"Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." (Psalms 107:43)
You see, if there is not new spiritual birth, then the message of the cross just does not make sense; the Bible says it is foolishness to those that perish. So, in the eyes of those who think such a thing as that, we who hold to the power of the cross are fools, and much of what we say has little or no effect. This is why it is so important that we proclaim the Scriptures, not just give explanations of what we believe, but tell them and show them what God says. The message of the cross is spectacular and life changing, there is more power in the message of the cross than any testimony we might have to offer, because nothing comes close to power that was displayed in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ! Talk about an example of God working in a tragedy! The Lord's death was messed up and a terrible experience for anyone that loved Him to watch and to stand by while they had their Lord on public display. What could have been in their hearts and minds as they witnessed it happening? Did they wonder why God could allow it to happen? Talk about God working in many ways, that was about as messed up as it gets, yet the work God was doing changed the world for ever! I heard a message yesterday from Pastor Jack, and I was almost to my next appointment and had to pull over and get my tears to stop flowing from my eyes. He was talking about a teacher who instructed her kids to go out and find things to put in the plastic Easter eggs she had given them, and what she asked them to put in the egg was anything that reminded them of new life. She gathered them up and put them in a basket, and one by one opened them up and presented the item for all to see. There was a leaf, a butterfly, a flower, and even a rock; but one of the eggs was empty, and she had to ask who's it was and why they did not understand her instructions. The boy who turned in the empty egg, said, "It is empty because the tomb Jesus rose from was empty, and He has given us eternal life!" As if that was not enough, Pastor Jack went on to explain that the boy died six months later; and several of the kids that were at his funeral placed empty eggs on his casket, because the box was empty. I'm sorry, it's happening again, I need to pull over...
"This is what the LORD says: "Don't let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches. But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. I, the LORD, have spoken!"" (Jeremiah 9:23-24) NLT
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Friday, March 30, 2018
"God Works in Many Ways!"
"Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD." (Psalms 107:43)
Whether you are rich or poor, healthy or sick, at the height of ministry or cleaning toilets, God can do His perfect work in your life. It makes no difference where you are in life, in the valley or on the mountain top, living large or barely living, God works in many ways! This is what I have written at the end of this verse; which is also the basic summary of this particular Psalm, a Psalm that is meant to express how God rescues us, that God rescues us, and that whether we want Him to or not, God will rescue us! It is better to just trust Him and prepare to be amazed! It does not matter what it is that you are going through or how long that trial has lasted, God is at work doing something in your life; if you are His child, you are never abandoned. He hardy ever does anything the same every time, so if you are expecting Him to rescue you just like He has in the past, you just might be looking for the wrong answer or the wrong form of rescuing. Maybe this time it is not about money, it could be about rebuilding your family or changing your focus onto Him. We really don't know what it is that God is doing, but all that we can do is to trust Him and anticipate that He always knows what is best for us, regardless of the way things might appear. Just when we think that all is lost or that this thing that is happening is the worst thing ever, God creates a new way for us to be looking at life or brings us into a deeper relationship with Him. Isn't that really all that really matters? This is not a religious experience that we meant to be on, it is all about a personal relationship with our Creator and Redeemer. If anything, this is a anti religious experience! This is a life that is lived out on many different levels; a life where sometimes nothing makes sense, but it never really needs to, because we trust that He has us in His ever loving arms. Sometimes I get so sad I can hardly see or think, but I feel His presence in the midst of my sadness. I cannot pretend that it is easy; but I know that it is somehow beautiful and amazing. I do not associate sadness with depression or discouragement; I can be sad with out being depressed; because every cloud has a silver lining! Sadness is sometimes good and healthy. If we try and hold back from what is natural to express, we are only hurting ourselves and putting stress on our hearts. Can we still rejoice in our sadness? You bet we can! If you don't think it is possible, then you simply need to give it a try. Next time you are feeling sad, just own it, but praise Him anyways! Watch Him change the whole reason you might be sad; watch Him change your world! We might think something unpleasant and hurtful is what is making us sad, when all along it is bringing us a blessing. God works in many ways...
""O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me." Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall."
Hosea 14:8-9) NLT
Whether you are rich or poor, healthy or sick, at the height of ministry or cleaning toilets, God can do His perfect work in your life. It makes no difference where you are in life, in the valley or on the mountain top, living large or barely living, God works in many ways! This is what I have written at the end of this verse; which is also the basic summary of this particular Psalm, a Psalm that is meant to express how God rescues us, that God rescues us, and that whether we want Him to or not, God will rescue us! It is better to just trust Him and prepare to be amazed! It does not matter what it is that you are going through or how long that trial has lasted, God is at work doing something in your life; if you are His child, you are never abandoned. He hardy ever does anything the same every time, so if you are expecting Him to rescue you just like He has in the past, you just might be looking for the wrong answer or the wrong form of rescuing. Maybe this time it is not about money, it could be about rebuilding your family or changing your focus onto Him. We really don't know what it is that God is doing, but all that we can do is to trust Him and anticipate that He always knows what is best for us, regardless of the way things might appear. Just when we think that all is lost or that this thing that is happening is the worst thing ever, God creates a new way for us to be looking at life or brings us into a deeper relationship with Him. Isn't that really all that really matters? This is not a religious experience that we meant to be on, it is all about a personal relationship with our Creator and Redeemer. If anything, this is a anti religious experience! This is a life that is lived out on many different levels; a life where sometimes nothing makes sense, but it never really needs to, because we trust that He has us in His ever loving arms. Sometimes I get so sad I can hardly see or think, but I feel His presence in the midst of my sadness. I cannot pretend that it is easy; but I know that it is somehow beautiful and amazing. I do not associate sadness with depression or discouragement; I can be sad with out being depressed; because every cloud has a silver lining! Sadness is sometimes good and healthy. If we try and hold back from what is natural to express, we are only hurting ourselves and putting stress on our hearts. Can we still rejoice in our sadness? You bet we can! If you don't think it is possible, then you simply need to give it a try. Next time you are feeling sad, just own it, but praise Him anyways! Watch Him change the whole reason you might be sad; watch Him change your world! We might think something unpleasant and hurtful is what is making us sad, when all along it is bringing us a blessing. God works in many ways...
""O Israel, stay away from idols! I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you. I am like a tree that is always green; all your fruit comes from me." Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the LORD are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall."
Hosea 14:8-9) NLT
Thursday, March 29, 2018
"Better To Be Justified"
"The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth." (Psalms 107:42)
As I examine the Scriptures from the view at the foot of the cross, it becomes perfectly clear to me that this whole plan of God's was never going to fail, ever! To cut to the chase, we have only two choices that matter towards our eternity: are we going to accept God's gift of redemption or are we going to reject it? That is it! There is really nothing else that matters after that, as far as making choices, except to stay committed to the right choice that you have made; regardless of the doubt, regardless of the guilt or shame, and regardless of any discouragement that might come your way. I heard about the new movie about Paul, that it did not portray him as a man with confidence in what he preached, and that it shows him as a man of sorrow, not as man that rejoices in the Lord. It is easy to gain that sort of perspective from some believers; but I seriously doubt Paul was such a man. He was serious about what he preached because his life had been transformed; more than that, he had been made justified by the blood of Christ. This is what this verse speaks into my heart, that there is always a reason to rejoice, no matter what situation or circumstance might overtake you, you always have a special never changing reason to rejoice! We have been made righteous by non-other than God. The Creator of the universes has made you righteous and there is nothing that anyone else can ever do to undo what He has done; I hardly doubt that even ourselves have the power to undo a new spiritual birth, even though there are ways we think that it is possible. I believe that iniquity is in the female gender because it gives birth to so many other negative qualities, like guilt and shame, and serious discouragement. This is where justification comes into play! When God sets us free, we are free! When God accounts us righteous, we are made righteous! And when God makes us justified, we are just as if we had never sinned; even iniquity is washed away and must stop talking...
""Before the birth pains even begin, Jerusalem gives birth to a son. Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? But by the time Jerusalem's birth pains begin, her children will be born. Would I ever bring this nation to the point of birth and then not deliver it?" asks the LORD. "No! I would never keep this nation from being born," says your God. "Rejoice with Jerusalem! Be glad with her, all you who love her and all you who mourn for her. Drink deeply of her glory even as an infant drinks at its mother's comforting breasts."" (Isaiah 66:7-11) NLT
As I examine the Scriptures from the view at the foot of the cross, it becomes perfectly clear to me that this whole plan of God's was never going to fail, ever! To cut to the chase, we have only two choices that matter towards our eternity: are we going to accept God's gift of redemption or are we going to reject it? That is it! There is really nothing else that matters after that, as far as making choices, except to stay committed to the right choice that you have made; regardless of the doubt, regardless of the guilt or shame, and regardless of any discouragement that might come your way. I heard about the new movie about Paul, that it did not portray him as a man with confidence in what he preached, and that it shows him as a man of sorrow, not as man that rejoices in the Lord. It is easy to gain that sort of perspective from some believers; but I seriously doubt Paul was such a man. He was serious about what he preached because his life had been transformed; more than that, he had been made justified by the blood of Christ. This is what this verse speaks into my heart, that there is always a reason to rejoice, no matter what situation or circumstance might overtake you, you always have a special never changing reason to rejoice! We have been made righteous by non-other than God. The Creator of the universes has made you righteous and there is nothing that anyone else can ever do to undo what He has done; I hardly doubt that even ourselves have the power to undo a new spiritual birth, even though there are ways we think that it is possible. I believe that iniquity is in the female gender because it gives birth to so many other negative qualities, like guilt and shame, and serious discouragement. This is where justification comes into play! When God sets us free, we are free! When God accounts us righteous, we are made righteous! And when God makes us justified, we are just as if we had never sinned; even iniquity is washed away and must stop talking...
""Before the birth pains even begin, Jerusalem gives birth to a son. Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? But by the time Jerusalem's birth pains begin, her children will be born. Would I ever bring this nation to the point of birth and then not deliver it?" asks the LORD. "No! I would never keep this nation from being born," says your God. "Rejoice with Jerusalem! Be glad with her, all you who love her and all you who mourn for her. Drink deeply of her glory even as an infant drinks at its mother's comforting breasts."" (Isaiah 66:7-11) NLT
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
"Better To Be Needy" -Too
"Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock."
(Psalms 107:41)
There is always a reason for the affliction that we face, but it never needs to cause us to be depressed or discouraged. The biggest tool that the devil has in his toolbox is discouragement, to cause us to feel as though God is upset with us and has left off caring for us; or even causing us to think that God no longer loves us. I heard a couple pastors speak about the devil yesterday; one said something about seeing the devil on the side of the road in a comic, he was crying and someone came by and asked him what was wrong, and he replied, "Everyone keeps blaming me for their sins." The other one was about the devil having a yard sale, with a table filled with all different kinds of sins, drunkenness, pornography, stealing, cheating, etc, etc; but against the wall he had one item not on display, and someone asked, "What is that item there, and how much do you want for it?" and he replied, "Oh, that one is not for sale; it is discouragement, and it is all I really need to take down any saint." One thing that I have learned over all these years, is that discouragement is of the devil; if we might be feeling discouraged about our relationship with God, then it that feeling needs to be rebuked and we need to start praising the Lord, even if we don't feel like praising Him, we need to just do it! As crazy as this might sound, God does not gasp at our sins and throw up His hands in astonishment; He knows everything about us, even the sins that we have not yet even thought of or imagined. If God has called you and chosen you as His child, you can be sure that nothing you have done He didn't all ready know about the moment that He called you to Himself. That is one more reason that we need to be needy! We are wretched and prone to sin, but He loves us just the same! We don't clean ourselves up, it is God that makes us clean; only God can make us holy and righteous. Even Abraham was not righteous, it was God that accounted righteousness to him because of his faith, not based upon all of his actions. Abraham did some stupid things, just like you and I; but it was God that accounted righteousness to his life, even though those things were done, they did not matter as far as God was concerned. As a matter of fact, every stupid things that Abraham did, God used it for His purposes. Go and figure that out! Even David, who did far worse than Abraham, what he did, God tuned it into something to show the world about His redemptive power and love; a sign, if you will, that God knows all that He is doing, even though the people He calls might not always do everything right; God is always right...
""He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the LORD judges throughout the earth. He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one."" (1 Samuel 2:9-10) NLT
(Psalms 107:41)
There is always a reason for the affliction that we face, but it never needs to cause us to be depressed or discouraged. The biggest tool that the devil has in his toolbox is discouragement, to cause us to feel as though God is upset with us and has left off caring for us; or even causing us to think that God no longer loves us. I heard a couple pastors speak about the devil yesterday; one said something about seeing the devil on the side of the road in a comic, he was crying and someone came by and asked him what was wrong, and he replied, "Everyone keeps blaming me for their sins." The other one was about the devil having a yard sale, with a table filled with all different kinds of sins, drunkenness, pornography, stealing, cheating, etc, etc; but against the wall he had one item not on display, and someone asked, "What is that item there, and how much do you want for it?" and he replied, "Oh, that one is not for sale; it is discouragement, and it is all I really need to take down any saint." One thing that I have learned over all these years, is that discouragement is of the devil; if we might be feeling discouraged about our relationship with God, then it that feeling needs to be rebuked and we need to start praising the Lord, even if we don't feel like praising Him, we need to just do it! As crazy as this might sound, God does not gasp at our sins and throw up His hands in astonishment; He knows everything about us, even the sins that we have not yet even thought of or imagined. If God has called you and chosen you as His child, you can be sure that nothing you have done He didn't all ready know about the moment that He called you to Himself. That is one more reason that we need to be needy! We are wretched and prone to sin, but He loves us just the same! We don't clean ourselves up, it is God that makes us clean; only God can make us holy and righteous. Even Abraham was not righteous, it was God that accounted righteousness to him because of his faith, not based upon all of his actions. Abraham did some stupid things, just like you and I; but it was God that accounted righteousness to his life, even though those things were done, they did not matter as far as God was concerned. As a matter of fact, every stupid things that Abraham did, God used it for His purposes. Go and figure that out! Even David, who did far worse than Abraham, what he did, God tuned it into something to show the world about His redemptive power and love; a sign, if you will, that God knows all that He is doing, even though the people He calls might not always do everything right; God is always right...
""He will protect his faithful ones, but the wicked will disappear in darkness. No one will succeed by strength alone. Those who fight against the LORD will be shattered. He thunders against them from heaven; the LORD judges throughout the earth. He gives power to his king; he increases the strength of his anointed one."" (1 Samuel 2:9-10) NLT
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
"Better To Be Needy"
"Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock."
(Psalms 107:41)
Before you go and think this is just another post about us wanting to be fed or clothed, this is not close to anything to do with material needs; we need God's grace like never before! I think of Paul, who said how much he had asked God to remove the thorn in his side, yet God said, "My grace is sufficient for you." What exactly is grace? And why is it sufficient for our broken lives? Mercy gives me a sigh of relieve and calms my soul, but grace makes me move and breathes life into my broken life. It is God's grace that empowers us to be something that we are not, justified and children of the KING! Do you realize what that makes us? Heirs of the promise! God told Abraham, "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." Which reminds me about something I heard yesterday, it was about how the devil speaks uses our eyes to make us make us follow his ways, but God uses our hearing. I had never really thought of it like that, at least not in those simple terms. I have always believed that God's word was important, God says in His word, "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." We can get so sideways by seeing this or that and wanting it; even in our desire to see signs and wonders, which are things for a specific time and place. God's word never changes, ever! This need that is being put forth is that of feeling, a sense of oppression and affliction, which is really something that nothing material or tangible can overcome. It's like trying to change the way you feel by going to a new location; you will still be you no matter where you might go; it's best to change you, then it won't matter where you are at, the change is not based upon a thing or a place. If there was anything that I could use to compare grace to the way that I feel, it would be the way that God loves me, which is not a created substance of any kind, but just the way that He loves me; even though I do not deserve to be loved the way that He loves me, He still loves me...
""No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. "Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don't speak with such arrogance! For the LORD is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions. The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away. The LORD gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The LORD makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the LORD'S, and he has set the world in order.""
(1 Samuel 2:2-8) NLT
(Psalms 107:41)
Before you go and think this is just another post about us wanting to be fed or clothed, this is not close to anything to do with material needs; we need God's grace like never before! I think of Paul, who said how much he had asked God to remove the thorn in his side, yet God said, "My grace is sufficient for you." What exactly is grace? And why is it sufficient for our broken lives? Mercy gives me a sigh of relieve and calms my soul, but grace makes me move and breathes life into my broken life. It is God's grace that empowers us to be something that we are not, justified and children of the KING! Do you realize what that makes us? Heirs of the promise! God told Abraham, "And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice." Which reminds me about something I heard yesterday, it was about how the devil speaks uses our eyes to make us make us follow his ways, but God uses our hearing. I had never really thought of it like that, at least not in those simple terms. I have always believed that God's word was important, God says in His word, "for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name." We can get so sideways by seeing this or that and wanting it; even in our desire to see signs and wonders, which are things for a specific time and place. God's word never changes, ever! This need that is being put forth is that of feeling, a sense of oppression and affliction, which is really something that nothing material or tangible can overcome. It's like trying to change the way you feel by going to a new location; you will still be you no matter where you might go; it's best to change you, then it won't matter where you are at, the change is not based upon a thing or a place. If there was anything that I could use to compare grace to the way that I feel, it would be the way that God loves me, which is not a created substance of any kind, but just the way that He loves me; even though I do not deserve to be loved the way that He loves me, He still loves me...
""No one is holy like the LORD! There is no one besides you; there is no Rock like our God. "Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don't speak with such arrogance! For the LORD is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions. The bow of the mighty is now broken, and those who stumbled are now strong. Those who were well fed are now starving, and those who were starving are now full. The childless woman now has seven children, and the woman with many children wastes away. The LORD gives both death and life; he brings some down to the grave but raises others up. The LORD makes some poor and others rich; he brings some down and lifts others up. He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. He sets them among princes, placing them in seats of honor. For all the earth is the LORD'S, and he has set the world in order.""
(1 Samuel 2:2-8) NLT
Monday, March 26, 2018
"Better To Let God Lead"
"He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way." (Psalms 107:40)
Here is another part of what it means to be rescued, that we are not our own captain! This is not a simple issue, one that you get fixed and then go on about your merry way. This is probably the one issue that I have the most experience with, and the one that has tripped me up, time and time again. At first I did not know what to think of this verse, because "princes" are noble, willing, generous; but then I realized that I too have those qualities, and that they are not always exceptional and good. I think Judas might have been counted as one of these; being trusted with the money bag, he had to have been generous, but noble among thieves and those that wanted to kill Jesus; as such, he too was a willing participant. Here is the thing I have learned over the years, that when we become successful in our endeavors we also become high minded and independent. Unfortunately, that is another quality of one of these "princes," they are free and rule their own lives. There is a difference between asking God to lead our lives, and asking God bless our endeavors; whether those are businesses or ministries, it hardly even matters. If it is our plan and purpose, then it is not God leading us; it is us dreaming up a project and then asking God to bless it. Am I saying that it's not okay to dream? NO! God aways blesses us with dreams and aspirations, those are good things to have; this is what is needed for our hearts to be willing to keep going when the going gets tough. But it is the process of making things happen and building a project; if the foundation is not the Lord, then the project is not starting in the right direction. I think about Joseph, who had these spectacular dreams growing up about his brothers, and even his mother and father, bowing before him. This was some powerful stuff to dream; but did Joseph make it come to life? No, as far as Joseph knew or thought his life was headed in a completely different direction. But God, He makes His purposes for our lives become fulfillment of our dreams, in His time and for His purposes. We are just vessels waiting to be used...
""But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his. What he destroys cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape. If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth. Yes, strength and wisdom are his; deceivers and deceived are both in power. He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools. He removes the royal robe of kings. They are led away with robes around their waist. He leads priests away, stripped of status; he overthrows those with long years in power. He silences the trusted adviser and removes the insight of the elders. He pours disgrace upon princes and disarms the strong."" (Job 12:13-21) NLT
Here is another part of what it means to be rescued, that we are not our own captain! This is not a simple issue, one that you get fixed and then go on about your merry way. This is probably the one issue that I have the most experience with, and the one that has tripped me up, time and time again. At first I did not know what to think of this verse, because "princes" are noble, willing, generous; but then I realized that I too have those qualities, and that they are not always exceptional and good. I think Judas might have been counted as one of these; being trusted with the money bag, he had to have been generous, but noble among thieves and those that wanted to kill Jesus; as such, he too was a willing participant. Here is the thing I have learned over the years, that when we become successful in our endeavors we also become high minded and independent. Unfortunately, that is another quality of one of these "princes," they are free and rule their own lives. There is a difference between asking God to lead our lives, and asking God bless our endeavors; whether those are businesses or ministries, it hardly even matters. If it is our plan and purpose, then it is not God leading us; it is us dreaming up a project and then asking God to bless it. Am I saying that it's not okay to dream? NO! God aways blesses us with dreams and aspirations, those are good things to have; this is what is needed for our hearts to be willing to keep going when the going gets tough. But it is the process of making things happen and building a project; if the foundation is not the Lord, then the project is not starting in the right direction. I think about Joseph, who had these spectacular dreams growing up about his brothers, and even his mother and father, bowing before him. This was some powerful stuff to dream; but did Joseph make it come to life? No, as far as Joseph knew or thought his life was headed in a completely different direction. But God, He makes His purposes for our lives become fulfillment of our dreams, in His time and for His purposes. We are just vessels waiting to be used...
""But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his. What he destroys cannot be rebuilt. When he puts someone in prison, there is no escape. If he holds back the rain, the earth becomes a desert. If he releases the waters, they flood the earth. Yes, strength and wisdom are his; deceivers and deceived are both in power. He leads counselors away, stripped of good judgment; wise judges become fools. He removes the royal robe of kings. They are led away with robes around their waist. He leads priests away, stripped of status; he overthrows those with long years in power. He silences the trusted adviser and removes the insight of the elders. He pours disgrace upon princes and disarms the strong."" (Job 12:13-21) NLT
Sunday, March 25, 2018
"Better Blessed Than Depressed"
"Again, they are diminished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow."
(Psalms 107:39)
Unlike the rest of the world, we have the ability to overcome the storms of life, no matter how hard they might pound against us. In those closing verses from Proverbs, there is somewhat of a pattern, a escalating pattern of understanding, encouragement, joy, wisdom, hope, and security; all of which are based on the foundation of God's Word. John starts his Gospel with the revelation of the Word, the eternal Son of God, none other than Jesus Christ. He is the one who we need to keep our focus open, because in Him, we are never "diminished" or "brought low!" It is when we take our eyes off of Jesus that our hope and security fade; and with the fading of hope and security, "oppression, affliction, and sorrow" are magnified in our lives. But, as I stated in the opening this morning, we have the ability to overcome! Unlike the rest of the world that does not know the truth, we know, we have touched, we have tasted and seen, the Living Word of God! And just like Peter did while sinking into the sea, we look upon Jesus and cry out knowing that He alone is the one who not only helps us, but lifts us up when we are unable to get up on our own. Why a child of the King ever needs to be depressed, is beyond my understanding. We do not need to accept defeat and hopelessness; Jesus has overcome everything that could ever make us feel defeated or hopeless. There is nothing in this life that we cannot overcome, because this life is only temporal and cannot contain us. We are currently immortal and have been promised life eternal, which goes far beyond this temporary existence. It is when we get wrapped up and caught up in the cares of this world, that is when we are diminished and brought low. A simple way to look at this, is by the way of the cross. The cross is a beautiful symbol of what a blessing it is to be God's servant and chosen for His purposes. The world looks at the cross and sees a curse and catastrophe; they cannot see the blessing and redemptive power that was put on display, only the carnage and killing of another human being. But Jesus was not just a Man, He was God! The one and only Son of the Living God, brought down to this earth to live and die upon that cross for the sake of you and me. But it did not end there on that cross! He rose! He lives! And He will soon be coming to take His bride from this temporal place of bondage and oppression. This is what hope and security looks like, the world does not offer anything close to that...
"The earth trembles and writhes in pain, for everything the LORD has planned against Babylon stands unchanged. Babylon will be left desolate without a single inhabitant. Her mightiest warriors no longer will fight. They stay in their barracks, their courage gone. They have become like women. The invaders have burned the houses and broken down the city gates. The news is passed from one runner to the next as the messengers hurry to tell that the city has been captured. All escape routes are blocked. The marshes have been set aflame, and the army is in a panic. This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says, "Babylon is like wheat on a threshing floor, about to be trampled. In just a little while her harvest will begin."" (Jeremiah 51:29-33) NLT
(Psalms 107:39)
Unlike the rest of the world, we have the ability to overcome the storms of life, no matter how hard they might pound against us. In those closing verses from Proverbs, there is somewhat of a pattern, a escalating pattern of understanding, encouragement, joy, wisdom, hope, and security; all of which are based on the foundation of God's Word. John starts his Gospel with the revelation of the Word, the eternal Son of God, none other than Jesus Christ. He is the one who we need to keep our focus open, because in Him, we are never "diminished" or "brought low!" It is when we take our eyes off of Jesus that our hope and security fade; and with the fading of hope and security, "oppression, affliction, and sorrow" are magnified in our lives. But, as I stated in the opening this morning, we have the ability to overcome! Unlike the rest of the world that does not know the truth, we know, we have touched, we have tasted and seen, the Living Word of God! And just like Peter did while sinking into the sea, we look upon Jesus and cry out knowing that He alone is the one who not only helps us, but lifts us up when we are unable to get up on our own. Why a child of the King ever needs to be depressed, is beyond my understanding. We do not need to accept defeat and hopelessness; Jesus has overcome everything that could ever make us feel defeated or hopeless. There is nothing in this life that we cannot overcome, because this life is only temporal and cannot contain us. We are currently immortal and have been promised life eternal, which goes far beyond this temporary existence. It is when we get wrapped up and caught up in the cares of this world, that is when we are diminished and brought low. A simple way to look at this, is by the way of the cross. The cross is a beautiful symbol of what a blessing it is to be God's servant and chosen for His purposes. The world looks at the cross and sees a curse and catastrophe; they cannot see the blessing and redemptive power that was put on display, only the carnage and killing of another human being. But Jesus was not just a Man, He was God! The one and only Son of the Living God, brought down to this earth to live and die upon that cross for the sake of you and me. But it did not end there on that cross! He rose! He lives! And He will soon be coming to take His bride from this temporal place of bondage and oppression. This is what hope and security looks like, the world does not offer anything close to that...
"The earth trembles and writhes in pain, for everything the LORD has planned against Babylon stands unchanged. Babylon will be left desolate without a single inhabitant. Her mightiest warriors no longer will fight. They stay in their barracks, their courage gone. They have become like women. The invaders have burned the houses and broken down the city gates. The news is passed from one runner to the next as the messengers hurry to tell that the city has been captured. All escape routes are blocked. The marshes have been set aflame, and the army is in a panic. This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies, the God of Israel, says, "Babylon is like wheat on a threshing floor, about to be trampled. In just a little while her harvest will begin."" (Jeremiah 51:29-33) NLT
Saturday, March 24, 2018
"In Him, We are Greatly Blessed" -2
"He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffer not their cattle to decrease."
(Psalms 107:38)
Obviously I don't proof read everything; and even then, if you don't know what you are saying, how can you know what is wrong with what you have said? The point I believe I was trying to make was that Jesus has made us holy, we do not get holy by anything that we do or don't do! David obviously was not a holy man, but I God's eye, he is holy and justified, all based upon the washing power of the blood of Jesus Christ. These are the statutes and ordinances that we must walk in; that we know and understand how dependent we are on the blood of Jesus to make us purified and worthy to be called children of God! Without the washing by the blood of Christ, we are lost and separated from the Father; by the washing of the blood of Christ, we are redeemed and inseparable from the Father. And it is not based upon anything we do, but completely upon what Christ has done for us; that which we could absolutely never do on our own! This is how cults get established and become credible, because it is easy to convince someone that they need to do this or that to gain their salvation; it is easy because the cross alone is foolishness to those that perish! You think about it. Before you were saved, hell was treated as something of little fear, because it was the road on which we were riding on; and the Gospel Message of the cross seemed bazaar and so unnecessary; that was until we were actually redeemed by it. Once we were redeemed, hell became a place we escaped and were delivered from; it was real, its fires were real, and being delivered from it felt amazing. Never mind death, it was something that lost its power over us, but hell, hell was now an experience of deliverance and something that gave us passion to share the Good News. Maybe you had a different experience when you first were saved; maybe your experience was more about mending broken lives and families, or about saving orphans and feeding widows; or maybe, like some, you have just accepted your deliverance and decided to keep it all to yourself. If that is you, please live your life for Jesus, and be prepared to give a testimony for the reason you live the way that you do...
"The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted. When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation." (Proverbs 10:20-25) NLT
(Psalms 107:38)
Obviously I don't proof read everything; and even then, if you don't know what you are saying, how can you know what is wrong with what you have said? The point I believe I was trying to make was that Jesus has made us holy, we do not get holy by anything that we do or don't do! David obviously was not a holy man, but I God's eye, he is holy and justified, all based upon the washing power of the blood of Jesus Christ. These are the statutes and ordinances that we must walk in; that we know and understand how dependent we are on the blood of Jesus to make us purified and worthy to be called children of God! Without the washing by the blood of Christ, we are lost and separated from the Father; by the washing of the blood of Christ, we are redeemed and inseparable from the Father. And it is not based upon anything we do, but completely upon what Christ has done for us; that which we could absolutely never do on our own! This is how cults get established and become credible, because it is easy to convince someone that they need to do this or that to gain their salvation; it is easy because the cross alone is foolishness to those that perish! You think about it. Before you were saved, hell was treated as something of little fear, because it was the road on which we were riding on; and the Gospel Message of the cross seemed bazaar and so unnecessary; that was until we were actually redeemed by it. Once we were redeemed, hell became a place we escaped and were delivered from; it was real, its fires were real, and being delivered from it felt amazing. Never mind death, it was something that lost its power over us, but hell, hell was now an experience of deliverance and something that gave us passion to share the Good News. Maybe you had a different experience when you first were saved; maybe your experience was more about mending broken lives and families, or about saving orphans and feeding widows; or maybe, like some, you have just accepted your deliverance and decided to keep it all to yourself. If that is you, please live your life for Jesus, and be prepared to give a testimony for the reason you live the way that you do...
"The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless. The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense. The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible. The fears of the wicked will be fulfilled; the hopes of the godly will be granted. When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away, but the godly have a lasting foundation." (Proverbs 10:20-25) NLT
Friday, March 23, 2018
"In Him, We are Greatly Blessed"
"He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffer not their cattle to decrease."
(Psalms 107:38)
As much as I would like to, I cannot take credit for anything that is typed on these pages; half the time I have no clue what is going to be written, let alone what is going to be said. This much I know, that God has a way of making His point known, if not for someone else, it is intended for me! Can we even see what it is that is blocking the flow? I believe that we know exactly what it is, we just make the choice to ignore it or pretend that it will be okay. Again, we only hold onto the sins that we like; and for some of us, that might mean more than one or two. As for as I know, or can tell, Jesus still uses those that allow Him to use their lives, regardless of the faults or issues in their life. It is not really about messenger, it is about the Message! Every single one of us have issues and faults in our lives; as soon as we get one taken away or fixed, we replace it with another. And if we think for just a moment that we don't have any, then even the thought of that is an issue in itself. Yes, that River of Life is Jesus! Jesus is the source, and only source, there is none other! Do we even know what it means to be justified? I mean, we say that we do, and we preach what it means; but is it the power that we walk in every day of our lives? I am sure that we all have problems making it real, real enough to be strong enough; we are never really as strong as we think we are; but in Christ, we are as strong as we need to be! This is exactly what I believe this verse is speaking of, how we remain in Christ, and in Him we are greatly blessed; so much so, that the efforts and work we put into doing the things of God flow easy and effortlessly. It is a lot like what Jesus said, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30) If we think for just a moment, it is not about the things we still hold onto, He works those things out of our lives; it is about holding onto Him, and never letting go...
""My servant David will be their king, and they will have only one shepherd. They will obey my regulations and be careful to keep my decrees. They will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They and their children and their grand children after them will live there forever, generation after generation. And my servant David will be their prince forever. And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and increase their numbers, and I will put my Temple among them forever. I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And when my Temple is among then forever, the nations will know that I am the LORD, who makes Israel holy."" (Ezekiel 37:24-28) NLT
(Psalms 107:38)
As much as I would like to, I cannot take credit for anything that is typed on these pages; half the time I have no clue what is going to be written, let alone what is going to be said. This much I know, that God has a way of making His point known, if not for someone else, it is intended for me! Can we even see what it is that is blocking the flow? I believe that we know exactly what it is, we just make the choice to ignore it or pretend that it will be okay. Again, we only hold onto the sins that we like; and for some of us, that might mean more than one or two. As for as I know, or can tell, Jesus still uses those that allow Him to use their lives, regardless of the faults or issues in their life. It is not really about messenger, it is about the Message! Every single one of us have issues and faults in our lives; as soon as we get one taken away or fixed, we replace it with another. And if we think for just a moment that we don't have any, then even the thought of that is an issue in itself. Yes, that River of Life is Jesus! Jesus is the source, and only source, there is none other! Do we even know what it means to be justified? I mean, we say that we do, and we preach what it means; but is it the power that we walk in every day of our lives? I am sure that we all have problems making it real, real enough to be strong enough; we are never really as strong as we think we are; but in Christ, we are as strong as we need to be! This is exactly what I believe this verse is speaking of, how we remain in Christ, and in Him we are greatly blessed; so much so, that the efforts and work we put into doing the things of God flow easy and effortlessly. It is a lot like what Jesus said, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30) If we think for just a moment, it is not about the things we still hold onto, He works those things out of our lives; it is about holding onto Him, and never letting go...
""My servant David will be their king, and they will have only one shepherd. They will obey my regulations and be careful to keep my decrees. They will live in the land I gave my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They and their children and their grand children after them will live there forever, generation after generation. And my servant David will be their prince forever. And I will make a covenant of peace with them, an everlasting covenant. I will give them their land and increase their numbers, and I will put my Temple among them forever. I will make my home among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. And when my Temple is among then forever, the nations will know that I am the LORD, who makes Israel holy."" (Ezekiel 37:24-28) NLT
Thursday, March 22, 2018
"God Makes The Increase"
"And sow the fields, and plant the vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase." (Psalms 107:37)
Yes, I might have gotten carried away; but there is something you should know about how I feel that the relationship between the husband and wife is kept secure: primarily, it is that the Lord is in the midst of the relationship, but if there is love lost between the husband and the wife, it is the husbands fault. Sorry if you don't agree with that, but if your wife loved you when you got married, then you messed up the love affair; the husband is called to love his wife as Christ loves the church; the wife is the one that responds to the love that she is given, just as the church responds to the love that Christ has poured out for her. Anywho, as you might have gathered by the closing Scripture yesterday, the River supplies life, even in the dead and lifeless sea. So if we have something to complain about and we feel that God has somehow passed us by and not given us fruit in our lives, then we need to go look in a mirror and complain to the one you see looking back at you. There is a source of life that we have been given and if we are not experiencing that source of life in our lives, then we are not tapped into it correctly; just like the marshes and swamps are still salty and not purified, there is something that is blocking the source from bringing life into your body of water. We plant seeds and we tend the seedlings, pulling out weeds and supporting the branches; but God gives the increase, He makes the increase to grow, He produces the fruit! The same thing is true in our marriages, where God produces the fruit of the relationship, but we must work the soil and tend to the mechanical parts of the relationship. Even in our ministries, at whatever level of ministry that you serve, you have a job to do, and that job requires that you maintain what is given to you, especially the fruit that God produces in your own life. How do we maintain the fruit in our lives? We stay connected to the source; just as the Scripture says, "There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple." Jesus is that River...
"Then Haggai asked, "If someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then touches any of these foods, will the food be unclean?" And the priests answered, "Yes." Then Haggai responded, "That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the LORD. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin. Look at what was happening to you before you began to lay the foundation of the LORD'S Temple. When you hoped for a twenty-bushel crop, you harvested only ten. When you expected to draw fifty gallons from the winepress, you found only twenty. I sent blight and mildew and hail to destroy everything you worked so hard to produce. Even so, you refused to return to me, says the LORD. "Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the foundation of the LORD'S Temple was laid. Think carefully. I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you."" (Haggai 2:13-19) NLT
Yes, I might have gotten carried away; but there is something you should know about how I feel that the relationship between the husband and wife is kept secure: primarily, it is that the Lord is in the midst of the relationship, but if there is love lost between the husband and the wife, it is the husbands fault. Sorry if you don't agree with that, but if your wife loved you when you got married, then you messed up the love affair; the husband is called to love his wife as Christ loves the church; the wife is the one that responds to the love that she is given, just as the church responds to the love that Christ has poured out for her. Anywho, as you might have gathered by the closing Scripture yesterday, the River supplies life, even in the dead and lifeless sea. So if we have something to complain about and we feel that God has somehow passed us by and not given us fruit in our lives, then we need to go look in a mirror and complain to the one you see looking back at you. There is a source of life that we have been given and if we are not experiencing that source of life in our lives, then we are not tapped into it correctly; just like the marshes and swamps are still salty and not purified, there is something that is blocking the source from bringing life into your body of water. We plant seeds and we tend the seedlings, pulling out weeds and supporting the branches; but God gives the increase, He makes the increase to grow, He produces the fruit! The same thing is true in our marriages, where God produces the fruit of the relationship, but we must work the soil and tend to the mechanical parts of the relationship. Even in our ministries, at whatever level of ministry that you serve, you have a job to do, and that job requires that you maintain what is given to you, especially the fruit that God produces in your own life. How do we maintain the fruit in our lives? We stay connected to the source; just as the Scripture says, "There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple." Jesus is that River...
"Then Haggai asked, "If someone becomes ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person and then touches any of these foods, will the food be unclean?" And the priests answered, "Yes." Then Haggai responded, "That is how it is with this people and this nation, says the LORD. Everything they do and everything they offer is defiled by their sin. Look at what was happening to you before you began to lay the foundation of the LORD'S Temple. When you hoped for a twenty-bushel crop, you harvested only ten. When you expected to draw fifty gallons from the winepress, you found only twenty. I sent blight and mildew and hail to destroy everything you worked so hard to produce. Even so, you refused to return to me, says the LORD. "Think about this eighteenth day of December, the day when the foundation of the LORD'S Temple was laid. Think carefully. I am giving you a promise now while the seed is still in the barn. You have not yet harvested your grain, and your grapevines, fig trees, pomegranates, and olive trees have not yet produced their crops. But from this day onward I will bless you."" (Haggai 2:13-19) NLT
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
"God Makes Us Hungry"
"And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;"
(Psalms 107:36)
I hope none of you were worried about some of those things I said, it was really quite emotional and there really was quite a bit of crying going on over on this end; but I am pretty passionate about what God has shown me over these last 14-plus years. The most important thing that I think God has shown me, is that the husband is responsible for loving his wife, period! Today I am pulling off the gloves and getting serious and something I believe God has shown me; it just so happens that this verse makes me remember how important it is. We men are such possessor's; once we get what we want, we claim it as our own, and then we put it on a shelf; our wives are treated no different. To get right to the point, the courtship leaves after the marriage. We spend so much time and effort winning our wives love and respect, and then once it is secured, we count it as done. If you don't agree with what I am saying, then I want to say I am sorry, for you, because you are in denial. Maybe you practice some sort of ritual of bringing home flowers or routine times out to dinner; those may fan the flames and keep the fire from going out, but it hardly replaces the sacrificial love that God has called your life to be. I thought my marriage was perfect, until on day my wife asked me if I still loved her. It is truly not about giving her things and taking her places, she wants our love and affection; something that is only with touch, compliments, and a real desire for her love; a hunger within us to keep her secure and comfortable, in any and every circumstance or situation. I think back to when I was a small child, before the drunkenness of my parents made me scared. It did not matter what our situation was, what kind of living conditions we were in, as long as we were a family, it was safe and living was fun and enjoyable. That is close to the environment I am trying to think about; where our wives feel safe and secure, no matter where or what might happen to the both of you, because they have no doubts that they are loved and that they will be cared for. I little bit old fashion, I guess. But it is pretty much what Jesus Christ provides for the church; and it is what we husbands need to be providing for our wives. If that does not make you want to try it, then pray for God to make you hungry again for your wife's love and respect; real love and respect that would cause her to stand up for you, just as we stand up for Jesus when someone might talk about Him...
"He asked me, "Have you been watching, son of man?" Then he led me back along the riverbank. When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. Then he said to me, "This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to Eneglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean. But marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of the trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing."" (Ezekiel 47:6-12) NLT
(Psalms 107:36)
I hope none of you were worried about some of those things I said, it was really quite emotional and there really was quite a bit of crying going on over on this end; but I am pretty passionate about what God has shown me over these last 14-plus years. The most important thing that I think God has shown me, is that the husband is responsible for loving his wife, period! Today I am pulling off the gloves and getting serious and something I believe God has shown me; it just so happens that this verse makes me remember how important it is. We men are such possessor's; once we get what we want, we claim it as our own, and then we put it on a shelf; our wives are treated no different. To get right to the point, the courtship leaves after the marriage. We spend so much time and effort winning our wives love and respect, and then once it is secured, we count it as done. If you don't agree with what I am saying, then I want to say I am sorry, for you, because you are in denial. Maybe you practice some sort of ritual of bringing home flowers or routine times out to dinner; those may fan the flames and keep the fire from going out, but it hardly replaces the sacrificial love that God has called your life to be. I thought my marriage was perfect, until on day my wife asked me if I still loved her. It is truly not about giving her things and taking her places, she wants our love and affection; something that is only with touch, compliments, and a real desire for her love; a hunger within us to keep her secure and comfortable, in any and every circumstance or situation. I think back to when I was a small child, before the drunkenness of my parents made me scared. It did not matter what our situation was, what kind of living conditions we were in, as long as we were a family, it was safe and living was fun and enjoyable. That is close to the environment I am trying to think about; where our wives feel safe and secure, no matter where or what might happen to the both of you, because they have no doubts that they are loved and that they will be cared for. I little bit old fashion, I guess. But it is pretty much what Jesus Christ provides for the church; and it is what we husbands need to be providing for our wives. If that does not make you want to try it, then pray for God to make you hungry again for your wife's love and respect; real love and respect that would cause her to stand up for you, just as we stand up for Jesus when someone might talk about Him...
"He asked me, "Have you been watching, son of man?" Then he led me back along the riverbank. When I returned, I was surprised by the sight of many trees growing on both sides of the river. Then he said to me, "This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure. There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. Fishermen will stand along the shores of the Dead Sea. All the way from En-gedi to Eneglaim, the shores will be covered with nets drying in the sun. Fish of every kind will fill the Dead Sea, just as they fill the Mediterranean. But marshes and swamps will not be purified; they will still be salty. Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of the trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing."" (Ezekiel 47:6-12) NLT
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
"Praise Him In The Blessings"
"He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings." (Psalms 107:35)
Beyond the areas where our lives might feel tested or corrected, we find blessing; blessing in the pain and anguish that cannot be explained or expressed, it can only be experienced by living in it and knowing that God is in the middle of every last bit of it. Can we really feel blessed in our adversity? You better believe it! Words cannot express what my heart feels in caring for my wife. There is more fulfillment in giving yourself away than there is in holding back or trying to give up. Believe me when I say this, God is more than able to supply all you need and more than you ever imagined; just when you think you cannot go any further, He gives you someone who comes along to tell you how much your life has blessed theirs, or a simple glimpse of what serving others really is all about. These are the things that keep us going; besides the fact that the Holy Spirit provides the peace, we need the encouragement that what you are doing makes a difference, even if it just a little one. I will tell you this: If you want to give up, the world is right there to help you do it; if you want to stop the blessing, the world will gladly provide a curse. This is not a curse! A curse would be for me to let my wife die and to no longer be able to hold and care for her the way that I do. Just the thought of it makes my heart hurt, especially as I remember the suffering Terri went through, as she dried up from the inside out. I truly believe that God allowed me to witness that tragedy in order to take a stand for commitment in marriage. The world will be quick to tell us that we need to move on; even the church can be a little blind to the purposes God can use in this, because it is easy to overlook. I look at the lives of people who have made a difference, when everyone else thought that there lives had nothing left to offer, and that they were probably better off dead because they really have no more use in this world. God can use whoever and whatever He wants, whenever and wherever He wants to; He can use a bronze serpent lifted up on a pole, a valley of dead bones, a giant fish, a donkey; God can do whatever He wants, because He is God, and with God, all things are possible...
""But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. The LORD who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid, O Jacob my servant. O dear Israel, my chosen one. For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like meadows on a riverbank. Some will proudly claim, 'I belong to the LORD.' Others will say, 'I am a descendant of Jacob.' Some will write the LORD'S name on their hands and will take the name of Israel as their own."" (Isaiah 44:1-5) NLT
Beyond the areas where our lives might feel tested or corrected, we find blessing; blessing in the pain and anguish that cannot be explained or expressed, it can only be experienced by living in it and knowing that God is in the middle of every last bit of it. Can we really feel blessed in our adversity? You better believe it! Words cannot express what my heart feels in caring for my wife. There is more fulfillment in giving yourself away than there is in holding back or trying to give up. Believe me when I say this, God is more than able to supply all you need and more than you ever imagined; just when you think you cannot go any further, He gives you someone who comes along to tell you how much your life has blessed theirs, or a simple glimpse of what serving others really is all about. These are the things that keep us going; besides the fact that the Holy Spirit provides the peace, we need the encouragement that what you are doing makes a difference, even if it just a little one. I will tell you this: If you want to give up, the world is right there to help you do it; if you want to stop the blessing, the world will gladly provide a curse. This is not a curse! A curse would be for me to let my wife die and to no longer be able to hold and care for her the way that I do. Just the thought of it makes my heart hurt, especially as I remember the suffering Terri went through, as she dried up from the inside out. I truly believe that God allowed me to witness that tragedy in order to take a stand for commitment in marriage. The world will be quick to tell us that we need to move on; even the church can be a little blind to the purposes God can use in this, because it is easy to overlook. I look at the lives of people who have made a difference, when everyone else thought that there lives had nothing left to offer, and that they were probably better off dead because they really have no more use in this world. God can use whoever and whatever He wants, whenever and wherever He wants to; He can use a bronze serpent lifted up on a pole, a valley of dead bones, a giant fish, a donkey; God can do whatever He wants, because He is God, and with God, all things are possible...
""But now, listen to me, Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. The LORD who made you and helps you says: Do not be afraid, O Jacob my servant. O dear Israel, my chosen one. For I will pour out water to quench your thirst and to irrigate your parched fields. And I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants, and my blessing on your children. They will thrive like watered grass, like meadows on a riverbank. Some will proudly claim, 'I belong to the LORD.' Others will say, 'I am a descendant of Jacob.' Some will write the LORD'S name on their hands and will take the name of Israel as their own."" (Isaiah 44:1-5) NLT
Monday, March 19, 2018
"Praise Him For Correction"
"He turneth rivers into wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground; a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein." (Psalms 107:33-34)
Obviously God has a sense of humor, otherwise He would have changed a lot of peoples lives and taken away a lot of their comforts. I say a sense of humor, because I believe that He laughs at the way people right Him off; if they only knew the power and strength that is involved in protecting their very lives, they would most likely at least show Him a little respect. Yes, I know that the Bible says that God is a jealous God, and that He has wrath towards the wicked; but if you study all of His behavior towards those that try and mess with His holiness and His power, He likes to show off His sense of humor in the way that He puts them in their place. One of my favorite instances is when the Philistines took the Ark and tried to use it for getting blessings. It first destroyed their idol, then it messed up their rear-ends. You can't tell me that was not humorous, because they really got the point, you don't mess with the God of Israel! Having been a Christian for over 35 years, I have had many things happen that I would consider to be God's correction over my life; some of them were funny, I laugh at the way God uses my sin to make me realize that He is extremely patient, but faithful to His word. You might not understand what it feels like, but what else can you do; if you are to count it all joy, then where is the joy birthed from but from seeing the happy ending in everything good or bad? It is all going to be worked out in the end, no matter what might be your situation or circumstance. God has a way of making everything new and glorious, no matter what might be apparent, God is always smiling down upon us...
""For the LORD will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the LORD himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster. On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, "Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid! For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."" (Zephaniah 3:15-17) NLT
Obviously God has a sense of humor, otherwise He would have changed a lot of peoples lives and taken away a lot of their comforts. I say a sense of humor, because I believe that He laughs at the way people right Him off; if they only knew the power and strength that is involved in protecting their very lives, they would most likely at least show Him a little respect. Yes, I know that the Bible says that God is a jealous God, and that He has wrath towards the wicked; but if you study all of His behavior towards those that try and mess with His holiness and His power, He likes to show off His sense of humor in the way that He puts them in their place. One of my favorite instances is when the Philistines took the Ark and tried to use it for getting blessings. It first destroyed their idol, then it messed up their rear-ends. You can't tell me that was not humorous, because they really got the point, you don't mess with the God of Israel! Having been a Christian for over 35 years, I have had many things happen that I would consider to be God's correction over my life; some of them were funny, I laugh at the way God uses my sin to make me realize that He is extremely patient, but faithful to His word. You might not understand what it feels like, but what else can you do; if you are to count it all joy, then where is the joy birthed from but from seeing the happy ending in everything good or bad? It is all going to be worked out in the end, no matter what might be your situation or circumstance. God has a way of making everything new and glorious, no matter what might be apparent, God is always smiling down upon us...
""For the LORD will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the LORD himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster. On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, "Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid! For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs."" (Zephaniah 3:15-17) NLT
Sunday, March 18, 2018
"That We Would Praise Him!"
"Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders." (Psalms 107:32)
You would think that people would not be so hesitant to give God praise, after all, He did rescue us from the fires of hell! But, it seems that there is not much mention of hell these days; at least not in a way that declares the true salvation we have been given. Many sermons today are given as not to offend anyone, or to make people feel as comfortable as possible, so that they might keep coming back. This is hell we are talking about, a place of eternal torment; if people end up going there, then it is too late to get them back, forget about coming back to a church building, they need to be kept out of the fires of hell! The way I see it, we cannot exalt the Lord without mentioning why He went to that cross, what it means when the Bible says, "That none should perish," and perish is not a church building, it is eternal damnation away from God. The Greek word is "apollymi," and pretty much means "to destroy." I remember when I first was introduced to Ray Comfort's book, "Hell's Best Kept Secret," it reminded me of the importance of letting people know why that it is they need to be saved. Many people walk around with the attitude that they are good, that there is nothing they really need to be saved from, and that they are just fine right where they are. The world does everything that it can to make people unaware and not believe in the eternal, it's all about temporary life that must be made to get the most out of, because tomorrow we die. No one wants to think about what might happen after death; as a matter of fact, the way I see things going, we will soon be arrested and charged by trying to persuade someone that there is a judgement after death. Here is California it is a crime to try and tell someone living a gay lifestyle that it is wrong, and that they have made a choice to sin against God by doing so. So, what is the difference by telling anyone who is not saved that they must be saved or face going to hell? It's not just about offending people anymore, it's about causing them to not feel comfortable and feeling ashamed. We cannot do that, because it could cause them to need to be medicated or put on a suicide watch. There is where we are headed, so we better start praising God for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men, and we better start being bold and loud, while we still can...
"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we've done a good deed for a cripple man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it say, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."" (Acts 4:8-12) NLT
You would think that people would not be so hesitant to give God praise, after all, He did rescue us from the fires of hell! But, it seems that there is not much mention of hell these days; at least not in a way that declares the true salvation we have been given. Many sermons today are given as not to offend anyone, or to make people feel as comfortable as possible, so that they might keep coming back. This is hell we are talking about, a place of eternal torment; if people end up going there, then it is too late to get them back, forget about coming back to a church building, they need to be kept out of the fires of hell! The way I see it, we cannot exalt the Lord without mentioning why He went to that cross, what it means when the Bible says, "That none should perish," and perish is not a church building, it is eternal damnation away from God. The Greek word is "apollymi," and pretty much means "to destroy." I remember when I first was introduced to Ray Comfort's book, "Hell's Best Kept Secret," it reminded me of the importance of letting people know why that it is they need to be saved. Many people walk around with the attitude that they are good, that there is nothing they really need to be saved from, and that they are just fine right where they are. The world does everything that it can to make people unaware and not believe in the eternal, it's all about temporary life that must be made to get the most out of, because tomorrow we die. No one wants to think about what might happen after death; as a matter of fact, the way I see things going, we will soon be arrested and charged by trying to persuade someone that there is a judgement after death. Here is California it is a crime to try and tell someone living a gay lifestyle that it is wrong, and that they have made a choice to sin against God by doing so. So, what is the difference by telling anyone who is not saved that they must be saved or face going to hell? It's not just about offending people anymore, it's about causing them to not feel comfortable and feeling ashamed. We cannot do that, because it could cause them to need to be medicated or put on a suicide watch. There is where we are headed, so we better start praising God for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men, and we better start being bold and loud, while we still can...
"Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we've done a good deed for a cripple man? Do you want to know how he was healed? Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it say, 'The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.' There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved."" (Acts 4:8-12) NLT
Saturday, March 17, 2018
"That We Know His Will!"
"Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalms 107:31)
Just so you know, yesterday's title was the note written in my Bible right after verse 30. It truly does make a difference in our walk when we do know God's will for our lives; even if His will is simply to conform us to the image of His Son. More likely than not, God has a specific purpose for your life; it might not be something spectacular or world-changing, but it is your life that God is interested in being changed first and foremost. When your world changes, then the world around you will soon follow! Our world is not of this world; our world is where Jesus is preparing a place for us to join Him, forever and ever. Jesus spoke so much about this not being His home, and that His Kingdom was not of this world. If there was something specific that made Him focused upon the Father's will, it was knowing where He was from and to where He was headed. We can know this also, and we should; it should be what guides our lives and what motivates our daily living. But sadly, for the average Christian, trying to make it through another day of living in this world is enough; it takes most of our attention and strength just to get by and keep our families fed and a roof over our heads. Something else Jesus tried to teach us, that we should not worry about such things; that we should stay focused upon heaven, and leave the caring for our material needs up to God. Easier said than done, in the average Christian life; which is exactly why Jesus even brought it up in the first place! Every thing that He spoke about, He did so for a reason, because it is something that we all struggle with and have difficulties making a part of our daily lives. Take forgiveness, for example: how many of us struggle with forgiving others? We might say that we forgive, but then we count the previous offense when it is dealt with again. Maybe that is why Jesus brought up the point about treating others the same way you want them to treat you; or the point about forgiving as you have been forgiven. The will of God is simply to be about the Father's business...
"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" (2 Timothy 3:1-5) NLT
Just so you know, yesterday's title was the note written in my Bible right after verse 30. It truly does make a difference in our walk when we do know God's will for our lives; even if His will is simply to conform us to the image of His Son. More likely than not, God has a specific purpose for your life; it might not be something spectacular or world-changing, but it is your life that God is interested in being changed first and foremost. When your world changes, then the world around you will soon follow! Our world is not of this world; our world is where Jesus is preparing a place for us to join Him, forever and ever. Jesus spoke so much about this not being His home, and that His Kingdom was not of this world. If there was something specific that made Him focused upon the Father's will, it was knowing where He was from and to where He was headed. We can know this also, and we should; it should be what guides our lives and what motivates our daily living. But sadly, for the average Christian, trying to make it through another day of living in this world is enough; it takes most of our attention and strength just to get by and keep our families fed and a roof over our heads. Something else Jesus tried to teach us, that we should not worry about such things; that we should stay focused upon heaven, and leave the caring for our material needs up to God. Easier said than done, in the average Christian life; which is exactly why Jesus even brought it up in the first place! Every thing that He spoke about, He did so for a reason, because it is something that we all struggle with and have difficulties making a part of our daily lives. Take forgiveness, for example: how many of us struggle with forgiving others? We might say that we forgive, but then we count the previous offense when it is dealt with again. Maybe that is why Jesus brought up the point about treating others the same way you want them to treat you; or the point about forgiving as you have been forgiven. The will of God is simply to be about the Father's business...
"You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!" (2 Timothy 3:1-5) NLT
Friday, March 16, 2018
"Thy Will Be Done!"
"Then they are glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven."
(Psalms 107:30)
Sometimes it takes being broken to truly realize that there is something wrong in your life. As with Jonah, who was actually a pretty good man that trusted in God and knew that God was full of love and mercy; but his heart was not right when it came to God's desire to save the people of Nineveh. We tend to sometimes forget what is involved in the redemption process; how redemption is not something that comes to people because they deserve to be saved, but is poured out by a loving God that truly wants to save people that are lost, regardless of merit or even their own desire to be saved. Remembering back to when God saved me, I had no desire or even thought that I needed saving; as a matter of fact, I thought the church was the problem; that it was filled with hypocrites and people that just wanted to use other people for their own personal gain. I can remember sitting about 50 yards from that little white church in the middle of the compound, watching the silhouette of the men through the windows, all raising their hands and singing praises; and I started to cry, righteously thinking that those tears I was shedding were for those poor men that were being deceived by organized religion. And then I ended up in another facility, one that did not have a church building; one that I felt safe and free from the influence of church. Man, was I not prepared for what God had planned for me! I will never forget that Sunday morning, as the elderly Chaplain was pleading over the dorm room speaker, "Come and hear a special message!" That ended up being the first day of the rest of my life! And let me tell you something amazing: they sent me back to that original facility, and that little white church was my hangout, at least six days a week! I would even be the one ringing the bell to signal that it was time for a service. That is how God works, bringing us into a desired haven, whether or not we are even looking for it, He has a way of making His will be done...
"Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." (John 6:21) KJV
(Psalms 107:30)
Sometimes it takes being broken to truly realize that there is something wrong in your life. As with Jonah, who was actually a pretty good man that trusted in God and knew that God was full of love and mercy; but his heart was not right when it came to God's desire to save the people of Nineveh. We tend to sometimes forget what is involved in the redemption process; how redemption is not something that comes to people because they deserve to be saved, but is poured out by a loving God that truly wants to save people that are lost, regardless of merit or even their own desire to be saved. Remembering back to when God saved me, I had no desire or even thought that I needed saving; as a matter of fact, I thought the church was the problem; that it was filled with hypocrites and people that just wanted to use other people for their own personal gain. I can remember sitting about 50 yards from that little white church in the middle of the compound, watching the silhouette of the men through the windows, all raising their hands and singing praises; and I started to cry, righteously thinking that those tears I was shedding were for those poor men that were being deceived by organized religion. And then I ended up in another facility, one that did not have a church building; one that I felt safe and free from the influence of church. Man, was I not prepared for what God had planned for me! I will never forget that Sunday morning, as the elderly Chaplain was pleading over the dorm room speaker, "Come and hear a special message!" That ended up being the first day of the rest of my life! And let me tell you something amazing: they sent me back to that original facility, and that little white church was my hangout, at least six days a week! I would even be the one ringing the bell to signal that it was time for a service. That is how God works, bringing us into a desired haven, whether or not we are even looking for it, He has a way of making His will be done...
"Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went." (John 6:21) KJV
Thursday, March 15, 2018
"It's All About Trust"
"He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still." (Psalms 107:29)
Whether we are few, many, or all alone, we are never on are own in this world; even though things may not appear that way, He is always by our side. I was thinking about that "Footprints" picture hanging behind my guest bath toilet, and how often we question God's presence in the storms of our life, thinking that He has left us to try and maneuver them on our own. There is really nothing that could be further from the truth! When we think such things, we either don't think God is big enough, or we think He is not concerned enough about our personal lives. Thinking of Lazarus, the one that Jesus called back to life, that was the concern of Martha, as she said, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." When in reality, Jesus could have been there if He wanted; He could have healed him from where He was at, with just a word. But there was a reason for him to die, that the Lord would be glorified by bringing him back to life. God has a reason for each and every thing that He allows to happen in our lives; there are always others who need to see God working in and through our lives, sometimes, if not all times, we hardly even know the extent of work that He is doing all around us; the ripple effect of each and every trial or work, one person can spread to three or four, or even a thousand. God has a way of making beauty from ashes; from turning life giving salvation from even the simplest of deaths. It just takes one life to be changed, and that one life could minister to thousands. When you look at the Scripture references for this particular verse, three of them are regarding Jesus rebuking the waves after being woken from His sleep, from Matthew, Mark, and Luke; but there is one, the encounter of Jonah with the men of the ship that he was on, that says, "So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging." In case you were not aware, or might have forgotten, this men were torn between throwing Jonah over or not. They did not want to because they could see very plainly that he was a man of God, but they could also see that he was also trying to run from God; torn between these two situations, they had to make a choice, do they or don't they do what he told them to do. Who had the greater faith, them or Jonah? Collectively, they did; but Jonah also believed in the mighty power of God...
""Throw me into the sea," Jonah said, "and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is my fault." Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn't make it. Then they cried to the LORD, Jonah's God. "O LORD," they pleaded, "don't make us die for this man's sin. And don't hold us responsible for his death. O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons." Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! The sailors were awestruck by the LORD'S great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights." (Jonah 1:12-17) NLT
Whether we are few, many, or all alone, we are never on are own in this world; even though things may not appear that way, He is always by our side. I was thinking about that "Footprints" picture hanging behind my guest bath toilet, and how often we question God's presence in the storms of our life, thinking that He has left us to try and maneuver them on our own. There is really nothing that could be further from the truth! When we think such things, we either don't think God is big enough, or we think He is not concerned enough about our personal lives. Thinking of Lazarus, the one that Jesus called back to life, that was the concern of Martha, as she said, "Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." When in reality, Jesus could have been there if He wanted; He could have healed him from where He was at, with just a word. But there was a reason for him to die, that the Lord would be glorified by bringing him back to life. God has a reason for each and every thing that He allows to happen in our lives; there are always others who need to see God working in and through our lives, sometimes, if not all times, we hardly even know the extent of work that He is doing all around us; the ripple effect of each and every trial or work, one person can spread to three or four, or even a thousand. God has a way of making beauty from ashes; from turning life giving salvation from even the simplest of deaths. It just takes one life to be changed, and that one life could minister to thousands. When you look at the Scripture references for this particular verse, three of them are regarding Jesus rebuking the waves after being woken from His sleep, from Matthew, Mark, and Luke; but there is one, the encounter of Jonah with the men of the ship that he was on, that says, "So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging." In case you were not aware, or might have forgotten, this men were torn between throwing Jonah over or not. They did not want to because they could see very plainly that he was a man of God, but they could also see that he was also trying to run from God; torn between these two situations, they had to make a choice, do they or don't they do what he told them to do. Who had the greater faith, them or Jonah? Collectively, they did; but Jonah also believed in the mighty power of God...
""Throw me into the sea," Jonah said, "and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is my fault." Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn't make it. Then they cried to the LORD, Jonah's God. "O LORD," they pleaded, "don't make us die for this man's sin. And don't hold us responsible for his death. O LORD, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons." Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! The sailors were awestruck by the LORD'S great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him. Now the LORD had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights." (Jonah 1:12-17) NLT
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
"So We Will Call Upon Him!"
"Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses."
(Psalms 107:28)
Okay, so the arrow that goes from "God Will Send Storms," does not actually end up pointing to a verse, but rather points to what today's title is, which is written right after the word, "distresses." Sometimes, God just wants us to stop pretending we have things under control, and He wants us to cry out to Him! The storms are meant for keeping us in touch with Him. I know we have our prayer times and our moments of the day where we stop to say thanks or lift up someone; but this is altogether something different; this is where we stop and realize that real danger is present, where our simple life has been disrupted by a storm, and the storm is going to take us off our game. If you don't quite know what I mean, it is something unexpected but not unpredictable; something you might not usually stop to cry out to God over, because it is more widespread than just you. That is what storms actually are, they are circumstances that surround you, far more complicated and far reaching, that involve situations far beyond what anything or anyone can control. We sometimes neglect to call out to God in these situations because they are more widespread; much like an actual storm, it involves more than just you or me, it involves countless lives all around us. Who am I, that I could call upon the Lord in such a situation? Sometimes we need to find someone that is in agreement. Isn't that the meaning of the word "they," that there is more than one? And so it goes...
""I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them."" (Matthew 18:19-20) NLT
(Psalms 107:28)
Okay, so the arrow that goes from "God Will Send Storms," does not actually end up pointing to a verse, but rather points to what today's title is, which is written right after the word, "distresses." Sometimes, God just wants us to stop pretending we have things under control, and He wants us to cry out to Him! The storms are meant for keeping us in touch with Him. I know we have our prayer times and our moments of the day where we stop to say thanks or lift up someone; but this is altogether something different; this is where we stop and realize that real danger is present, where our simple life has been disrupted by a storm, and the storm is going to take us off our game. If you don't quite know what I mean, it is something unexpected but not unpredictable; something you might not usually stop to cry out to God over, because it is more widespread than just you. That is what storms actually are, they are circumstances that surround you, far more complicated and far reaching, that involve situations far beyond what anything or anyone can control. We sometimes neglect to call out to God in these situations because they are more widespread; much like an actual storm, it involves more than just you or me, it involves countless lives all around us. Who am I, that I could call upon the Lord in such a situation? Sometimes we need to find someone that is in agreement. Isn't that the meaning of the word "they," that there is more than one? And so it goes...
""I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them."" (Matthew 18:19-20) NLT
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
"God Will Send Storms"
"They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end." (Psalms 107:27)
What an amazing take on how we can get so messed up with things we can do absolutely nothing about. Actually, we are facing a storm right now, as I am getting ready to travel from here in Reno to South Lake Tahoe, they are predicting white-out conditions. My niece is getting married tomorrow, so this should be interesting, to say the least. As much as I like the snow, I was kinda hoping for some pretty good weather for the ceremony, but we have no control over that, that is God's department. This title today is written in my Bible right after this verse, but it has an arrow pointing down to the next thing I wrote, right after the next verse. Here is the big powerful deference between what happens to us, those of us that trust in the Lord, and those that do not put their trust in him at all: we are okay riding in a storm, because we know that He is in it with us! If you really want to know, Jesus was able to sleep in that ship while His disciples were freaking out, because He knew that this was a time for Him to rest, His time was still a ways off to die. We do not have that same privilege, our time could come at any moment or at any time; but what we do have is comfort in knowing that the end is only the beginning. Because He lives, we will live also! This is one of Paul's important messages, that Christ has risen from the dead, and because He rose, we will rise also! Storm or no storm, we are here for as long as God will have us to be here, not a moment sooner or later. Just as we cannot prevent the storm, we surely cannot prevent our departure. In the mean time, enjoy the ride...
""A hungry person dreams of eating but wakes up still hungry. A thirsty dreams of drinking but is still faint from thirst when morning comes. So it will be with your enemies, with those that attack Mount Zion." Are you amazed and incredulous? Don't you believe it? Then go ahead and be blind. You are stupid, but not from wine! You stagger, but not from liquor! For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has closed the eyes of your prophets and visionaries. All the future events in this vision are like a sealed book to them. When you give it to those who can read, they will say, "We can't read it because it is sealed." When you give it to those who cannot read, they will say, "We don't know how to read."" (Isaiah 29:8-12) NLT
What an amazing take on how we can get so messed up with things we can do absolutely nothing about. Actually, we are facing a storm right now, as I am getting ready to travel from here in Reno to South Lake Tahoe, they are predicting white-out conditions. My niece is getting married tomorrow, so this should be interesting, to say the least. As much as I like the snow, I was kinda hoping for some pretty good weather for the ceremony, but we have no control over that, that is God's department. This title today is written in my Bible right after this verse, but it has an arrow pointing down to the next thing I wrote, right after the next verse. Here is the big powerful deference between what happens to us, those of us that trust in the Lord, and those that do not put their trust in him at all: we are okay riding in a storm, because we know that He is in it with us! If you really want to know, Jesus was able to sleep in that ship while His disciples were freaking out, because He knew that this was a time for Him to rest, His time was still a ways off to die. We do not have that same privilege, our time could come at any moment or at any time; but what we do have is comfort in knowing that the end is only the beginning. Because He lives, we will live also! This is one of Paul's important messages, that Christ has risen from the dead, and because He rose, we will rise also! Storm or no storm, we are here for as long as God will have us to be here, not a moment sooner or later. Just as we cannot prevent the storm, we surely cannot prevent our departure. In the mean time, enjoy the ride...
""A hungry person dreams of eating but wakes up still hungry. A thirsty dreams of drinking but is still faint from thirst when morning comes. So it will be with your enemies, with those that attack Mount Zion." Are you amazed and incredulous? Don't you believe it? Then go ahead and be blind. You are stupid, but not from wine! You stagger, but not from liquor! For the LORD has poured out on you a spirit of deep sleep. He has closed the eyes of your prophets and visionaries. All the future events in this vision are like a sealed book to them. When you give it to those who can read, they will say, "We can't read it because it is sealed." When you give it to those who cannot read, they will say, "We don't know how to read."" (Isaiah 29:8-12) NLT
Monday, March 12, 2018
"And That We Are Not!"
"They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble." (Psalms 107:26)
Okay, so this verse takes on some pretty interesting twists, to say the least. You might think this is all about the waves, but it speaks to many of the ups and downs of our everyday lives. Besides, God does send storms into our lives; the rain falls upon the righteous and the wicked, the only difference is how we accept them. If we understand that God is the one in control, our outlook on trials and difficulties of everyday living have a much different effect on our peace of mind. Yesterday I started out my journey to Reno getting propane at the nearby RV park. As I was walking around my RV, I noticed that the right rear outside tire looked low. Looking closer, I noticed that the valve stem for the inside tire was not visible, so I took look between the tires, and noticed that the inside tire was completely flat; so flat, that the tire was no longer touching the rim. This might not be such a bad thing, if it was not happening on a Sunday. Long story short, I made my way about ten miles down to a truck stop, taking all the backroads and keeping my speed down below 35mph. When I asked for assistance, I was told that they did not have my size tire in stock, so breaking it down could end up being a big mistake. I informed the clerk to please break it down, and to take a chance on the tire being good. Don't think I didn't pray about it after; this was my only option, if I wanted to be in Reno by the end of the day. God was all over that whole situation. It turned out that the outside tire had a screw in it, and the inside tire had a leaky valve stem. All in all, it was a good thing, even though it appeared to be some sort of trial. When God sends storms our way, it causes us to react or take action; even if the action we take is simply trying to get in out of the rain...
"I lie in the dust; revive me by your word. I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. I cling to your laws, LORD, don't let me be put to shame! I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding." (Psalms 119:25-32) NLT
Okay, so this verse takes on some pretty interesting twists, to say the least. You might think this is all about the waves, but it speaks to many of the ups and downs of our everyday lives. Besides, God does send storms into our lives; the rain falls upon the righteous and the wicked, the only difference is how we accept them. If we understand that God is the one in control, our outlook on trials and difficulties of everyday living have a much different effect on our peace of mind. Yesterday I started out my journey to Reno getting propane at the nearby RV park. As I was walking around my RV, I noticed that the right rear outside tire looked low. Looking closer, I noticed that the valve stem for the inside tire was not visible, so I took look between the tires, and noticed that the inside tire was completely flat; so flat, that the tire was no longer touching the rim. This might not be such a bad thing, if it was not happening on a Sunday. Long story short, I made my way about ten miles down to a truck stop, taking all the backroads and keeping my speed down below 35mph. When I asked for assistance, I was told that they did not have my size tire in stock, so breaking it down could end up being a big mistake. I informed the clerk to please break it down, and to take a chance on the tire being good. Don't think I didn't pray about it after; this was my only option, if I wanted to be in Reno by the end of the day. God was all over that whole situation. It turned out that the outside tire had a screw in it, and the inside tire had a leaky valve stem. All in all, it was a good thing, even though it appeared to be some sort of trial. When God sends storms our way, it causes us to react or take action; even if the action we take is simply trying to get in out of the rain...
"I lie in the dust; revive me by your word. I told you my plans, and you answered. Now teach me your decrees. Help me understand the meaning of your commandments, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. Keep me from lying to myself; give me the privilege of knowing your instructions. I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. I cling to your laws, LORD, don't let me be put to shame! I will pursue your commands, for you expand my understanding." (Psalms 119:25-32) NLT
Sunday, March 11, 2018
"That We Know God's in Control"
"For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof."
(Psalms 107:25)
Whether you are feeling blessed or not, that is pretty much a state of mind; not everyone has the same degree of satisfaction. One thing my mother always would tell me whenever I started to feel dissatisfied with the things I was given, she said, "You came into this world naked, and naked you will leave it." The Lord gives and takes away, so if it is a matter of material things we are focused upon, those things are nothing but matter, particles of debris that have been formed into something that will decompose and fade away. Once upon a time, children were what counted as blessings; if you had a lot of them, you felt totally blessed; if you did not have any, you felt cursed by God. There was quite a lot of Abraham's life that was focused upon God's promise to give him children; most of his life he went about feeling unsatisfied, pretty much, almost all of it. The funny thing about faith is that it does not exist based upon proof, but rather on what we believe to be true, regardless of what we see or how things may appear. Did Abraham have doubts? You bet he did! He was a man just as much as you or me; but when push came to shove, he trusted and believed God would do as He promised. It is really not that hard to understand, we have two ways to look at this life; one is from our own perspective, and the other is based upon God's. Our perspective deals with material things and positions of situations or circumstances. God's perspective deals with His word and His promises.
One perspective is temporary and always changes; while the other is the same, yesterday, today, and for ever. God is on our side...
"Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid, I am here!" Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination." (John 6:18-21) NLT
(Psalms 107:25)
Whether you are feeling blessed or not, that is pretty much a state of mind; not everyone has the same degree of satisfaction. One thing my mother always would tell me whenever I started to feel dissatisfied with the things I was given, she said, "You came into this world naked, and naked you will leave it." The Lord gives and takes away, so if it is a matter of material things we are focused upon, those things are nothing but matter, particles of debris that have been formed into something that will decompose and fade away. Once upon a time, children were what counted as blessings; if you had a lot of them, you felt totally blessed; if you did not have any, you felt cursed by God. There was quite a lot of Abraham's life that was focused upon God's promise to give him children; most of his life he went about feeling unsatisfied, pretty much, almost all of it. The funny thing about faith is that it does not exist based upon proof, but rather on what we believe to be true, regardless of what we see or how things may appear. Did Abraham have doubts? You bet he did! He was a man just as much as you or me; but when push came to shove, he trusted and believed God would do as He promised. It is really not that hard to understand, we have two ways to look at this life; one is from our own perspective, and the other is based upon God's. Our perspective deals with material things and positions of situations or circumstances. God's perspective deals with His word and His promises.
One perspective is temporary and always changes; while the other is the same, yesterday, today, and for ever. God is on our side...
"Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid, I am here!" Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination." (John 6:18-21) NLT
Saturday, March 10, 2018
"That We See God's Wonder"
"That they go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep." (Psalms 107:23-24)
It is pretty obvious that God has no lack of imagination and attention to detail; if He can design these bodies which so quickly perish to be so different and yet so similar, imagine what the things that are eternal must look like. Over the last several days I have heard several different messages about the complexity of the human body. At first I really thought nothing of it, like that was just some good information or that it just so happened; but this morning I realized that it was all God. You have got to realize something about my pattern of listening to these messages; they are bits a pieces of different messages that are caught between appointments. As I travel from one inspection to another, I am able to listen to different pastors give messages on the radio, mostly just ten or fifteen minute portions of any one message. Over these last several days I have heard messages about the amount of thought our brains produce and gather over the average lifetime, the amount of blood pumped through our veins in a single day, and the unique and complex differences of our DNA. These bodies we take for granted are so complex and diverse, the medical and science communities are still being amazed with new discoveries and things they need to learn over and over again. Just when they think they have something figured out, there is a new discovery that makes them have to rethink everything that they discovered before. God's design is not all that simple to comprehend; but it is easy to see that it all was designed and created by God, of that there is no denying...
""Can you direct the movement of the stars -binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the sequence of the seasons or guide guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth? "Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind?"" (Job 38:31-36) NLT
It is pretty obvious that God has no lack of imagination and attention to detail; if He can design these bodies which so quickly perish to be so different and yet so similar, imagine what the things that are eternal must look like. Over the last several days I have heard several different messages about the complexity of the human body. At first I really thought nothing of it, like that was just some good information or that it just so happened; but this morning I realized that it was all God. You have got to realize something about my pattern of listening to these messages; they are bits a pieces of different messages that are caught between appointments. As I travel from one inspection to another, I am able to listen to different pastors give messages on the radio, mostly just ten or fifteen minute portions of any one message. Over these last several days I have heard messages about the amount of thought our brains produce and gather over the average lifetime, the amount of blood pumped through our veins in a single day, and the unique and complex differences of our DNA. These bodies we take for granted are so complex and diverse, the medical and science communities are still being amazed with new discoveries and things they need to learn over and over again. Just when they think they have something figured out, there is a new discovery that makes them have to rethink everything that they discovered before. God's design is not all that simple to comprehend; but it is easy to see that it all was designed and created by God, of that there is no denying...
""Can you direct the movement of the stars -binding the cluster of the Pleiades or loosening the cords of Orion? Can you direct the sequence of the seasons or guide guide the Bear with her cubs across the heavens? Do you know the laws of the universe? Can you use them to regulate the earth? "Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind?"" (Job 38:31-36) NLT
Friday, March 9, 2018
"That We Should Rejoice"
"And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing."
(Psalms 107:22
Maybe the most opposite issue that we have is condemnation, the guilt and shame that haunts our soul and robs us of the joy of the Lord. Do we even know what it means to have the joy of the Lord in our hearts, or have we forgotten and tried to produce a counterfeit joy in its place? What does it mean, "let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving"? When you think about the Temple sacrifices, they were burnt offerings that were offered up to God; but more than that, they were offered as a symbol of our sins and trespasses being offered, burnt up, as smoke that disappears and is seen no more. Thinking back to something I had said about the "Unthankful Servant," the parable from Matthew 18:21-35; Jesus was answering a question Peter asked, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" A really good answer to that question would be to ask ourselves, How many times do I need God's forgiveness? Will seven times be enough? Maybe in a single day, if we try really really hard not to slip up! I seriously doubt Jesus was trying to put a number to His answer when he said, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." How could anyone keep tabs after even seventy times? If you were following my discussion from way back on the unfaithful servant, you might recall the reason that I believe he could not forgive his fellow servant, even though he had been forgiven so much more than he was willing to forgive someone else; that it was because he had not finished getting in debt. His very large debt had been totally wiped away, but whatever it was that caused him to be in debt had not been dealt with. It might not seem all that important, at least not at first; but having been forgive such a heavy debt, should have filled that servants heart with so much joy, the little debt of his fellow servant would have been nothing to forgive. It reminds me of Paul's explanation of our need to "reckon our old man to be crucified with Christ." (Romans 6) Christ died for every sin, those that were behind us, as well as those that might be ahead; every sin we could ever think of, He paid the price in full upon that cross. The sinner does not need to live with sin any longer, because the sin has been washed away; just like that smoke from the sacrifice, it has totally disappeared and can not be gathered up again. So what keeps us from rejoicing in that? Maybe looking at Paul's next point, "Being Released from the Law," might help to explain some of the joy being robbed from our hearts...
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them. We have an alter from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of the animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." (Hebrews 13:8-16) NLT
(Psalms 107:22
Maybe the most opposite issue that we have is condemnation, the guilt and shame that haunts our soul and robs us of the joy of the Lord. Do we even know what it means to have the joy of the Lord in our hearts, or have we forgotten and tried to produce a counterfeit joy in its place? What does it mean, "let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving"? When you think about the Temple sacrifices, they were burnt offerings that were offered up to God; but more than that, they were offered as a symbol of our sins and trespasses being offered, burnt up, as smoke that disappears and is seen no more. Thinking back to something I had said about the "Unthankful Servant," the parable from Matthew 18:21-35; Jesus was answering a question Peter asked, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?" A really good answer to that question would be to ask ourselves, How many times do I need God's forgiveness? Will seven times be enough? Maybe in a single day, if we try really really hard not to slip up! I seriously doubt Jesus was trying to put a number to His answer when he said, "I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." How could anyone keep tabs after even seventy times? If you were following my discussion from way back on the unfaithful servant, you might recall the reason that I believe he could not forgive his fellow servant, even though he had been forgiven so much more than he was willing to forgive someone else; that it was because he had not finished getting in debt. His very large debt had been totally wiped away, but whatever it was that caused him to be in debt had not been dealt with. It might not seem all that important, at least not at first; but having been forgive such a heavy debt, should have filled that servants heart with so much joy, the little debt of his fellow servant would have been nothing to forgive. It reminds me of Paul's explanation of our need to "reckon our old man to be crucified with Christ." (Romans 6) Christ died for every sin, those that were behind us, as well as those that might be ahead; every sin we could ever think of, He paid the price in full upon that cross. The sinner does not need to live with sin any longer, because the sin has been washed away; just like that smoke from the sacrifice, it has totally disappeared and can not be gathered up again. So what keeps us from rejoicing in that? Maybe looking at Paul's next point, "Being Released from the Law," might help to explain some of the joy being robbed from our hearts...
"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them. We have an alter from which the priests in the Tabernacle have no right to eat. Under the old system, the high priest brought the blood of the animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, and the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates to make his people holy by means of his own blood. So let us go out to him, outside the camp, and bear the disgrace he bore. For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come. Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don't forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God." (Hebrews 13:8-16) NLT
Thursday, March 8, 2018
"That We Be Made Whole"
"O that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalms 107:21)
So, I was tempted to continue verse 20 again, but it was plain enough to see, God's Word is none other than His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! When I think about all of the that died because they refused to look upon the serpent that Moses lifted up, yet I too had refused several times to look upon Jesus for my salvation. I mocked the free gift, thinking that it was such foolishness to put my faith in someone who would give up His life and be offered as a sacrifice for my sins. How does that even work, I would wonder. When Jesus healed the man at the pool, that man had been in the condition he was in since even before Jesus was born; thirty-eight years, the Bible says, he was in that condition. If we stay in a certain condition long enough, it is hard to imagine life to be any different; it is hard to imagine what kind of a life we might live and how to function normally. But isn't that the whole truth of the Gospel message; there is nothing normal about this Salvation we have entered into, it is anything but normal and is 100% God! The man answered Jesus with his idea of what it took to be healed, that someone could get him into that water before anyone else; if only there was a way, if only it could happen while the water was stirred. How many times have we practiced that in our own lives? Even now, having been a Christian all these many years, I still will imagine myself cleaning up my own life; working on my own salvation, as if it were something I can get a handle on, if only the timing was right, or if only I find the right answer. It is not something that we should even attempt; it would be like a doctor performing surgery on himself; talk about foolishness, that is beyond being stupid, it is suicide. He wants us to give everything over to Him! All of the stuff we even think we can handle on our own, it is all a new direction and a new way of dealing with life. Instead of the man being carried upon his bed, Jesus tells him to carry his bed! What a crazy idea! If you have a giant hole in your life, then that hole needs to be filled, and Jesus wants to fill it! Oddly enough, He will usually fill it opposite of the issue that you are dealing with...
"Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But he did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me." (Psalms 66:16-20) NLT
So, I was tempted to continue verse 20 again, but it was plain enough to see, God's Word is none other than His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! When I think about all of the that died because they refused to look upon the serpent that Moses lifted up, yet I too had refused several times to look upon Jesus for my salvation. I mocked the free gift, thinking that it was such foolishness to put my faith in someone who would give up His life and be offered as a sacrifice for my sins. How does that even work, I would wonder. When Jesus healed the man at the pool, that man had been in the condition he was in since even before Jesus was born; thirty-eight years, the Bible says, he was in that condition. If we stay in a certain condition long enough, it is hard to imagine life to be any different; it is hard to imagine what kind of a life we might live and how to function normally. But isn't that the whole truth of the Gospel message; there is nothing normal about this Salvation we have entered into, it is anything but normal and is 100% God! The man answered Jesus with his idea of what it took to be healed, that someone could get him into that water before anyone else; if only there was a way, if only it could happen while the water was stirred. How many times have we practiced that in our own lives? Even now, having been a Christian all these many years, I still will imagine myself cleaning up my own life; working on my own salvation, as if it were something I can get a handle on, if only the timing was right, or if only I find the right answer. It is not something that we should even attempt; it would be like a doctor performing surgery on himself; talk about foolishness, that is beyond being stupid, it is suicide. He wants us to give everything over to Him! All of the stuff we even think we can handle on our own, it is all a new direction and a new way of dealing with life. Instead of the man being carried upon his bed, Jesus tells him to carry his bed! What a crazy idea! If you have a giant hole in your life, then that hole needs to be filled, and Jesus wants to fill it! Oddly enough, He will usually fill it opposite of the issue that you are dealing with...
"Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what he did for me. For I cried out to him for help, praising him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But he did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw his unfailing love from me." (Psalms 66:16-20) NLT
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
"The Power in God's Word" -2
"He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalms 107:20)
Yes, God's word is powerful; it is powerful enough to create all that we see, it can surely change the human heart! I have written between this verses and the next, "There is power in God's word!" I do believe that I have shared this before, but I had a mighty encounter at a Men's Conference back in the late 90's, down at CC San Jose. The speaker was Pastor Damian, and I had been praying for God's word to speak mightily and with power. Little did I know, that I was praying specifically for Him to speak to me. The text was Ephesians 1, and no sooner as I had flipped the page in my Bible to the text, as I looked down to begin to read it, Damian read the first few words, and instantly I was in tears and shaking; "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." There is a very close relationship between the will of God and His word; you could say that the two are pretty much inseparable. Paul was not only quite aware of his calling, he used that calling for strength and surety, especially in the times of his despair and persecutions. That was another thing that Gen. Jerry kept repeating Saturday, how every time he wanted to quit and get out of serving the Lord, God kept reminding him, saying, "I have called you and prepared you for this purpose." No matter how hot the kitchen got, he knew that he was the man God had put in there to stand the heat. I see that very similarity in President Trump. If ever there was a man that could take the heat, I see him being up for the task; whether or not he has considered quitting, only God knows his heart; but there are very few men that could withstand such opposition and ridicule without wanting to retreat and take shelter. What is God's will for this Nation? What is God's will for the church? Are we meant to simply sit back and allow evil to take over, or are we meant to stand in the gap and take the heat? I believe that God has equipped us with two very powerful tools, prayer and the word of God. Prayer is power poured out into the spiritual darkness, areas that are unseen and unknown all around us; it is by prayer that these spiritual forces are held at bay, and it is by prayer and the word of God that they are torn down. God's word is also used on the battlefield, a mighty sword for taking big slices out of the enemy, and a tiny dagger for close combat or personal encounters. This is not just about our little personal lives, this is about taking on the forces of evil. Looking again at the temptations Jesus overcame in the wilderness, He did so by quoting God's word. God's word cannot be argued against, because it is final and unchangeable, just as is His will...
"Then the LORD told him, "Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it." So Mose made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!"
(Numbers 21:8-9) NLT
Yes, God's word is powerful; it is powerful enough to create all that we see, it can surely change the human heart! I have written between this verses and the next, "There is power in God's word!" I do believe that I have shared this before, but I had a mighty encounter at a Men's Conference back in the late 90's, down at CC San Jose. The speaker was Pastor Damian, and I had been praying for God's word to speak mightily and with power. Little did I know, that I was praying specifically for Him to speak to me. The text was Ephesians 1, and no sooner as I had flipped the page in my Bible to the text, as I looked down to begin to read it, Damian read the first few words, and instantly I was in tears and shaking; "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God." There is a very close relationship between the will of God and His word; you could say that the two are pretty much inseparable. Paul was not only quite aware of his calling, he used that calling for strength and surety, especially in the times of his despair and persecutions. That was another thing that Gen. Jerry kept repeating Saturday, how every time he wanted to quit and get out of serving the Lord, God kept reminding him, saying, "I have called you and prepared you for this purpose." No matter how hot the kitchen got, he knew that he was the man God had put in there to stand the heat. I see that very similarity in President Trump. If ever there was a man that could take the heat, I see him being up for the task; whether or not he has considered quitting, only God knows his heart; but there are very few men that could withstand such opposition and ridicule without wanting to retreat and take shelter. What is God's will for this Nation? What is God's will for the church? Are we meant to simply sit back and allow evil to take over, or are we meant to stand in the gap and take the heat? I believe that God has equipped us with two very powerful tools, prayer and the word of God. Prayer is power poured out into the spiritual darkness, areas that are unseen and unknown all around us; it is by prayer that these spiritual forces are held at bay, and it is by prayer and the word of God that they are torn down. God's word is also used on the battlefield, a mighty sword for taking big slices out of the enemy, and a tiny dagger for close combat or personal encounters. This is not just about our little personal lives, this is about taking on the forces of evil. Looking again at the temptations Jesus overcame in the wilderness, He did so by quoting God's word. God's word cannot be argued against, because it is final and unchangeable, just as is His will...
"Then the LORD told him, "Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it." So Mose made a snake out of bronze and attached it to a pole. Then anyone who was bitten by a snake could look at the bronze snake and be healed!"
(Numbers 21:8-9) NLT
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
"The Power in God's Word"
"He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions." (Psalms 107:20)
I know that I do not need to remind anyone about this, but I do need to remind myself, that God's word has the power to change lives! If it is a healing that you are looking for, then healing is easy; Jesus healed many people over these last 7,000 plus years, but of all those people that He healed from their sickness, none continued to live beyond their years on this earth. No healing of the physical body will be enough to deliver us from destruction; that kind of deliverance can only happen through a changed person; one that goes from being spiritually dead, to being alive in Christ. It is really hard to explain that to people, because unless you have actually experienced that transformation yourself, you can hardly imagine how it happens or what it must be like. There are a couple of verses from John 1:1 through John 1:18 that are easy for people to not agree upon; like verse 13, "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Jesus touches on this very subject in His conversation with Nicodemus, saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) In the quest to make this as simple as I possibly can, the explanation of the meaning of Jeremiah 33:3, that says, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not," there is absolutely no way that man can see the Kingdom of God unless God has given that man His Spirit to experience it for himself. That said, God has given us His word; we may not be able to share God's Spirit with anyone, but we are able to share His word, and His word has power! Paul gives us the example of how this works in 1 Corinthians 2:14, saying, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." I think we make way too much out of the simple message that is delivered in God's word, trying to make it more interesting or more dramatic, when all it needs to be is exactly what God has delivered unto us...
"When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive window to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness -timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God." (2 Corinthians 2:1-5) NLT
I know that I do not need to remind anyone about this, but I do need to remind myself, that God's word has the power to change lives! If it is a healing that you are looking for, then healing is easy; Jesus healed many people over these last 7,000 plus years, but of all those people that He healed from their sickness, none continued to live beyond their years on this earth. No healing of the physical body will be enough to deliver us from destruction; that kind of deliverance can only happen through a changed person; one that goes from being spiritually dead, to being alive in Christ. It is really hard to explain that to people, because unless you have actually experienced that transformation yourself, you can hardly imagine how it happens or what it must be like. There are a couple of verses from John 1:1 through John 1:18 that are easy for people to not agree upon; like verse 13, "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." Jesus touches on this very subject in His conversation with Nicodemus, saying, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5) In the quest to make this as simple as I possibly can, the explanation of the meaning of Jeremiah 33:3, that says, "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not," there is absolutely no way that man can see the Kingdom of God unless God has given that man His Spirit to experience it for himself. That said, God has given us His word; we may not be able to share God's Spirit with anyone, but we are able to share His word, and His word has power! Paul gives us the example of how this works in 1 Corinthians 2:14, saying, "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." I think we make way too much out of the simple message that is delivered in God's word, trying to make it more interesting or more dramatic, when all it needs to be is exactly what God has delivered unto us...
"When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn't use lofty words and impressive window to tell you God's secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness -timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God." (2 Corinthians 2:1-5) NLT
Monday, March 5, 2018
"Then They Cry Out"
"Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth out of their distresses." (Psalms 107:19)
It might appear to be the same as verse 13, but in reality, it presents itself as a present and ongoing situation. Why do we wait for everything to fall apart, when it is so much easier to stay needy and humble? As for the Bible verses the tablet or phone, it is not about the devise, it's about the message. If we really want to make a difference in the world around us, then we need to be a light, and seeing God's people holding, with pride, the Word of God, is a pretty good sign that they are not ashamed of what they believe is the Truth. I'm just saying! There was one particular thing that I kept hearing Gen. Jerry say at the conference Saturday, that he always would pray to God for an answer by flipping open his Bible to wherever God would want him to see. Try doing that on your smart-phone or tablet! I do that also when I am in situations where I need God's word to speak to me, especially when I do not know the particular address; God is really good at picking the perfect address for me to sit and meditate at, He has never failed me, and I a sure He never will. Besides, I known the places in my Bible better than I know the address that they are found; like Isaiah 55 I know is almost exactly in the middle of my Bible, pretty much right in the middle. That will not be the same in your Bible, because mine has about 400 pages of definitions and grammatical information in the end. But I am sure that is similar for you and your favorite verses; you can almost feel where they are at! As for this verse today, there really is not much more to say, except that the more we are nourished by God's word, the more we tend to cry out, and the less prone we are to allow ourselves to let distress drag on without seeking a solution. Not that distresses are always something bad, because destress can represent 'narrowness' also. In case you might forget, "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many that choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT) The difficult road is always distressful, but He continually gives us the strength to go on another day...
"Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, "Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."" (Jeremiah 33:1-3) KJV
It might appear to be the same as verse 13, but in reality, it presents itself as a present and ongoing situation. Why do we wait for everything to fall apart, when it is so much easier to stay needy and humble? As for the Bible verses the tablet or phone, it is not about the devise, it's about the message. If we really want to make a difference in the world around us, then we need to be a light, and seeing God's people holding, with pride, the Word of God, is a pretty good sign that they are not ashamed of what they believe is the Truth. I'm just saying! There was one particular thing that I kept hearing Gen. Jerry say at the conference Saturday, that he always would pray to God for an answer by flipping open his Bible to wherever God would want him to see. Try doing that on your smart-phone or tablet! I do that also when I am in situations where I need God's word to speak to me, especially when I do not know the particular address; God is really good at picking the perfect address for me to sit and meditate at, He has never failed me, and I a sure He never will. Besides, I known the places in my Bible better than I know the address that they are found; like Isaiah 55 I know is almost exactly in the middle of my Bible, pretty much right in the middle. That will not be the same in your Bible, because mine has about 400 pages of definitions and grammatical information in the end. But I am sure that is similar for you and your favorite verses; you can almost feel where they are at! As for this verse today, there really is not much more to say, except that the more we are nourished by God's word, the more we tend to cry out, and the less prone we are to allow ourselves to let distress drag on without seeking a solution. Not that distresses are always something bad, because destress can represent 'narrowness' also. In case you might forget, "You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many that choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14 NLT) The difficult road is always distressful, but He continually gives us the strength to go on another day...
"Moreover the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah the second time, while he was yet shut up in the court of the prison, saying, "Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."" (Jeremiah 33:1-3) KJV
Sunday, March 4, 2018
"Need to be Nourished"
"Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death."
(Psalms 107:18)
Here is a little twist I see could be happening, or left unchecked. Our phones and tablets are good for using as tools for looking up Scriptures and searching for commentary, but when it comes to reading the Bible, there is nothing better than the actual Book! I get it, everyone is looking to streamline their lives. People are almost naturally looking for ways to make anything easier or simpler; any task or any recipe, there is always a way to make it easier or faster. That does not work with God's word! His word needs to be meditated upon and studied; it must be chewed on, just as the cow chews cud! If we fail to study His word, then it is just as well that we do not eat; at least then our bodies will fail before our souls. Call me old fashion, but I personally prefer to run my hand across the pages, to feel the texture of the page, and to flip the pages back and forth from chapter to chapter. I was amazingly surprised to see the number of men at the conference yesterday that did not actually have a Bible. It was really hard to tell that we were at a church event, if not for all the shirts that people wore with Christian art on them. I use my phone and tablet all the time for searching Scriptures, so I have nothing against using technology. What I do not like to see is men not carrying their Bibles; it just does not set right with me that they would trade a sword for a flashlight! It's not just a book, it is a symbol and a gesture of taking a stand; in a world where God's word is being looked down upon, holding your Bible makes you take that a stand for God's word. When I taught Sunday School, third grade was my favorite age group to teach. I could actually talk all of the kids into bringing their Bibles to class, and would even give them an incentive to do so. I could also get them all to pray, and just pray out load, but to know that their prayers count and are important to God. Six grade students were quit harder, they did not think that carrying a Bible around was cool, so if they brought one, it was hidden in a bag or under their coat. It is okay to use our technology, but let's not take away our ability to a warrior on the battlefield. Does it appear obvious that the lack of Bibles being carried is a lack of prepared soldiers? I made room in my Bible cover for my phone. I am sure they sell Bible covers that have pockets for phones or small tablets. Anywho; this is for the children; they need to start to carry a Sword...
"But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17) NLT
(Psalms 107:18)
Here is a little twist I see could be happening, or left unchecked. Our phones and tablets are good for using as tools for looking up Scriptures and searching for commentary, but when it comes to reading the Bible, there is nothing better than the actual Book! I get it, everyone is looking to streamline their lives. People are almost naturally looking for ways to make anything easier or simpler; any task or any recipe, there is always a way to make it easier or faster. That does not work with God's word! His word needs to be meditated upon and studied; it must be chewed on, just as the cow chews cud! If we fail to study His word, then it is just as well that we do not eat; at least then our bodies will fail before our souls. Call me old fashion, but I personally prefer to run my hand across the pages, to feel the texture of the page, and to flip the pages back and forth from chapter to chapter. I was amazingly surprised to see the number of men at the conference yesterday that did not actually have a Bible. It was really hard to tell that we were at a church event, if not for all the shirts that people wore with Christian art on them. I use my phone and tablet all the time for searching Scriptures, so I have nothing against using technology. What I do not like to see is men not carrying their Bibles; it just does not set right with me that they would trade a sword for a flashlight! It's not just a book, it is a symbol and a gesture of taking a stand; in a world where God's word is being looked down upon, holding your Bible makes you take that a stand for God's word. When I taught Sunday School, third grade was my favorite age group to teach. I could actually talk all of the kids into bringing their Bibles to class, and would even give them an incentive to do so. I could also get them all to pray, and just pray out load, but to know that their prayers count and are important to God. Six grade students were quit harder, they did not think that carrying a Bible around was cool, so if they brought one, it was hidden in a bag or under their coat. It is okay to use our technology, but let's not take away our ability to a warrior on the battlefield. Does it appear obvious that the lack of Bibles being carried is a lack of prepared soldiers? I made room in my Bible cover for my phone. I am sure they sell Bible covers that have pockets for phones or small tablets. Anywho; this is for the children; they need to start to carry a Sword...
"But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17) NLT
Saturday, March 3, 2018
"Need to be Rescued"
"Fools, because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted." (Psalms 107:17)
So it really comes down to this: are you going to continue to mock at your guiltiness, or are you going to yield to the power of God? This is not a question I intended for someone else, more than it is a question for myself. Personally, I want to experience God's power like never before. I want to be able to be poured out, in a way that actually makes a powerful impact upon the Kingdom of God. Isn't that what the apostle Paul was all about? I was listening to Dr. McGee yesterday, as he was talking about Paul's chances of having been previously married. This is a topic that has intrigued me these last fourteen, as I have come to experience this odd marriage relationship I currently have with my wife. Don't get me wrong, it is wonderful to be able to care for her and to show her how much I love her; but besides that care and comfort that I pour out, there is really nothing that she can give me in return; except for a unexpected look or the appreciation I get inside. Paul would have needed to be married in order to hold the position that he did as a Jewish leader; but whether his wife had passed or left him, that is hardly important. Dr. MeGee believes that she had passed away; I tend to believe that she left him as soon as he was converted. Like I said, it is really not that important, the main importance is the fact that Paul preferred to stay single; after all, who would want to drag a wife around as you get stoned, whipped, thrown in prison, and shipwrecked? Besides that, the life in which he was previously accustom to was that of privilege and power; so if his wife had not died, he had died to her. Maybe that somehow helped him be motivated to preach the Good News? But I tend to think that he was motivated by the great need he had to be rescued, each and every day of his life! Yes, I was saved from my sins back in September of 1981, but I still need to be rescued from this world every single day. Any time that surcome to this world, on any level, the enemy gets a foothold into our lives. Paul, I believe realized the importance of this, which is what caused him to keep on moving in the Spirit and not getting settled down into anything that would make him feel worldly. We are no longer of this world, so we should be careful how much of this world we give ourselves to. I only wish that had been made more clear to me thirty-six years ago, before I had gotten caught up in a career. But nonetheless, the more I need to be rescued...
""For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away -all the souls I have made. I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way. I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those that mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May that have abundant peace, both near and far," says the LORD, who heals them. "But those that still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked," says my God." (Isaiah 57:16-21) NLT
So it really comes down to this: are you going to continue to mock at your guiltiness, or are you going to yield to the power of God? This is not a question I intended for someone else, more than it is a question for myself. Personally, I want to experience God's power like never before. I want to be able to be poured out, in a way that actually makes a powerful impact upon the Kingdom of God. Isn't that what the apostle Paul was all about? I was listening to Dr. McGee yesterday, as he was talking about Paul's chances of having been previously married. This is a topic that has intrigued me these last fourteen, as I have come to experience this odd marriage relationship I currently have with my wife. Don't get me wrong, it is wonderful to be able to care for her and to show her how much I love her; but besides that care and comfort that I pour out, there is really nothing that she can give me in return; except for a unexpected look or the appreciation I get inside. Paul would have needed to be married in order to hold the position that he did as a Jewish leader; but whether his wife had passed or left him, that is hardly important. Dr. MeGee believes that she had passed away; I tend to believe that she left him as soon as he was converted. Like I said, it is really not that important, the main importance is the fact that Paul preferred to stay single; after all, who would want to drag a wife around as you get stoned, whipped, thrown in prison, and shipwrecked? Besides that, the life in which he was previously accustom to was that of privilege and power; so if his wife had not died, he had died to her. Maybe that somehow helped him be motivated to preach the Good News? But I tend to think that he was motivated by the great need he had to be rescued, each and every day of his life! Yes, I was saved from my sins back in September of 1981, but I still need to be rescued from this world every single day. Any time that surcome to this world, on any level, the enemy gets a foothold into our lives. Paul, I believe realized the importance of this, which is what caused him to keep on moving in the Spirit and not getting settled down into anything that would make him feel worldly. We are no longer of this world, so we should be careful how much of this world we give ourselves to. I only wish that had been made more clear to me thirty-six years ago, before I had gotten caught up in a career. But nonetheless, the more I need to be rescued...
""For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. If I were, all people would pass away -all the souls I have made. I was angry, so I punished these greedy people. I withdrew from them, but they kept going on their own stubborn way. I have seen what they do, but I will heal them anyway! I will lead them. I will comfort those that mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May that have abundant peace, both near and far," says the LORD, who heals them. "But those that still reject me are like the restless sea, which is never still but continually churns up mud and dirt. There is no peace for the wicked," says my God." (Isaiah 57:16-21) NLT
Friday, March 2, 2018
"Yield To God"
"For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron to sunder." (Psalms 107:16)
The title above is written between verses 15 and 16 in my Bible, so I really don't know for sure which verse it was meant to represent; both are suited nicely for such a title. When it comes to us experiencing all the power and strength available to live as God would have us to live, it is pretty much dependent upon our ability to yield to God. The last verses is one of several within this Psalm that say almost exactly the same thing; verses 8, 15 and 21 all have "O" as the beginning, yet verse 31 utilizes the word "Oh." Other than that, they are exactly the same. Looking back to he Title of this Psalm, the one written in my Bible, "God Rescues Us," there is something that we need to consider about being rescued from anything, that we must be totally and completely yielded to the Rescuer! We can flail our arms and put up a fight, but God will just patiently wait for us to loose every bit of strength we might think that we have, until we learn to let go and let God. I heard a very good message from Pastor Jon yesterday, it was about our continued desire to try and work towards gaining God's approval. Nothing that we can do will ever outdo what Christ has done; His blood perfected our Salvation, there is nothing that we can do that will make us more holy than we have already been made. We simply need to walk in that holiness! All the stupid stuff you have ever done, none of that can stick to you; I don't care if it was something you did yesterday or even today; when you confess your sins to God, you are cleansed, period! Sure, there might be some fallout or repercussion for any sin that we are guilty of, but God will hold us totally blameless and justified under the blood of Christ. Even if your sin were to be enough to have the world put you to death, you are safe and secure in God. Let me tell you what this verse speaks into my heart: that the Lord has done all the heavy lifting; He has cleared the way for us to walk in His victory, we just need to rest in His accomplished work and quit trying to do what He has already done. I don't want Jesus to be my crutch, I need Him to be my wheelchair...
"This is what the LORD says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again. This is what the LORD says: "I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness -secret riches. I will do this so you will know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. "And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don't even know me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things."" (Isaiah 45:1-7) NLT
The title above is written between verses 15 and 16 in my Bible, so I really don't know for sure which verse it was meant to represent; both are suited nicely for such a title. When it comes to us experiencing all the power and strength available to live as God would have us to live, it is pretty much dependent upon our ability to yield to God. The last verses is one of several within this Psalm that say almost exactly the same thing; verses 8, 15 and 21 all have "O" as the beginning, yet verse 31 utilizes the word "Oh." Other than that, they are exactly the same. Looking back to he Title of this Psalm, the one written in my Bible, "God Rescues Us," there is something that we need to consider about being rescued from anything, that we must be totally and completely yielded to the Rescuer! We can flail our arms and put up a fight, but God will just patiently wait for us to loose every bit of strength we might think that we have, until we learn to let go and let God. I heard a very good message from Pastor Jon yesterday, it was about our continued desire to try and work towards gaining God's approval. Nothing that we can do will ever outdo what Christ has done; His blood perfected our Salvation, there is nothing that we can do that will make us more holy than we have already been made. We simply need to walk in that holiness! All the stupid stuff you have ever done, none of that can stick to you; I don't care if it was something you did yesterday or even today; when you confess your sins to God, you are cleansed, period! Sure, there might be some fallout or repercussion for any sin that we are guilty of, but God will hold us totally blameless and justified under the blood of Christ. Even if your sin were to be enough to have the world put you to death, you are safe and secure in God. Let me tell you what this verse speaks into my heart: that the Lord has done all the heavy lifting; He has cleared the way for us to walk in His victory, we just need to rest in His accomplished work and quit trying to do what He has already done. I don't want Jesus to be my crutch, I need Him to be my wheelchair...
"This is what the LORD says to Cyrus, his anointed one, whose right hand he will empower. Before him, mighty kings will be paralyzed with fear. Their fortress gates will be opened, never to shut again. This is what the LORD says: "I will go before you, Cyrus, and level the mountains. I will smash down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness -secret riches. I will do this so you will know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name. "And why have I called you for this work? Why did I call you by name when you did not know me? It is for the sake of Jacob my servant, Israel my chosen one. I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don't even know me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things."" (Isaiah 45:1-7) NLT
Thursday, March 1, 2018
"That We Be Made Right, Again!"
"O that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" (Psalms 107:15)
Besides the fact that God never lets go, we are made new. Think about that day when you asked Jesus into your heart, and ask yourself, 'Did my life change in an instant?' I am pretty sure that it did; I know that it did for me. On that very day, in that very moment, there was no denying that I was a new creation in Christ. I felt the weight of the world lifted off of me; I had no more fear of death, death became as though something of the past; even though I was locked up in a jail, I felt totally free and at peace and full of joy; and the Bible that I had been reading for several months, made sense and I was able to explain what it meant. I know that everyone does not have the same kind of conversion, but there needs to be change of some sort; otherwise, what is new? Having said that, I know that over the last several decades some of those wonderful experiences have been toned down a bit in my life. The fullness of joy has been made rationed out; it is not so much in your face as it once was; but that does not mean it still is not expressed, especially in times of adversity. The peace is something that I have come to understand how it comes and goes, which is based upon my confession of sin; if I don't confess my sins, I really don't feel all that much peace, but when I do confess my sins, I am invincible and don't have a care in the world. I think the biggest thing I need to get back to, is reading my Bible before I go to sleep each night. I tend to spend the mornings on devotions, considering that to be good enough; but it is the desire for God's word to be the last thing I think about before I go to sleep at night, that is what I think is missing. These are the things we need to evaluate in our lives, even on a daily basis. 'What do you want me to do Lord?' should be the question that is constantly on our minds. Okay, all of the sudden the powers to be are messing with my connection, so I will cut this short. But I will say that I want to feel that passion again, because I know it makes a difference...
"O LORD, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household: you have freed me from my chains. I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people -in the house of the LORD in the heart of Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!" (Psalms 116:16-19) NLT
Besides the fact that God never lets go, we are made new. Think about that day when you asked Jesus into your heart, and ask yourself, 'Did my life change in an instant?' I am pretty sure that it did; I know that it did for me. On that very day, in that very moment, there was no denying that I was a new creation in Christ. I felt the weight of the world lifted off of me; I had no more fear of death, death became as though something of the past; even though I was locked up in a jail, I felt totally free and at peace and full of joy; and the Bible that I had been reading for several months, made sense and I was able to explain what it meant. I know that everyone does not have the same kind of conversion, but there needs to be change of some sort; otherwise, what is new? Having said that, I know that over the last several decades some of those wonderful experiences have been toned down a bit in my life. The fullness of joy has been made rationed out; it is not so much in your face as it once was; but that does not mean it still is not expressed, especially in times of adversity. The peace is something that I have come to understand how it comes and goes, which is based upon my confession of sin; if I don't confess my sins, I really don't feel all that much peace, but when I do confess my sins, I am invincible and don't have a care in the world. I think the biggest thing I need to get back to, is reading my Bible before I go to sleep each night. I tend to spend the mornings on devotions, considering that to be good enough; but it is the desire for God's word to be the last thing I think about before I go to sleep at night, that is what I think is missing. These are the things we need to evaluate in our lives, even on a daily basis. 'What do you want me to do Lord?' should be the question that is constantly on our minds. Okay, all of the sudden the powers to be are messing with my connection, so I will cut this short. But I will say that I want to feel that passion again, because I know it makes a difference...
"O LORD, I am your servant; yes, I am your servant, born into your household: you have freed me from my chains. I will offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people -in the house of the LORD in the heart of Jerusalem. Praise the LORD!" (Psalms 116:16-19) NLT
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
