God and Salvation, knowing God and what pleases Him.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord’” (Exodus 10  :1-2 NIV).

We are not to seek miracles. Miracles will just happen and with the purpose of belief. Only an evil generation, Jesus said, would seek miracles because they have forgotten why God performs them (Matthew 12:38-40/Matthew 16:4).

So, back to the roses. Recently, Leo bought me a beautiful variety called “Sweetness.” I put them in the kitchen next to the sink, and as I looked at them, I thought about how the Lord Jesus always gives me a message through the various names of the roses Leo buys. “Sweetness,” I thought. “It is a sweet victory – that I have almost finished this book!” Receiving these roses was like another encouragement from the Lord Jesus that the end is near! It was like a kiss, cheering me on to the finish line.

I think of our Lord Jesus and how He is a sweet-smelling fragrance pleasing the Father and doing His will – “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8). We are that pleasing aroma of Christ when we are obedient and suffer for Jesus, doing His will above our own. Or, as the Bible states, lose our life to find it, spreading the aroma of His knowledge everywhere. (2 Corinthians 2:14-16). And my book is certainly going to do this! 

So, Jesus brings me flowers named “Sweetness” so that I dig deep into His power and strength with confidence to finish. And I can’t’ wait! I can’t wait to hand this book out to others. What a powerful story He’s given me to tell. Pray that I will finish with boldness and clarity that those who read it will run from their sin and the devil’s snares and into the glorious arms of our King Jesus and Lord. Amen.

And I pray for you too, dear reader, whoever you might be, that you are encouraged to believe what the Lord Jesus is pressing on your heart to do. And that you will not shrink back but boldly proclaim the gospel and the way of Salvation. Amen!

OH, THE SWEETNESS TO FINISH A TASK THE LORD JESUS HAS GIVEN!

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Belief Starts with Repentance – Part 2

Transcript of a video message of Josephine teaching on Luke 13 in the Sequoia Redwood National Park.

Part 2 – Belief Starts with Repentance

Opening Song – “Stuck” by Josephine Mary Schmidt

“Right in the middle of my heart, You set Your love in me.
Right in the middle of my life, You let Your anchor down deep through me.
I hold onto the faith You gave me. You showed me You died on the cross, but You’ve risen victoriously.”

Hi, 

We’ve moved locations because you can see that this big tree has come to destruction. And that’s one of the points I wanted to make. Even though this tree behind, the one I was standing in front of before is probably over a thousand years old – and that’s a long time, that’s like ten times a person’s, actually more; eleven times someone’s lifespan. Unless some tragedy comes to you, which happens to many people. You know, we have an end. Jesus has come. God has made a way to come to Him and bear fruit that’s pleasing to Him. And if we don’t, Jesus is warning, we will be cut down. It’s something that we don’t think will happen. But this tree came to an end. 

So, I want to continue on in Luke Chapter 13, which was what I was in before, and remember the key verse; fourteen – “unless you repent, you too will perish.” And that’s the point, isn’t it – perishing? Everything’s good today, but people have Covid-19 and then, that’s it, they died, and it was unexpected. People have car accidents, plane accidents, evil happens to them; they are murdered. Things happen! This is not a perfect world. And God doesn’t want that to be a tragic end to us. He wants us to come to repentance. That’s the point – it doesn’t really matter in the end how you perish. The point is you perish. That’s what saddens God, that’s why He sent Jesus, His Son.

So, Jesus goes on after He gives those two parables about the tree and the yeast, He says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” – Luke 13:24. These are Jesus’ words. They are not mine. I’m not passing judgement on people. This is what He is saying, and they are not able to because they are not bearing the fruit that God wants because He sent His Son to die for our sins and give us new life in Him. 

Jesus is pleading for us, remember. He says, “Give it a year. I’ll dig around it. I’ll fertilize it, and if not, if it doesn’t bear fruit, then cut it down.” (Paraphrased)

I’m really wanting to encourage you – know the Word of God, yourself. Have a very strong relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s what we need. Make every effort, be clean, to be found worthy. Belief starts by repenting. But then we have to do works worthy of that repentance – John the Baptist – that was his message. And then Jesus came and taught the lessons on how to be clean, how to be living with the blessings of God. Taking the Word of God to heart and applying them in our lives. But it does start with a new beginning – us deciding that God’s way is right and it’s going to bless. 

I remember when I realized; I had a terrible tragedy happen to me. And I actually became demon-possessed by a very wicked man who had come into my life, pretending to be my music-manager. Because I was desperate to understand life. I was so dissatisfied, and I cried out to know the meaning of life and this man entered my life to deceive me. And before that, I was caught in hypocritical religion, and I suffer for forty years, crippled by Satan in a false Christianity, a Lutheranism that told me that I was saved because I was baptized as an infant. I never heard that I needed to repent, and live the life that Jesus was teaching. Never was told that, never heard the gospel. And I was crippled and suffered for forty years. I couldn’t straighten up. I couldn’t get the beauty of life, the strength to overcome the Devil, and this evil man came into my life because he was sent by the Devil. He wanted to stop me receiving what I had wanted since a child. A came to church wanting to worship Jesus. I actually wanted to worship Jesus Christ as a little girl. But I was crippled. 

No one ever told me the gospel. That’s the point too; God wants us to learn and grow and then teach others, so they can find their shelter in our lives, in our words, in our messages. That’s what He wants. And Jesus was so angry at those hypocrites. They cared more about their possessions and assets. Do you care more about your life, and your house, and your well-being than someone’s eternal salvation? Surely, the answer is no.  Care about people’s souls, their eternity that they wouldn’t perish, and a tragedy is their end-measure. I remember so well thinking this is my lot, this is how end, and it was tragic, and it was so unfair, and unjust, and it was not what I asked for. I’d asked to understand the meaning of life. 

But Jesus is saying – “make every effort to enter through the narrow gate” because He will deny all evil. Anything not pleasing to the Father will not be allowed into heaven. People may have a form of Christianity. I did, for forty years, but it’s not correct, wasn’t producing the fruit. That only comes from Jesus digging around and cutting off, and then fertilizing and we, feeding on the Word of God. He said, “I am the Bread of Life.” 

As we were driving up, this is called, “King’s Canyon.” I don’t actually think we are in King’s Canyon at the moment. But we drove up here into King’s Canyon, and I thought, “Isn’t that funny King’s Canyon; Jesus is called King of Kings, Lord of Lords,” and I sing that at the end of one of my songs called, “Stuck” that we did a video message for, right here. And I looked up the word, “canyon,” it’s a gorge where usually a river is found. Jesus came to give Living Waters. The King of Kings. The Lord of Lords. That we would be free from Satan’s crippling in our lives. And he cripples people, and they bend over, and they are burdened. Many people want to worship Jesus. They want to worship God. But there’s hypocrites around them, telling them false, a false Christianity, and their lives are representing the picture of a mustard seed that’s been planted by God, and it’s grown, and there’s people getting relief from their lives. They are coming and perching themselves in their lives, and what they are doing.

In Luke Chapter 13, verse 24 when Jesus talks about – “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.” He’s talking about those who are doing evil. They say, “Lord, Lord,” but He doesn’t know them. They haven’t fed on the Word of God. And He talks about a place where there is weeping of gnashing of teeth. This is where the people are going to go. And it’s a place made for the Devil, not for people. God wants no one to perish, but all to come to repentance. I remember the gnashing of teeth when I was demon-possessed. It was so horrendous. It was so painful in a way, I can’t explain. It’s not a physical pain, but a spiritual anguish; your soul, you can’t explain, but the gnashing of teeth gives a good description. It’s so painful; I just remember that.

And Jesus heard me cry. He came and met me; a woman bound by evil spirits. A woman bent over and crippled, unable to straighten herself up. Unable to find the words of life because of the hypocrites in the church I belonged to, unable. But Jesus, Himself taught me. And that’s our message today. He teaches us, He fertilizes us. We are to be the picture of the kingdom of God.

So, I was listening to a song on the way up by “The Neverclaim’s.” And I’m probably going to mess the lyrics up. But basically, he was saying that Jesus is able to bring new life. He’s certainly given me new life. I’m like, well actually, I’m greater than that tree, (Josephine points to the huge sequoia redwood that has fallen and is broken on the ground behind her). I’m not going to have destruction come to me. And I have a song called, “Stay Free” – “stay free, stay free, stay free in Jesus,” (Chorus Lyrics). We filed a video clip up here in the Sequoia Redwood National Park. “Your glory fills my heart, your truth has set me free, stay free, stay free in Jesus,” (Verse Lyrics).

Jesus wasn’t welcomed in the synagogues. He wasn’t welcomed, and He’s so not welcomed in many places. He has new life for us, and it’s very different from who we were. It is possible to have the love of God in you. It’s possible for to have a new life in Him. And I want to end my message today with 1 Peter 5:8, and I want you to think about who are you listening to? Who are the leaders that you are listening to in the church? Are they bearing the fruit that our Heavenly Father wants? That Jesus enabling them to bear? I’m not challenging anyone, but I think it’s important to point out that in the last days there are false prophets and there are false teachers – Jesus warned that, and you would know a tree by its fruit (Matthew 7:15-16). 

This isn’t a righteousness of our own, this is being fed by Jesus, and taking it up. It’s His work in us, but we make every effort to enter in. Not take for granted the food that God has for us. Learn the Word of God and this Scripture 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

And then it will continue, “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings” (1 Peter 5:9).

The same kind of suffering, all over the world, the Devil’s bringing that in people. But we stand strong, we stand firm in our faith. There’s no easy path to heaven’s door, but we have a great advocate. We have a great friend who’s feeding us, and we must listen and put His words into action. We don’t want to tree that’s in threat of being cut down. We don’t a tree that comes to destruction. These redwoods are amazing, and they have stories to tell, I’m sure. They’ve withstood massive fires, but they will come to an end. All of this will come to an end. So, unless you repent, Jesus said, you too will perish. Beliefs starts here, the new life starts here. So, I hope this is an encouragement to you today.

Ends with song, “Stuck,” playing – 

“Oh, You’re the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the great and mighty One.

You hold me tight.

I wrap my arms around Your love, and together, we shine so bright.

I’m stuck in the middle of this love.”

Transcript from Josephine Mary Schmidt’s teaching video message called, “Belief Starts with Repentance – Part 2.

©Josephine Mary Schmidt

Belief Starts with Repentance – Part 1
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What do your thoughts hold?

A bible with a journal on top

Jesus knows our inner thoughts. He knows if they are healthy or destructive to us. We are to meditate on truth, feed on every Word of God. But you can’t do this if you don’t know the Word or the Spirit of Truth. 

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:16). We are all looking for peace in this world, a resting place. Jesus promises, from Him a peace comes, greater than any the world can offer. It dissolves worry and stress. And it’s in knowing Him that this true inner peace is given to us.

Who, or what are you seeking for rest, fulfillment, life, happiness? Is it’s from yourself or some hope from this world? If it is, then you will stay striving. But if you’re seeking to know Jesus and His life for you, then He will give you His peace and rest. It will follow. 

Have a Quiet Time every morning – pick up your Bible, invite Jesus into your heart and mind and life, and read it, begging for understanding. The light of the world came into the darkness to shine life. Jesus will be a friend mightier than any other. The Savior of the world longs to spend time with us and hold our lives together for eternity, far beyond any success this world can offer.

It truly is important to God, our thoughts, and what we are thinking. If our thoughts are healthy and strong and in the life of Christ, then our lives will reflect this strength and peace. We won’t be rushing about or worried about tomorrow. We will know who is holding our breath and beyond.

Read John Chapter Ten today and be amazed at what Jesus promises His children. Then stand on it. Read it for the next ten days and believe this passage, and I guarantee you will see changes like never, before in your life.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10&version=NIV

(Link to John Chapter 10)

Mind Where Christ Resides

When we watch TV, our minds are so often being filled with things that are not true, things not honorable, or giving testimony to our Lord. When we watch these programs, we are making our minds weak and susceptible to anxious thoughts when we are away from the television that rules so many lives. 

I came away from TV after coming to the Lord Jesus realizing the power of persuasion. The Devil doesn’t want us strong in the Word of God. He desires we live outside the instructions it holds and not leave the things of this world behind to concentrate all our weight on where Jesus is residing in heaven, a place waiting for those who believe in His name. Understanding isn’t something we turn on an off like a tap, but something we can do in the most simple of tasks. I can have communion with my Lord all the time, no matter the small job I’m doing like watering my pot plants. It’s our witness that matters to Jesus. What we are teaching others when words are not being spoken, and the understanding we display amongst the unseen spiritual forces of wickedness in this world.

What happened to the Israelites in the desert was written down in God’s word as an example to us – 1 Corinthians 10:1-6. The Israelites craved things that they had left behind. God was angry at their perspective. We are not to think we are missing out if we forgo TV, which portrays the ignorance of the knowledge of God and a life in slavery to the Devil. People might not understand your choice, but the spiritual forces of wickedness will be disappointed that they have missed the opportunity to weaken your mind and distract you from thinking heavenly where Christ, our Lord is seated.

I love spring, and eating my lunch outside today, I cherished all my spring flowers popping their heads upright in their glory. It’s such a short time we have here on this earth. Our beauty is like a fading flower, and as I looked at these spring flowers with the neighbor’s TV being heard over the fence, I pondered how I want to give all my time left to finish my race and complete the tasks the Lord Jesus has given me. As Paul stated in Acts 20:24 – “the task of testifying the good news of God’s grace.” There isn’t time to waste. God has things for us to do, and we must keep our minds sober and alert so we can pray. We can’t do any of these things by ourselves, but according to God in regard to the Spirit. (1 Peter 4:6-7)

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. – Philippines 4:8 NIV

A Witness

For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Matthew 21:32 NIV

Isn’t this an amazing piece of Scripture? When I read these words it made me think of these questions – What witness has been given to you? Have you been blessed to meet someone whose life has been changed by Christ Jesus? What was your response to this testimony to the truth?

These thoughts reminded me of Hosea 10 where Israel was a spreading vine, not for the Lord, but for their own abundance. And the more they accumulated, the more they worshiped and gave honor to the gods of the land.

Israel was a spreading vine;
    he brought forth fruit for himself.
As his fruit increased,
    he built more altars;
as his land prospered,
    he adorned his sacred stones.

Hosea 10:1

It made me think – are we bearing fruit of truth or deception? Jesus came to testify to the truth. He told this to Pilat before He was executed and sentenced to death on a cross. We might also be met with hate or suffering for bearing to the truth. But it’s worth the harvest! – eternal life, when Jesus stands before the Father and declares, “I know them.

“You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

John 18:37 NIV