"For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul." (Psalms 109:31)
There is no one that can do what God can do; and if man can do it, God most likely won't. Thinking of all of the signs and wonders that God has shown us in His word, to see all of the things that He did to fulfill the things spoken of Jesus, that is proof enough that He is amazingly powerful and mighty. The chances of all those things happening and being fulfilled, in total, are astounding; some have estimated it to be 1 chance in 10 to the 157th power, that one person could fulfill some 40+ prophecies that are recorded in the Scriptures; imagine what 350 prophecies would measure out to be and what kind of figures would represent them. This last Sunday I was channel surfing through all the different religious channels; there are some pretty strange things being spoken out there about how we should believe and what kind of power we have at our disposal. Not that I don't believe that we have been given special gifts, because I believe in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and I believe that Jesus is still preforming miracles. But to assume that God will perform something based upon our thanks, I don't know if I can quite go that far; that road seems to a little too self-serving. On the other hand, when it comes to serving others and spiritual matters, such as praying for the salvation of loved ones, I think there might be something to that line of reasoning; as long as the reason is not for our own personal gain. If we are going to use the examples that Jesus gave about asking and thanking, then we must also included His motivation and servanthood. There is no way to expect it to happen any other way; not based upon what Jesus would do or want; maybe based upon the desires and actions of someone else, if you know who I mean. If there is anyone who might think that they can promise us the world, then it is none other than the god of this world, Satan himself. It is one thing to have things, and something totally different to love things; the things of this world will choke out the things of Christ. There is only one reason that the enemy of our soul would want us to be tangled up in all that stuff, and it isn't so that we give more glory to God. This is what I believe God wants us to see from this verse. Or maybe it's just for me. Whether it be power, strength, or wealth, God needs us to remain needy and counting on Him. He owns it all, we own nothing! Not our wealth or our health, and surely not our ministries; everything belongs to the LORD...
""Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink -even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk -it's all free! Why spend money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. "Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you the unfailing love I promised to David."" (Isaiah 55:1-3) NLT
Thursday, May 31, 2018
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
"All That I Need"
"For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul." (Psalms 109:31)
It is perfectly fine to feel inadequate and unworthy; those that put any trust in their own strength and abilities are the ones that have missed the whole point of the cross and why God had to send His Son to die a horrible death. We cannot do it any other way! That is what it means to be broken, that we must realize how unworthy we are without the blood of Jesus and our inadequate position to keep even one of God's commandments. Even if we think that we have, if we have broken one, then we have broken them all. That said, we are empowered with a confidence of knowing that the price has been paid for our sins; even though we are inadequate and unworthy, Jesus has made us worthy and adequate by His blood. There needs to be no other sacrifice given, Jesus paid it all! Our bill has been paid, completely and once and for all. I know it might seem as though I keep repeating myself, but this is something that needs to be repeated. We keep coming back to the cross; we keep coming back to Jesus for more and more of His ability and worthiness. If we ever think we have reached some sort of plato, as if we have obtained something that allows us to do it on our own, we are doomed to fail and will find ourselves in a terrible place. When you hear someone try to tell you that Jesus has set you free and now you do the rest on your own, run away from that foolishness and treat it like the lie that it is; because we are dependent upon Jesus Christ until we are standing right next to Him in heaven. This is about more than a cry for retribution, it is a plea of restoration; a plea that has been satisfied by the blood of Jesus Christ. So, yes, we are worthy and made adequate, but it is only in Christ that this is possible. We must keep abiding in Christ...
""I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy. But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!"" (Isaiah 54:16-17) NLT
It is perfectly fine to feel inadequate and unworthy; those that put any trust in their own strength and abilities are the ones that have missed the whole point of the cross and why God had to send His Son to die a horrible death. We cannot do it any other way! That is what it means to be broken, that we must realize how unworthy we are without the blood of Jesus and our inadequate position to keep even one of God's commandments. Even if we think that we have, if we have broken one, then we have broken them all. That said, we are empowered with a confidence of knowing that the price has been paid for our sins; even though we are inadequate and unworthy, Jesus has made us worthy and adequate by His blood. There needs to be no other sacrifice given, Jesus paid it all! Our bill has been paid, completely and once and for all. I know it might seem as though I keep repeating myself, but this is something that needs to be repeated. We keep coming back to the cross; we keep coming back to Jesus for more and more of His ability and worthiness. If we ever think we have reached some sort of plato, as if we have obtained something that allows us to do it on our own, we are doomed to fail and will find ourselves in a terrible place. When you hear someone try to tell you that Jesus has set you free and now you do the rest on your own, run away from that foolishness and treat it like the lie that it is; because we are dependent upon Jesus Christ until we are standing right next to Him in heaven. This is about more than a cry for retribution, it is a plea of restoration; a plea that has been satisfied by the blood of Jesus Christ. So, yes, we are worthy and made adequate, but it is only in Christ that this is possible. We must keep abiding in Christ...
""I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy. But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!"" (Isaiah 54:16-17) NLT
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
"More Than I Need"
"I will greatly praise the LORD with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude." (Psalms 109:30)
Retribution does not need to be a bad thing, depending on the relationship and the love involved with the source. Looking up the definition of the word, it seems that every dictionary puts it in a bad light; almost making it all about something of a punishment or penalty. Sadly, isn't that how many people view God's hand upon their lives, as if He wants to punish them and take away all of the things they like? I like a little pork now and then. If I could get really good lobster, I would eat it at least once a week. I don't think God wanted to deprive His people from certain foods, He just wanted them to stand apart from the rest of the world and be different. Besides, most of what God instructed His people not to eat was not a good food to eat very often. He watches out for us, as the loving Father that He is. Here is the way I believe retribution should be looked at in our lives, and as it is seen by God: satisfaction! When the Bible says that it pleased the Father to see the Son crucified, the word is meant to express that He was satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son. I seriously doubt that the Father was not hurt, because the tempest and earthquakes spoke otherwise. One thing that I wrote down from Pastor Rick's teaching Sunday, that really spoke to me and reminded me of when I first got saved, was that he said, "Our testimony is God's love." That God loves me! That is the testimony that matters more than anything else. With all of my faults and imperfections, He loves me and is satisfied that I am His child! Do you ever remember growing up and thinking that your parents were not satisfied with you, and that there was no way that you could ever satisfy them? Didn't it make you want to rebel and do whatever you wanted? Well, that is not the case with God! He loves you and is satisfied with you as His child. Does that mean we get to do whatever we want? No, absolutely not. It means that we get to enjoy His love and satisfaction. That is our response, to be gratefully in love with Him...
"So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people." He also said, "I will put my trust in him," that is, "I and the children God has given me."" (Hebrews 2:11-13) NLT
Retribution does not need to be a bad thing, depending on the relationship and the love involved with the source. Looking up the definition of the word, it seems that every dictionary puts it in a bad light; almost making it all about something of a punishment or penalty. Sadly, isn't that how many people view God's hand upon their lives, as if He wants to punish them and take away all of the things they like? I like a little pork now and then. If I could get really good lobster, I would eat it at least once a week. I don't think God wanted to deprive His people from certain foods, He just wanted them to stand apart from the rest of the world and be different. Besides, most of what God instructed His people not to eat was not a good food to eat very often. He watches out for us, as the loving Father that He is. Here is the way I believe retribution should be looked at in our lives, and as it is seen by God: satisfaction! When the Bible says that it pleased the Father to see the Son crucified, the word is meant to express that He was satisfied with the sacrifice of His Son. I seriously doubt that the Father was not hurt, because the tempest and earthquakes spoke otherwise. One thing that I wrote down from Pastor Rick's teaching Sunday, that really spoke to me and reminded me of when I first got saved, was that he said, "Our testimony is God's love." That God loves me! That is the testimony that matters more than anything else. With all of my faults and imperfections, He loves me and is satisfied that I am His child! Do you ever remember growing up and thinking that your parents were not satisfied with you, and that there was no way that you could ever satisfy them? Didn't it make you want to rebel and do whatever you wanted? Well, that is not the case with God! He loves you and is satisfied with you as His child. Does that mean we get to do whatever we want? No, absolutely not. It means that we get to enjoy His love and satisfaction. That is our response, to be gratefully in love with Him...
"So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God, "I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people." He also said, "I will put my trust in him," that is, "I and the children God has given me."" (Hebrews 2:11-13) NLT
Monday, May 28, 2018
"More Than a Reason"
"Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame; and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle." (Psalms 109:29)
I could have went on a little more, but this still continues that thought, but with authority. Yes, the hope we have cannot not be taken or shaken, but there is more to this than just a hope; there is a love that has been demonstrated to us that can never be denied or put asunder. That might seem like a word used for married couples that have been joined together by God, and it is; it actually means to be taken apart, or divided; to burst into pieces. Something that can never happen to God's love that has been delivered into our hearts. Let me tell you something that I have learned over these last 37 years; well almost 37, it is actually 36 years and 8 months. I have never been confused about God's love for me; if there has been any confusion about love, it is mine own, and the lack thereof. If I ever need to be reminded of how much God loves me, I simply look at the cross and remember the price that was paid for me. You cannot separate that action or deny that is was done for love. How anyone can not see that boggles my mind; but then again, without a changed heart there is nothing that they can do about their perception; it is only foolishness to those that perish. Can you see the point I am making? We have the proof within us: that His love has been shown to us; therefore we know this hope is more than just something we wish for, it is real and attainable. John goes on to say, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2:20) This word "unction" is like an anointing; it would be the opposite of what is described in the verse above, "and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle." We have been given the opposite of what that might look like; as a mantle is a covering, most usually worn as a garment of distinction. If there is one thing that I have never been confused about, it is the Gospel, and the love of God that was demonstrated upon that cross. So, in the short version of this, the mantle that we wear is love, not confusion; therefore we should never be clothed with shame, because we know who's we are and the great price that He paid to clothe us with righteousness...
"But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. So I am writing to you not because you don't know the difference between truth and lies. And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son doesn't have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us." (1 John 2:20-25) NLT
I could have went on a little more, but this still continues that thought, but with authority. Yes, the hope we have cannot not be taken or shaken, but there is more to this than just a hope; there is a love that has been demonstrated to us that can never be denied or put asunder. That might seem like a word used for married couples that have been joined together by God, and it is; it actually means to be taken apart, or divided; to burst into pieces. Something that can never happen to God's love that has been delivered into our hearts. Let me tell you something that I have learned over these last 37 years; well almost 37, it is actually 36 years and 8 months. I have never been confused about God's love for me; if there has been any confusion about love, it is mine own, and the lack thereof. If I ever need to be reminded of how much God loves me, I simply look at the cross and remember the price that was paid for me. You cannot separate that action or deny that is was done for love. How anyone can not see that boggles my mind; but then again, without a changed heart there is nothing that they can do about their perception; it is only foolishness to those that perish. Can you see the point I am making? We have the proof within us: that His love has been shown to us; therefore we know this hope is more than just something we wish for, it is real and attainable. John goes on to say, "But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things." (1 John 2:20) This word "unction" is like an anointing; it would be the opposite of what is described in the verse above, "and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle." We have been given the opposite of what that might look like; as a mantle is a covering, most usually worn as a garment of distinction. If there is one thing that I have never been confused about, it is the Gospel, and the love of God that was demonstrated upon that cross. So, in the short version of this, the mantle that we wear is love, not confusion; therefore we should never be clothed with shame, because we know who's we are and the great price that He paid to clothe us with righteousness...
"But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. So I am writing to you not because you don't know the difference between truth and lies. And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son doesn't have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us." (1 John 2:20-25) NLT
Sunday, May 27, 2018
"Matters of the Heart"
"Let them curse, but bless thou: when they arise, let them be ashamed; but let thy servant rejoice." (Psalms 109:28)
If you have never done a study on Job, it would do you great service to at least check it out; there are some very important messages buried within that book, some of which can really change your outlook on the things that matter most in this life. And that mysterious person who was speaking in that closing Scripture, he is worth checking out; I still haven't figured out who or what he was. The verse before us today is a lot like that, the Book of Job, and the lessons that are spelled out within it. Yes, Job cursed the day that he was born, but he continued to bless God. In all of his suffering, he did not turn his back on God, because he knew the truth. He might not have known everything, but he knew enough to know that God was not punishing him for anything that he had done. This life can be so brutal and ugly sometimes, it is hard to try and understand why certain things happen. But there is one thing that is for sure, that God's people can rejoice no matter what; we might not feel like rejoicing, but there is always reason there to rejoice, regardless of how we might feel. Do you know why that might be? How is it that we can rejoice in the midst of suffering? Because we have hope! There might not be much on this earth that we can hope for; and if we do hope in the things of this world, we will always be sadly disappointed in the security that they supply, because there really is none. This is the other side of our security that is out of reach, safe and secure in heaven; that is also where our hope is! As long as we are here on this earth, we are never going to have what it is that we hope for, our eternal home in heaven. Just as we cannot reach or destroy our salvation that is safely locked away in heaven, so too, nothing here on this earth can take away the hope that we have in being there. Absolutely nothing! Every trial, every circumstance; no matter the situation, there is nothing here on this entire earth that can touch the hope that is within us. So, rejoice...
""I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy."" (John 16:20-22) NLT
If you have never done a study on Job, it would do you great service to at least check it out; there are some very important messages buried within that book, some of which can really change your outlook on the things that matter most in this life. And that mysterious person who was speaking in that closing Scripture, he is worth checking out; I still haven't figured out who or what he was. The verse before us today is a lot like that, the Book of Job, and the lessons that are spelled out within it. Yes, Job cursed the day that he was born, but he continued to bless God. In all of his suffering, he did not turn his back on God, because he knew the truth. He might not have known everything, but he knew enough to know that God was not punishing him for anything that he had done. This life can be so brutal and ugly sometimes, it is hard to try and understand why certain things happen. But there is one thing that is for sure, that God's people can rejoice no matter what; we might not feel like rejoicing, but there is always reason there to rejoice, regardless of how we might feel. Do you know why that might be? How is it that we can rejoice in the midst of suffering? Because we have hope! There might not be much on this earth that we can hope for; and if we do hope in the things of this world, we will always be sadly disappointed in the security that they supply, because there really is none. This is the other side of our security that is out of reach, safe and secure in heaven; that is also where our hope is! As long as we are here on this earth, we are never going to have what it is that we hope for, our eternal home in heaven. Just as we cannot reach or destroy our salvation that is safely locked away in heaven, so too, nothing here on this earth can take away the hope that we have in being there. Absolutely nothing! Every trial, every circumstance; no matter the situation, there is nothing here on this entire earth that can touch the hope that is within us. So, rejoice...
""I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy."" (John 16:20-22) NLT
Saturday, May 26, 2018
"Heart of the Matter" -Too
"That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it." (Psalms 109:27)
"I could not help thinking of the portion of Scripture where Jesus was walking alongside those two disciples that were talking about the tragic things that had just happened, the terrible things that had happened to the prophet, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus asked them, "What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?" It is really hard to focus upon all that is good and lovely, especially when there is so much that is bad and ugly. Anyone that was there and witnessed to tragic events, had to have been in the same frame of mind as these two men were. One of them was named Cleopas, and he answered Jesus saying, "Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?" Jesus had not only told those that followed Him that He would be crucified, but He also told that that He would rise after three days; so why all the fuss? Seriously, why were these two men so sad? Why do we become so sad when tragedy comes our way? I mean, if we know that all things work towards the good, then why all the fuss when something bad happens? I can see the point of these followers of Jesus; who wouldn't have been sad over all that was witnessed and told to them? But we have been told the truth; we have been shown the power of the resurrection and have been instructed in how it works. I don't know how many times I have been reminded of God's goodness, yet it never fails, strike me down and instantly I think of the worst. Can I tell you what I think it might be? How Great is our God? Simply put, there is nothing Greater than God! There is no force on earth that can overtake or overrule Him; He is more powerful than we could ever imagine! And guess what? We are part of that! For the majority of us that call ourselves Christian, it is very easy for us to loose sight of that. It can happen just like that; without any warning or without any particular reason; just the simple fact that we are human, frail, and subject to the gravity of this world. It can happen even to those that are extraordinary saints, people like Elijah, who was hiding in a cave. God simply asked, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" Where was the God of Elijah? He wasn't in the wind, earthquake, or fire; He was in the still small voice, that said again, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" Do you know what Jesus' answer was to Cleopas? It was, "What things?" God never needs to know the matter of our heart, He already knows; but we seldom do, we just try to figure it out, but we can hardly even know it...
""My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me. Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from his mouth. It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes in every direction. Then comes the roaring of the thunder -the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain it when he speaks. God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We can't even imagine the greatness of his power. "He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power."" (Job 37:1-7) NLT
"I could not help thinking of the portion of Scripture where Jesus was walking alongside those two disciples that were talking about the tragic things that had just happened, the terrible things that had happened to the prophet, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus asked them, "What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?" It is really hard to focus upon all that is good and lovely, especially when there is so much that is bad and ugly. Anyone that was there and witnessed to tragic events, had to have been in the same frame of mind as these two men were. One of them was named Cleopas, and he answered Jesus saying, "Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?" Jesus had not only told those that followed Him that He would be crucified, but He also told that that He would rise after three days; so why all the fuss? Seriously, why were these two men so sad? Why do we become so sad when tragedy comes our way? I mean, if we know that all things work towards the good, then why all the fuss when something bad happens? I can see the point of these followers of Jesus; who wouldn't have been sad over all that was witnessed and told to them? But we have been told the truth; we have been shown the power of the resurrection and have been instructed in how it works. I don't know how many times I have been reminded of God's goodness, yet it never fails, strike me down and instantly I think of the worst. Can I tell you what I think it might be? How Great is our God? Simply put, there is nothing Greater than God! There is no force on earth that can overtake or overrule Him; He is more powerful than we could ever imagine! And guess what? We are part of that! For the majority of us that call ourselves Christian, it is very easy for us to loose sight of that. It can happen just like that; without any warning or without any particular reason; just the simple fact that we are human, frail, and subject to the gravity of this world. It can happen even to those that are extraordinary saints, people like Elijah, who was hiding in a cave. God simply asked, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" Where was the God of Elijah? He wasn't in the wind, earthquake, or fire; He was in the still small voice, that said again, "What doest thou here, Elijah?" Do you know what Jesus' answer was to Cleopas? It was, "What things?" God never needs to know the matter of our heart, He already knows; but we seldom do, we just try to figure it out, but we can hardly even know it...
""My heart pounds as I think of this. It trembles within me. Listen carefully to the thunder of God's voice as it rolls from his mouth. It rolls across the heavens, and his lightning flashes in every direction. Then comes the roaring of the thunder -the tremendous voice of his majesty. He does not restrain it when he speaks. God's voice is glorious in the thunder. We can't even imagine the greatness of his power. "He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power."" (Job 37:1-7) NLT
Friday, May 25, 2018
"Heart of the Matter"
"That they may know that this is thy hand; that thou, LORD, hast done it." (Psalms 109:27)
Isn't this really what it is all about, that God gets the glory? It really does not matter what your matter might be; whether it is financial, physical, spiritual, or even criminal; whatever it is, if you belong to God, and you are His child, then there is absolutely nothing to worry about, He has His hand upon your life! Sometimes we need to be reminded of this very important fact, because it is easy to loose sight of, especially when our sight has been obstructed by the world. I was going to place this verses along with the last, as they were meant to go together; but there was too much that needed to be said on each one separately. Besides, the first part of any trial or circumstance is to acknowledge that we need God's help; that it is by God's hand whereby we are saved, and it is His mercy that we are after. The mercy of the court, or the bank, or the physicians, or even of the church, none of them can do what God can do; none of their power comes close to the power of the Living God! You want to see God work miracles, then ask Him to open your eyes to show you the miracle! God is working all around us, each and every day, in so many ways. Pray for Him to show you His hand at work in your life; pray for Him to reveal the blessing in the midst of your trial, through your circumstance, and despite the appearance of your situation. It is far too easy to just look at the obvious and not see the hand of God on everything all around you. If you truly trust that God is in control, then look for the miracles and blessings; focus upon the goodness and the beauty in all that He does...
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8) NLT
Isn't this really what it is all about, that God gets the glory? It really does not matter what your matter might be; whether it is financial, physical, spiritual, or even criminal; whatever it is, if you belong to God, and you are His child, then there is absolutely nothing to worry about, He has His hand upon your life! Sometimes we need to be reminded of this very important fact, because it is easy to loose sight of, especially when our sight has been obstructed by the world. I was going to place this verses along with the last, as they were meant to go together; but there was too much that needed to be said on each one separately. Besides, the first part of any trial or circumstance is to acknowledge that we need God's help; that it is by God's hand whereby we are saved, and it is His mercy that we are after. The mercy of the court, or the bank, or the physicians, or even of the church, none of them can do what God can do; none of their power comes close to the power of the Living God! You want to see God work miracles, then ask Him to open your eyes to show you the miracle! God is working all around us, each and every day, in so many ways. Pray for Him to show you His hand at work in your life; pray for Him to reveal the blessing in the midst of your trial, through your circumstance, and despite the appearance of your situation. It is far too easy to just look at the obvious and not see the hand of God on everything all around you. If you truly trust that God is in control, then look for the miracles and blessings; focus upon the goodness and the beauty in all that He does...
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8) NLT
Thursday, May 24, 2018
"Close To God" -2
"Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:" (Psalms 109:26)
I should probably update my photo, since my image has grown a little older looking over the last ten years. Oddly enough, Marianne still looks the same; she has hardly aged a single bit. Two days ago was my 60th birthday, so I guess it's time to start getting serious about the journey that waits ahead. Back in the days of our time at Calvary Chapel of Downey, my wife and I felt that it was our duty to reach out and minister to all of our family members; most of which are currently plugged into the Lord in one way or another; some of which are now actually with the Lord, including our son. My goodness, time goes by so quickly, the closer you get to the ground! We are closer than we think or realize; blink and another day is upon us. Something that the Lord has put upon my heart this day, is that His kingdom is now. Sure, we are all just pilgrims waiting for the promise of being in that final glorious place; but we are also family, each and everyone of us are God's children, we are all part of the same Body of Christ. No matter what church you belong to, as long as that church confesses that Jesus is Lord and believes in the basic doctrine of the cross of Christ, then we are brothers and sisters in the Lord. As such, there is not a single one of us that does not count or that can be discarded. I heard Richard Ellis say something last week, that I wrote down and found yesterday. He said, "You cannot be Unchristian." You might slip, and you might fall, but once you have been bought and paid for by the blood of Christ and you are the property of Christ Jesus, then you are officially a Christian, and you cannot ever become a Unchristian, ever! John mentions this fact in his first letter to the church, saying, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." Even then, we have no idea who these people are; only the Lord knows who are His and who is not His. You might have someone in your life right now that seems too hard to reach or bring back into fellowship with the Lord; but no one is every too far for the Lord to reach; no one that is still alive is ever too far gone! Besides that, our security is not here! Even though we might still be here, our security is in Heaven with God the Father and our Lord Christ Jesus; far far away from anything that we could ever do with it. So you think you might want to become Unchristian and walk away from the Lord? If you have been a Christian then, then you are still a Christian now, and you will still be a Christian tomorrow; no matter how far you might try to get from Him, you are already close to God, literally...
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5) KJV
I should probably update my photo, since my image has grown a little older looking over the last ten years. Oddly enough, Marianne still looks the same; she has hardly aged a single bit. Two days ago was my 60th birthday, so I guess it's time to start getting serious about the journey that waits ahead. Back in the days of our time at Calvary Chapel of Downey, my wife and I felt that it was our duty to reach out and minister to all of our family members; most of which are currently plugged into the Lord in one way or another; some of which are now actually with the Lord, including our son. My goodness, time goes by so quickly, the closer you get to the ground! We are closer than we think or realize; blink and another day is upon us. Something that the Lord has put upon my heart this day, is that His kingdom is now. Sure, we are all just pilgrims waiting for the promise of being in that final glorious place; but we are also family, each and everyone of us are God's children, we are all part of the same Body of Christ. No matter what church you belong to, as long as that church confesses that Jesus is Lord and believes in the basic doctrine of the cross of Christ, then we are brothers and sisters in the Lord. As such, there is not a single one of us that does not count or that can be discarded. I heard Richard Ellis say something last week, that I wrote down and found yesterday. He said, "You cannot be Unchristian." You might slip, and you might fall, but once you have been bought and paid for by the blood of Christ and you are the property of Christ Jesus, then you are officially a Christian, and you cannot ever become a Unchristian, ever! John mentions this fact in his first letter to the church, saying, "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us." Even then, we have no idea who these people are; only the Lord knows who are His and who is not His. You might have someone in your life right now that seems too hard to reach or bring back into fellowship with the Lord; but no one is every too far for the Lord to reach; no one that is still alive is ever too far gone! Besides that, our security is not here! Even though we might still be here, our security is in Heaven with God the Father and our Lord Christ Jesus; far far away from anything that we could ever do with it. So you think you might want to become Unchristian and walk away from the Lord? If you have been a Christian then, then you are still a Christian now, and you will still be a Christian tomorrow; no matter how far you might try to get from Him, you are already close to God, literally...
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5) KJV
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
"Close To God"
"Help me, O LORD my God: O save me according to thy mercy:" (Psalms 109:26)
I believe that this is exactly where God would have me to be; it might be painful at times, but the experience cannot be duplicated any other way. No matter what this might be written for, whether it was when he was being hunted down by Saul, or whether it was during the revolt of his son, this is the heart of a man that trusted God and was willing to accept any outcome. Given the choice of who would be in control of any disaster in our lives, it is comforting to know the God holds all the cards. Sure, people might have their way; there can always be those that might seem they could never be part of God's plan; but when all the dust settles and the truth is revealed, God has His way, always! Mercy is something that is hardly ever associated with reproach, yet it is very often one in the same. We cannot really experience real mercy without having reproach, which is a condition of shame and disgrace. Going back to what this Psalm is all about, "A Cry for Retribution," mercy can hardly be known without there first being some sort of judgement that leads to punishment; if there is no harm or punishment involved, then how can there be mercy? Here is another example of David's heart towards God, in that He trusted God's judgement would always include mercy. Personally, I don't think that David would not want God to judge him for doing something wrong; he was not the kind of man that liked to leave matters undone, especially matters between him and the LORD. He has given us an example of what that feels like, being dried up and his bones aching. (Psalms 32) It is so good to get right with God! Even when we don't think we have done anything wrong, there is always something the Lord needs to deal with in our lives; there always will be, until this body is glorified in heaven with the Lord. If you so desire to find out, then get close to God; the closer you get, the more shame you will feel; the more mercy will be required...
"Oh what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude
"Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Interlude
I believe that this is exactly where God would have me to be; it might be painful at times, but the experience cannot be duplicated any other way. No matter what this might be written for, whether it was when he was being hunted down by Saul, or whether it was during the revolt of his son, this is the heart of a man that trusted God and was willing to accept any outcome. Given the choice of who would be in control of any disaster in our lives, it is comforting to know the God holds all the cards. Sure, people might have their way; there can always be those that might seem they could never be part of God's plan; but when all the dust settles and the truth is revealed, God has His way, always! Mercy is something that is hardly ever associated with reproach, yet it is very often one in the same. We cannot really experience real mercy without having reproach, which is a condition of shame and disgrace. Going back to what this Psalm is all about, "A Cry for Retribution," mercy can hardly be known without there first being some sort of judgement that leads to punishment; if there is no harm or punishment involved, then how can there be mercy? Here is another example of David's heart towards God, in that He trusted God's judgement would always include mercy. Personally, I don't think that David would not want God to judge him for doing something wrong; he was not the kind of man that liked to leave matters undone, especially matters between him and the LORD. He has given us an example of what that feels like, being dried up and his bones aching. (Psalms 32) It is so good to get right with God! Even when we don't think we have done anything wrong, there is always something the Lord needs to deal with in our lives; there always will be, until this body is glorified in heaven with the Lord. If you so desire to find out, then get close to God; the closer you get, the more shame you will feel; the more mercy will be required...
"Oh what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the LORD has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude
"Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the LORD." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone." Interlude
Tuesday, May 22, 2018
"Close To Home"
"I became also a reproach unto them: when they looked upon me they shook their heads." (Psalms 109:25)
There are some things that just need to be accepted whether they are believable or not, we just need to trust God's word and make that our standard for believing. You know that saying, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!" Well that is the point to this lesson for today! Not that I am trying to teach anyone here, this is for myself; if God speaks to someone else, then that is between you and God; I really don't need to know about it. What we have before us today is a very famous verse, a verse that I shared on several days ago, and one that matches the depiction of Jesus as He hung on the cross. It is not easy to live in that moment, as you are looked upon as a catastrophe or calamity. I get that kind of experience quit often, as people look upon my situation and shake their heads. The word 'reproach' is a word that means an object, like the reproach of widowhood. It would be much like the attitude of Naomi, as she comes back to town; those that saw her said, "Is this Naomi?" and she answered, "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara." Naomi means, "my joy," "my bliss," or "pleasantness of Jehovah." Mara is a name that means, "bitter," or "bitterness," and "sadness." It's like when you say, "Oh, what a shame," or "How tragic, it's hard to imagine." Oddly enough, these are the depictions of what the contrast was as Jesus hung upon that cross. On the one hand you have the "pleasantness of Jehovah," and on the other you have total "sadness." For me, there is a bitter-sweet reality that I live, day in and day out. On the one hand there is no greater joy that I can experience than caring for my wife; and on the other, there are times when I can feel no greater sadness. So I get the looks; I understand the shaking of the heads. Reproach is something more than just a label, it is something that you become in the eyes of those that do not know any better, and of them which do not understand. Taking God at His word, means that we must set aside our failure to comprehend the reasons why, and we must rest upon the answers that He gives us. Much like Paul had to do, as he heard God say, "My grace is sufficient for you." We might not get to choose everything that happens to us in life, but we do get to choose how we respond to it, and I choose joy...
"We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, "The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me." Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled."
(Romans 15:1-4) NLT
There are some things that just need to be accepted whether they are believable or not, we just need to trust God's word and make that our standard for believing. You know that saying, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it!" Well that is the point to this lesson for today! Not that I am trying to teach anyone here, this is for myself; if God speaks to someone else, then that is between you and God; I really don't need to know about it. What we have before us today is a very famous verse, a verse that I shared on several days ago, and one that matches the depiction of Jesus as He hung on the cross. It is not easy to live in that moment, as you are looked upon as a catastrophe or calamity. I get that kind of experience quit often, as people look upon my situation and shake their heads. The word 'reproach' is a word that means an object, like the reproach of widowhood. It would be much like the attitude of Naomi, as she comes back to town; those that saw her said, "Is this Naomi?" and she answered, "Call me not Naomi, call me Mara." Naomi means, "my joy," "my bliss," or "pleasantness of Jehovah." Mara is a name that means, "bitter," or "bitterness," and "sadness." It's like when you say, "Oh, what a shame," or "How tragic, it's hard to imagine." Oddly enough, these are the depictions of what the contrast was as Jesus hung upon that cross. On the one hand you have the "pleasantness of Jehovah," and on the other you have total "sadness." For me, there is a bitter-sweet reality that I live, day in and day out. On the one hand there is no greater joy that I can experience than caring for my wife; and on the other, there are times when I can feel no greater sadness. So I get the looks; I understand the shaking of the heads. Reproach is something more than just a label, it is something that you become in the eyes of those that do not know any better, and of them which do not understand. Taking God at His word, means that we must set aside our failure to comprehend the reasons why, and we must rest upon the answers that He gives us. Much like Paul had to do, as he heard God say, "My grace is sufficient for you." We might not get to choose everything that happens to us in life, but we do get to choose how we respond to it, and I choose joy...
"We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, "The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me." Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises to be fulfilled."
(Romans 15:1-4) NLT
Monday, May 21, 2018
"Remarkable"
"My knees are weak through fasting; and my flesh faileth of fatness." (Psalms 109:24)
Frankly, this could be anything that might cause us to pay attention; it just so happens that this is the result of the lack of food, whether forced or planed, it is malnutrition. Did you know that someone could think they know the Lord but not? There are people all around that think they have found the answer, but have been deceived and are still lost in their sins. It's rather remarkable, but it is true; there are even people who think that they are Christians, but they do not even believe that Jesus is God, or that He was born of a virgin, or that He actually rose from the grave. How is that even possible? If our spirit was a physical body, then this is what it would look like without the real Jesus, skin and bones, without any real strength or power. Pastor Jerry shared yesterday, and the title of his message was, "Do you want to be made well?" It was taken from the verse in John 5:6, where Jesus asked a man that had been too weak to move for 38 years, "Wilt thou be made whole?" What made this man the way that he was, the Bible is not clear, only that sin was involved, based upon what Jesus said when He saw him again: "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." (John 5:14) Towards the end of his message, Jerry spoke about Jesus being the Cornerstone, and how we needed to be broken. It is much the same as Jesus saying, "Whoever loses his life shall save it." (Matthew 6:25) This is where we are expected to forsake all else, whatever it takes to follow Jesus; we fall upon the Cornerstone and become broken. Part of that brokenness is to accept those things that are hard to believe; things like God being able to create anything and everything from nothing, like Jesus being born of a virgin, that Jesus was God in the flesh, and that He rose from the grave on the third day, just as He said that He would. It pretty much all comes down to rejection; those that reject Him will be ground into powder. I am just assuming that there is not a whole lot of fatness there, if they can be ground into powder; but then again, with God anything is possible...
"As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best that they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening -it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are training this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." (Hebrews 12:7-13) NLT
Frankly, this could be anything that might cause us to pay attention; it just so happens that this is the result of the lack of food, whether forced or planed, it is malnutrition. Did you know that someone could think they know the Lord but not? There are people all around that think they have found the answer, but have been deceived and are still lost in their sins. It's rather remarkable, but it is true; there are even people who think that they are Christians, but they do not even believe that Jesus is God, or that He was born of a virgin, or that He actually rose from the grave. How is that even possible? If our spirit was a physical body, then this is what it would look like without the real Jesus, skin and bones, without any real strength or power. Pastor Jerry shared yesterday, and the title of his message was, "Do you want to be made well?" It was taken from the verse in John 5:6, where Jesus asked a man that had been too weak to move for 38 years, "Wilt thou be made whole?" What made this man the way that he was, the Bible is not clear, only that sin was involved, based upon what Jesus said when He saw him again: "Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." (John 5:14) Towards the end of his message, Jerry spoke about Jesus being the Cornerstone, and how we needed to be broken. It is much the same as Jesus saying, "Whoever loses his life shall save it." (Matthew 6:25) This is where we are expected to forsake all else, whatever it takes to follow Jesus; we fall upon the Cornerstone and become broken. Part of that brokenness is to accept those things that are hard to believe; things like God being able to create anything and everything from nothing, like Jesus being born of a virgin, that Jesus was God in the flesh, and that He rose from the grave on the third day, just as He said that He would. It pretty much all comes down to rejection; those that reject Him will be ground into powder. I am just assuming that there is not a whole lot of fatness there, if they can be ground into powder; but then again, with God anything is possible...
"As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn't discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn't we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best that they knew how. But God's discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening -it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are training this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong." (Hebrews 12:7-13) NLT
Sunday, May 20, 2018
"By The Way" -2
"I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust." (Psalms 109:23)
Understanding and wisdom does not mean that we know all the answers; it simply means that we know enough to understand what is being told to us and we are wise enough to listen. That is the way to God's heart; not that we need to work our way there, but it is the response He wants to see in us. "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13:9) There is another way to view this verse, one that is both negative and positive, depending on you and your acceptance. You see, sometimes the words we hear need to be acted upon. It is like someone shouting out, Get out of the way of that car! You have got to get out of the way or you are going to get hurt. But when you listen and obey what is being said, you experience something extraordinary, you experience what being saved feels like. What could have been did not happen; what should have happened was stopped; all based upon words, words that you heard, and words that you obeyed. We only get one chance, so live it wisely. Don't put off for tomorrow what should be done today...
"But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:22-25) NLT
Understanding and wisdom does not mean that we know all the answers; it simply means that we know enough to understand what is being told to us and we are wise enough to listen. That is the way to God's heart; not that we need to work our way there, but it is the response He wants to see in us. "Who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 13:9) There is another way to view this verse, one that is both negative and positive, depending on you and your acceptance. You see, sometimes the words we hear need to be acted upon. It is like someone shouting out, Get out of the way of that car! You have got to get out of the way or you are going to get hurt. But when you listen and obey what is being said, you experience something extraordinary, you experience what being saved feels like. What could have been did not happen; what should have happened was stopped; all based upon words, words that you heard, and words that you obeyed. We only get one chance, so live it wisely. Don't put off for tomorrow what should be done today...
"But don't just listen to God's word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don't obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:22-25) NLT
Saturday, May 19, 2018
"By The Way"
"I am gone like the shadow when it declineth: I am tossed up and down as the locust." (Psalms 109:23)
Whatever you might be thinking, it is not quite as simple as you might think. That said, from our understanding, it could not be any more simple than it really is; we are the ones that complicate the simplicity of the Gospel by our own ways of thinking and by our own interpretations of God's ways and His thoughts. His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours, we have no idea, beyond what He shows us; which by the way, is only a lateral view. Let me tell what this verses is speaking into me, because it is all about emptiness and insignificance. If we ever think that we have it all under control or that we have it all figured out, we are going to always find disappointment and confusion. There is really no other way to describe it, not in a way that makes any sense. Matthew Henry uses two words to describe these two lines of thought: apprehended and unsettled. These are realities of our hearts and minds; each and every one of us have these very same conditions, conditions that must be realized and accepted for who we are as foreigners in a fallen world. We all have been apprehended by God; no longer are we free to do that which brings us into bondage, because we are now bound by Christ; property of the Lord Jesus Christ! Apprehended does not only mean that we have been arrested, captured, or seized; it also means to understand, to realize, and to comprehend. The way is no longer a mystery, although it is still mysterious and filled with wonder. The example of this meaning that is given in a sentence, is, "Great art invites us to apprehend beauty." As we gaze upon it, we can imagine all the thoughts that might have gone into my mind of the artist; and yet, we have no idea what thoughts he was thinking of those who would look upon it and their thoughts. This is the case with God, who knows every thought and invention of our hearts. We can try to explain it, but we hardly see any part of it, not from the canvas that is; we can only imagine what it might look like from the viewpoint of the Artist. That is what makes us unsettled; our minds are tossed up and down trying to figure out what we don't need to know in the first place. We simply need to trust in the Lord and be captivated by His love...
"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made all things we can see and the things we can't see -such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-20) NLT
Whatever you might be thinking, it is not quite as simple as you might think. That said, from our understanding, it could not be any more simple than it really is; we are the ones that complicate the simplicity of the Gospel by our own ways of thinking and by our own interpretations of God's ways and His thoughts. His ways and thoughts are so much higher than ours, we have no idea, beyond what He shows us; which by the way, is only a lateral view. Let me tell what this verses is speaking into me, because it is all about emptiness and insignificance. If we ever think that we have it all under control or that we have it all figured out, we are going to always find disappointment and confusion. There is really no other way to describe it, not in a way that makes any sense. Matthew Henry uses two words to describe these two lines of thought: apprehended and unsettled. These are realities of our hearts and minds; each and every one of us have these very same conditions, conditions that must be realized and accepted for who we are as foreigners in a fallen world. We all have been apprehended by God; no longer are we free to do that which brings us into bondage, because we are now bound by Christ; property of the Lord Jesus Christ! Apprehended does not only mean that we have been arrested, captured, or seized; it also means to understand, to realize, and to comprehend. The way is no longer a mystery, although it is still mysterious and filled with wonder. The example of this meaning that is given in a sentence, is, "Great art invites us to apprehend beauty." As we gaze upon it, we can imagine all the thoughts that might have gone into my mind of the artist; and yet, we have no idea what thoughts he was thinking of those who would look upon it and their thoughts. This is the case with God, who knows every thought and invention of our hearts. We can try to explain it, but we hardly see any part of it, not from the canvas that is; we can only imagine what it might look like from the viewpoint of the Artist. That is what makes us unsettled; our minds are tossed up and down trying to figure out what we don't need to know in the first place. We simply need to trust in the Lord and be captivated by His love...
"Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made all things we can see and the things we can't see -such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and through him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and earth by means of Christ's blood on the cross." (Colossians 1:15-20) NLT
Friday, May 18, 2018
"By Procurement"
"For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me." (Psalms 109:22)
Before I get to the point, I need to remind you how this is still about a "A Cry for Retribution." We all know that the cross was God's judgement for sin; that Jesus paid the price for our sin, a price that we could never ever pay for ourselves. It had to be paid by someone who was without sin; someone that was born free from the curse passed down from Adam's sin, without an earthly father. I shared this before, but someone that once worked for me and was fellowshipping as a J.W., once asked, "Why would God need to die on a cross for our sins?" Jesus himself asked the same question, saying, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done." It was with a very expensive price that our sins were purchased; a price by which no one could have paid, not even all the wealth of the entire world and that has ever existed. That is why it had to be God, because only God is without sin and worthy enough to be called Holy! We tend to forget things very easily, especially the things that cause us to be changed and to be humbled. It's like reading a special Scripture, one that ministers powerfully into our heart; then returning to that very same Scripture, and it does hardly anything; the power of previous experience is forgotten. It only takes a little something to ruin a whole loaf of bread; a little too much salt, or a little too much yeast, and the loaf is toast. The power of the cross is only as powerful as the One who hung upon it; you take away from that, and the whole point is lost, the power and the purchase is not the same. I heard a caller into To Every Man an Answer, who could not accept the Sonship. I thought at first he said something else, that he was cursing and was out of control; it was not until the third time that he said it, that I realized he was saying Sonship. That was my point about what Jesus prayed, that we know who He is and what a powerful price was pain on that cross for our sins; that He came down from heaven to die upon that cross for our sins! What a procurement...
"But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him." (Psalms 22:6-8) KJV
Before I get to the point, I need to remind you how this is still about a "A Cry for Retribution." We all know that the cross was God's judgement for sin; that Jesus paid the price for our sin, a price that we could never ever pay for ourselves. It had to be paid by someone who was without sin; someone that was born free from the curse passed down from Adam's sin, without an earthly father. I shared this before, but someone that once worked for me and was fellowshipping as a J.W., once asked, "Why would God need to die on a cross for our sins?" Jesus himself asked the same question, saying, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done." It was with a very expensive price that our sins were purchased; a price by which no one could have paid, not even all the wealth of the entire world and that has ever existed. That is why it had to be God, because only God is without sin and worthy enough to be called Holy! We tend to forget things very easily, especially the things that cause us to be changed and to be humbled. It's like reading a special Scripture, one that ministers powerfully into our heart; then returning to that very same Scripture, and it does hardly anything; the power of previous experience is forgotten. It only takes a little something to ruin a whole loaf of bread; a little too much salt, or a little too much yeast, and the loaf is toast. The power of the cross is only as powerful as the One who hung upon it; you take away from that, and the whole point is lost, the power and the purchase is not the same. I heard a caller into To Every Man an Answer, who could not accept the Sonship. I thought at first he said something else, that he was cursing and was out of control; it was not until the third time that he said it, that I realized he was saying Sonship. That was my point about what Jesus prayed, that we know who He is and what a powerful price was pain on that cross for our sins; that He came down from heaven to die upon that cross for our sins! What a procurement...
"But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him." (Psalms 22:6-8) KJV
Thursday, May 17, 2018
"By Design" -2
"But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me." (Psalms 109:21)
Besides, David new all so well of his weakness; but more than that, he knew God was powerful and mighty. There is no way to deny the power and might of the Creator of heaven and earth, not after we examine and study His creation. This might be a simple illustration of why David was called, "A man after God's own heart," because he understood and witnessed God's design. Not just by observing what he could see and considering the origin; but actually seeing God's intentions and purposes in all that He created. David was surely more than just a king, he was also a prophet, someone that could hear and declare the heart of God. David had no illusions of greatness and power outside of God's protection and appointment; he knew full well that he was chosen and appointed by God, despite his inadequacies. What made him the man for that position was his understanding of God's design. That God was in charge, that even his very life was in God's hand, and that God had a plan, a wonderful plan of redemption and salvation. This is important for you and I to understand; just as Jesus prayed, "They accept it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me." This is the message declared throughout the entire Bible, God's plan to redeem mankind. I was listening to a message yesterday, and can't quite remember who was speaking, but they shared how Paul always starts his letters by declaring our position in Christ; before he gets into the mechanics and our responsibilities as a child of God, he first reminds us that we are there because God has placed us there. We did not choose God, He chose us! Can you imagine all the things it took to happen just to get you where God has placed you to be? That is what I am talking about, this was David's heart towards God...
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him a name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11) NLT
Besides, David new all so well of his weakness; but more than that, he knew God was powerful and mighty. There is no way to deny the power and might of the Creator of heaven and earth, not after we examine and study His creation. This might be a simple illustration of why David was called, "A man after God's own heart," because he understood and witnessed God's design. Not just by observing what he could see and considering the origin; but actually seeing God's intentions and purposes in all that He created. David was surely more than just a king, he was also a prophet, someone that could hear and declare the heart of God. David had no illusions of greatness and power outside of God's protection and appointment; he knew full well that he was chosen and appointed by God, despite his inadequacies. What made him the man for that position was his understanding of God's design. That God was in charge, that even his very life was in God's hand, and that God had a plan, a wonderful plan of redemption and salvation. This is important for you and I to understand; just as Jesus prayed, "They accept it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me." This is the message declared throughout the entire Bible, God's plan to redeem mankind. I was listening to a message yesterday, and can't quite remember who was speaking, but they shared how Paul always starts his letters by declaring our position in Christ; before he gets into the mechanics and our responsibilities as a child of God, he first reminds us that we are there because God has placed us there. We did not choose God, He chose us! Can you imagine all the things it took to happen just to get you where God has placed you to be? That is what I am talking about, this was David's heart towards God...
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him a name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11) NLT
Wednesday, May 16, 2018
"By Design"
"But do thou for me, O GOD the Lord, for thy name's sake: because thy mercy is good, deliver thou me." (Psalms 109:21)
It is not all that perfect and free from injury, this new life we have been given; although one day it will be totally perfect and free from even pain, of any sort. Do you ever doubt that? Have you ever considered, What if this is all there is? I don't think you are alone, if you have. It is as easy to think of that as it is to think God is not watching you when you are doing those things you should not do. He is always watching! But, even then, there is nothing that we can do that He does not already know about, nothing! David did a pretty terrible thing when he tried to cover up his sin with Bathsheba; it was totally out of character for him to do what he did. But isn't that what sin can do? Sin can blind us of what is real and true, making only what is right in our own heart count, even if it is totally wrong. Think about this, if you doubt me. God knows all things and there is nothing hidden from His eyes; yet He calls David "A man after His own heart." He called David that before his sinful deed to cover up his crime, and He repeated it after. There has got to be something about God's mercy that makes the sin we commit vanish from His eyes; something that causes God to only see the good and the right things we do, but somehow overlooking all the rest. Or maybe, just maybe, He knows us so well and still sees beyond all of those things, looking at the finished product, what we will become. That is what tells me that there is a heaven and that this is not all that there is; because God still loves me, despite my sinful ways and the iniquity in my heart. We do not get to heaven based upon the things that we do and do not do; we get to heaven based upon what Jesus did for us...
"After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come, Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life -to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began. "I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me."" (John 17:1-8) NLT
It is not all that perfect and free from injury, this new life we have been given; although one day it will be totally perfect and free from even pain, of any sort. Do you ever doubt that? Have you ever considered, What if this is all there is? I don't think you are alone, if you have. It is as easy to think of that as it is to think God is not watching you when you are doing those things you should not do. He is always watching! But, even then, there is nothing that we can do that He does not already know about, nothing! David did a pretty terrible thing when he tried to cover up his sin with Bathsheba; it was totally out of character for him to do what he did. But isn't that what sin can do? Sin can blind us of what is real and true, making only what is right in our own heart count, even if it is totally wrong. Think about this, if you doubt me. God knows all things and there is nothing hidden from His eyes; yet He calls David "A man after His own heart." He called David that before his sinful deed to cover up his crime, and He repeated it after. There has got to be something about God's mercy that makes the sin we commit vanish from His eyes; something that causes God to only see the good and the right things we do, but somehow overlooking all the rest. Or maybe, just maybe, He knows us so well and still sees beyond all of those things, looking at the finished product, what we will become. That is what tells me that there is a heaven and that this is not all that there is; because God still loves me, despite my sinful ways and the iniquity in my heart. We do not get to heaven based upon the things that we do and do not do; we get to heaven based upon what Jesus did for us...
"After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the hour has come, Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life -to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began. "I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me."" (John 17:1-8) NLT
Tuesday, May 15, 2018
"Wrestle with God"
"Let this be the reward of mine adversaries from the LORD, and of them that speak evil against my soul." (Psalms 109:20)
Forgive me for repeating the same thing over and over, but we truly are our own worst enemy. That old expression, "The devil made me do it," just does not work; he might tempt us and show us things that we like, but the only one who makes us do anything is us. I have the choice to say no, to walk away; to even run away, if that is what it takes. You know, I can remember when my wife and I had arguments, which I actually miss; and that my responsibility was to pray; but do you think I did? In the heat of the argument, did I choose to do what was right and what the Lord wanted me to do as the spiritual leader in my home? I was too proud! If I gave in, then I was admitting that I was wrong or that she was right; I could not look like an idiot or a fool! But oh what a fool I was! We really need to come to the understanding of who it is that we are dealing with. Yes, the devil is a tempter and a liar, but we have power at our command to overcome anything, if we would just choose what is right. That is all God is asking us to do! There are only two directions that we can go, one is the right way and the other is the wrong way. How many times in a single day I choose the wrong way, it is hard to keep track. The title today is one that speaks of two totally different ways to "wrestle with God." We can be wrong or right; if we are wrong, then we are wrestling against God's will and His commands; if we are right, then God is wrestling with us to defeat and overcome everything that comes our way. It is really not that complicated to understand. Yesterday I heard a message from Pastor Jon, about Jesus answering His disciple when He was asked, "How can we know the way?" The way Jon put it was pretty simple to understand, if we so choose to accept it. Jesus did not say, 'Let me tell you the way,' but He said, "I am the way." We simply need to rest in Jesus and He will do the rest! Who do you think it was that Jacob wrestled with? The way that match might have appeared, Jacob had prevailed against God; but it only took a single touch of His finger to set Jacob right...
""Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going." "No, we don't know Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!"" (John 14:1-7) NLT
Forgive me for repeating the same thing over and over, but we truly are our own worst enemy. That old expression, "The devil made me do it," just does not work; he might tempt us and show us things that we like, but the only one who makes us do anything is us. I have the choice to say no, to walk away; to even run away, if that is what it takes. You know, I can remember when my wife and I had arguments, which I actually miss; and that my responsibility was to pray; but do you think I did? In the heat of the argument, did I choose to do what was right and what the Lord wanted me to do as the spiritual leader in my home? I was too proud! If I gave in, then I was admitting that I was wrong or that she was right; I could not look like an idiot or a fool! But oh what a fool I was! We really need to come to the understanding of who it is that we are dealing with. Yes, the devil is a tempter and a liar, but we have power at our command to overcome anything, if we would just choose what is right. That is all God is asking us to do! There are only two directions that we can go, one is the right way and the other is the wrong way. How many times in a single day I choose the wrong way, it is hard to keep track. The title today is one that speaks of two totally different ways to "wrestle with God." We can be wrong or right; if we are wrong, then we are wrestling against God's will and His commands; if we are right, then God is wrestling with us to defeat and overcome everything that comes our way. It is really not that complicated to understand. Yesterday I heard a message from Pastor Jon, about Jesus answering His disciple when He was asked, "How can we know the way?" The way Jon put it was pretty simple to understand, if we so choose to accept it. Jesus did not say, 'Let me tell you the way,' but He said, "I am the way." We simply need to rest in Jesus and He will do the rest! Who do you think it was that Jacob wrestled with? The way that match might have appeared, Jacob had prevailed against God; but it only took a single touch of His finger to set Jacob right...
""Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going." "No, we don't know Lord," Thomas said. "We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!"" (John 14:1-7) NLT
Monday, May 14, 2018
"Wrapped in Fear"
"Let it be unto him as the garment which covereth him, and for a girdle wherewith he is girded continually." (Psalms 109:19)
Speaking of which, there is no failure from which we cannot get up from; there is nothing that we can mess-up so bad, that God cannot fix. Sometimes I get the feeling that God allows me to slip and fall just so He can show me how much I need Him and how little strength I really have on my own. The truth is, without the Lord we are totally and completely naked and afraid. Oh, we might think we are something and that we have it all together, but it is an illusion that we have designed to cover our nakedness. Much like Adam and Eve did, by making fig leaves to cover their nakedness; it really did not work, they still felt as though they were naked. There is only so much we can take without feeling the nakedness outside of the Lord's covering. Somehow or someway, God is going allow us to slip and fall, and when we do, we are going to be be struck with the fear of our nakedness. Not to say that is a bad thing, because it is the thing that will must likely save us from destruction; if we could be lost beyond God's mighty hand. This flesh that we are wrapped in is what causes us to stubble; it is the thing that wants to be fed and satisfied, yet it never really is satisfied; the more you feed it, the more it wants. Paul's way of explaining what we must do, to clothe ourselves in humbleness and meekness, is another way to say that we must feel naked without putting on Christ. What did God do for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness? He clothed them with the skins of a sacrifice...
"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of the earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him." (Colossians 3:1-10) NLT
Speaking of which, there is no failure from which we cannot get up from; there is nothing that we can mess-up so bad, that God cannot fix. Sometimes I get the feeling that God allows me to slip and fall just so He can show me how much I need Him and how little strength I really have on my own. The truth is, without the Lord we are totally and completely naked and afraid. Oh, we might think we are something and that we have it all together, but it is an illusion that we have designed to cover our nakedness. Much like Adam and Eve did, by making fig leaves to cover their nakedness; it really did not work, they still felt as though they were naked. There is only so much we can take without feeling the nakedness outside of the Lord's covering. Somehow or someway, God is going allow us to slip and fall, and when we do, we are going to be be struck with the fear of our nakedness. Not to say that is a bad thing, because it is the thing that will must likely save us from destruction; if we could be lost beyond God's mighty hand. This flesh that we are wrapped in is what causes us to stubble; it is the thing that wants to be fed and satisfied, yet it never really is satisfied; the more you feed it, the more it wants. Paul's way of explaining what we must do, to clothe ourselves in humbleness and meekness, is another way to say that we must feel naked without putting on Christ. What did God do for Adam and Eve to cover their nakedness? He clothed them with the skins of a sacrifice...
"Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of the earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory. So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don't be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshipping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him." (Colossians 3:1-10) NLT
Sunday, May 13, 2018
"Incorrigible"
"As he clothed himself with cursing like as with a garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones." (Psalms 109:18)
Before I forget, Happy Mothers Day to all you moms! This time last year I was preparing to deliver a message from the Book of Ruth, a massage about how God takes our mistakes and turns them into opportunities for Him to do things good. People end up getting blessed by the stupid things that we might do; that is how it works in God's wake of mercy and grace. As to the point made, however brief, in yesterday's ending, Jacob and Peter are two people that the Lord changed their names, but then called them by their previous names after He gave them new names. As was trying to remember what my mom called me when I got on her bad side, and I remembered what it was: "Incorrigible." Oddly enough, she never called me that in public or while speaking of me with a friend or relative. Any time she spoke about me, she only spoke a praise and all the good things that I did; all the bad stuff she kept between the two of us. Looking up the meaning of that word, it means someone or their tendencies not able to be reformed, corrected, or improved. In a nutshell, that is you and I, believe it or not. Oddly enough, most people that consider themselves to be Christians do not believe it to be so; most people that are Christians think that God is reforming them and improving them, that their old self is being reformed, corrected, or improved. I can see where that way of thinking comes from, because it is woven into our society like the filthy rag that it is. Our old self cannot be reformed, it is to be reckoned dead and crucified with Christ; how can you reform, correct, or improve that which is dead? We are to be changed in a way that is considered supernatural and of God. Just as it was when the Lord gave Jacob a new name, Israel; when he was walking in his old ways or when the Lord was speaking to or of his old character, he was called Jacob; but when he was walking as a man that was governed by God, he was Israel. Only the new man can please God, because the new man is 'Triumphant with God.' Without God, not triumphant, with God, everything is new...
"In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowances for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:11-14) NLT
Before I forget, Happy Mothers Day to all you moms! This time last year I was preparing to deliver a message from the Book of Ruth, a massage about how God takes our mistakes and turns them into opportunities for Him to do things good. People end up getting blessed by the stupid things that we might do; that is how it works in God's wake of mercy and grace. As to the point made, however brief, in yesterday's ending, Jacob and Peter are two people that the Lord changed their names, but then called them by their previous names after He gave them new names. As was trying to remember what my mom called me when I got on her bad side, and I remembered what it was: "Incorrigible." Oddly enough, she never called me that in public or while speaking of me with a friend or relative. Any time she spoke about me, she only spoke a praise and all the good things that I did; all the bad stuff she kept between the two of us. Looking up the meaning of that word, it means someone or their tendencies not able to be reformed, corrected, or improved. In a nutshell, that is you and I, believe it or not. Oddly enough, most people that consider themselves to be Christians do not believe it to be so; most people that are Christians think that God is reforming them and improving them, that their old self is being reformed, corrected, or improved. I can see where that way of thinking comes from, because it is woven into our society like the filthy rag that it is. Our old self cannot be reformed, it is to be reckoned dead and crucified with Christ; how can you reform, correct, or improve that which is dead? We are to be changed in a way that is considered supernatural and of God. Just as it was when the Lord gave Jacob a new name, Israel; when he was walking in his old ways or when the Lord was speaking to or of his old character, he was called Jacob; but when he was walking as a man that was governed by God, he was Israel. Only the new man can please God, because the new man is 'Triumphant with God.' Without God, not triumphant, with God, everything is new...
"In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowances for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us together in perfect harmony." (Colossians 3:11-14) NLT
Saturday, May 12, 2018
"The Big Bounce"
"As he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him." (Psalms 109:17)
If it could get any worse, I don't know how I can try and make it work for the good; it is getting really hard to stay positive with this kind of thinking, maybe I need to change my way of thinking. You know, there is absolutely nothing that we can do that cannot be undone. Simply put, God's mercy and grace has more power than any sin or iniquity that can be done by any single individual; regardless of the kind of person you once were, and regardless of what you might have done. Oh, you might have a few issues to deal with in this life; you might even need to serve time for your crimes; but regardless, God's mercy and grace can be poured out upon you, more than you can contain or use up. I can't help but think of Paul and how he lived out his days upon this earth. Some could look at his life, especially compared to what it was before, and think he was cursed and that God had quit blessing him. Forced to live as a vagabond, constantly not knowing from where his next resting place would be, or sometimes not even knowing where he might be fed; it could have looked liked a curse, if someone did not know Paul's heart and his mission. To read some of his letters that he wrote from prison, it was important for him to share that his bonds were not in vain; even making mention of the fact that he was truly free, even in his chains. Seriously, what matters most, to be blessed by God or by the world? Obviously there is a price to be paid for what we do in this life; you can't commit a crime and not pay some sort of penalty for what you have done. But when it comes to eternal security and a right standing with God, no punishment or sentence dished out by this world can take that away. Some might submit this to be spoken of about the Jewish leaders that persecuted Jesus; those that cursed Him as He was lifted up on the cross; those that refused to see or delight in the blessing that God pouring out upon the earth. No doubt, Paul, who once was called Saul, was a member of that group. How interesting it is that the Lord changes people's names. Strange as it is, with the exception of a couple, they never get called by their old name again...
"Consume them in thy wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah." (Psalms 59:13) KJV
If it could get any worse, I don't know how I can try and make it work for the good; it is getting really hard to stay positive with this kind of thinking, maybe I need to change my way of thinking. You know, there is absolutely nothing that we can do that cannot be undone. Simply put, God's mercy and grace has more power than any sin or iniquity that can be done by any single individual; regardless of the kind of person you once were, and regardless of what you might have done. Oh, you might have a few issues to deal with in this life; you might even need to serve time for your crimes; but regardless, God's mercy and grace can be poured out upon you, more than you can contain or use up. I can't help but think of Paul and how he lived out his days upon this earth. Some could look at his life, especially compared to what it was before, and think he was cursed and that God had quit blessing him. Forced to live as a vagabond, constantly not knowing from where his next resting place would be, or sometimes not even knowing where he might be fed; it could have looked liked a curse, if someone did not know Paul's heart and his mission. To read some of his letters that he wrote from prison, it was important for him to share that his bonds were not in vain; even making mention of the fact that he was truly free, even in his chains. Seriously, what matters most, to be blessed by God or by the world? Obviously there is a price to be paid for what we do in this life; you can't commit a crime and not pay some sort of penalty for what you have done. But when it comes to eternal security and a right standing with God, no punishment or sentence dished out by this world can take that away. Some might submit this to be spoken of about the Jewish leaders that persecuted Jesus; those that cursed Him as He was lifted up on the cross; those that refused to see or delight in the blessing that God pouring out upon the earth. No doubt, Paul, who once was called Saul, was a member of that group. How interesting it is that the Lord changes people's names. Strange as it is, with the exception of a couple, they never get called by their old name again...
"Consume them in thy wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah." (Psalms 59:13) KJV
Friday, May 11, 2018
"The Challenge" -Too
"Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart." (Psalms 109:16)
It is pretty obvious to me that God has a purpose in all that we go through, even if it is unseen or realized now, His purposes stretch out far beyond our own individual lives. There was one thing for sure that Jesus had over anyone else, He had the ability to see what was going to happen. We seldom know what is around the corner, let alone the outcome of a trial or circumstance. That said, we do have a roadmap to guide us, it is God's word, taken literally and without doubting what He says. Yes, it is a challenge sometimes to live out all that we should. If we let people use us, they are going to continue using us, that is just the way it is. But what is more important, this life or eternity? I can't imagine what Jesus felt, having full knowledge of what was going to happen over the next several hours, it had to be more than He could stand to think about. There truly is power in knowing what the outcome of any situation will be. We can tap into that power, if we simply trust that God will do what He says in His word. Jesus gave us clear instructions about dying to self and becoming a servant to all; He not only told us how, but He showed us. Now about this immune system that I was talking about, the one which can withstand more than we know. It is the Holy Spirit that lives within us; He is more than able to keep us from becoming overwhelmed by any and all of what overcomes the world. It is pretty awesome how it works, but the more we count on the Holy Spirit to empower us, the more He will empower us. (Lord, please help me to give myself away!) We need to be willing! As hard as it is to comprehend, God's love is power! I can't stand myself sometimes, for the good that I do not do. Can anyone relate? We know what we must do, but we fail to follow through; if we could only experience the real power that comes from loving the way that we should, I think that we too could better see the end result of every situation...
"The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
(Psalms 34:15-18) NLT
It is pretty obvious to me that God has a purpose in all that we go through, even if it is unseen or realized now, His purposes stretch out far beyond our own individual lives. There was one thing for sure that Jesus had over anyone else, He had the ability to see what was going to happen. We seldom know what is around the corner, let alone the outcome of a trial or circumstance. That said, we do have a roadmap to guide us, it is God's word, taken literally and without doubting what He says. Yes, it is a challenge sometimes to live out all that we should. If we let people use us, they are going to continue using us, that is just the way it is. But what is more important, this life or eternity? I can't imagine what Jesus felt, having full knowledge of what was going to happen over the next several hours, it had to be more than He could stand to think about. There truly is power in knowing what the outcome of any situation will be. We can tap into that power, if we simply trust that God will do what He says in His word. Jesus gave us clear instructions about dying to self and becoming a servant to all; He not only told us how, but He showed us. Now about this immune system that I was talking about, the one which can withstand more than we know. It is the Holy Spirit that lives within us; He is more than able to keep us from becoming overwhelmed by any and all of what overcomes the world. It is pretty awesome how it works, but the more we count on the Holy Spirit to empower us, the more He will empower us. (Lord, please help me to give myself away!) We need to be willing! As hard as it is to comprehend, God's love is power! I can't stand myself sometimes, for the good that I do not do. Can anyone relate? We know what we must do, but we fail to follow through; if we could only experience the real power that comes from loving the way that we should, I think that we too could better see the end result of every situation...
"The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help. But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth. The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."
(Psalms 34:15-18) NLT
Thursday, May 10, 2018
"The Challenge"
"Because that he remembered not to show mercy, but persecuted the poor and needy man, that he might even slay the broken in heart." (Psalms 109:16)
Maybe it is wrong, and maybe there are no connections between this and that, but only an imaginary thread; so be it, the tread is scarlet, winding through and holding every single word together as one. It is really not all that hard to get the Gospel message from almost anywhere in the Bible, the challenge that we face is putting all of it to work in our lives. Having compassion and loving those who are suffering is something we need to allow ourselves to do, but we feel as though it will somehow rub off, as if the suffering they might be experiencing will become transferred to us or felt in our hearts as well. So be it! As it should be! Jesus was referred to as the Man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), because He took our pain upon Himself. You want to talk about something rubbing off or being transferred from one person to another, He took it willingly and without regret. Odd as it might appear, challenge is not just a contest or competition, it is also exposure; in the medical field, it is exposure of the immune system to pathological organisms or antigens. Who would have guessed? The word came to me last night, and I started typing this theory of transfer and rubbing off, and then here it is, proof that it is what it is! That is how God works; He truly is "Wonderful, Counselor." But in all honesty, we are meant to take on the sorrow and pain of the afflicted; we just cannot show compassion any other way. But it is perfectly fine that way, we have an immune system that can absorb it all; as a matter of fact, we are totally unaware of the power of this immune system contained in us, not until it is challenged. That is how love works, it is only experienced in power when it is given out in power...
"He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." He went on a little farther and fell on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass by. "Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.""
(Mark 14:33-36) NLT
Maybe it is wrong, and maybe there are no connections between this and that, but only an imaginary thread; so be it, the tread is scarlet, winding through and holding every single word together as one. It is really not all that hard to get the Gospel message from almost anywhere in the Bible, the challenge that we face is putting all of it to work in our lives. Having compassion and loving those who are suffering is something we need to allow ourselves to do, but we feel as though it will somehow rub off, as if the suffering they might be experiencing will become transferred to us or felt in our hearts as well. So be it! As it should be! Jesus was referred to as the Man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), because He took our pain upon Himself. You want to talk about something rubbing off or being transferred from one person to another, He took it willingly and without regret. Odd as it might appear, challenge is not just a contest or competition, it is also exposure; in the medical field, it is exposure of the immune system to pathological organisms or antigens. Who would have guessed? The word came to me last night, and I started typing this theory of transfer and rubbing off, and then here it is, proof that it is what it is! That is how God works; He truly is "Wonderful, Counselor." But in all honesty, we are meant to take on the sorrow and pain of the afflicted; we just cannot show compassion any other way. But it is perfectly fine that way, we have an immune system that can absorb it all; as a matter of fact, we are totally unaware of the power of this immune system contained in us, not until it is challenged. That is how love works, it is only experienced in power when it is given out in power...
"He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." He went on a little farther and fell on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass by. "Abba, Father," he cried out, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.""
(Mark 14:33-36) NLT
Wednesday, May 9, 2018
"The Eraser"
"Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth."
(Psalms 109:15)
Right from the start of this, I thought it was strange how God gave me that title last night, yet, as of yet, I fail to see the point. You know, retribution is a lot like vengeance, and the wages of sin is death; or so the Bible clearly says. What are we talking about here, and why are whatever it is cut off from the memory of the earth, but continually before the LORD? If we look at this in the flow of the last verse, then it would appear that we are talking about iniquity and sin, since the iniquity of the fathers was to be remember with the LORD, and the sin of his mother blotted out. These are two very unique and separate areas of dealing with retribution; one involves heaven, and the other involves earth. Now, if we are talking about people, then we would be looking forward to the next five verses, where it is a little more clear, or so it might seem, that we are talking about someone who really did not care about anyone else but himself. I choose the sin and iniquity angle, because it best fits the positive message that I am trying to put forth. What would make God cherish something that He cannot stand? Obviously God hates sin; He says so over and over in His word, so it must be true. But what is it that would cause Him to cherish that which He hates? As I stated yesterday, it will all make sense in the end. God has only good intentions for us, even though we seldom do anything that deserves His good intentions, it is His will and purposes that matter, not ours. You might have heard it said that God sees us through rose colored glasses; the point of which, is that the blood of His Son erases all of our sins. If He does not see the sin, then what is it that He sees? He sees saints! Just as if I had never sinned; that is what a saint is, like a virgin, never defiled or tainted. My next question is one of origin, like, from where did my sin, which is considered to never have happened, originate? Strange is something of an understatement...
"For I was born a sinner -yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me -now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me." (Psalms 51:5-10) NLT
(Psalms 109:15)
Right from the start of this, I thought it was strange how God gave me that title last night, yet, as of yet, I fail to see the point. You know, retribution is a lot like vengeance, and the wages of sin is death; or so the Bible clearly says. What are we talking about here, and why are whatever it is cut off from the memory of the earth, but continually before the LORD? If we look at this in the flow of the last verse, then it would appear that we are talking about iniquity and sin, since the iniquity of the fathers was to be remember with the LORD, and the sin of his mother blotted out. These are two very unique and separate areas of dealing with retribution; one involves heaven, and the other involves earth. Now, if we are talking about people, then we would be looking forward to the next five verses, where it is a little more clear, or so it might seem, that we are talking about someone who really did not care about anyone else but himself. I choose the sin and iniquity angle, because it best fits the positive message that I am trying to put forth. What would make God cherish something that He cannot stand? Obviously God hates sin; He says so over and over in His word, so it must be true. But what is it that would cause Him to cherish that which He hates? As I stated yesterday, it will all make sense in the end. God has only good intentions for us, even though we seldom do anything that deserves His good intentions, it is His will and purposes that matter, not ours. You might have heard it said that God sees us through rose colored glasses; the point of which, is that the blood of His Son erases all of our sins. If He does not see the sin, then what is it that He sees? He sees saints! Just as if I had never sinned; that is what a saint is, like a virgin, never defiled or tainted. My next question is one of origin, like, from where did my sin, which is considered to never have happened, originate? Strange is something of an understatement...
"For I was born a sinner -yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me -now let me rejoice. Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me." (Psalms 51:5-10) NLT
Tuesday, May 8, 2018
"The Crush"
"Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out." (Psalms 109:14)
It will all make perfect sense in the end, just you wait and see. That is why it is that we have not chosen Him, He has chosen us; we are without consent, because He is our God and we are His people. How does it feel to be chosen? Seriously! When you think about it, how does it make you feel to know that the Father has given you to His Son? "Here, my Son, have this one." Wow, talk about inner peace that cannot be explained; there is nothing I can do with that, absolutely nothing. As I studied this verse, I was drawn to the plurality of "fathers" and the singleness of "mother." There are two different areas of development here, just as there are two different genealogy records for Jesus Christ; one for the "fathers" and one for His "mother." We cannot erase anything that has been done, nor should we even attempt to; if God has allowed it to happen, then He has allowed it all to happen based upon whatever it was. It's kind of creepy, but it is comforting at the same time. Let no one try and tell you that you were a mistake! God does not make mistakes! If you are chosen by God, then He has chosen you because He loves you and has a purpose for your life. As such, all of your mistakes, they are mistakes to you and things that you regret; but to God, they were never a mistake, because He already knew what would happen and how it all would work out. Seriously, I think I can see it; from the time of the fall, all the iniquity of my fathers has been handed down to me; each and every one of my fathers, my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great great-grandfather; all the way to Adam, the curse has been handed down. The sin of my mother was within her; she gave birth to me, and the curse continued. This is why Jesus had to be born of a virgin; there was no other way to break the curse; that which was in Mary was holy, without iniquity, therefore she had given birth to untainted child; the Son of God and Son of Man! Talk about a crush, He crushed it...
""I -yes, I alone -will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. Let us review the situation together, and you can present your case to prove your innocence. From the very beginning, your first ancestor sinned against me; all your leaders broke my laws. That is why I have disgraced your priests; I have decreed complete destruction for Jacob and shame for Israel. "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."" (Isaiah 43:25-44:2) NLT
It will all make perfect sense in the end, just you wait and see. That is why it is that we have not chosen Him, He has chosen us; we are without consent, because He is our God and we are His people. How does it feel to be chosen? Seriously! When you think about it, how does it make you feel to know that the Father has given you to His Son? "Here, my Son, have this one." Wow, talk about inner peace that cannot be explained; there is nothing I can do with that, absolutely nothing. As I studied this verse, I was drawn to the plurality of "fathers" and the singleness of "mother." There are two different areas of development here, just as there are two different genealogy records for Jesus Christ; one for the "fathers" and one for His "mother." We cannot erase anything that has been done, nor should we even attempt to; if God has allowed it to happen, then He has allowed it all to happen based upon whatever it was. It's kind of creepy, but it is comforting at the same time. Let no one try and tell you that you were a mistake! God does not make mistakes! If you are chosen by God, then He has chosen you because He loves you and has a purpose for your life. As such, all of your mistakes, they are mistakes to you and things that you regret; but to God, they were never a mistake, because He already knew what would happen and how it all would work out. Seriously, I think I can see it; from the time of the fall, all the iniquity of my fathers has been handed down to me; each and every one of my fathers, my father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great great-grandfather; all the way to Adam, the curse has been handed down. The sin of my mother was within her; she gave birth to me, and the curse continued. This is why Jesus had to be born of a virgin; there was no other way to break the curse; that which was in Mary was holy, without iniquity, therefore she had given birth to untainted child; the Son of God and Son of Man! Talk about a crush, He crushed it...
""I -yes, I alone -will blot out your sins for my own sake and will never think of them again. Let us review the situation together, and you can present your case to prove your innocence. From the very beginning, your first ancestor sinned against me; all your leaders broke my laws. That is why I have disgraced your priests; I have decreed complete destruction for Jacob and shame for Israel. "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."" (Isaiah 43:25-44:2) NLT
Monday, May 7, 2018
"Without Consent"
"Let his posterity be cut off; and in the generation following let their name be blotted out."
(Psalms 109:13)
There is only so much that can be done with this. Is there anything positive to share? Can anything be good? I guess it depends where this is happening and for what. The point to almost every single curse or judgment is that of surrender; if the curse is to be lifted and the judgment is to be removed, then everything needs to be brought under the blood of Christ. These are serious things, the kind of things that take down dynasties and bloodlines. But what does any of that matter if there is not any salvation as a result? The most important thing that can happen in someone's life is to be saved from the fires of hell; nothing in this life matters more than that. Have you ever written anyone a blank check? Has anyone ever given you a blank check? Do you even know what that represents? A blank check is someone giving someone else unlimited access to their account; to trust someone enough to say, 'Here, use as much as you need.' Let me tell how that works in God's economy; an economy where nothing that we own is really ours to begin with. We say, 'God do whatever it takes,' and so it goes! Sometimes the picture is not all that pretty, at least not during the cleansing process. To totally understand the concept of writing a blank check, one must also see that all could be lost. Are you alright with that? Here is the thing about consent, it is an agreement made. Can you see the picture being painted? If you knew beforehand what was at stake, would still have made the agreement? God does not always show us the entire journey, but He does show us the end; and the end is marvelous! There is nothing on this entire earth that compares! Everything here is temporary and is dying. These tents we live in are falling apart; even our homes and our cars loose their luster and decay into dust. I have to be reminded of that man who is hanging onto the root on the face of that cliff; the one who is speaking to God, saying, "Can you save me?" "Will you save me?" "What must I do?" And God speaks loud and clear, "Let go of the root!" When we have such an agreement as that, where is there any room for consent...
"Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me."" (John 6:61-65) NLT
(Psalms 109:13)
There is only so much that can be done with this. Is there anything positive to share? Can anything be good? I guess it depends where this is happening and for what. The point to almost every single curse or judgment is that of surrender; if the curse is to be lifted and the judgment is to be removed, then everything needs to be brought under the blood of Christ. These are serious things, the kind of things that take down dynasties and bloodlines. But what does any of that matter if there is not any salvation as a result? The most important thing that can happen in someone's life is to be saved from the fires of hell; nothing in this life matters more than that. Have you ever written anyone a blank check? Has anyone ever given you a blank check? Do you even know what that represents? A blank check is someone giving someone else unlimited access to their account; to trust someone enough to say, 'Here, use as much as you need.' Let me tell how that works in God's economy; an economy where nothing that we own is really ours to begin with. We say, 'God do whatever it takes,' and so it goes! Sometimes the picture is not all that pretty, at least not during the cleansing process. To totally understand the concept of writing a blank check, one must also see that all could be lost. Are you alright with that? Here is the thing about consent, it is an agreement made. Can you see the picture being painted? If you knew beforehand what was at stake, would still have made the agreement? God does not always show us the entire journey, but He does show us the end; and the end is marvelous! There is nothing on this entire earth that compares! Everything here is temporary and is dying. These tents we live in are falling apart; even our homes and our cars loose their luster and decay into dust. I have to be reminded of that man who is hanging onto the root on the face of that cliff; the one who is speaking to God, saying, "Can you save me?" "Will you save me?" "What must I do?" And God speaks loud and clear, "Let go of the root!" When we have such an agreement as that, where is there any room for consent...
"Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me." (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn't believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, "That is why I said that people can't come to me unless the Father gives them to me."" (John 6:61-65) NLT
Sunday, May 6, 2018
"Without Restraints" -Too
"Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children." (Psalms 109:12)
I was reminded of something yesterday about the story of the rich man and Lazarus, that the rich man did not expect to be sent back, but asked that Lazarus be sent to his five brothers to testify of that place. I seriously doubt that anyone will misunderstand their position, except those that misunderstand right now what it means to serve the Lord; they are the ones who serve themselves in ministry, making it all about them and their needs above others. It might not be too late, but the most important thing that we can do for the Lord is to show compassion for one another. To the unsaved person, the most important thing they can do is to get saved; but for those of us that have already been saved, we need to be all about saving others and caring for one another's needs. That two way street that I spoke about is more like a highway, one that sweeps us up and carries us in either direction. If we give into our flesh, we will be swept up into the lanes that lead to destruction; if we yield to the Holy Spirit, we will be swept up into the lanes that lead to eternal life. Am I saying that we might loose the eternal life we have been given? Not in so many words; but there is a way that leads to eternal life, a way of life, a direction that brings others along. That is what it means to live for Jesus, that people are brought along with us! What is holding you back? To us that are saved, it is sin for us to not extend mercy; it is sin for us to not have compassion on the orphans and on the widows; it is sin to fail to love one another. Can we actually do what God commands us to do? God does not ask us to do anything that we cannot do, with His help! I hope you got that from the closing verse, "I will burn them up -unless they turn to me for help." God never expects us to do it alone; if He did, He would not had to send His Son to provide the way...
"Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you favor some people over others, you are committing sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you." (James 2:8-13) NLT
I was reminded of something yesterday about the story of the rich man and Lazarus, that the rich man did not expect to be sent back, but asked that Lazarus be sent to his five brothers to testify of that place. I seriously doubt that anyone will misunderstand their position, except those that misunderstand right now what it means to serve the Lord; they are the ones who serve themselves in ministry, making it all about them and their needs above others. It might not be too late, but the most important thing that we can do for the Lord is to show compassion for one another. To the unsaved person, the most important thing they can do is to get saved; but for those of us that have already been saved, we need to be all about saving others and caring for one another's needs. That two way street that I spoke about is more like a highway, one that sweeps us up and carries us in either direction. If we give into our flesh, we will be swept up into the lanes that lead to destruction; if we yield to the Holy Spirit, we will be swept up into the lanes that lead to eternal life. Am I saying that we might loose the eternal life we have been given? Not in so many words; but there is a way that leads to eternal life, a way of life, a direction that brings others along. That is what it means to live for Jesus, that people are brought along with us! What is holding you back? To us that are saved, it is sin for us to not extend mercy; it is sin for us to not have compassion on the orphans and on the widows; it is sin to fail to love one another. Can we actually do what God commands us to do? God does not ask us to do anything that we cannot do, with His help! I hope you got that from the closing verse, "I will burn them up -unless they turn to me for help." God never expects us to do it alone; if He did, He would not had to send His Son to provide the way...
"Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as yourself." But if you favor some people over others, you are committing sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God's laws. For the same God who said, "You must not commit adultery," also said, "You must not murder." So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you." (James 2:8-13) NLT
Saturday, May 5, 2018
"Without Restraints"
"Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children." (Psalms 109:12)
This is a two way street, I hope you know. I am trying so hard to keep this positive, yet the harder I try, the more I get convicted and feel guilty for my weakness and insecurities. I will purpose a question to myself and include anyone who wants to try to answer: What is holding you back? To be perfectly clear, the reason that this is a two way street, is that we are empowered in two different directions. Yes, we have the power of God's Spirit living inside of us, but the Holy Spirit will not force us to do anything; He guides us, He will encourage us, He will embolden us, He will even love others through us; but these are all things that we allow Him to do, we must be willing vessels. There are things in our life that cause us to not be as willing as we should be, to not give in as much as we should or could. The other side of this weakness, is that sin leads to more sin; the more we sin, the easier it is to sin again. It pretty much goes back to my reason for not missing a morning with this blog, because I know that if I do, I will miss again, and again; pretty soon, after many misses, I will just not even bother posting at all. But as it is, you keep me accountable to show up every morning and at least say something; whether or not it makes any sense, that is up to the power of the Holy Spirit and who it is that He is speaking to; I pray each morning that He speaks to me. If I could treat sin the way that I treat my commitment to do this blog every day, I might feel empowered to be more bold in my faith. That is what sin does, it restrains us and causes us to feel guilty; as much as we would like to feel forgiveness, if we have sin in our lives the forgiveness is not real. God might have forgiven us already, but we don't feel the power of His forgiveness, not as we should, not with the sin in our lives, and desire to sin again. Does anyone else know what I am talking about? Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I feel that there is nothing within me to restrain me from sinning...
""In that day, sing about the fruitful vineyard. I, the LORD, will watch over it, watering it carefully. Day and night I will watch so no one can harm it. My anger will be gone. If I find briers and thorns growing, I will attack them; I will burn them up -unless they turn to me for help. Let them make peace with me; yes, let them make peace with me."" (Isaiah 27:2-5) NLT
This is a two way street, I hope you know. I am trying so hard to keep this positive, yet the harder I try, the more I get convicted and feel guilty for my weakness and insecurities. I will purpose a question to myself and include anyone who wants to try to answer: What is holding you back? To be perfectly clear, the reason that this is a two way street, is that we are empowered in two different directions. Yes, we have the power of God's Spirit living inside of us, but the Holy Spirit will not force us to do anything; He guides us, He will encourage us, He will embolden us, He will even love others through us; but these are all things that we allow Him to do, we must be willing vessels. There are things in our life that cause us to not be as willing as we should be, to not give in as much as we should or could. The other side of this weakness, is that sin leads to more sin; the more we sin, the easier it is to sin again. It pretty much goes back to my reason for not missing a morning with this blog, because I know that if I do, I will miss again, and again; pretty soon, after many misses, I will just not even bother posting at all. But as it is, you keep me accountable to show up every morning and at least say something; whether or not it makes any sense, that is up to the power of the Holy Spirit and who it is that He is speaking to; I pray each morning that He speaks to me. If I could treat sin the way that I treat my commitment to do this blog every day, I might feel empowered to be more bold in my faith. That is what sin does, it restrains us and causes us to feel guilty; as much as we would like to feel forgiveness, if we have sin in our lives the forgiveness is not real. God might have forgiven us already, but we don't feel the power of His forgiveness, not as we should, not with the sin in our lives, and desire to sin again. Does anyone else know what I am talking about? Maybe it's just me, but sometimes I feel that there is nothing within me to restrain me from sinning...
""In that day, sing about the fruitful vineyard. I, the LORD, will watch over it, watering it carefully. Day and night I will watch so no one can harm it. My anger will be gone. If I find briers and thorns growing, I will attack them; I will burn them up -unless they turn to me for help. Let them make peace with me; yes, let them make peace with me."" (Isaiah 27:2-5) NLT
Friday, May 4, 2018
"Without Resistance"
"Let the executioner catch all that he hath; and let the strangers spoil his labour." (Psalms 109:11)
Sometimes we are really our own worst enemy; as a matter of fact, if there is anyone to blame for my troubles and lack of faith, it is the character I see in the mirror from time to time, the one who continually forgets who he is and what his responsibility here on this earth is meant for, and who it is that he is to represent. About now, you might be wondering about the positive message that comes from this wonderful verse of encouragement; but it is not as bad as you might think. The words that throw it off are "executioner" and "spoil," which are nothing more than economic factors of substance and success. The way that I see it, if we are truly servants of the Lord, and if we truly believe that all that we have or do belongs to the Lord, the one that we serve, then there is nothing gained, it is all the Lord's. This counts for more than just possessions and wealth, it also counts for ministry and sharing the Good News. We are not the ones who are responsible for the results; nor are we the ones that get to take any credit for what the results are; we are merely servants, and as servants we are responsible for maintaining and caring for our Master's stuff. Think about this for a moment: if you are a servant in your masters house, how much of what is in his house belongs to you? Better yet, even if you contribute to building up his wealth, how much of his wealth is yours? It is pretty much the same in ministry. We are called for a particular purpose, and when that purpose is executed, its reward is not presented here on this earth; if anything, it is taken down a notch or destroyed, but rewards, if any, are things we should not be looking for in this life. It might not seem fair, but in God's economy, less is greater; the more you give away, the greater your reward is in heaven...
""Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."" (Matthew 6:19-21) NLT
Sometimes we are really our own worst enemy; as a matter of fact, if there is anyone to blame for my troubles and lack of faith, it is the character I see in the mirror from time to time, the one who continually forgets who he is and what his responsibility here on this earth is meant for, and who it is that he is to represent. About now, you might be wondering about the positive message that comes from this wonderful verse of encouragement; but it is not as bad as you might think. The words that throw it off are "executioner" and "spoil," which are nothing more than economic factors of substance and success. The way that I see it, if we are truly servants of the Lord, and if we truly believe that all that we have or do belongs to the Lord, the one that we serve, then there is nothing gained, it is all the Lord's. This counts for more than just possessions and wealth, it also counts for ministry and sharing the Good News. We are not the ones who are responsible for the results; nor are we the ones that get to take any credit for what the results are; we are merely servants, and as servants we are responsible for maintaining and caring for our Master's stuff. Think about this for a moment: if you are a servant in your masters house, how much of what is in his house belongs to you? Better yet, even if you contribute to building up his wealth, how much of his wealth is yours? It is pretty much the same in ministry. We are called for a particular purpose, and when that purpose is executed, its reward is not presented here on this earth; if anything, it is taken down a notch or destroyed, but rewards, if any, are things we should not be looking for in this life. It might not seem fair, but in God's economy, less is greater; the more you give away, the greater your reward is in heaven...
""Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be."" (Matthew 6:19-21) NLT
Thursday, May 3, 2018
"Without A Trace" -2
"Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places." (Psalms 109:10)
So the point of all of that seemed to be dependency on God for everything, our direction, our resources, our way of thinking, and vision of what is ahead. This is the point I think I am getting from, "let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places." Oh, you did not get the memo? I was not specifically trying to interpret what was being said or teach on what was the meaning, not in that sense of the word; I thought I made my point rather obvious, I am letting God show me something positive in something that might otherwise be a curse. This is how it works for you and I, we don't get cursed, we cannot be cursed; that was the whole point of the closing Scripture from yesterday. It's like Balaam's attempt to curse God's people, as much as he tried to, he couldn't; even if he wanted to, his words were those of praise and proclamation to God's chosen people. To see what it is that I am trying to say, is that we need to look for God's direction and provision in our desolate places; those are the places where God will do His greatest work in us, when we are desperate for Him to speak and to give us His word. I mean, we can open up our Bible every day and get spoken to, it should be what we seek; but in our places of dryness and ruin, when everything else around seems of no importance at all, those are the times when God speaks directly into our individual hearts, one on one and to the point. As to the point of the "vagabond," and how that might look to those that are dependent upon God for everything, even their very life; it should not need any explanation, we are fugitives here anyway, so why should we feel at home...
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11) NLT
So the point of all of that seemed to be dependency on God for everything, our direction, our resources, our way of thinking, and vision of what is ahead. This is the point I think I am getting from, "let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places." Oh, you did not get the memo? I was not specifically trying to interpret what was being said or teach on what was the meaning, not in that sense of the word; I thought I made my point rather obvious, I am letting God show me something positive in something that might otherwise be a curse. This is how it works for you and I, we don't get cursed, we cannot be cursed; that was the whole point of the closing Scripture from yesterday. It's like Balaam's attempt to curse God's people, as much as he tried to, he couldn't; even if he wanted to, his words were those of praise and proclamation to God's chosen people. To see what it is that I am trying to say, is that we need to look for God's direction and provision in our desolate places; those are the places where God will do His greatest work in us, when we are desperate for Him to speak and to give us His word. I mean, we can open up our Bible every day and get spoken to, it should be what we seek; but in our places of dryness and ruin, when everything else around seems of no importance at all, those are the times when God speaks directly into our individual hearts, one on one and to the point. As to the point of the "vagabond," and how that might look to those that are dependent upon God for everything, even their very life; it should not need any explanation, we are fugitives here anyway, so why should we feel at home...
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross. Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11) NLT
Wednesday, May 2, 2018
"Without A Trace"
"Let his children be continually vagabonds, and beg: let them seek their bread also out of their desolate places." (Psalms 109:10)
I think what did it for me was the word "their," as in, "their desolate places." Don't even ask me where this came from, except that I felt I heard God speak the title into my heart and out of the blue. There is something that happens in the life of a child of God when he gives himself completely over to God: he gets completely turned inside out! It is hard to describe what that is like, except that you no longer recognize who you are or why you do the things that you do. To be perfectly honest, it has been quite some time since I have experienced that kind of feeling, but the memory of it never fades. When you live your life being subject to what God wants you to do, things don't always make sense, but they always do work out, and for the better. Paul was a good example of that, in that he went where he felt God was leading him; one day at a time and moment by moment, he did what he felt God was telling him to do. There really is no way to explain how that feels, because it is not based upon feelings or even determination, it is based upon a person giving themselves over to the Spirit and letting God teach you how to listen. Don't try to analyze what is happening, just move in the direction that the Spirit is leading and watch what He does. I remember the very first teaching that I gave to the high school group at our church, while we were still in Palo Cedro; it was based on one simple word from John 4:4, the word "must." We do not have the same kind of vision that Jesus had, but we do have the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit does. The Word says, "And he must needs go through Samaria." What a strange thing for a Jew to do, but Jesus was God in a Jewish body; the things that mattered to a Jews were not the things that mattered to Jesus; His will was to do that which the Father wanted, and in doing so, His own will was fed. There is something that happens to our own personal desires and wants when we allow God to have His way in us...
"The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand. Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread."
(Psalms 37:23-25) NLT
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
"It's Called Justice"
"Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow." (Psalms 109:9)
Have you ever painted yourself into a corner and not known how to get out? Well, that might be the case; that is, unless the corner has a trap door; maybe even another level that cannot be seen without God's help. Matthew Henry makes the case about "wicked men, by their wicked courses, bring ruin upon their wives and children, whom they ought to take care of and provide for." It is easy to see how this plays out, it is more common then we realize, especially when you consider the spiritual aspects of caring for your wife and kids. On a much more positive note, we that are called and chosen to be children of God, have what is called an unusual life when it comes to this world and things that matter the most; especially spiritual matters. There were a couple of instances when Jesus put this into the proper perspective, saying, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." Those are pretty hard words to swallow, but they are part of the cross that one must bare as a follower of Christ. It is hard to imagine how anyone that is dead can still function in a world that wants to do nothing but keep them alive and feeling good, but it is possible; everything is possible with God! To put this into a perspective that hits closer to home, it would be best to think of our new life in Christ as one that is borrowed or on loan. These are temporary bodies that we dwell in, and when we are lifted off of this world we will be given new ones that will be glorified bodies. The fact of the matter is, that nothing on this world belongs to us, we are dead! Dead people don't own anything! We are owned, bought and paid for by Christ, the One who give up Himself to purchase us on that cross. You can argue about how that might look and where the lines are drawn all you want to, but the fact still remains the same, nothing here belongs to you, and you are the property of Christ Jesus...
"This is what the LORD says: "You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the LORD. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.""
(Jeremiah 29:10-14) NLT
Have you ever painted yourself into a corner and not known how to get out? Well, that might be the case; that is, unless the corner has a trap door; maybe even another level that cannot be seen without God's help. Matthew Henry makes the case about "wicked men, by their wicked courses, bring ruin upon their wives and children, whom they ought to take care of and provide for." It is easy to see how this plays out, it is more common then we realize, especially when you consider the spiritual aspects of caring for your wife and kids. On a much more positive note, we that are called and chosen to be children of God, have what is called an unusual life when it comes to this world and things that matter the most; especially spiritual matters. There were a couple of instances when Jesus put this into the proper perspective, saying, "If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple." Those are pretty hard words to swallow, but they are part of the cross that one must bare as a follower of Christ. It is hard to imagine how anyone that is dead can still function in a world that wants to do nothing but keep them alive and feeling good, but it is possible; everything is possible with God! To put this into a perspective that hits closer to home, it would be best to think of our new life in Christ as one that is borrowed or on loan. These are temporary bodies that we dwell in, and when we are lifted off of this world we will be given new ones that will be glorified bodies. The fact of the matter is, that nothing on this world belongs to us, we are dead! Dead people don't own anything! We are owned, bought and paid for by Christ, the One who give up Himself to purchase us on that cross. You can argue about how that might look and where the lines are drawn all you want to, but the fact still remains the same, nothing here belongs to you, and you are the property of Christ Jesus...
"This is what the LORD says: "You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you," says the LORD. "I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.""
(Jeremiah 29:10-14) NLT
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