"THOUGH HE SLAY ME!"

Today was to be "The DAY"!  I have been claiming Exodus 14:14 ("The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.") for months as a deadline at the office nears.  I was  giving GOD plenty of time to work things out.  Then, I was going to "do it myself"!   

But this morning I awoke to this message from a friend who, to my knowledge, knew nothing of my thoughts.

Many who know me will testify that for me to be still IS to hold my peace!  GOD works miracles though.  HE caused me to be real "quiet" in 2007.   I was moved to Psalms 46:10 as a testament.  "BE STILL" and know that I am GOD is more than a verse in the Old Testament to me.  GOD has shown me that the reason we don't hear from HIM like they did long ago is we have so much "NOISE" distracting us.  We cannot hear from GOD when the television, iPad, iPhone, MP3, or any number of other items are demanding our attention.  A wise friend of mine once said "We try to be MORE than GOD intended us to be!"  

 GOD doesn't need our wealth, fame, position, nor anything else.  HE desires our praise and submission to HIM!  The writer of Ecclesiastes 12 says in verses 13-14 "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the WHOLE duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil."

I will wait on HIM "though HE slay me" (Job 13:15) for my sustenance.  Philippians 4:19 says "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  

Praise or panic??

Psalms 24:1-5  (KJV)

"The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation."

I am not one of the "sharpest knives in the drawer", but it would seem to me since GOD made the earth and the fulness thereof that HE can do whatever HE pleases.   HE allows "us" to make some choices to display our fallibility.   

The enemy can only do what he is allowed to do by my GOD.  Sometimes even the enemy proclaims that the GOD of Abraham is LORD!!  Exodus 14:4 says "that the Egyptians may know that I am the LORD"!  GOD then orchestrated the Egyptians to go to their own demise in verse 25.  ".....so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians."

Why did he not just kill the Egyptians on the way to the Red Sea?  Why did the Israelites have to be put into "panic" mode?  Why do I have to be put into panic mode sometimes?   

GOD loves to be praised!!!  Psalms 22:3 says HE inhabits (lives for) our praise.  When we are praising HIM we find our troubles seem less cumbersome.  Psalms 145:2-3 "Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable."   I WILL PRAISE THE LORD!!

"GOD's PLAN!"

Sometimes I get the "WANNA" syndrome in my life!  You know.....GOD I "WANNA" this or GOD I "WANNA" that!  But when I slow things down to where I can "HEAR" (Matthew 13:15) from GOD, I realize that the plan HE has for me far exceeds what I could dream up!   

Ephesians 3:20 says "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us".    "EXCEEDING ABUNDANTLY" is defined in Dictionary.com as "extraordinary" and "more than adequate"!  GOD has a plan that is EXTRAORDINARILY MORE THAN ADEQUATE to accomplish HIS plan for with my life. 

GOD has made it so easy if we just allow HIM to run our lives.  Where problems arise is where I start trying to "help" GOD in doing what I "think" is best!  GOD, create in me a desire to accomplish YOUR purpose in my life!  

FAITH in GOD's timing!

Sometimes GOD's timing doesn't seem to fit into what I feel like would be best for HIM to do.  For instance, I may be convinced that a friend needs financial help in getting something done.  But GOD may see that the friend needs to go through the "fire" to purify them or teach a lesson.  

Dr. Charles Stanley puts it in far better words than I am able too.  I pray that I will be faithful in my life to HIS will!

April 26

Following God's Schedule

Romans 11:33-36

Most of us enjoy feeling in control of our own schedule and grow frustrated when things don't go according to plan. Yet if we truly desire to walk in the center of God's perfect will, we must become willing to cooperate with His time frame.

Consider how you pray about situations in your life. Without realizing it, you may be demanding that God follow the schedule you've constructed according to your very limited human wisdom. Yet if we believe He is who He says He is, how can surrendering to His way not be to our benefit? Think about His unique, praiseworthy qualities:

His all-encompassing knowledge. Unlike us, the Lord has complete awareness about our world and the details of every individual life--past, present, and future.

His complete wisdom. God understands man's every motive, whereas none of us are able to accurately discern people's intentions. We make choices based on partial information, whereas He has the wisdom to take action based on truth.

His unconditional love. Our Creator is always motivated by love and constantly has our best in mind. Unless we trust His heart, our view of reality will be distorted.

His perfect sufficiency. At just the right time, God will provide us with everything we need to carry out His plan.

Submitting to God's timetable requires "faith" and "courage"(Joshua 1:9). Believe in the goodness of His heart and His plans--and determine to wait until He gives the signal to move forward. Then, as you follow His schedule, you'll experience the joy of watching Him make all things beautiful in His timing.

"HURRY UP!"

Many of us have the mentality of "Lord, give me patience and give it to me NOW"!  GOD has been showing me that I need to wait on HIM, to slow my life down to HIS pace.  Today Dr. Charles Stanley articulated very well the "fast food" society that we tend to try to fit into.  FATHER GOD, help me to live Psalms 27:14 "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

April 24

Trained to Discern

Hebrews 5:11-14

In today's world, impatience is all too common a trait. We want food, help, and information fast. Just waiting for the computer to boot up or the "next avail-able agent" to answer our call can cause frustration. But the Lord specializes in slow, steady work. He's more interested in a quality outcome than a speedy process.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the realm of spiritual discernment. When we become Christians, we aren't instantly wise and knowledgeable. It takes a lifetime to grow to maturity. Some believers, however, don't seem to grow up at all. They get older, but their understanding of God's Word never goes very deep.

This lack of godly wisdom is caused by IGNORANCE OF THE SCRIPTURES, apathy and complacency about spiritual things, and a failure to apply biblical truths. Discernment requires time and effort. You CAN'T simply move through life, thoughtlessly reacting to situations yet never learning from them. Take time to reflect on your responses and observe the consequences of your actions and choices. If you feel convicted by what you notice, let that motivate you to begin a lifelong pursuit of the Lord and His ways. Start reading the Bible regularly. And as you do, ask the Lord to open your heart and mind to understand what He's saying.

But just reading God's Word isn't enough. Without applying what you've read, all you'll have is head knowledge. Obedience trains us to discern good and evil. Through practice, we learn wisdom and develop spiritual maturity. If you'll begin today and patiently persevere, in time discernment will come.

"HOME FREE!"

Even though I have been saved by the grace of GOD, my spirit in dwells a body that is trapped by earthly boundaries.  Sometimes I long to "be free" from this earthly, corruptible mindset where the enemy is not able to gain access to my faculties.  

On December 26, 1997 my little sister slipped out of the bonds if this life and entered the freedom of "life eternal" with JESUS!   We played this song  at her funeral.    http://youtu.be/G6l1kpJ0x5k 

 "Home Free" is more than a song for me.  I eagerly anticipate the reunion I will have with my little sister, mom, grandmother, grandfather and many other loved ones who have preceded me.  But I want most of all to rest in the arms of my JESUS.  Romans 8:38-39 (KJV) says "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

While on earth I may have to endure the attacks from the devil, but soon, and very soon, I will be "HOME FREE!"  

"HOME FREE!"

Even though I have been saved by the grace of GOD, my spirit in dwells a body that is trapped by earthly boundaries.  Sometimes I long to "be free" from this earthly, corruptible mindset where the enemy is not able to gain access to my faculties.  

On December 26, 1997 my little sister slipped out of the bonds if this life and entered the freedom of "life eternal" with JESUS!   We played this song  at her funeral. http://youtu.be/G6l1kpJ0x5k 

 "Home Free" is more than a song for me.  I eagerly anticipate the reunion I will have with my little sister, mom, grandmother, grandfather and many other loved ones who have preceded me.  But I want most of all to rest in the arms of my JESUS.  Romans 8:38-39 (KJV) says "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

While on earth I may have to endure the attacks from the devil, but soon, and very soon, I will be "HOME FREE!"  

Amazing everyday GRACE!

“Salvation makes a way for us to enter God's presence, while regular confession and repentance keep the pathway well maintained and free of obstruction (1 John 1:9). The so-called "sinner's prayer" need be said only once, but a saint will tap into God's forgiveness every day of his or her life.”

Yesterday’s devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley was still on my computer screen this morning.  I was reading it again before I moved on when I was, once again, moved by what I was hearing.

One of my “dream” jobs would be mowing the right-of-ways on interstate!  I know, the pay would not be enough to sustain the life I desire, but being able to see the work you have done each day and realizing progress has its rewards.  Being able to “weed eat” around sign posts and guard rails without worrying about cutting into my wife’s Crape Myrtles would be refreshing!

One drawback would be keeping up with the rate of grass growth in June/July time frame.  It seems that our climate just demands that grass be trimmed almost weekly.  If not, things begin looking “unkept” and almost “trashy”!

Our lives remarkably resemble this!  If sin is not “confessed” and “repented” of daily, the “unkept” and “trashy” appearance will begin to creep into our lives.  We may not notice it at first, but when we start cleaning up the task will be much more demanding.  

LORD help me to fall down before your throne of grace AT LEAST daily to beg for your forgiveness!  My desire is to keep my life a beautiful display of YOU in everything I do.

BUT GOD!!

Ephesians 2:4-7  (KJV)

"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

BUT GOD!  This passage begins with these two life altering words.  A couple of sentences later the author (Apostle Paul) reminds us that it is ONLY through GOD's grace that we can experience HIS mercies and blessings.  

The late Rusty Goodman wrote a song called "Had it not been".   Had JESUS not paid my debt on Calvary, "then forever my soul would be lost"! 

GOD's grace enables us to experience life in and through HIM!  Our salvation is all about GOD's grace.   Nothing we have done (Ephesians 2:8-10) would have measured enough.  

BUT GOD!!!

Am I DEAD?

I have a friend who is Coroner of the county which we live in.  Part of his duties is to pronounce "death" on people who have lost their life.  Those bodies are soon buried.  

The Apostle Paul reminds us in the book of Romans that we too are buried SPIRITUALLY in CHRIST.   Why, because we are "DEAD" to sin.  No longer do we have to walk with the affects of sin in our life.     

Romans 6:4  (KJV)

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

Romans 6:7  (KJV)

"For he that is dead is freed from sin."

My problem is I want to give CPR to the "old man" and try to keep him alive!   Lord, remind me that I am dead to sin and NOW live in YOU! 

Romans 6:12  (KJV"

"Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."

Romans 6:14  (KJV)

"For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace."

Romans 6:11  (KJV)

"Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

FAITH ???

"If GOD brings you to it, HE will bring you through it"!

Mark 9:24  (KJV)

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."

Receiving Your Miracle

God has a promise for everything you will ever need. The devil has a plan to try to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10) – he’ll do whatever he can in an attempt to keep you from receiving God’s promise. If you say and do nothing, the devil will get his way. But if you choose to believe God and stand on His promise, saying what He says, God will bring it to pass, and you will experience abundant life.

http://www.walkingbyfaith.tv/journal/single-article/134/

"Thy faith had made the whole."

Luke 17:13-16  (KJV)

"And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.  And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan."

The depth of this passage is immense.  This morning my spirit would not let me pass them over.  I just had to keep reading them over and over until finally The Lord revealed what HE wanted me to see.  "And he was a Samaritan."

The Jews were a proud, select race of people.  The Samaritans were "half-breeds" of Jewish and Arabian descent.  JESUS was passing through Samaria. The inhabitants of Samaria were thought to be less than a complete person because the Arabs hated the Jews, and the Jews hated the Arabs.  JESUS not only dealt with the leprosy, HE cleansed the lepers heart.  Verse 19 reveals "And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole."

We want to focus on the miracle of the physical healing.  But the REAL miracle happened when JESUS said "thy faith hath made thee whole".  Eventually everyone has died physically, but spiritually this man will spend eternity in Glory!  

We need not be so focused on the "here and now", but be more concerned with the EVERLASTING future that we all have to face!  

LOVE IS........

The impulse to do what we (or the crowd surrounding us) think is best is a flaw that corrupts even the best intentions.  JESUS pointed out that one's actions speak so loudly that their words could not be heard.  In Mark 7:8-9 (KJV) HE opined "For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.  ."

The S&P (Scribes and Pharisees) could not see the forest for the trees!  They were so intent on keeping the letter of the law they missed the purpose for what the law was given.  

The thirteen verses of 1 Corinthians 13 makes it abundantly clear TRUE LOVE is enough.  "And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition" states with no ambiguity that following rules and statutes are not what GOD is looking for.  GOD desires for hearts to be changed.  

I pray that my life demonstrates a willingness to show the LOVE of CHRIST in everything I do!  

Doing your chores!

One day a little boy was playing by himself outside in the shade.  His father came and asked the boy to do some chores.  The little boy was enjoying playing so much the fathers request was soon forgotten.  The little boy was just playing with some army men he had gotten for his birthday, not bothering anyone.  He was so caught up with playing his games the request of the father soon was forgotten.  

That evening, after the boy had readied for bed, the father asked his son how many chores he had completed?  The little boy ashamedly had to admit that he had forgotten requests!  The boy was having so much fun playing games that the fathers requests fell on deaf ears!

One day soon The LORD JESUS will return.  Matthew 25:13 says "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."   Will I be one who has completed the fathers plan for my life?  Or will I be one who is having so much "fun" playing games that I forget about my chores!   I can sit around and play insignificant games as in Matthew 7:22 (e.g....go to church, put money in the offering plate, eat at the church socials, etc...)  or I can  "be about my Father’s business".   

HIS word!

I usually read scripture first and then spend time in prayer. Sometimes I begin my prayer time asking GOD for direction in my life as I do not want to travel a wrong path.  This morning as I was seeking direction GOD directed me to Psalms 118.  I have copied/pasted just a few of the verses that give me direction.  

Psalms 118:5  (KJV)

"I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place."

Psalms 118:8-9  (KJV)

"It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes."

Psalms 118:25  (KJV)

"Save now, I BESEECH thee, O LORD: O LORD, I BESEECH thee, send now prosperity."

Psalms 118:28-29

"Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever."

GOD is sovereign!  HE knew what I needed to read today.  I pray that my life will be an example of how to follow the direction given to all of us through HIS word!

MORE CHOICES!

Sometimes my thought patterns are difficult to understand, but sometimes the thought patterns of others are quite obtuse.  I am observing a headline that reads "A Bill Before Congress to Protect "Pedophelia" as a Sexual Orientation?"   Society as a whole has declined to a point that we even attempt to call such behavior anything but "sin"!   Isaiah 5:20-21 (KJV) says "Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!  Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"

Now the feelings I have toward those who would hurt children this way do not need to be discussed.  But, according to scripture (Romans 3:23 "For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God), the Spirit of every believer has victory over sin (Romans 6:22  But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.) 

CHOICES in life can be devastating or rewarding.  Romans 8:5-8  (ESV) "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but THOSE WHO LIVE according to the Spirit SET THEIR MINDS on the things of the Spirit.  For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For the mind that is set on the FLESH IS HOSTILE TO GOD, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, IT CANNOT. Those who are in the flesh CANNOT please God."  

I "CHOOSE" to live for CHRIST.  Your choice may to be to "live your own life" and to accept those consequences.   Remember, scripture says " Those who are in the flesh cannot please God".  Consider your "options" and select wisely.  The consequences can be ETERNAL!!

A fast paced S-L-O-W D-O-W-N!

This world is constantly becoming more and more fast paced every breath we take.  Society tends to require, even demand, that your life be run on their timetable.

You are told when to report to work, when to go to lunch, when to pay your bills by, when to do everything!  I would venture to say GOD is not impressed by the culture man has created.  

Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." is not a suggestion in how to live your life!  HE has the ability to 

S-L-O-W things down for us.   I fear GOD way too much to challenge HIM.  Do you?

HURRY UP!!! (please!)

Matthew 14:13  (ESV)

"Now when Jesus heard this, HE WITHDREW from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns."

JESUS was grieving for HIS friend, John the baptizer.  Herod was snookered by Herodias to have John the Baptizer's head given to her daughter on a platter.  

The fact I find captivating today is "he (JESUS) withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself".  This was the Son of GOD!  If anyone knew where John the Baptizer was it was JESUS!  But JESUS had to be alone with GOD!  

Scripture indicates HE wanted to be "by HIMSELF".  If JESUS needed to spend time alone, doesn't it stand to reason that I need to spend time.....alone......with JESUS!!!   HE "withdrew" to be alone!  I need to make a concerted effort to "be alone" with The LORD for wisdom and guidance in my life.  

Our culture has developed a "Fast-Food" mentality!  We seem to think that GOD has to keep up with our time schedule so we can be successful.  But many times GOD works on a different time schedule than I do!   

GOD is not moved by my time constraints.  We need to "get alone with GOD" and let HIM be GOD!  "BE STILL....." Psm 46:10      

HE is at it again!!

I enjoy a number of various kinds of music.  One of my favorite styles in Contemporary Southern Gospel Music!  I do not enjoy the "twangy" style or "bluegrass" as much.  I particularly enjoy the Gaither Vocal Band.   One of my favorite songs on the Gaither Homecoming Series is "HE's always Interceding" featuring Faye Speer.  Should you care to listen to the song, it is at the 01:22:35 mark on the video.  (http://youtu.be/tfUMQoSj0C0) To think that The Son of GOD prays for me is a humbling thought.  

John 17:9  (KJV) says "I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine."   Jesus intercedes to the Father for we believers.  The next time you are feeling down and out, when things seem to be a little overwhelming, just remember JESUS saying  "I PRAY FOR THEM"!!!!

LISTEN!!!

Proverbs 12:15  (KJV)

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise."

Proverbs 12:15  (ESV)

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice."

Proverbs 12:15  (NASB)

"The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel."

There was an interview of two differing opinions posted recently of television host that is conservative.  I started to listen to the interview, but then thought better of it.  Why should I subject my mind to untruths and distortions when I can go to The Holy Bible and subject myself to a life changing message?!?

I have posted three differing interpretations of Proverbs 12:15 above.  In each translation the first portion is exact, "The way of a fool is right in his own eyes".  A fool does not seem to be bothered by facts.  Their main concern is trying to prove their point of view.  

The remaining portion of the verse is different for each translation.  Basically, what scripture is saying,  if a person will SLOW DOWN and LISTEN they might learn something.  It is difficult to listen when you are consumed with showing your knowledge!  

Psalms 81:10-13 (KJV)

"10 I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.

13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!"

HOLY LIVING!

1 John 4:8  (ESV)

"Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love."

There is a tremendous amount of discussion going on about the moral decay, not only in America but in the world.  I sometimes have to remind myself that loving the sinner is something that comes with a closer walk with JESUS.  While scripture condemns a number of differing lifestyles (e.g. sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.), GOD's GRACE overcame everything at Calvary!  JESUS said in John 16:8 "And when he (Holy Spirit) is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment".  The job of conviction is not mine, rather my job is to "Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecc 12:13).  

In John the fourth chapter JESUS is speaking with a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well.  The culture of the day frowned upon any Jew even speaking to ANYONE from Samaria, let alone a Samaritan woman who had been married FIVE times!  Yet JESUS took time to share with her about HIS FATHER.  In John 4:41-42 the response from the Samaritans is recorded as follows: "And MANY more believed because of HIS own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard HIM ourselves, and know that THIS IS indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world."

Many believed because JESUS did not allow "culture" to dictate HIS message.  GOD's grace is an amazing phenomenon.  I pray that I will not allow a persons lifestyle to determine whether or not they need to hear about the grace of "MY FATHER"!