Hebrews 5:11-14 (ESV)
"11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.
14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."
When I was an older child (8-10 years old), a man who was a member of the church I attended told our church he felt GOD calling him to preach the Gospel. Our pastor allowed him to preach one Sunday evening. I was sitting near the back of the sanctuary and he was rambling on and on about his weakness with alcohol. (He never did overcome that demon). A few of us were fidgeting and restless and begin to show our youth and immaturity. After the service was concluded, we who were restless were "instructed" to behave more appropriately, even when the speaker was struggling with closing his remarks.
There are teachers of the Word of GOD and there are "called" teachers of the Word of GOD! To be "called", and anointed, is an honor bestowed on SOME! In Ephesians 4:11-13, the Apostle Paul writes "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for BUILDING UP the body of Christ, UNTIL WE ALL ATTAIN to the unity of the faith and of the KNOWLEDGE of the Son of God, to MATURE manhood, to the MEASURE of the STATURE of the FULLNESS of CHRIST".
Some were not MATURING as Christians. The writer of Hebrews said "You need milk, not solid food". Evidently, they were more interested in their daily activities than their spiritual growth. In verse 13 it is written the ones who lived on milk were "unskilled in the word of righteousness"! Why were they "unskilled"? Apparently, the amount of exposure to "THE WORD" was limited. They did not have a desire to grow spiritually near as much as the other aspects of their lives.
This Sunday afternoon/evening millions of people across the world will tune in to watch the Super Bowl. I am wondering, how many churches,and true Believers, have matured enough in their Christian walk to attend church rather than watch the Super Bowl? Am I mature enough now to sit through someone rambling? Or am I still on the spiritual "baby bottle"? Do the things of GOD mean more to me than the things of THIS world? How do I demonstrate it, if it does?
HEAVENLY FATHER, I pray YOU will continue to instruct me in the ways of YOUR Kingdom. Cause me to be a man YOU can use for YOUR glory, and that I will have a "MATURE MEASURE" attained in my life!
Friday, January 31, 2014
Thursday, January 30, 2014
"THOU ART MY GOD!"
Psalms 31:14-17 (KJV)
"14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.
17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave."
Occasionally, we just have a need to crawl up in HIS arms and REST in HIM!
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
"MATURE???"
Romans 4:4-6 (ESV)
"4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in
honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
A stronger, more mature person, may have freedom to eat (or other actions) whatever he chooses. A more immature (not sure in his faith) person may not have that freedom yet. And it may not be eating, it may be something else that you may have freedom to do that I still am convicted is wrong for me to do.
Today, I offer no cute words or analogies. Only a personal experience to reflect upon. I was teaching a Sunday School class about 20 years ago and one of my class members telephoned me inquiring about going to a local oyster bar to eat oysters? I told him "I" could not go to a place known to be a "beer joint" to eat. On the other hand, I felt if I decided to go to a local Mexican eatery (known more as a restaurant than a bar) was okay! Both served alcohol, but for me, I had (and still have) serious reservations about the oyster bar. I had not been "released" to go to Oyster bar, but I had been released to eat at the Mexican diner. I would not choose to drink alcohol no matter where I dined, but the atmosphere prohibited me from going into the oyster bar.
Verse 5 says "Each person should be FULLY convinced in his own mind". You shouldn't be wishy-washy about where you stand on a subject. Either GOD has given you freedom in an area, or HE hasn't. 1 Corinthians 8:13 states "Therefore, if eating a certain food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." GOD gives freedoms, so you don't need to apologize for not being given something! The Apostle Paul was saying he was secure enough in his faith that he had been given freedom to do a lot of things. Yet, he proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 8:13 that he would abstain from eating meat if it offended his brother. He did not want a less mature believer having a spiritual issue with something of insignificance.
As I mature, I find more and more the freedom GOD gives me does not bring a need to prove I have overcome. Isn't it ironic, the more I mature, the more I see I need to mature?
"4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.
6 The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in
honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God.
A stronger, more mature person, may have freedom to eat (or other actions) whatever he chooses. A more immature (not sure in his faith) person may not have that freedom yet. And it may not be eating, it may be something else that you may have freedom to do that I still am convicted is wrong for me to do.
Today, I offer no cute words or analogies. Only a personal experience to reflect upon. I was teaching a Sunday School class about 20 years ago and one of my class members telephoned me inquiring about going to a local oyster bar to eat oysters? I told him "I" could not go to a place known to be a "beer joint" to eat. On the other hand, I felt if I decided to go to a local Mexican eatery (known more as a restaurant than a bar) was okay! Both served alcohol, but for me, I had (and still have) serious reservations about the oyster bar. I had not been "released" to go to Oyster bar, but I had been released to eat at the Mexican diner. I would not choose to drink alcohol no matter where I dined, but the atmosphere prohibited me from going into the oyster bar.
Verse 5 says "Each person should be FULLY convinced in his own mind". You shouldn't be wishy-washy about where you stand on a subject. Either GOD has given you freedom in an area, or HE hasn't. 1 Corinthians 8:13 states "Therefore, if eating a certain food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble." GOD gives freedoms, so you don't need to apologize for not being given something! The Apostle Paul was saying he was secure enough in his faith that he had been given freedom to do a lot of things. Yet, he proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 8:13 that he would abstain from eating meat if it offended his brother. He did not want a less mature believer having a spiritual issue with something of insignificance.
As I mature, I find more and more the freedom GOD gives me does not bring a need to prove I have overcome. Isn't it ironic, the more I mature, the more I see I need to mature?
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
"THOU ART WITH ME!"
Psalms 23:1-6 (KJV)
"1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
I was recently perusing the internet and came across this PRAYER on a social media site: Dear GOD, I don't ask You to make my life easier, but I ask You to give me the strength to face all of my trouble. AMEN. As I began to meditate this prayer, my mind went to verse 4 and 5 of Psalms 23.
King David recognized trouble and heartache. Many times he wrote how he had failed GOD and needed forgiveness. Yet, in Psalms 23:4 King David did not ask GOD for the "valley of the shadow of death" to disappear. Rather he pledged, as he walked through this valley, he would "fear no evil"!
How do you "fear no evil" when your world is crashing in on you? How do you "fear no evil" when your banker calls wanting a payment? How do you "fear no evil" when the doctor gives you a bad diagnosis? How do you "fear no evil" when the police officer brings unwanted news about a family member? The answer is in the next breath....."FOR THOU ART WITH ME"! GOD ALMIGHTY is with us when trials and tribulations come our way or when good times are here. HIS rod and staff they comfort me lets us know HE loves us too much to allow us to stray out of HIS care.
For HIM to prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies has to be one of the most comforting statements in scripture. GOD ALMIGHTY is not worried that the enemy will gain advantage over us when we are eating. Our spending time with HIM, eating from HIS table, tells HIM that we are trusting in HIM to protect and provide for us.
FATHER GOD, cause me to be reminded that as long as "THOU ART WITH ME", I have nothing to fear! The enemy can throw all the darts he can muster, but I will not fear. Thank you GOD, for the peace and comfort of resting in the green pastures and the cool, still waters!
"1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever."
I was recently perusing the internet and came across this PRAYER on a social media site: Dear GOD, I don't ask You to make my life easier, but I ask You to give me the strength to face all of my trouble. AMEN. As I began to meditate this prayer, my mind went to verse 4 and 5 of Psalms 23.
King David recognized trouble and heartache. Many times he wrote how he had failed GOD and needed forgiveness. Yet, in Psalms 23:4 King David did not ask GOD for the "valley of the shadow of death" to disappear. Rather he pledged, as he walked through this valley, he would "fear no evil"!
How do you "fear no evil" when your world is crashing in on you? How do you "fear no evil" when your banker calls wanting a payment? How do you "fear no evil" when the doctor gives you a bad diagnosis? How do you "fear no evil" when the police officer brings unwanted news about a family member? The answer is in the next breath....."FOR THOU ART WITH ME"! GOD ALMIGHTY is with us when trials and tribulations come our way or when good times are here. HIS rod and staff they comfort me lets us know HE loves us too much to allow us to stray out of HIS care.
For HIM to prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies has to be one of the most comforting statements in scripture. GOD ALMIGHTY is not worried that the enemy will gain advantage over us when we are eating. Our spending time with HIM, eating from HIS table, tells HIM that we are trusting in HIM to protect and provide for us.
FATHER GOD, cause me to be reminded that as long as "THOU ART WITH ME", I have nothing to fear! The enemy can throw all the darts he can muster, but I will not fear. Thank you GOD, for the peace and comfort of resting in the green pastures and the cool, still waters!
Monday, January 27, 2014
"KEEP THYSELF PURE!"
1 Timothy 5:21-22 (KJV)
"21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure."
The Apostle Paul was sometimes rather straightforward in getting his point across. For Paul, the Sovereignty of GOD demanded nothing less. Paul could not take time to make sure he wasn't hurting people's feelings. The writer of Hebrews said it plainly when he wrote in chapter 4 and verse 12 "For the word of GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the DIVIDING asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Paul let the "the Word of GOD" divide the TRUTH from the pretenders.
In this letter to Timothy, Paul lets us know that we should "observe these things". Scripture says we are not to have a predisposed idea of what an outcome should be. One view of this scripture was "There ought to be judgment, but not prejudging." We don't need to let the TRUTH be obscured by the way we are viewing the truth.
Paul then warns against "ordaining" men without "observing" their actions. The enemy can, and will, place demonic spirits among us in an attempt to tear down what GOD is doing. Paul warned against putting people in a position to where the church would be a "partaker" of their sin, rather to "keep thyself pure"!
We are made in GOD's image, but we have Adams nature. We want to make excuses for our sins and not take responsibility for our actions. Adam blamed Eve for his eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, Eve blamed the serpent, and we ALL have followed suit. JESUS came to give us HIS SPIRIT to replace our sin nature. 2 Corinthians 5:21 proclaims "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM." The Apostle Paul was teaching us to make certain we see the Spirit of CHRIST in men before we follow them anywhere. Our chief goal in life should be to "KEEP THYSELF PURE!"
"21 I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.
22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure."
The Apostle Paul was sometimes rather straightforward in getting his point across. For Paul, the Sovereignty of GOD demanded nothing less. Paul could not take time to make sure he wasn't hurting people's feelings. The writer of Hebrews said it plainly when he wrote in chapter 4 and verse 12 "For the word of GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the DIVIDING asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Paul let the "the Word of GOD" divide the TRUTH from the pretenders.
In this letter to Timothy, Paul lets us know that we should "observe these things". Scripture says we are not to have a predisposed idea of what an outcome should be. One view of this scripture was "There ought to be judgment, but not prejudging." We don't need to let the TRUTH be obscured by the way we are viewing the truth.
Paul then warns against "ordaining" men without "observing" their actions. The enemy can, and will, place demonic spirits among us in an attempt to tear down what GOD is doing. Paul warned against putting people in a position to where the church would be a "partaker" of their sin, rather to "keep thyself pure"!
We are made in GOD's image, but we have Adams nature. We want to make excuses for our sins and not take responsibility for our actions. Adam blamed Eve for his eating the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, Eve blamed the serpent, and we ALL have followed suit. JESUS came to give us HIS SPIRIT to replace our sin nature. 2 Corinthians 5:21 proclaims "For HE hath made HIM to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM." The Apostle Paul was teaching us to make certain we see the Spirit of CHRIST in men before we follow them anywhere. Our chief goal in life should be to "KEEP THYSELF PURE!"
Sunday, January 26, 2014
"HOLY MEANNESS???"
Romans 16:19-20 (KJV)
"For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
Romans 16:19-20 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"19 For your obedience is come abroad among all: I am glad therefore of you: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 The God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
Romans 16:19-20 (ESV)
"19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon CRUSH Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
I read out of several translation of scripture. Some days I will read a passage out of seven or eight translations to get a better understanding of what the passage is giving instruction on. But some days, it is a slight bit of "holy meanness" that causes my search. I must admit that I find slight enjoyment when I read of the enemies demise!!!
The English Standard Version of scripture tends to "twist" the knife a bit in verse 20 when it says "The God of peace will soon CRUSH Satan under your feet." The enemy may cause some difficulty for a time, but scripture leaves NO DOUBT he will be CRUSHED! And SOON!
How soon? I too, would enjoy not having to wait any longer than a day or so for JESUS to come back, and I pray for HIS swift return. But, for those who have yet to come to a realization that there is something more than this life awaiting us, I pray for HIS gracious and merciful patience!
Whether my "holy meanness" is the correct feeling or not, I cannot say. But "The GOD of Peace" will "bruise", "tread", or "CRUSH" the enemy............. and SOON!
"For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen."
Romans 16:19-20 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"19 For your obedience is come abroad among all: I am glad therefore of you: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
20 The God of peace shall tread Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
Romans 16:19-20 (ESV)
"19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
20 The God of peace will soon CRUSH Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."
I read out of several translation of scripture. Some days I will read a passage out of seven or eight translations to get a better understanding of what the passage is giving instruction on. But some days, it is a slight bit of "holy meanness" that causes my search. I must admit that I find slight enjoyment when I read of the enemies demise!!!
The English Standard Version of scripture tends to "twist" the knife a bit in verse 20 when it says "The God of peace will soon CRUSH Satan under your feet." The enemy may cause some difficulty for a time, but scripture leaves NO DOUBT he will be CRUSHED! And SOON!
How soon? I too, would enjoy not having to wait any longer than a day or so for JESUS to come back, and I pray for HIS swift return. But, for those who have yet to come to a realization that there is something more than this life awaiting us, I pray for HIS gracious and merciful patience!
Whether my "holy meanness" is the correct feeling or not, I cannot say. But "The GOD of Peace" will "bruise", "tread", or "CRUSH" the enemy............. and SOON!
Saturday, January 25, 2014
"GOD'S PLAN!"
Lamentations 2:17 (ESV)
"The LORD has done what HE purposed; HE has carried out HIS word, which HE commanded long ago; HE has thrown down without pity; HE has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes."
"GOD works in mysterious ways" is something I have always heard. A man named William Cowper wrote the song with this title in 1773. But the ways of GOD are only mysterious to man!
The verse above shares that "The LORD has done what HE purposed"! My sister died of cancer in 1996. My mom and dad divorced in 1964. I experienced a brain hemorrhage in 2007. When drawing a schematic of a perfect life, none of these events would make my list of favorites.
Yet GOD "commanded long ago" that things that happen in this world would happen and when they would happen! GOD is not surprised by events that occur in our lives. "HE has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes" is not a declaration of victory, yet a tool GOD is using to teach and grow us.
Don't get in a hurry to get through a trial. GOD may be grooming you for great things in the future, but you may have to experience the trials before you see the victory!!!
"The LORD has done what HE purposed; HE has carried out HIS word, which HE commanded long ago; HE has thrown down without pity; HE has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes."
"GOD works in mysterious ways" is something I have always heard. A man named William Cowper wrote the song with this title in 1773. But the ways of GOD are only mysterious to man!
The verse above shares that "The LORD has done what HE purposed"! My sister died of cancer in 1996. My mom and dad divorced in 1964. I experienced a brain hemorrhage in 2007. When drawing a schematic of a perfect life, none of these events would make my list of favorites.
Yet GOD "commanded long ago" that things that happen in this world would happen and when they would happen! GOD is not surprised by events that occur in our lives. "HE has made the enemy rejoice over you and exalted the might of your foes" is not a declaration of victory, yet a tool GOD is using to teach and grow us.
Don't get in a hurry to get through a trial. GOD may be grooming you for great things in the future, but you may have to experience the trials before you see the victory!!!
Friday, January 24, 2014
"SOMETHING HAPPENED!"
Luke 17:11-19 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"11 And so it was when he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria, and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off.
13 And they lifted up their voices and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go, show yourselves unto the Priests. And it came to pass, that as they went, they were cleansed.
15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice praised God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, and gave him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answered, and said, Are there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There is none found that returned to give God praise, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way, thy FAITH hath saved thee."
In July 2007 I was hospitalized for an extended period of time due to a brain hemorrhage. My medical bills were enormous. I figure that my insurance company was billed well in excess of $500,000 for my treatment. I was in a hospital for 52 days. My condition was "bleak", to say the least. Around the end of July "something happened" and my condition took a dramatic improvement. My medical records from September 25, 2007 indicate "However, he has had a remarkable recovery that can only be defined as a miracle from GOD!"
The "ten lepers" in Luke 17 needed no reminding that "something happened" and they had been healed from leprosy. JESUS had passed by and their lives were changed forever. Scripture indicates that JESUS instructed them to go show themselves to the priest, for that was the tradition to be recognized as being made whole. But, cleansing only came "as they went"! They had to show FAITH in the word of JESUS before the healing came.
The next thing that jumps out at me is that the ONLY ONE that stopped to give honor and praise to the ONE who healed him was a Samaritan. In biblical times, Samaritans were considered to be "low-lifes"! Yet, the only one of the lepers who took time to "PRAISE GOD" for his healing was the one who was humbled to even be talked to by JESUS! He was unlike the others in that he "saw" GOD had healed him. He was healed physically, but he was about to be healed spiritually!
In verse 19 JESUS says "thy FAITH hath saved thee!" Sure, ten lepers were healed of leprosy that day. That is a pretty miraculous accomplishment! But the miracle of "ONE SOUL" being eternally rescued is even more impressive. The bodies of all TEN LEPERS eventually wore out, and they died physically. But the Spirit of the one who believed that day will be eternally alive.
Almost seven years later there are no remnants of the "massive hemorrhagic stroke". As a matter of fact, I sometimes have to remind myself how miraculous my healing has been. But I never have to remind myself of the Spiritual Healing I experienced in January 1978. I am proud to be one who pauses from the busyness of the world to HONOR and PRAISE the ONE who healed me, both physically and Spiritually, and to proclaim "SOMETHING HAPPENED"!
"11 And so it was when he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria, and Galilee.
12 And as he entered into a certain town, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off.
13 And they lifted up their voices and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go, show yourselves unto the Priests. And it came to pass, that as they went, they were cleansed.
15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice praised God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, and gave him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answered, and said, Are there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There is none found that returned to give God praise, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way, thy FAITH hath saved thee."
In July 2007 I was hospitalized for an extended period of time due to a brain hemorrhage. My medical bills were enormous. I figure that my insurance company was billed well in excess of $500,000 for my treatment. I was in a hospital for 52 days. My condition was "bleak", to say the least. Around the end of July "something happened" and my condition took a dramatic improvement. My medical records from September 25, 2007 indicate "However, he has had a remarkable recovery that can only be defined as a miracle from GOD!"
The "ten lepers" in Luke 17 needed no reminding that "something happened" and they had been healed from leprosy. JESUS had passed by and their lives were changed forever. Scripture indicates that JESUS instructed them to go show themselves to the priest, for that was the tradition to be recognized as being made whole. But, cleansing only came "as they went"! They had to show FAITH in the word of JESUS before the healing came.
The next thing that jumps out at me is that the ONLY ONE that stopped to give honor and praise to the ONE who healed him was a Samaritan. In biblical times, Samaritans were considered to be "low-lifes"! Yet, the only one of the lepers who took time to "PRAISE GOD" for his healing was the one who was humbled to even be talked to by JESUS! He was unlike the others in that he "saw" GOD had healed him. He was healed physically, but he was about to be healed spiritually!
In verse 19 JESUS says "thy FAITH hath saved thee!" Sure, ten lepers were healed of leprosy that day. That is a pretty miraculous accomplishment! But the miracle of "ONE SOUL" being eternally rescued is even more impressive. The bodies of all TEN LEPERS eventually wore out, and they died physically. But the Spirit of the one who believed that day will be eternally alive.
Almost seven years later there are no remnants of the "massive hemorrhagic stroke". As a matter of fact, I sometimes have to remind myself how miraculous my healing has been. But I never have to remind myself of the Spiritual Healing I experienced in January 1978. I am proud to be one who pauses from the busyness of the world to HONOR and PRAISE the ONE who healed me, both physically and Spiritually, and to proclaim "SOMETHING HAPPENED"!
Thursday, January 23, 2014
"Martha, Martha!"
Luke 10:38-42 (KJV)
"38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
A few days ago I visited this scripture and wrote about one of our dogs losing control when watching a neighborhood dog walk outside. But the words "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things" has remained in my spirit. I keep quoting Psalms 37:7 about "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass", but the Martha, Martha verse remains in my mind.
When one considers all of the "EVIL" in this world today, a sense of amazement that GOD's grace is still extended to mankind comes up. The spirits of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah have to be experiencing relief! The world today appears to be so vile and corrupt. Evil abounds in our society. Malachi 2:17 (ESV) says "You have WEARIED the LORD with your words. But you say, "HOW have we wearied him?" BY SAYING, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them." Or by asking, "Where is the God of justice?"
Folks, I am not a licensed minister, nor am I a recognized television preacher, but GOD'S WORD needs no famous orator to be heard! Scripture is there for ALL to review. Like Martha, we can be SO BUSY with our lives we don't recognize the "wicked devices" transpiring all around us. Judgement Day IS coming!
"38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
A few days ago I visited this scripture and wrote about one of our dogs losing control when watching a neighborhood dog walk outside. But the words "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things" has remained in my spirit. I keep quoting Psalms 37:7 about "Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass", but the Martha, Martha verse remains in my mind.
When one considers all of the "EVIL" in this world today, a sense of amazement that GOD's grace is still extended to mankind comes up. The spirits of the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah have to be experiencing relief! The world today appears to be so vile and corrupt. Evil abounds in our society. Malachi 2:17 (ESV) says "You have WEARIED the LORD with your words. But you say, "HOW have we wearied him?" BY SAYING, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and he delights in them." Or by asking, "Where is the God of justice?"
Folks, I am not a licensed minister, nor am I a recognized television preacher, but GOD'S WORD needs no famous orator to be heard! Scripture is there for ALL to review. Like Martha, we can be SO BUSY with our lives we don't recognize the "wicked devices" transpiring all around us. Judgement Day IS coming!
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
"THE TRUTH!"
Acts 4:13-16 (KJV)
"13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it."
One has to be (amused, astounded, befuddled, shocked, conflicted) ((YOU CHOOSE)) at the "information" that is sometimes made known for public consumption, that everyone has to know is based on falsehoods. From local issues to worldwide events, the stories always have a "prism" that must be considered when viewing them.
The "Establishment Jews" were trying to manage the "prism" of how people were going to think about Peter and John healing the "Lame Man". The man was over 40 years old (Acts 4:22) and had not walked his entire life (Acts 3:2). Peter and John said (Acts 3:6) for him to "RISE UP and WALK"! No one could "spin" this miracle to benefit anyone. No one except Peter, and he said in Acts 4:10 "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, whom ye crucified, whom GOD raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole."
Peter and John were proclaiming "THE TRUTH", yet the ones they were proclaiming "THE TRUTH" to were busy trying to present the facts through their "prism" and have their views accepted. Trying to intimidate Peter and John, they "commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of JESUS" (Acts 4:18).
"THE TRUTH" is not always easy to digest. Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Those who try to paint a picture that fits into their "prism" will be like the "Establishment Jews", one day exposed. Just like the words "And we cannot deny it" was all the Jews could come up with, one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess......................"THE TRUTH"!
"13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
14 And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,
16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it."
One has to be (amused, astounded, befuddled, shocked, conflicted) ((YOU CHOOSE)) at the "information" that is sometimes made known for public consumption, that everyone has to know is based on falsehoods. From local issues to worldwide events, the stories always have a "prism" that must be considered when viewing them.
The "Establishment Jews" were trying to manage the "prism" of how people were going to think about Peter and John healing the "Lame Man". The man was over 40 years old (Acts 4:22) and had not walked his entire life (Acts 3:2). Peter and John said (Acts 3:6) for him to "RISE UP and WALK"! No one could "spin" this miracle to benefit anyone. No one except Peter, and he said in Acts 4:10 "Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH, whom ye crucified, whom GOD raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole."
Peter and John were proclaiming "THE TRUTH", yet the ones they were proclaiming "THE TRUTH" to were busy trying to present the facts through their "prism" and have their views accepted. Trying to intimidate Peter and John, they "commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of JESUS" (Acts 4:18).
"THE TRUTH" is not always easy to digest. Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Those who try to paint a picture that fits into their "prism" will be like the "Establishment Jews", one day exposed. Just like the words "And we cannot deny it" was all the Jews could come up with, one day every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess......................"THE TRUTH"!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
"GLORIFYING GOD!"
Job 1:8-12 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou not considered my servant Job, how none is like him in the earth? an upright and just man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast thou not made an hedge about him and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But stretch out now thine hand and touch all that he hath, to see if he will not blaspheme thee to thy face.
12 Then the Lord said unto Satan, Lo, all that he hath is in thine hand: only upon himself shalt thou not stretch out thine hand. So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord."
I have often wondered "WHY" would GOD allow satan to wreak havoc in the life of Job, who was according to scripture, "was an upright and just man, one that feared God, and eschewed (avoided) evil". So why would GOD allow the enemy to cause so much pain and misery in HIS servants life?
GOD surely would not choose a "weakling" for satan to attempt to glorify himself? On the contrary, GOD knew that Job was committed to HIM like no other man "in the earth"! The enemy thought if Job's earthly possessions were unprotected that Job would cave into "FEAR", as that is the enemy's number one tool.
But Job did not fall for satan's game. As a matter of fact, in Job 13:15 he proclaims "though HE slay me", yet I will TRUST IN HIM! Fear has to flee when TRUST IN GOD is present. The enemy can, and will, attempt to disguise doubt with many decoys. But when "TRUST IN GOD" is present, the decoys are revealed as fakes and frauds.
I pray that when the enemy assaults my life, that I am grounded in TRUTH in a manner that I will proclaim "THOUGH HE SLAY ME" to a lost world. I know some "prosperity preachers" prefer to not talk about Job and his trials, but I am here to glorify GOD ALMIGHTY, not for HIM to glorify me!!
"8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou not considered my servant Job, how none is like him in the earth? an upright and just man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
9 Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
10 Hast thou not made an hedge about him and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
11 But stretch out now thine hand and touch all that he hath, to see if he will not blaspheme thee to thy face.
12 Then the Lord said unto Satan, Lo, all that he hath is in thine hand: only upon himself shalt thou not stretch out thine hand. So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord."
I have often wondered "WHY" would GOD allow satan to wreak havoc in the life of Job, who was according to scripture, "was an upright and just man, one that feared God, and eschewed (avoided) evil". So why would GOD allow the enemy to cause so much pain and misery in HIS servants life?
GOD surely would not choose a "weakling" for satan to attempt to glorify himself? On the contrary, GOD knew that Job was committed to HIM like no other man "in the earth"! The enemy thought if Job's earthly possessions were unprotected that Job would cave into "FEAR", as that is the enemy's number one tool.
But Job did not fall for satan's game. As a matter of fact, in Job 13:15 he proclaims "though HE slay me", yet I will TRUST IN HIM! Fear has to flee when TRUST IN GOD is present. The enemy can, and will, attempt to disguise doubt with many decoys. But when "TRUST IN GOD" is present, the decoys are revealed as fakes and frauds.
I pray that when the enemy assaults my life, that I am grounded in TRUTH in a manner that I will proclaim "THOUGH HE SLAY ME" to a lost world. I know some "prosperity preachers" prefer to not talk about Job and his trials, but I am here to glorify GOD ALMIGHTY, not for HIM to glorify me!!
Monday, January 20, 2014
"FEAR NOT!"
1 Kings
17:13-24 (1599 Geneva Bible)
“13 And Elijah
said unto her, Fear not, come do as thou hast said, but make me thereof a
little cake first of all, and bring it unto me, and afterward make for thee and
thy son.
14 For
thus saith the Lord God of Israel, [i]The meal in the barrel shall not be wasted,
neither shall the oil in the cruse be diminished, unto the time that the Lord
send rain upon the earth.
15 So she went, and did
as Elijah said, and she did eat: so did he and her house [j]for a certain time.
16
The barrel of the meal wasted not, nor the oil was spent
out of the cruse, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by the hand
of Elijah.
17 And after these
things, the son of the wife of the house fell sick, and his sickness was so
sore, that there was no [breath left in him.
18
And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O
thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to
slay my son?
19
And he said unto her, Give me thy son: and he took him
out of her bosom, and carried him up into a chamber, where he abode, and laid
him upon his own bed.
20 Then he called unto
the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou punished also this
widow, with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?
21
And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and
called unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s
soul come into him again.
22
Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah, and the soul of
the child came into him again, and he revived.
23
And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of
the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother, and Elijah said,
Behold, thy son liveth.
24 And the woman said
unto Elijah, Now I KNOW that thou art a man of God, and that the WORD OF THE
LORD in thy mouth is true.
I find this
remembrance of The LORD’s provision very informative, to say the least. Elijah didn’t just happen upon any woman who
was just happening to prepare the last meal for her and her son, and they were
going to “eat it, and die”! The thing
that astounds is Elijah telling this woman to “FEAR NOT”! She and her son are preparing to eat their
last meal and Elijah says “FEAR NOT”!
Elijah did not just happen upon this woman who was preparing her last
meal for her son and herself. GOD "directed" Elijah to this very
house, at this exact moment, so that GOD could be glorified!
Why did Elijah instruct the lady to make him a "little cake" first and then to fix for her needs? What kind of man would take from a family who was almost out of food and eat for himself? It seems almost selfish to want to eat some of the last victuals for a family and not let them have food. How did Elijah know that GOD would supply the needs of the woman? Was he guessing, or maybe Elijah had an inside track on what GOD was up to????
I find it interesting, that even though the meal and oil was supplied continuously, there was never any praise offered to GOD for HIS providence. Soon, the child fell ill, so much so that he stopped breathing. Elijah carried the child into a chamber and laid on him three times and without explanation, the child revived. Oh, Elijah prayed, but that is no big deal is it?
Why did Elijah instruct the lady to make him a "little cake" first and then to fix for her needs? What kind of man would take from a family who was almost out of food and eat for himself? It seems almost selfish to want to eat some of the last victuals for a family and not let them have food. How did Elijah know that GOD would supply the needs of the woman? Was he guessing, or maybe Elijah had an inside track on what GOD was up to????
I find it interesting, that even though the meal and oil was supplied continuously, there was never any praise offered to GOD for HIS providence. Soon, the child fell ill, so much so that he stopped breathing. Elijah carried the child into a chamber and laid on him three times and without explanation, the child revived. Oh, Elijah prayed, but that is no big deal is it?
The Bible
says “Then the LORD HEARD THE VOICE OF ELIJAH, and the Soul of the child came
into him again!” The child’s mother then
said “Now I KNOW that thou are a man of GOD, and that the WORD OF THE LORD in
thy mouth is true”!
The woman
knew that the WORD OF THE LORD was true, but now, everyone who has reads this account
is the Bible knows that GOD will provide your needs! Even when you are down to your last amount
of meal and oil! HE has not grown weary
or tired. Isaiah 59:1 says ”Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save:
neither is his ear heavy, that it cannot hear”!
GOD is waiting for us to call on HIM to help us. Elijah had to stretch himself out on the
child THREE times. Elijah had told the
woman from the start to “FEAR NOT”! It
is difficult to come to HIS THRONE with fear in your heart! More than 500 times the Bible says for us to
overcome FEAR! King David wrote in Psalms 56:4 to not fear
what man can do to you. So whatever you
are facing………….FEAR NOT!!!
Saturday, January 18, 2014
"GOING TO SCHOOL"
Luke 10:21-24 (KJV)
"21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."
From time to time in the newspaper announcements are displayed about people in the local schools who have achieved in education. Either straight A's in grade school up to a Doctorate or PhD, they all deserve a commendation for their accomplishments.
But don't forget, JESUS said that FATHER GOD "reveals" things unto babes! JESUS said that GOD "hid these things from the wise and prudent" and revealed them unto "babes"! To whom does HE choose? Scripture does not come out and say, but in James 4:8, the Bible says "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." The things of GOD are not taught in a classroom, rather to whom GOD chooses to "reveal" them to. Having an formal education MAY only make a person an "educated fool". Let me say though, I also know some educated people who are dear saints of GOD and live for HIM.
The thing I desire in my life is to be known as a member of the Luke 10:23 Society! The disciples of CHRIST saw things, things were REVEALED to them, that "prophets and kings" could only "desire" to see! GOD has placed a desire in my heart to "see the things that YE see". I my desire is to display enough of JESUS in me, that when others have a need, they know where to come looking for The ANSWER!
"21 In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.
22 All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveal him.
23 And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see:
24 For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them."
From time to time in the newspaper announcements are displayed about people in the local schools who have achieved in education. Either straight A's in grade school up to a Doctorate or PhD, they all deserve a commendation for their accomplishments.
But don't forget, JESUS said that FATHER GOD "reveals" things unto babes! JESUS said that GOD "hid these things from the wise and prudent" and revealed them unto "babes"! To whom does HE choose? Scripture does not come out and say, but in James 4:8, the Bible says "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." The things of GOD are not taught in a classroom, rather to whom GOD chooses to "reveal" them to. Having an formal education MAY only make a person an "educated fool". Let me say though, I also know some educated people who are dear saints of GOD and live for HIM.
The thing I desire in my life is to be known as a member of the Luke 10:23 Society! The disciples of CHRIST saw things, things were REVEALED to them, that "prophets and kings" could only "desire" to see! GOD has placed a desire in my heart to "see the things that YE see". I my desire is to display enough of JESUS in me, that when others have a need, they know where to come looking for The ANSWER!
Friday, January 17, 2014
"LISTENING TO HIS WORDS!"
Luke 10:38-42 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"38 ¶Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain town, and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and HEARD HIS preaching.
40 But Martha WAS CUMBERED ABOUT much serving, and came to him, and said, Master, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore, that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered, and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou carest, and art troubled about MANY THINGS:
42 But one thing is needful, Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
One of my dogs is named ROME. He is an extremely docile, almost skittish, Labrador mix that is the biggest lapdog around. To say ROME is a bit high-strung would be the understatement of the year. When a frisbee is in sight, he loses ALL control. He can be perfectly calm, yet another dog can walk across the neighbors yard about 250 feet away, and ROME goes literally berserk!
At times, I act just like ROME. An opportunity to serve The LORD comes up and I am on it with both feet, like ROME and his frisbee. Like Martha in the passage above, I can imagine if JESUS were at my house in the flesh HE would say "Ray, Ray, thou CAREST, and art troubled about many things"! Why can't we just fellowship with The LORD rather than try to impress others with "things" we do for HIM? We may "care" as Martha did, but we let the "things" we are doing for others consume our beings. In the meantime, JESUS even gives us even the air we breath. John 1:3 says HE made everything, and everything that was made came from HIM, so everything we do is from HIM anyway. All I need to do is serve HIM!
Just like my rambunctious dog, I want to get my feathers ruffled when others sin against GOD. ROME whines and gets all upset from a dog walking in the neighbors yard, but the dog isn't bothering ROME or anyone else. Someone can get out of line, do something that The WORD says is wrong, and I want to be the first to condemn, just like ROME barking at another dog across the yard! JESUS told Martha "Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." One commentary I read put it very eloquently. It said "The good part which Mary had chosen was to listen to the Lord's teaching. In the final scheme of things, the things Jesus said that day were of much more importance than what He ate. Today, if we are too busy to commune with the Lord; to pray and study His word; to meditate on life's purpose and to enjoy a peaceful, private time with Him, then there is something "horribly wrong" with our practice. If our walk of faith consists mainly of going to church and then on with life's busy day then we are not receiving of the goodness that the Lord has planned for us. And if we are so hassled by the routines of daily existence that we find ourselves lashing out at those we love as Martha did on that occasion, then isn't that a good indication that something needs fixed?"
Martha did not HEAR the words JESUS was saying because she was busy doing "things" for The LORD. Her life actions were good, but not being reflective of the actions of CHRIST. Do my life actions reflect that the Spirit of CHRIST lives in me? I wonder how many times I am guilty of doing busy "things" for The LORD, instead of listening to HIS WORDS???
"38 ¶Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain town, and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and HEARD HIS preaching.
40 But Martha WAS CUMBERED ABOUT much serving, and came to him, and said, Master, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore, that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered, and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou carest, and art troubled about MANY THINGS:
42 But one thing is needful, Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her."
One of my dogs is named ROME. He is an extremely docile, almost skittish, Labrador mix that is the biggest lapdog around. To say ROME is a bit high-strung would be the understatement of the year. When a frisbee is in sight, he loses ALL control. He can be perfectly calm, yet another dog can walk across the neighbors yard about 250 feet away, and ROME goes literally berserk!
At times, I act just like ROME. An opportunity to serve The LORD comes up and I am on it with both feet, like ROME and his frisbee. Like Martha in the passage above, I can imagine if JESUS were at my house in the flesh HE would say "Ray, Ray, thou CAREST, and art troubled about many things"! Why can't we just fellowship with The LORD rather than try to impress others with "things" we do for HIM? We may "care" as Martha did, but we let the "things" we are doing for others consume our beings. In the meantime, JESUS even gives us even the air we breath. John 1:3 says HE made everything, and everything that was made came from HIM, so everything we do is from HIM anyway. All I need to do is serve HIM!
Just like my rambunctious dog, I want to get my feathers ruffled when others sin against GOD. ROME whines and gets all upset from a dog walking in the neighbors yard, but the dog isn't bothering ROME or anyone else. Someone can get out of line, do something that The WORD says is wrong, and I want to be the first to condemn, just like ROME barking at another dog across the yard! JESUS told Martha "Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her." One commentary I read put it very eloquently. It said "The good part which Mary had chosen was to listen to the Lord's teaching. In the final scheme of things, the things Jesus said that day were of much more importance than what He ate. Today, if we are too busy to commune with the Lord; to pray and study His word; to meditate on life's purpose and to enjoy a peaceful, private time with Him, then there is something "horribly wrong" with our practice. If our walk of faith consists mainly of going to church and then on with life's busy day then we are not receiving of the goodness that the Lord has planned for us. And if we are so hassled by the routines of daily existence that we find ourselves lashing out at those we love as Martha did on that occasion, then isn't that a good indication that something needs fixed?"
Martha did not HEAR the words JESUS was saying because she was busy doing "things" for The LORD. Her life actions were good, but not being reflective of the actions of CHRIST. Do my life actions reflect that the Spirit of CHRIST lives in me? I wonder how many times I am guilty of doing busy "things" for The LORD, instead of listening to HIS WORDS???
Thursday, January 16, 2014
"FLOODS and FIRE"
Isaiah 43:2-3a (1599 Geneva Bible)
"2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the floods, that they do not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the very fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of Israel, thy Savior"
Memories of the past have a way of seeming not as bad as the event that causes the memory. I remember when I was younger being told by someone "When you go through a trial, GLEAN everything you can out of that trial, unless you want to go through it again"!
Around 1995 I remember things being pretty desperate around our household. I had started in the life insurance business in 1992, and decided in 1994 I wanted to go into the property & casualty end of the industry. I got my license and opened my own agency not knowing anything about the insurance business. About 10 months of not knowing what I was doing was enough to drive me to my knees.
One afternoon I closed my office and went to a local park to be alone with GOD. I was wondering if I had made a terrible mistake. I had my Bible and before I even opened it I prayed that GOD would show me through scripture the path I needed to follow. I opened my Bible and it was on Isaiah 43. The verses above almost jumped off of the page at me! I revisit them from time to time WHEN I am going through trials for assurance that GOD will help me in my time of trouble.
When you have a difficulty or trial ahead of you, don't do like I have done so many times and pray for the trial to be avoided. Dr. Charles Stanley says "you've got to see it all as coming from ME" when GOD is growing you. Rather, know that WHEN (not IF) the floods come, HE will be with thee! And WHEN (not IF) you have to walk through the fires, thou shalt not be burned? "For 'I AM' thy God" is with you and HE has been through these very waters and fires before!
"2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee, and through the floods, that they do not overflow thee. When thou walkest through the very fire, thou shalt not be burnt, neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
3 For I am the Lord thy God, the holy one of Israel, thy Savior"
Memories of the past have a way of seeming not as bad as the event that causes the memory. I remember when I was younger being told by someone "When you go through a trial, GLEAN everything you can out of that trial, unless you want to go through it again"!
Around 1995 I remember things being pretty desperate around our household. I had started in the life insurance business in 1992, and decided in 1994 I wanted to go into the property & casualty end of the industry. I got my license and opened my own agency not knowing anything about the insurance business. About 10 months of not knowing what I was doing was enough to drive me to my knees.
One afternoon I closed my office and went to a local park to be alone with GOD. I was wondering if I had made a terrible mistake. I had my Bible and before I even opened it I prayed that GOD would show me through scripture the path I needed to follow. I opened my Bible and it was on Isaiah 43. The verses above almost jumped off of the page at me! I revisit them from time to time WHEN I am going through trials for assurance that GOD will help me in my time of trouble.
When you have a difficulty or trial ahead of you, don't do like I have done so many times and pray for the trial to be avoided. Dr. Charles Stanley says "you've got to see it all as coming from ME" when GOD is growing you. Rather, know that WHEN (not IF) the floods come, HE will be with thee! And WHEN (not IF) you have to walk through the fires, thou shalt not be burned? "For 'I AM' thy God" is with you and HE has been through these very waters and fires before!
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
"NOTHING COVERED"!
Luke 12:1-5 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"1 In the meantime, there gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, so that they trod one another: and he (JESUS) began to say unto his disciples first, Take heed to yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: neither hid, that shall not be known.
3 Wherefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness, it shall be heard in the light: and that which ye have spoken in the ear, in secret places, shall be preached on the houses.
4 And I say unto you, my friends, BE NOT AFRAID OF THEM THAT KILL THE BODY, and after that are not able to do anymore.
5 But I will forewarn you, WHOM SHALL YE FEAR: fear him which after he hath killed, hath power to CAST INTO HELL: yea, I say unto you, HIM FEAR."
In my younger (wisdom challenged) days, I served on numerous public boards and commissions in the state I reside. Everything we did was governed by the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act). A public record had to be kept of all proceedings, and usually the press was there to give their account of the proceedings. An account varies depending on the "PRISM" through which one views things.
JESUS, GOD IN THE FLESH, makes it clear the Pharisees "PRISM" was skewed. The "hypocrisy" JESUS spoke of was the "PRISM" the Pharisees wanted people to see things through. JESUS told them that there would come a time when nothing will be "covered", everything will be "revealed"!
We sometimes desire things to work out the way we have envisioned that we look at those items through the "PRISM" of what we want. JESUS warned that we should not be concerned with what man could, or would, do to us. Rather, we should fear the ONE that has the power to "CAST INTO HELL"!
I should know by now that I should not fear anything the media, or crowds, or world can say or do to me. "FOR GOD SO LOVED" you and me that HE gave us a redemptive plan for our souls. I don't have to fear any longer, for the Spirit of JESUS lives within me and HE has already defeated hell and the grave. One day, all "PRISMS" will be done away with, and all will see "NOTHING COVERED"!
"1 In the meantime, there gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, so that they trod one another: and he (JESUS) began to say unto his disciples first, Take heed to yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed: neither hid, that shall not be known.
3 Wherefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness, it shall be heard in the light: and that which ye have spoken in the ear, in secret places, shall be preached on the houses.
4 And I say unto you, my friends, BE NOT AFRAID OF THEM THAT KILL THE BODY, and after that are not able to do anymore.
5 But I will forewarn you, WHOM SHALL YE FEAR: fear him which after he hath killed, hath power to CAST INTO HELL: yea, I say unto you, HIM FEAR."
In my younger (wisdom challenged) days, I served on numerous public boards and commissions in the state I reside. Everything we did was governed by the FOIA (Freedom of Information Act). A public record had to be kept of all proceedings, and usually the press was there to give their account of the proceedings. An account varies depending on the "PRISM" through which one views things.
JESUS, GOD IN THE FLESH, makes it clear the Pharisees "PRISM" was skewed. The "hypocrisy" JESUS spoke of was the "PRISM" the Pharisees wanted people to see things through. JESUS told them that there would come a time when nothing will be "covered", everything will be "revealed"!
We sometimes desire things to work out the way we have envisioned that we look at those items through the "PRISM" of what we want. JESUS warned that we should not be concerned with what man could, or would, do to us. Rather, we should fear the ONE that has the power to "CAST INTO HELL"!
I should know by now that I should not fear anything the media, or crowds, or world can say or do to me. "FOR GOD SO LOVED" you and me that HE gave us a redemptive plan for our souls. I don't have to fear any longer, for the Spirit of JESUS lives within me and HE has already defeated hell and the grave. One day, all "PRISMS" will be done away with, and all will see "NOTHING COVERED"!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
"THE WORD!"
John 1:1-5 (KJV)
"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
The first five verses of the Gospel of John never get old, at least for me. GOD always has been. "The Word" (JESUS) was there "in the beginning". "The Word" was with, and "The Word" WAS GOD!
Verse three says "ALL" things were made by HIM. My belief is that things that are looked at as being evil were even made by HIM. The "PRISM" through which somethings are viewed may help determine whether they are "good" things or "bad" things. A gruesome fight with cancer can lead to an earthly healing, or it could lead to an ultimate healing! Who are we to say things are "good" or "bad"? In Exodus 14, GOD "hardened" Pharaoh's heart, and later Pharaoh and his army were consumed in the Red Sea. The Red Sea has a different meaning for the Israelis than for the Egyptians! It depends on which "PRISM" you are looking through.
I love the statement "In HIM was life". JESUS gives life to "ALL" who will accept HIM. JESUS said in John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." The LIFE HE gives is the LIGHT for ALL mankind! Without LIGHT, we are left in darkness.
Verse five states that The LIGHT (JESUS) shineth in darkness, but the darkness COMPREHENDED IT NOT. It wasn't, or isn't, that the darkness could not hear the message. They could not COMPREHEND the message. The word COMPREHEND means "to grasp with the mind; to understand the meaning of".
Some people, no matter how well-intentioned they are, just cannot grasp the fact that GOD LOVES THEM. HE loved them so much, HE sent JESUS, who had been at HIS side since THE BEGINNING, to pay the price for the sins (the falling short of GOD's perfect glory) they (and I) have committed so that GOD can fellowship with us. I too, find it difficult to justify why a pure and HOLY GOD would sacrifice HIS SON for a scumbag such as I. I just have to have faith that HE is who HE said HE was, and leave everything else up to "THE WORD!"
"1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."
The first five verses of the Gospel of John never get old, at least for me. GOD always has been. "The Word" (JESUS) was there "in the beginning". "The Word" was with, and "The Word" WAS GOD!
Verse three says "ALL" things were made by HIM. My belief is that things that are looked at as being evil were even made by HIM. The "PRISM" through which somethings are viewed may help determine whether they are "good" things or "bad" things. A gruesome fight with cancer can lead to an earthly healing, or it could lead to an ultimate healing! Who are we to say things are "good" or "bad"? In Exodus 14, GOD "hardened" Pharaoh's heart, and later Pharaoh and his army were consumed in the Red Sea. The Red Sea has a different meaning for the Israelis than for the Egyptians! It depends on which "PRISM" you are looking through.
I love the statement "In HIM was life". JESUS gives life to "ALL" who will accept HIM. JESUS said in John 10:10 "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." The LIFE HE gives is the LIGHT for ALL mankind! Without LIGHT, we are left in darkness.
Verse five states that The LIGHT (JESUS) shineth in darkness, but the darkness COMPREHENDED IT NOT. It wasn't, or isn't, that the darkness could not hear the message. They could not COMPREHEND the message. The word COMPREHEND means "to grasp with the mind; to understand the meaning of".
Some people, no matter how well-intentioned they are, just cannot grasp the fact that GOD LOVES THEM. HE loved them so much, HE sent JESUS, who had been at HIS side since THE BEGINNING, to pay the price for the sins (the falling short of GOD's perfect glory) they (and I) have committed so that GOD can fellowship with us. I too, find it difficult to justify why a pure and HOLY GOD would sacrifice HIS SON for a scumbag such as I. I just have to have faith that HE is who HE said HE was, and leave everything else up to "THE WORD!"
Monday, January 13, 2014
"Is the SPIRIT WORLD real??"
Mark 9:2-8 (KJV)
"2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves."
The man who was my pastor when GOD saved my soul had a bunch of sayings when he would read scripture, my favorite being "When you see the word "THEREFORE", look and see what it is there for". That developed my curiosity into what GOD was saying to me through HIS WORD. The Word of GOD is not haphazardly put together. Every word of every sentence is spoken, or written, where it is in scripture for a reason. I may not understand all of those reasons right now, but one day GOD will reveal HIS truths to me. Either while I am here on earth, or when my Spirit gets to Heaven.
This passage starts out by saying "after six days"? I am not sure of the significance of "six days", but it took GOD "six days" to create the worlds. JESUS took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain......APART BY THEMSELVES! I find it interesting that they were apart from all of the hustle, bustle of the crowds, to witness JESUS being TRANSFIGURED right before their eyes! My mind goes to Jeremiah 29:13 where it is written "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." You can't experience the things of GOD if your eyes are focused on the things of this world. Maybe we don't experience the fullness of GOD because we are too busy being a part of this world and not focusing on the "SPIRIT WORLD"!
HIS raiment (clothing) became glorified, like nothing they had ever seen. JESUS was seen talking with Elijah and Moses. I have no idea who had images of Elijah and Moses, but they were known to Peter, James, and John. Peter, not knowing what to say, offered that they should build a tabernacles, one for each Spirit they had seen.
But then, they all got a memory that overshadowed everything they had ever experienced. GOD HIMSELF spoke "This is my beloved Son: hear him"! But then suddenly, they looked around and everything was gone. The "CLOUD", Moses, Elijah.......everything was back to normal! I can imagine that Peter, James, and John were wanting the experience to last a little while longer.
The "SPIRIT WORLD" experienced by Pater, James, and John is the real world! John 4:24 says "GOD is a Spirit"! Ephesians 6:12 says "For we wrestle NOT against FLESH and BLOOD, but against PRINCIPALITIES, against POWERS, against the rulers of the DARKNESS of this WORLD, against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in high places." I can relate with how John felt when he spoke in John 1:23 and said "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness". The enemy keeps us so busy with this world, that we don't have time for the "SPIRIT WORLD" where he has already been defeated! No one enjoys defeat, and no one wants to be reminded of eternal punishment. Maybe that is why satan attempts to keep us so busy, so we won't remind him of WHO has won!
"2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them.
3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
4 And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus.
5 And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
6 For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
7 And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.
8 And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves."
The man who was my pastor when GOD saved my soul had a bunch of sayings when he would read scripture, my favorite being "When you see the word "THEREFORE", look and see what it is there for". That developed my curiosity into what GOD was saying to me through HIS WORD. The Word of GOD is not haphazardly put together. Every word of every sentence is spoken, or written, where it is in scripture for a reason. I may not understand all of those reasons right now, but one day GOD will reveal HIS truths to me. Either while I am here on earth, or when my Spirit gets to Heaven.
This passage starts out by saying "after six days"? I am not sure of the significance of "six days", but it took GOD "six days" to create the worlds. JESUS took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain......APART BY THEMSELVES! I find it interesting that they were apart from all of the hustle, bustle of the crowds, to witness JESUS being TRANSFIGURED right before their eyes! My mind goes to Jeremiah 29:13 where it is written "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." You can't experience the things of GOD if your eyes are focused on the things of this world. Maybe we don't experience the fullness of GOD because we are too busy being a part of this world and not focusing on the "SPIRIT WORLD"!
HIS raiment (clothing) became glorified, like nothing they had ever seen. JESUS was seen talking with Elijah and Moses. I have no idea who had images of Elijah and Moses, but they were known to Peter, James, and John. Peter, not knowing what to say, offered that they should build a tabernacles, one for each Spirit they had seen.
But then, they all got a memory that overshadowed everything they had ever experienced. GOD HIMSELF spoke "This is my beloved Son: hear him"! But then suddenly, they looked around and everything was gone. The "CLOUD", Moses, Elijah.......everything was back to normal! I can imagine that Peter, James, and John were wanting the experience to last a little while longer.
The "SPIRIT WORLD" experienced by Pater, James, and John is the real world! John 4:24 says "GOD is a Spirit"! Ephesians 6:12 says "For we wrestle NOT against FLESH and BLOOD, but against PRINCIPALITIES, against POWERS, against the rulers of the DARKNESS of this WORLD, against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in high places." I can relate with how John felt when he spoke in John 1:23 and said "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness". The enemy keeps us so busy with this world, that we don't have time for the "SPIRIT WORLD" where he has already been defeated! No one enjoys defeat, and no one wants to be reminded of eternal punishment. Maybe that is why satan attempts to keep us so busy, so we won't remind him of WHO has won!
Saturday, January 11, 2014
"ONE LETTER!"
Psalms 37:7 (KJV)
"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."
I awoke one morning to a "troubled spirit". I prayed to my GOD JEHOVAH to give me a direction out of the funk I was in and to direct me in the way HE desired me to go. In a few minutes, my mind went to "Rest in The Lord"! When I got out of bed, I went to the Holy Bible for answers! Psalms 37:7 is where I was directed. I started "meditating" the phrase "Rest in The Lord" and initially I was not getting anywhere with "Rest in The Lord". Then, all of the sudden, I realized the scripture says to "rest IN the LORD", not to "rest ON the LORD"! The difference of ONE LETTER ("I" vs "O") can make a huge difference in a sentence or proclamation.
I begin to think about dropping some food ON a shirt. You can clean a shirt and get the spilled food off the shirt. But if your shirt has a color IN it, a different color thread, all the trips through the washing machine will not remove the color. When you have the LORD "IN" you, the fabric of your life is changed. You are never the same.
Which brings us to the next part of the verse. "Wait patiently for HIM"! One of THE most difficult thing for me to learn is my timing is not GOD's timing. My nature, the natural man, has a built-in need for moving at a pace unsustainable to life. In a farmers terms, I want to plant a garden on Monday, water it for a week, and reap the harvest on Friday! But a bountiful harvest requires time for the plants to strengthen and mature into the fruit we desire from it.
GOD is the Master Gardener in the garden of life. HE knows when we need to have weeds pulled from around HIS plants, and water applied to HIS plants, and fertilizer applied to HIS plants! HE loves us so much that HE will not allow HIS fruit to ripen too quickly, or ripen too much, or our plants to not be pruned (John 15:1-6). John 15:5 says "I (JESUS) am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth IN me (JESUS), and I IN him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me (JESUS) ye can do nothing."
To "REST IN THE LORD" is to be a part of HIM, not to have HIM "ON" you as a stain on a shirt. Just as a branch must be a engrafted "IN" a vine, we must be a living part of JESUS. Something that is spilled onto JESUS will not be transformed by a knowledge of HIM. One has to be engrafted into HIM and let your life come from HIM. One letter makes a world of difference!
"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass."
I awoke one morning to a "troubled spirit". I prayed to my GOD JEHOVAH to give me a direction out of the funk I was in and to direct me in the way HE desired me to go. In a few minutes, my mind went to "Rest in The Lord"! When I got out of bed, I went to the Holy Bible for answers! Psalms 37:7 is where I was directed. I started "meditating" the phrase "Rest in The Lord" and initially I was not getting anywhere with "Rest in The Lord". Then, all of the sudden, I realized the scripture says to "rest IN the LORD", not to "rest ON the LORD"! The difference of ONE LETTER ("I" vs "O") can make a huge difference in a sentence or proclamation.
I begin to think about dropping some food ON a shirt. You can clean a shirt and get the spilled food off the shirt. But if your shirt has a color IN it, a different color thread, all the trips through the washing machine will not remove the color. When you have the LORD "IN" you, the fabric of your life is changed. You are never the same.
Which brings us to the next part of the verse. "Wait patiently for HIM"! One of THE most difficult thing for me to learn is my timing is not GOD's timing. My nature, the natural man, has a built-in need for moving at a pace unsustainable to life. In a farmers terms, I want to plant a garden on Monday, water it for a week, and reap the harvest on Friday! But a bountiful harvest requires time for the plants to strengthen and mature into the fruit we desire from it.
GOD is the Master Gardener in the garden of life. HE knows when we need to have weeds pulled from around HIS plants, and water applied to HIS plants, and fertilizer applied to HIS plants! HE loves us so much that HE will not allow HIS fruit to ripen too quickly, or ripen too much, or our plants to not be pruned (John 15:1-6). John 15:5 says "I (JESUS) am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth IN me (JESUS), and I IN him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me (JESUS) ye can do nothing."
To "REST IN THE LORD" is to be a part of HIM, not to have HIM "ON" you as a stain on a shirt. Just as a branch must be a engrafted "IN" a vine, we must be a living part of JESUS. Something that is spilled onto JESUS will not be transformed by a knowledge of HIM. One has to be engrafted into HIM and let your life come from HIM. One letter makes a world of difference!
Friday, January 10, 2014
"I WILL STRENGTHEN THEE!"
Isaiah 41:8-11 (KJV)
"8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish."
A few days back I wrote using this scripture as my focal passage. On that day, I wrote that Dr. Charles Stanley had said in an interview that sometimes he had to read the same scripture for days, even weeks, to get everything out of it that GOD was trying to tell him. Well, just because I write about something doesn't mean that GOD has completed my lesson!
Going back this morning, I was reading over my past writings. I was amazed at the things I seemingly glossed over, or omitted, when I previously wrote about "being chosen". This morning it became even more clear to me how Israel (Jacob) was not only chosen, he was created for GOD's purpose and glory! GOD knew Jacob's faults before He created him, yet GOD created him anyway. GOD knew the sins and failures Jacob (Israel) would commit, and yet HE blessed him (them) anyway.
GOD uses even the least of us for HIS purpose and HIS glory. Esther was used in the Old Testament to prevent the Jews from being extinguished. Her cousin, Mordecai, told Esther who knows "whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)! Nobody knows the plan GOD has for our lives. In 1 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV) the bible says "For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the THOUGHTS of GOD except the SPIRIT OF GOD."
The enemy has been defeated already, but he wants to take as many into eternal damnation as he can. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) says "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against PRINCIPALITIES, against POWERS, against the rulers of the DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in HIGH PLACES."
The battle for hearts and minds is ongoing. Although I am one on HIS CHOSEN, I have to be on guard for the attacks of the enemy on my heart and mind. "I WILL STRENGTHEN THEE" is a promise! Don't debate whether HE will sustain you. Claim it!
"8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away.
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish."
A few days back I wrote using this scripture as my focal passage. On that day, I wrote that Dr. Charles Stanley had said in an interview that sometimes he had to read the same scripture for days, even weeks, to get everything out of it that GOD was trying to tell him. Well, just because I write about something doesn't mean that GOD has completed my lesson!
Going back this morning, I was reading over my past writings. I was amazed at the things I seemingly glossed over, or omitted, when I previously wrote about "being chosen". This morning it became even more clear to me how Israel (Jacob) was not only chosen, he was created for GOD's purpose and glory! GOD knew Jacob's faults before He created him, yet GOD created him anyway. GOD knew the sins and failures Jacob (Israel) would commit, and yet HE blessed him (them) anyway.
GOD uses even the least of us for HIS purpose and HIS glory. Esther was used in the Old Testament to prevent the Jews from being extinguished. Her cousin, Mordecai, told Esther who knows "whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14)! Nobody knows the plan GOD has for our lives. In 1 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV) the bible says "For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the THOUGHTS of GOD except the SPIRIT OF GOD."
The enemy has been defeated already, but he wants to take as many into eternal damnation as he can. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) says "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against PRINCIPALITIES, against POWERS, against the rulers of the DARKNESS OF THIS WORLD, against SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS in HIGH PLACES."
The battle for hearts and minds is ongoing. Although I am one on HIS CHOSEN, I have to be on guard for the attacks of the enemy on my heart and mind. "I WILL STRENGTHEN THEE" is a promise! Don't debate whether HE will sustain you. Claim it!
Thursday, January 9, 2014
"IN THE FIERY PIT!"
Daniel 3:28-29 (KJV)
"28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort."
Sometimes, the Spirit of GOD moves me in a direction that I prefer not to go. This morning, I wanted to read in the book of Hebrews, or in Mark. But I stopped and prayed, and the Spirit directed me to Daniel 3.
Most are familiar with the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were "set over the affairs" of Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. King Nebuchadnezzar had decreed that all his kingdom would bow down and worship his god.. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not, and did not, succumb to the edict. The King declared they should be put to death in the fiery pit. The King was so incensed that he ordered the pit heated to seven times hotter than usual! The three men were cast into the fiery pit. The fire was so hot, even the men who were assigned to cast them into the fire perished!
King Nebuchadnezzar was then amazed at what he saw, and questioned his servants if they had not bound the three as he commanded talking. Indeed they had, was the reply. King Nebuchadnezzar said there are now FOUR MEN walking in the pit, and the "fourth is like the SON OF GOD"!! How King Nebuchadnezzar knew what the SON OF GOD looked is not revealed. But I have little doubt that GOD is able to reveal HIMSELF to anyone HE deems necessary to accomplish HIS plan.
I pray that I never have to be cast into a "fiery pit" for not worshipping false gods. But if I do, I pray that I will have the fortitude and conviction to not waiver in my belief that ALMIGHTY GOD can, and does protect and sustain HIS own. The Bible makes it clear that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not alone in the fiery pit. JESUS Himself protected them. My desire is that even if I am cast into a fiery pit, that JESUS CHRIST receive honor and glory from my life!
"28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort."
Sometimes, the Spirit of GOD moves me in a direction that I prefer not to go. This morning, I wanted to read in the book of Hebrews, or in Mark. But I stopped and prayed, and the Spirit directed me to Daniel 3.
Most are familiar with the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were "set over the affairs" of Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. King Nebuchadnezzar had decreed that all his kingdom would bow down and worship his god.. But Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not, and did not, succumb to the edict. The King declared they should be put to death in the fiery pit. The King was so incensed that he ordered the pit heated to seven times hotter than usual! The three men were cast into the fiery pit. The fire was so hot, even the men who were assigned to cast them into the fire perished!
King Nebuchadnezzar was then amazed at what he saw, and questioned his servants if they had not bound the three as he commanded talking. Indeed they had, was the reply. King Nebuchadnezzar said there are now FOUR MEN walking in the pit, and the "fourth is like the SON OF GOD"!! How King Nebuchadnezzar knew what the SON OF GOD looked is not revealed. But I have little doubt that GOD is able to reveal HIMSELF to anyone HE deems necessary to accomplish HIS plan.
I pray that I never have to be cast into a "fiery pit" for not worshipping false gods. But if I do, I pray that I will have the fortitude and conviction to not waiver in my belief that ALMIGHTY GOD can, and does protect and sustain HIS own. The Bible makes it clear that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were not alone in the fiery pit. JESUS Himself protected them. My desire is that even if I am cast into a fiery pit, that JESUS CHRIST receive honor and glory from my life!
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
"WHO TOLD THEE?"
Genesis 3:7-11 (KJV)
"7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD GOD walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife HID THEMSELVES from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11 And he said, WHO TOLD THEE THAT THOU WAST NAKED? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?"
Since man was created, we have thought we were wise enough to LIE to GOD and get away with it. Adam and Eve "LISTENED" to the serpent and made poor decisions. We have a tendency to "candy coat" untruths, call it by another name, but humanity doesn't want to admit that we are "flawed" creatures. Since Adam and Eve, we have tried to make ourselves out to be more than we are. And GOD is asking, "WHO TOLD THEE!"
Adam and Eve knew they had sinned against GOD. They HID THEMSELVES from HOLINESS (GOD) because GOD and sin cannot co-exist. 1 Peter 1:16 says "Be ye holy; for I am holy." Adam knew he was not Holy, therefore he did not want to be exposed to a HOLY GOD.
JESUS (GOD INCARNATE) came to earth for the explicit purpose to sacrifice HIMSELF for all mankind, the ONLY PERFECT SACRIFICE! After the fall. GOD knew humans could not measure up to heavens perfection. John 3:16-18 tells us "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life. For GOD sent not HIS SON into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through HIM might be saved. He that believeth on HIM is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten SON of GOD."
The enemy has a tool he utilizes so effectively. We are convinced we MUST live our lives at a pace of success to pay the mortgage, car payment, household bills, grocery bill, and various other desires. But GOD instructs us in Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law (BIBLE) shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for THEN thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and THEN thou shalt have good success." We must slow our lives down and stop trying to hide our sinful nature from a HOLY GOD! I must not listen to the lies of the serpent. I want to hear from a HOLY GOD, "WELL DONE", not "WHO TOLD THEE"?
"7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD GOD walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife HID THEMSELVES from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9 And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?
10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
11 And he said, WHO TOLD THEE THAT THOU WAST NAKED? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?"
Since man was created, we have thought we were wise enough to LIE to GOD and get away with it. Adam and Eve "LISTENED" to the serpent and made poor decisions. We have a tendency to "candy coat" untruths, call it by another name, but humanity doesn't want to admit that we are "flawed" creatures. Since Adam and Eve, we have tried to make ourselves out to be more than we are. And GOD is asking, "WHO TOLD THEE!"
Adam and Eve knew they had sinned against GOD. They HID THEMSELVES from HOLINESS (GOD) because GOD and sin cannot co-exist. 1 Peter 1:16 says "Be ye holy; for I am holy." Adam knew he was not Holy, therefore he did not want to be exposed to a HOLY GOD.
JESUS (GOD INCARNATE) came to earth for the explicit purpose to sacrifice HIMSELF for all mankind, the ONLY PERFECT SACRIFICE! After the fall. GOD knew humans could not measure up to heavens perfection. John 3:16-18 tells us "For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life. For GOD sent not HIS SON into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through HIM might be saved. He that believeth on HIM is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten SON of GOD."
The enemy has a tool he utilizes so effectively. We are convinced we MUST live our lives at a pace of success to pay the mortgage, car payment, household bills, grocery bill, and various other desires. But GOD instructs us in Joshua 1:8 "This book of the law (BIBLE) shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for THEN thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and THEN thou shalt have good success." We must slow our lives down and stop trying to hide our sinful nature from a HOLY GOD! I must not listen to the lies of the serpent. I want to hear from a HOLY GOD, "WELL DONE", not "WHO TOLD THEE"?
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
"IN GOD'S HANDS!"
Nehemiah 2:17-20 (ESV)
"17 Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision."
18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?"
20 Then I replied to them, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem."
There are times when GOD has "the right person at the right time" set aside to accomplish HIS plan. Nehemiah was no king. He was no great warrior. Nehemiah was a common man in a unique position. He was a secure and successful cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. Nehemiah had little power, but he had great influence. He was trusted by the king. He was also a man of God, concerned about the fate of Israel.
As Nehemiah "talked to GOD" a plan was put in his mind about a seemingly "impossible" task of rebuilding the walls around the city of Jerusalem. He left a secure position in Persia to follow GOD's leadership on rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem.
One writer expounded on Nehemiah's mission with these words:
From beginning to end, Nehemiah prayed for God's help. He never hesitated to ask God to remember him, closing his autobiography with these words: "Remember me with favor, O my God." Throughout the "impossible" task, Nehemiah displayed unusual leadership. The wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt in record time, despite resistance. Even Israel's enemies GRUDGINGLY and FEARFULLY ADMITTED that GOD was with these builders. Not only that, but God worked through Nehemiah to bring about a spiritual awakening among the people of Judah.
I can think of no better testament of one's life than for your enemies to "GRUDGINGLY and FEARFULLY ADMITT that GOD" is with you in your endeavors! The way to assure you are "in GOD's plan" is to "talk with HIM" constantly. HE will shed HIS light on the path you need to travel (Psalms 119:105).
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that YOU guide my steps in the way YOU would have me walk. Help me to be used of YOU to accomplish YOUR plan for my life. I pray even my enemies will see that GOD has HIS hand on me, and that they "have no portion or right or claim"in my life!
"17 Then I said to them, "You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us build the wall of Jerusalem, that we may no longer suffer derision."
18 And I told them of the hand of my God that had been upon me for good, and also of the words that the king had spoken to me. And they said, "Let us rise up and build." So they strengthened their hands for the good work.
19 But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite servant and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they jeered at us and despised us and said, "What is this thing that you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?"
20 Then I replied to them, "The God of heaven will make us prosper, and we his servants will arise and build, but you have no portion or right or claim in Jerusalem."
There are times when GOD has "the right person at the right time" set aside to accomplish HIS plan. Nehemiah was no king. He was no great warrior. Nehemiah was a common man in a unique position. He was a secure and successful cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes. Nehemiah had little power, but he had great influence. He was trusted by the king. He was also a man of God, concerned about the fate of Israel.
As Nehemiah "talked to GOD" a plan was put in his mind about a seemingly "impossible" task of rebuilding the walls around the city of Jerusalem. He left a secure position in Persia to follow GOD's leadership on rebuilding the walls around Jerusalem.
One writer expounded on Nehemiah's mission with these words:
From beginning to end, Nehemiah prayed for God's help. He never hesitated to ask God to remember him, closing his autobiography with these words: "Remember me with favor, O my God." Throughout the "impossible" task, Nehemiah displayed unusual leadership. The wall around Jerusalem was rebuilt in record time, despite resistance. Even Israel's enemies GRUDGINGLY and FEARFULLY ADMITTED that GOD was with these builders. Not only that, but God worked through Nehemiah to bring about a spiritual awakening among the people of Judah.
I can think of no better testament of one's life than for your enemies to "GRUDGINGLY and FEARFULLY ADMITT that GOD" is with you in your endeavors! The way to assure you are "in GOD's plan" is to "talk with HIM" constantly. HE will shed HIS light on the path you need to travel (Psalms 119:105).
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that YOU guide my steps in the way YOU would have me walk. Help me to be used of YOU to accomplish YOUR plan for my life. I pray even my enemies will see that GOD has HIS hand on me, and that they "have no portion or right or claim"in my life!
Monday, January 6, 2014
"I PRAY FOR THEM"
John 17:7-11 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"7 Now they know that all things whatsoever thou hast given me, are of thee.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and have believed that thou hast sent me.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me: for they are THINE.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them.
11 And now am I no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy Name, even them whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are."
Recently my Sunday School teacher commented about using his copy of the Geneva Bible as a study tool. This morning I thought I would read some of the Geneva Bible. I went to John 17 and I was reading through the chapter. When I got to verse 9 I had to read it over and over for a number of times. "I pray for them: I pray NOT for the world, but for them which THOU hast given ME: for they are THINE"!!
To realize that the Son of GOD prays for me is a rather humbling matter. Sure, HE is GOD INCARNATE and HIS presence is without description, but HE actually says that HE prays for me, "for they are THINE." I am one of GOD's children, so JESUS paid a ransom for my soul "that they may be one as we are."
If a person BELIEVES, the words spoken by the Son of GOD to JEHOVAH GOD "Keep them in thy Name" has to be the most comforting words one can imagine. To know the Creator of all is keeping me safe in HIS protection brings peace and joy unmatched.
When I was about 8 years old, a storm was near our house. The winds were howling, thunder and lightning were prevalent, and my mom and two sisters and I were debating on whether to go to my grandparents house, which was only about 200 feet away. All of the sudden the electricity went out and the breaker box "clicked"! Without saying anything to anyone, I was out the door RUNNING to my grandparents. I thought safety was with my grandparents.
GOD sometimes allows storms to surround our lives and, like that 8 year old boy, we go running for safety! I am thankful that HIS provision gives me a place to run to. HE prays for me! If you are not one which "THOU hast given ME", I pray that you will seek HIM before the storms come into your life!
"7 Now they know that all things whatsoever thou hast given me, are of thee.
8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me, and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and have believed that thou hast sent me.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me: for they are THINE.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine, and I am glorified in them.
11 And now am I no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep them in thy Name, even them whom thou hast given me, that they may be one as we are."
Recently my Sunday School teacher commented about using his copy of the Geneva Bible as a study tool. This morning I thought I would read some of the Geneva Bible. I went to John 17 and I was reading through the chapter. When I got to verse 9 I had to read it over and over for a number of times. "I pray for them: I pray NOT for the world, but for them which THOU hast given ME: for they are THINE"!!
To realize that the Son of GOD prays for me is a rather humbling matter. Sure, HE is GOD INCARNATE and HIS presence is without description, but HE actually says that HE prays for me, "for they are THINE." I am one of GOD's children, so JESUS paid a ransom for my soul "that they may be one as we are."
If a person BELIEVES, the words spoken by the Son of GOD to JEHOVAH GOD "Keep them in thy Name" has to be the most comforting words one can imagine. To know the Creator of all is keeping me safe in HIS protection brings peace and joy unmatched.
When I was about 8 years old, a storm was near our house. The winds were howling, thunder and lightning were prevalent, and my mom and two sisters and I were debating on whether to go to my grandparents house, which was only about 200 feet away. All of the sudden the electricity went out and the breaker box "clicked"! Without saying anything to anyone, I was out the door RUNNING to my grandparents. I thought safety was with my grandparents.
GOD sometimes allows storms to surround our lives and, like that 8 year old boy, we go running for safety! I am thankful that HIS provision gives me a place to run to. HE prays for me! If you are not one which "THOU hast given ME", I pray that you will seek HIM before the storms come into your life!
Friday, January 3, 2014
"THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD!"
1 Corinthians 2:14-16 (KJV)
"14 But the natural man receiveth NOT the things of the Spirit of God: for they are FOOLISHNESS unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."
I have to remind myself, from time to time, that "THE WORLD" sees things through a different prism than I do. Their perspective is totally different than a person with "THE SPIRIT OF GOD" in their life. As a matter of fact, the bible says the things of GOD "are FOOLISHNESS unto him".
The elected officials of any government, not just the United States, can be especially frustrating. The media seems to either promote, or demonize, the actions of the elected, depending on whether the elected are acting in accordance to how the media views things. They can only tell what they see, just as Peter and John said in Acts 4:20 when it was written "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Scripture clearly states "neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned". Maybe that is the reason the world thinks we are crazy! They cannot "see" the "things of the Spirit of God"!
The world will view "the things of the Spirit of God" as foolishness, and I should not be so alarmed by that. The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the church at Corinth around 55AD, and things haven't changed a lot since. When we are "born again", our spirit has "the mind of Christ." The "natural man" and GOD have always been at odds. JESUS said in John 7:7 "The world cannot hate you; but ME it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." If we believers have "the mind of Christ" living inside us, the "natural man" is going to hate us. That is why JESUS said in Matthew 5:44 to "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
Thanks be to GOD, this corrupt, wretched world is only a temporary abode for us. My reservations have been booked, AND PAID FOR, in a resort unimaginable! "But the natural man receiveth NOT the things of the Spirit of God"! I pray if you cannot see the things of the Spirit of God, that you allow "the mind of Christ" into your life soon.
"14 But the natural man receiveth NOT the things of the Spirit of God: for they are FOOLISHNESS unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."
I have to remind myself, from time to time, that "THE WORLD" sees things through a different prism than I do. Their perspective is totally different than a person with "THE SPIRIT OF GOD" in their life. As a matter of fact, the bible says the things of GOD "are FOOLISHNESS unto him".
The elected officials of any government, not just the United States, can be especially frustrating. The media seems to either promote, or demonize, the actions of the elected, depending on whether the elected are acting in accordance to how the media views things. They can only tell what they see, just as Peter and John said in Acts 4:20 when it was written "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Scripture clearly states "neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned". Maybe that is the reason the world thinks we are crazy! They cannot "see" the "things of the Spirit of God"!
The world will view "the things of the Spirit of God" as foolishness, and I should not be so alarmed by that. The Apostle Paul wrote the letter to the church at Corinth around 55AD, and things haven't changed a lot since. When we are "born again", our spirit has "the mind of Christ." The "natural man" and GOD have always been at odds. JESUS said in John 7:7 "The world cannot hate you; but ME it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil." If we believers have "the mind of Christ" living inside us, the "natural man" is going to hate us. That is why JESUS said in Matthew 5:44 to "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."
Thanks be to GOD, this corrupt, wretched world is only a temporary abode for us. My reservations have been booked, AND PAID FOR, in a resort unimaginable! "But the natural man receiveth NOT the things of the Spirit of God"! I pray if you cannot see the things of the Spirit of God, that you allow "the mind of Christ" into your life soon.
Thursday, January 2, 2014
"I HAVE CHOSEN THEE,"
Isaiah 41:8-11 (KJV)
"8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I HAVE CHOSEN THEE, and not cast thee away.
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish."
Dr. Charles Stanley was being interviewed a few years back. He said something that changed my life. He said, when speaking of meditating on God's word, that sometimes he will read the same scripture passage over and over for a week or two trying to get EVERYTHING out of it that GOD is saying to him.
The above passage has been on my heart for a number of days. Verse 10 caught my eye a while back, and then I started reading the verses surrounding. Jacob (later named Israel) was who GOD chose. GOD could have chosen anyone else in his bloodline, but Jacob was the one HE chose. "I HAVE CHOSEN THEE" must be the sweetest words ever written. To comprehend that GOD chose you, and had a plan for you, before you were created is a rather humbling thought.
But the last part of verse 9 makes me misty eyed. "And NOT cast thee away"! Most are aware I experienced a brain hemorrhage in 2007, and being so close to death brings an altered perspective to the term being not "cast away". GOD's grace is something most of us take for granted. Everyone of us needs GOD's grace to survive everyday. GOD had a plan for all of us before we were born. My goal is to be obedient and fulfill that plan.
"Fear not, be not dismayed, for I AM THY GOD, I will help thee"! For me, there is no verse in the bible more comforting! It is as if GOD is telling us "Don't worry, I got this". I can see what Dr. Stanley was meaning when he talks about meditating a scripture for a week or two. The enemy wants us to live life at such a pace that we do not have time for GOD to speak to us. We can let "good things" interrupt our communion with GOD, and they become tools of the enemy. I can think of nothing as vital to our spiritual health as being alone with our CREATOR.
GOD, I pray that I will be aware of the enemies desire to do anything to prevent me from hearing from YOU. I don't want to become as the ones who are "incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing". My desire is to live in YOUR peace and in the comfort only YOU can bring.
"8 But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.
9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I HAVE CHOSEN THEE, and not cast thee away.
10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
11 Behold, all they that were incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing; and they that strive with thee shall perish."
Dr. Charles Stanley was being interviewed a few years back. He said something that changed my life. He said, when speaking of meditating on God's word, that sometimes he will read the same scripture passage over and over for a week or two trying to get EVERYTHING out of it that GOD is saying to him.
The above passage has been on my heart for a number of days. Verse 10 caught my eye a while back, and then I started reading the verses surrounding. Jacob (later named Israel) was who GOD chose. GOD could have chosen anyone else in his bloodline, but Jacob was the one HE chose. "I HAVE CHOSEN THEE" must be the sweetest words ever written. To comprehend that GOD chose you, and had a plan for you, before you were created is a rather humbling thought.
But the last part of verse 9 makes me misty eyed. "And NOT cast thee away"! Most are aware I experienced a brain hemorrhage in 2007, and being so close to death brings an altered perspective to the term being not "cast away". GOD's grace is something most of us take for granted. Everyone of us needs GOD's grace to survive everyday. GOD had a plan for all of us before we were born. My goal is to be obedient and fulfill that plan.
"Fear not, be not dismayed, for I AM THY GOD, I will help thee"! For me, there is no verse in the bible more comforting! It is as if GOD is telling us "Don't worry, I got this". I can see what Dr. Stanley was meaning when he talks about meditating a scripture for a week or two. The enemy wants us to live life at such a pace that we do not have time for GOD to speak to us. We can let "good things" interrupt our communion with GOD, and they become tools of the enemy. I can think of nothing as vital to our spiritual health as being alone with our CREATOR.
GOD, I pray that I will be aware of the enemies desire to do anything to prevent me from hearing from YOU. I don't want to become as the ones who are "incensed against thee shall be ashamed and confounded: they shall be as nothing". My desire is to live in YOUR peace and in the comfort only YOU can bring.
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
"I WILL PRAISE THE LORD!"
Acts 16:20-26 (KJV)
"20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed."
Paul and Silas were in a fix! They were beaten with many stripes and cast into prison, into the "inner prison", and had no expectation of being released. All for healing a lady and casting an evil spirit out of a damsel. In most crowds they would be heroes. But in this crowd, they were "up against it"!
So did they scheme, plan, and connive a way to get out of jail? Did they pray the captors have a change of heart? Did they do as I would have probably done and figure how they would exact revenge if, and when, they were freed? Acts 16:25 says "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto GOD"! Paul and Silas did not pray and sing praises to GOD as a ploy to get out of the fix they were in. They did not pray and sing praises to GOD to impress the fellow prisoners. Paul and Silas were so filled with the Holy Spirit that they had no choice but to pray and sing praises to GOD!
Why do I go to GOD at times in panic mode with my "troubles"? Do I think I am enlightening HIM to how bad things are in my life? Matthew 6:8 reminds me "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." JESUS said my FATHER knows my needs BEFORE I ASK HIM! Now, keep in mind, HE does not imply I do not have to ask. Rather I need to acknowledge WHO HE IS and thank HIM for making fulfilling my needs part of HIS plan.
Paul and Silas were in a much tougher situation than I usually find myself in. Yet they were praying and singing praises unto GOD. I pray that I will keep my eyes on HIM and HIS goodness, and not on the situation I find myself in.
http://youtu.be/5AASqVtF2A8
"20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city,
21 And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.
22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely:
24 Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed."
Paul and Silas were in a fix! They were beaten with many stripes and cast into prison, into the "inner prison", and had no expectation of being released. All for healing a lady and casting an evil spirit out of a damsel. In most crowds they would be heroes. But in this crowd, they were "up against it"!
So did they scheme, plan, and connive a way to get out of jail? Did they pray the captors have a change of heart? Did they do as I would have probably done and figure how they would exact revenge if, and when, they were freed? Acts 16:25 says "And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto GOD"! Paul and Silas did not pray and sing praises to GOD as a ploy to get out of the fix they were in. They did not pray and sing praises to GOD to impress the fellow prisoners. Paul and Silas were so filled with the Holy Spirit that they had no choice but to pray and sing praises to GOD!
Why do I go to GOD at times in panic mode with my "troubles"? Do I think I am enlightening HIM to how bad things are in my life? Matthew 6:8 reminds me "Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him." JESUS said my FATHER knows my needs BEFORE I ASK HIM! Now, keep in mind, HE does not imply I do not have to ask. Rather I need to acknowledge WHO HE IS and thank HIM for making fulfilling my needs part of HIS plan.
Paul and Silas were in a much tougher situation than I usually find myself in. Yet they were praying and singing praises unto GOD. I pray that I will keep my eyes on HIM and HIS goodness, and not on the situation I find myself in.
http://youtu.be/5AASqVtF2A8
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