Psalms 16:1-2 (ESV)
"1 Preserve me, O God, for in YOU I take refuge.
2 I say to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good apart from YOU."
It amazes me how sometimes we search and search for the verse that says JUST the words we are trying to are trying to get across to others, and then it kind of jumps out and says HERE I AM!! This morning I tried and tried looking in several translations to find just the words of scripture that expressed what was on my heart. I was not experiencing a lot of success, so I went to another program to read.
Upon returning to my English Standard Version application, the above verses were right there, waiting for me! "PRESERVE ME" carried me back to my childhood watching my grandmother as she prepared some type of fruit to "resist decomposition or fermentation". David was requesting that GOD "PRESERVE ME", or keep him from decomposition! He acknowledged that GOD was the only part about him that was good, and that he had "no good apart from YOU"!
Why would a person take refuge in something or someone who was insecure? If you were trying to avoid a storm, wouldn't you seek to be safe in something that promised safety and security? A lot of people try to hide from life's tornados in what is similar to a cardboard box! They want to avoid submitting themselves to a Holy GOD because they don't want to relinquish control of their lives.
When King David cried out to GOD to "PRESERVE ME" it wasn't a partial commitment. "I have NO good apart from YOU" is recognizing that there is nothing we have that is worth having control of. "PRESERVE ME" is admitting that only hope I have is seeking my refuge in YOU!
Monday, June 30, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
"OLD MAN, NEW MAN!"
Ephesians 4:22-27 (KJV)
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the "OLD MAN", which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the "NEW MAN", which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil."
Many of you know I have been on a long journey of losing excess weight for the past months. Today I am about halfway to my goal! I am committed to reaching this goal as the Spirit of Christ does not deserve to live in an overweight, broken body. I have died to my will (Galatians 2:20) and am committed to living for HIM.
In the scripture above the Apostle Paul reminds us that we must put off, like a change of dirty clothes, the "OLD MAN" and it's lifestyles. The "deceitful lusts" are vile and numerous. Anything that I allow into go into, or come out of, my body that JESUS CHRIST would not be gloried in, is to be removed from my existence.
Paul knew that putting off the "OLD MAN" was not enough though. He said we need to have our minds "renewed" by putting on the "NEW MAN"! The "NEW MAN" and the "OLD MAN" cannot live in the same place (Luke 16:13). "Righteousness and True Holiness" is a standard we should all strive for. My life must reflect the changes brought about by PRAYER and BIBLE STUDY and the HOLY SPIRIT indwelling my life.
JESUS CHRIST came to earth and gave an example for us to follow. The only way I can accomplish HIS example is to allow HIS Spirit to live in me! Like the old work clothes I work in the yard with, I must put off the "OLD MAN" and the things of the past! The adornments of the "NEW MAN" should reflect what JESUS CHRIST has, and is, doing in my life!
Now, to losing the other half of my goal!
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the "OLD MAN", which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the "NEW MAN", which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil."
Many of you know I have been on a long journey of losing excess weight for the past months. Today I am about halfway to my goal! I am committed to reaching this goal as the Spirit of Christ does not deserve to live in an overweight, broken body. I have died to my will (Galatians 2:20) and am committed to living for HIM.
In the scripture above the Apostle Paul reminds us that we must put off, like a change of dirty clothes, the "OLD MAN" and it's lifestyles. The "deceitful lusts" are vile and numerous. Anything that I allow into go into, or come out of, my body that JESUS CHRIST would not be gloried in, is to be removed from my existence.
Paul knew that putting off the "OLD MAN" was not enough though. He said we need to have our minds "renewed" by putting on the "NEW MAN"! The "NEW MAN" and the "OLD MAN" cannot live in the same place (Luke 16:13). "Righteousness and True Holiness" is a standard we should all strive for. My life must reflect the changes brought about by PRAYER and BIBLE STUDY and the HOLY SPIRIT indwelling my life.
JESUS CHRIST came to earth and gave an example for us to follow. The only way I can accomplish HIS example is to allow HIS Spirit to live in me! Like the old work clothes I work in the yard with, I must put off the "OLD MAN" and the things of the past! The adornments of the "NEW MAN" should reflect what JESUS CHRIST has, and is, doing in my life!
Now, to losing the other half of my goal!
Saturday, June 28, 2014
"WAITING ON HIM!!!"
Although I will not be mistaken as a Spiritual Giant by very many, sometimes I NEED a word from The Lord!
This morning is one of those times. I sat down with my iPad to read scripture, like I do most mornings, and I received an email. I opened my email and it was some political group wanting money. But my daily devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley arrived this morning at 02:13AM. I decided to read it since I was in my email. It was if GOD had written it just for me! Below you will see:
Strength in Waiting
Isaiah 40:28-31
God has a PURPOSE and PLAN for your life, and His timing is perfect. Sometimes He answers our prayers with "yes" or "no." But at other times, He says "NOT NOW"--when that is the case, we can avail ourselves of the rich rewards that come when we wait.
One very practical blessing is that GOD strengthens us as we lean on Him during delays. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that "those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength." We are given the metaphor of an eagle with wind beneath his wings. It is interesting to note that the words "wind" and "spirit" come from the same Greek word--pneuma. The spirit of GOD lifts us up, and His energy and strength sustain us as we abide in Him.
WHEN WE ARE FACING A DIFFICULT DECISION, THE REAL KEY IS LEARNING TO WAIT! There is NO VERSE of Scripture that tells us to take control and fight our own battles. GOD IS THE ONE WHO FIGHTS THEM ON OUR BEHALF!!! (2 Chron. 20:15). We are to BE PATIENT and TRUST in HIM.
When David faced his greatest battles, he waited upon the Lord. God delivered him from destruction and set his feet on solid ground. (Ps. 40:1-3) He will do the same for you. When you abide in Him, He gives supernatural energy to accomplish the things He requires of you--His Spirit does for you what you cannot do for yourself.
In reading through the Scriptures, we see that every time one of God's saints gains a victory, he or she is waiting and trusting in the Lord. You can likewise experience triumph in your life. When you have the omnipotent Creator of the universe acting on your behalf, you can't lose.
Dr. Charles Stanley has no idea who I am, where I live, nor anything about me! But GOD in Heaven knows and HE is the ONE who made sure this email got to me this morning. GOD, I will wait on YOU to fight my battles for me! To GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
This morning is one of those times. I sat down with my iPad to read scripture, like I do most mornings, and I received an email. I opened my email and it was some political group wanting money. But my daily devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley arrived this morning at 02:13AM. I decided to read it since I was in my email. It was if GOD had written it just for me! Below you will see:
Strength in Waiting
Isaiah 40:28-31
God has a PURPOSE and PLAN for your life, and His timing is perfect. Sometimes He answers our prayers with "yes" or "no." But at other times, He says "NOT NOW"--when that is the case, we can avail ourselves of the rich rewards that come when we wait.
One very practical blessing is that GOD strengthens us as we lean on Him during delays. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that "those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength." We are given the metaphor of an eagle with wind beneath his wings. It is interesting to note that the words "wind" and "spirit" come from the same Greek word--pneuma. The spirit of GOD lifts us up, and His energy and strength sustain us as we abide in Him.
WHEN WE ARE FACING A DIFFICULT DECISION, THE REAL KEY IS LEARNING TO WAIT! There is NO VERSE of Scripture that tells us to take control and fight our own battles. GOD IS THE ONE WHO FIGHTS THEM ON OUR BEHALF!!! (2 Chron. 20:15). We are to BE PATIENT and TRUST in HIM.
When David faced his greatest battles, he waited upon the Lord. God delivered him from destruction and set his feet on solid ground. (Ps. 40:1-3) He will do the same for you. When you abide in Him, He gives supernatural energy to accomplish the things He requires of you--His Spirit does for you what you cannot do for yourself.
In reading through the Scriptures, we see that every time one of God's saints gains a victory, he or she is waiting and trusting in the Lord. You can likewise experience triumph in your life. When you have the omnipotent Creator of the universe acting on your behalf, you can't lose.
Dr. Charles Stanley has no idea who I am, where I live, nor anything about me! But GOD in Heaven knows and HE is the ONE who made sure this email got to me this morning. GOD, I will wait on YOU to fight my battles for me! To GOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Friday, June 27, 2014
"IN THINE OWN EYES???"
Proverbs 3:5-7 (KJV)
"5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and LEAN NOT unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise "IN THINE OWN EYES": fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
How many times do we hear or say "The way I see things...."? Or how about "In my opinion...."? In Proverbs 3:5-7, isn't the Bible instructing us to not trust in our own view of how things appear? But, how many times do we read our local newspaper and treat what is reported there as TRUTH, when in fact, the newspaper prints "corrections" seemingly everyday? Yet, what GOD says in HIS Word is regrettably taken with a "prove it and I'll believe it" mentality?
Just because things appear to be a SURE THING doesn't mean that GOD is bound by them. If we are trusting in HIM and what HE has told us, the concerns of this world shouldn't apply to us. In Mark 9:14-29 JESUS was ministering to a man whose son was possessed by an evil spirit, a "DEAF and DUMB" spirit. The disciples of JESUS had tried unsuccessfully to rid the son of the spirit to no avail. JESUS told the man in Mark 9:23 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
Most people know I experienced a brain hemorrhage in 2007. Even though I was in a coma and remember nothing, I am told my wife "just always knew" I would recover. Some of my Doctors were not so optimistic. My wife is no "spiritual giant", but she "believeth", as JESUS referenced in Mark 9:23, and "All things"were possible concerning my recovery. She didn't quote scripture or pray wordy prayers. But she believed!
Just because the outcome seems certain "IN THINE OWN EYES" doesn't limit GOD. What we believe in our hearts does matter though. We can think we are doing the right thing "IN THINE OWN EYES", but if we are trusting and fearing in The LORD, and departing from evil, HE will direct our paths!
"5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and LEAN NOT unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise "IN THINE OWN EYES": fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
How many times do we hear or say "The way I see things...."? Or how about "In my opinion...."? In Proverbs 3:5-7, isn't the Bible instructing us to not trust in our own view of how things appear? But, how many times do we read our local newspaper and treat what is reported there as TRUTH, when in fact, the newspaper prints "corrections" seemingly everyday? Yet, what GOD says in HIS Word is regrettably taken with a "prove it and I'll believe it" mentality?
Just because things appear to be a SURE THING doesn't mean that GOD is bound by them. If we are trusting in HIM and what HE has told us, the concerns of this world shouldn't apply to us. In Mark 9:14-29 JESUS was ministering to a man whose son was possessed by an evil spirit, a "DEAF and DUMB" spirit. The disciples of JESUS had tried unsuccessfully to rid the son of the spirit to no avail. JESUS told the man in Mark 9:23 "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
Most people know I experienced a brain hemorrhage in 2007. Even though I was in a coma and remember nothing, I am told my wife "just always knew" I would recover. Some of my Doctors were not so optimistic. My wife is no "spiritual giant", but she "believeth", as JESUS referenced in Mark 9:23, and "All things"were possible concerning my recovery. She didn't quote scripture or pray wordy prayers. But she believed!
Just because the outcome seems certain "IN THINE OWN EYES" doesn't limit GOD. What we believe in our hearts does matter though. We can think we are doing the right thing "IN THINE OWN EYES", but if we are trusting and fearing in The LORD, and departing from evil, HE will direct our paths!
Thursday, June 26, 2014
"OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD!"
Galatians 5:13-18 (ESV)
"13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, WALK BY THE SPIRIT, and YOU will NOT GRATIFY THE desires of the FLESH.
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for THESE ARE OPPOSED to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law."
To a degree, we all exist in "OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD"! Myself, I had a "massive hemorrhagic stroke" several years ago, but some people are unaware there was even a problem. My little sister died from cancer almost 20 years ago, but some people weren't even privy to the fact. My parents divorced when I was four years old, but most just believe that was just between my parents. We all have to live with "OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD" and the issues it brings to our lives.
In the above scripture the Apostle Paul very adeptly tried explaining that our Spirit and our flesh are two separate beings, although they are housed inside the same tabernacle (body). If we "walk by the spirit", we will not "gratify the desires of the flesh". We all have different challenges in "OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD" that we must deal with, but if we walk in the Spirit we will not give into fleshly desires. I have to fight off the desire to do things the way I desire! Instead, I must surrender to the Spirit guiding me in the way scripture leads me to go.
The conflict of "OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD" will continue. The struggle to strengthen the Spirit man is one that my flesh man does not want to surrender to. I must stay in GOD's Word daily and stay before HIS mercy seat to build up my strength as this battle continues.
The second verse of the song "Old Man's Rubble" sung by Imperials in the late 1970's says:
"Are you puzzled by the way that you're behavin'
DO YOU WONDER WHY YOU DO THE THINGS YOU DO
Are you troubled by your lack of resistance
Do you fell that something's got a hold on you
Well deep within' you there's a spiritual battle
There's a voice of the DARKNESS and a voice of the LIGHT
And just by listening you've made a decision
'CAUSE THE VOICE YOU HEAR IS GONNA' WIN THE FIGHT"
We may be living in "OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD" but the battles we face are our chance to live for GOD and HIS principles. The example (witness) we exhibit to others may be the only opportunity they have of seeing a Spirit man overcoming a fleshly man. We need to make sure "OUR OWN LITTLE WORLD" reflects the where we are headed and be ready to take others with us!
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
"BE JOYFUL!"
Ecclesiastes 3:10-12 (ESV)
"10 I have seen the business that GOD has given to the children of man to be busy with.
11 HE has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, HE has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what GOD has done from the beginning to the end.
12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;"
The English Standard Version of the bible is easiest for me to read, so I oftentimes use it when another translation says what I am needing to hear. Today's verse is such an occasion. The King James Version of Ecclesiastes 3:10 reads "I have seen the TRAVAIL, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it." The word "Travail" is defined as "painfully difficult or burdensome work; toil."
GOD "gives" us "Travail" sometimes to to mold us into the people we need to be to glorify HIM and HIS Kingdom. "Travail" doesn't mean we are bad people, or have sinned and being punished for that sin. Sometimes "Travail" is just preparing us to receive HIS blessings a little further down the road?
You sometimes wonder why others seemingly have a smooth life? But you don't necessarily see all of the difficulties they experience, or will experience! A friend of mine was a wealthy man, maybe a billionaire. Yet he fathered and raised a child with disabilities, and then later on he developed an incurable type of cancer and died relatively young. What is money good for when you are fighting for your life, or wanting to give good health to an offspring and you can't?
Verse 11 says "HE has made everything beautiful in its time". Verse 12 says "...there is nothing better for them than to "BE JOYFUL"...". HE has made everything beautiful, and we need to "BE JOYFUL" is what I need to take away from this lesson. There may be a time of "Travail" in my life, but my desire is to "BE JOYFUL" and do good as long as I live!
"10 I have seen the business that GOD has given to the children of man to be busy with.
11 HE has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, HE has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what GOD has done from the beginning to the end.
12 I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live;"
The English Standard Version of the bible is easiest for me to read, so I oftentimes use it when another translation says what I am needing to hear. Today's verse is such an occasion. The King James Version of Ecclesiastes 3:10 reads "I have seen the TRAVAIL, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it." The word "Travail" is defined as "painfully difficult or burdensome work; toil."
GOD "gives" us "Travail" sometimes to to mold us into the people we need to be to glorify HIM and HIS Kingdom. "Travail" doesn't mean we are bad people, or have sinned and being punished for that sin. Sometimes "Travail" is just preparing us to receive HIS blessings a little further down the road?
You sometimes wonder why others seemingly have a smooth life? But you don't necessarily see all of the difficulties they experience, or will experience! A friend of mine was a wealthy man, maybe a billionaire. Yet he fathered and raised a child with disabilities, and then later on he developed an incurable type of cancer and died relatively young. What is money good for when you are fighting for your life, or wanting to give good health to an offspring and you can't?
Verse 11 says "HE has made everything beautiful in its time". Verse 12 says "...there is nothing better for them than to "BE JOYFUL"...". HE has made everything beautiful, and we need to "BE JOYFUL" is what I need to take away from this lesson. There may be a time of "Travail" in my life, but my desire is to "BE JOYFUL" and do good as long as I live!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
"ALL THINGS!"
Romans 8:26-28 (English Standard Version)
"26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO PRAY FOR as we ought, but the Spirit HIMSELF intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 And HE who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the WILL OF GOD.
28 And we know that for those who love GOD "ALL THINGS" work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley this morning made me stop in my tracks. He writes "SINCE THE LORD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN, the wisest reaction is to ANTICIPATE the GOOD HE can do and AWAIT HIS TIMING." The phrase "SINCE THE LORD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN" impresses upon me that GOD is in control in "ALL THINGS", and I need to AWAIT HIS TIMING and not fear the outcome!
GOD may need me to go through a flood, or a fire (Isaiah 43:2), or HE may need me to face a Red Sea (EXODUS 14), but either HE will deliver me through the obstacle or HE will deliver me home. The plan GOD has cannot be improved upon by my worry and fretting. GOD is the ONE who "spoke" the worlds into existence! HE is certainly capable of guiding me through "ALL THINGS" that come up in my life.
HIS Spirit, commonly referred to as the HOLY SPIRIT, prays for me even when I don't know how to pray for myself! The HOLY SPIRIT intercedes (or to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition) for in my weaknesses! When I am not as strong as I need to be, the HOLY SPIRIT acts as kind of a circuit breaker and intercedes on my behalf with "groanings" too deep for words! GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT, intervenes to GOD THE FATHER on my behalf for my good.
It is comforting to know that in "ALL THINGS" the triune GODHEAD is watching over me. "SINCE THE LORD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN", there may be a valley, or there may be a mountaintop, in my future! No matter where I find myself, I have the assurance that because I love HIM, and I AWAIT HIS TIMING, in "ALL THINGS" HE is working together for good!
"26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO PRAY FOR as we ought, but the Spirit HIMSELF intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.
27 And HE who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the WILL OF GOD.
28 And we know that for those who love GOD "ALL THINGS" work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley this morning made me stop in my tracks. He writes "SINCE THE LORD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN, the wisest reaction is to ANTICIPATE the GOOD HE can do and AWAIT HIS TIMING." The phrase "SINCE THE LORD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN" impresses upon me that GOD is in control in "ALL THINGS", and I need to AWAIT HIS TIMING and not fear the outcome!
GOD may need me to go through a flood, or a fire (Isaiah 43:2), or HE may need me to face a Red Sea (EXODUS 14), but either HE will deliver me through the obstacle or HE will deliver me home. The plan GOD has cannot be improved upon by my worry and fretting. GOD is the ONE who "spoke" the worlds into existence! HE is certainly capable of guiding me through "ALL THINGS" that come up in my life.
HIS Spirit, commonly referred to as the HOLY SPIRIT, prays for me even when I don't know how to pray for myself! The HOLY SPIRIT intercedes (or to act or interpose in behalf of someone in difficulty or trouble, as by pleading or petition) for in my weaknesses! When I am not as strong as I need to be, the HOLY SPIRIT acts as kind of a circuit breaker and intercedes on my behalf with "groanings" too deep for words! GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT, intervenes to GOD THE FATHER on my behalf for my good.
It is comforting to know that in "ALL THINGS" the triune GODHEAD is watching over me. "SINCE THE LORD ALWAYS HAS A PLAN", there may be a valley, or there may be a mountaintop, in my future! No matter where I find myself, I have the assurance that because I love HIM, and I AWAIT HIS TIMING, in "ALL THINGS" HE is working together for good!
Monday, June 23, 2014
"BECAUSE I SAID SO!!!"
Proverbs 3:11-12 (ESV)
"11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the LORD reproves him whom HE loves, as a father the son in whom he delights."
Both of my sons were home this weekend to celebrate Fathers Day belatedly. I thoroughly enjoyed their visit as they bring an added LIFE to the usual around our home. As we sat around one evening I recollected mostly good times, but also some times when I had to be the "bad guy" and punish them for their wrongful behavior. I would not have loved them very much had I allowed them to stay in their two-year old behavior when they were seven years old? Because I loved them and wanted to see them mature responsibly, I had to channel their actions into a more mature and responsible behavior!
Likewise, the LORD loves us too much to allow us to remain "FEEDING FROM MILK" when we should be "FEASTING FROM THE MEAT"! (1 Corinthians 3:2 "I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it."). Too often we hear "A loving GOD would not allow something this vile to have happened"! Or "Why would a Holy GOD allow so much sin to exist"?
I am not a television preacher who claims to have all of the answers to all of life's questions. But Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us "For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thoughts." But I would not have been much of a father had I required my sons actually fully understand everything I was trying to get them to obey. Sometimes you just have to HAVE FAITH that your Heavenly Father knows what is best for you! Sometimes, as a parent, it just has to be "BECAUSE I SAID SO"! Hebrews 11:6 says "And 'without faith' it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM."
GOD, in HIS infinite wisdom, sometimes allows us to go through some difficult times for HIS glory. While they were along side the Red Sea, the Children of Israel must have thought they were toast with the Egyptians about to overtake them? But just about the time the Egyptians saw peril, GOD caused the parted waters to engulf them and consume them! When your enemy thinks he has victory over you, GOD may be ready to release HIS JUDGMENT on them. Always remember, "WITHOUT FAITH" it is impossible to please HIM!! GOD may be using the tough times you are experiencing to demonstrate HIS LOVE toward you. Sometimes you just have to trust GOD when HE says "BECAUSE I SAID SO"!!!
"11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the LORD reproves him whom HE loves, as a father the son in whom he delights."
Both of my sons were home this weekend to celebrate Fathers Day belatedly. I thoroughly enjoyed their visit as they bring an added LIFE to the usual around our home. As we sat around one evening I recollected mostly good times, but also some times when I had to be the "bad guy" and punish them for their wrongful behavior. I would not have loved them very much had I allowed them to stay in their two-year old behavior when they were seven years old? Because I loved them and wanted to see them mature responsibly, I had to channel their actions into a more mature and responsible behavior!
Likewise, the LORD loves us too much to allow us to remain "FEEDING FROM MILK" when we should be "FEASTING FROM THE MEAT"! (1 Corinthians 3:2 "I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it."). Too often we hear "A loving GOD would not allow something this vile to have happened"! Or "Why would a Holy GOD allow so much sin to exist"?
I am not a television preacher who claims to have all of the answers to all of life's questions. But Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us "For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thoughts." But I would not have been much of a father had I required my sons actually fully understand everything I was trying to get them to obey. Sometimes you just have to HAVE FAITH that your Heavenly Father knows what is best for you! Sometimes, as a parent, it just has to be "BECAUSE I SAID SO"! Hebrews 11:6 says "And 'without faith' it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM."
GOD, in HIS infinite wisdom, sometimes allows us to go through some difficult times for HIS glory. While they were along side the Red Sea, the Children of Israel must have thought they were toast with the Egyptians about to overtake them? But just about the time the Egyptians saw peril, GOD caused the parted waters to engulf them and consume them! When your enemy thinks he has victory over you, GOD may be ready to release HIS JUDGMENT on them. Always remember, "WITHOUT FAITH" it is impossible to please HIM!! GOD may be using the tough times you are experiencing to demonstrate HIS LOVE toward you. Sometimes you just have to trust GOD when HE says "BECAUSE I SAID SO"!!!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
"WALK BY FAITH!"
2 Corinthians 5:6-9 (KJV)
"6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we WALK BY FAITH, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
Most of my life I have been a busy body, always having something on my agenda to accomplish. It seems if I didn't have a plan, I would fabricate something to set my dreams and goals in motion to demonstrate how vital my existence was. I had to be seen as someone who was involved in my world. I wanted to matter!
The Apostle Paul realized that being part of GOD's plan was all he needed to accomplish with his life. To him, living in the Spirit was to "WALK BY FAITH"! Living in the natural (or flesh) was to need for things to be seen, or he said "by sight".
To "WALK BY FAITH" is a good phrase that some of us would say we try to achieve in our lives. However, to demonstrate a "WALK BY FAITH" mentality is to trust that GOD is in control however rough the seas become, however hot the fire gets in our lives. To trust that we are walking the path GOD has for us, we have to stay in HIS WORD and before HIS THRONE! The Spirit of GOD leads us down the path HE needs us to go (Romans 8:8 "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please GOD").
The enemy tries to keep us so busy that we cannot hear the Spirit of GOD speaking to us. The pace we live our lives can be a direct reflection of whether we "WALK BY FAITH" or we are living at the pace dictated by the enemy and his world. Although it is contrary to everything the world defines as normal and prudent, it is my desire to "WALK BY FAITH" and let the Spirit of GOD direct the path I take in my life!
"6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we WALK BY FAITH, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
Most of my life I have been a busy body, always having something on my agenda to accomplish. It seems if I didn't have a plan, I would fabricate something to set my dreams and goals in motion to demonstrate how vital my existence was. I had to be seen as someone who was involved in my world. I wanted to matter!
The Apostle Paul realized that being part of GOD's plan was all he needed to accomplish with his life. To him, living in the Spirit was to "WALK BY FAITH"! Living in the natural (or flesh) was to need for things to be seen, or he said "by sight".
To "WALK BY FAITH" is a good phrase that some of us would say we try to achieve in our lives. However, to demonstrate a "WALK BY FAITH" mentality is to trust that GOD is in control however rough the seas become, however hot the fire gets in our lives. To trust that we are walking the path GOD has for us, we have to stay in HIS WORD and before HIS THRONE! The Spirit of GOD leads us down the path HE needs us to go (Romans 8:8 "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please GOD").
The enemy tries to keep us so busy that we cannot hear the Spirit of GOD speaking to us. The pace we live our lives can be a direct reflection of whether we "WALK BY FAITH" or we are living at the pace dictated by the enemy and his world. Although it is contrary to everything the world defines as normal and prudent, it is my desire to "WALK BY FAITH" and let the Spirit of GOD direct the path I take in my life!
Saturday, June 21, 2014
"WATERS AND FIRES!"
Isaiah 43:1-3a (KJV)
"1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through THE FIRE, thou shalt not BE BURNED; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour"
My wife has always cooked my meals, and has done a really good job of it! My waistline gives evidence of that fact! But a couple of years ago I started cooking my own breakfast because I like my eggs cooked just to the degree I like them. I like the yokes of the eggs to be "over-medium". That requires the eggs to remain in the skillet over the fire a little while longer than "over-easy".
Isaiah 43 begins by establishing that the LORD created me! The people who believe in evolution have to have faith that they are correct also. Their faith is in their beliefs, my faith is in my beliefs! As long as they do not impose their beliefs on me, we won't have issues. I do not get offended when someone rejects my LORD. They should not be offended when I choose to worship my LORD!
But verse two of Isaiah 43 is the verse that I would like to expound upon today. "When" thou passest through the waters is not an IF! It is a "when". "When" thou walkest through the fire is not an IF! It is a "when"! Just as my eggs have to remain over the fire longer to be cooked the way I prefer them, sometimes GOD may need to expose me to the "WATERS AND FIRES" to mold me into what HE desires me to be for HIS glory!
In John 4:4 scripture records "And HE (meaning JESUS) MUST NEEDS go through Samaria". JESUS had a "MUST NEEDS" moment in HIS life. For me to be like HIM, I may be required to have a "MUST NEEDS' moment or two in my life! But I am assured that WHEN the "MUST NEEDS" times come to prepare me for HIS service, the "WATERS AND FIRES" will not damage me! Instead, they are getting me ready to be used of and for HIM, for HIS glory!
"1 But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through THE FIRE, thou shalt not BE BURNED; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3 For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour"
My wife has always cooked my meals, and has done a really good job of it! My waistline gives evidence of that fact! But a couple of years ago I started cooking my own breakfast because I like my eggs cooked just to the degree I like them. I like the yokes of the eggs to be "over-medium". That requires the eggs to remain in the skillet over the fire a little while longer than "over-easy".
Isaiah 43 begins by establishing that the LORD created me! The people who believe in evolution have to have faith that they are correct also. Their faith is in their beliefs, my faith is in my beliefs! As long as they do not impose their beliefs on me, we won't have issues. I do not get offended when someone rejects my LORD. They should not be offended when I choose to worship my LORD!
But verse two of Isaiah 43 is the verse that I would like to expound upon today. "When" thou passest through the waters is not an IF! It is a "when". "When" thou walkest through the fire is not an IF! It is a "when"! Just as my eggs have to remain over the fire longer to be cooked the way I prefer them, sometimes GOD may need to expose me to the "WATERS AND FIRES" to mold me into what HE desires me to be for HIS glory!
In John 4:4 scripture records "And HE (meaning JESUS) MUST NEEDS go through Samaria". JESUS had a "MUST NEEDS" moment in HIS life. For me to be like HIM, I may be required to have a "MUST NEEDS' moment or two in my life! But I am assured that WHEN the "MUST NEEDS" times come to prepare me for HIS service, the "WATERS AND FIRES" will not damage me! Instead, they are getting me ready to be used of and for HIM, for HIS glory!
Friday, June 20, 2014
"SEEK YE THE LORD!"
Isaiah 55:8-9 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"6 SEEK YE THE LORD while HE may be found: call ye upon HIM while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous his own imaginations, and return unto the LORD, and HE will have mercy upon him; and to our GOD, for HE is very ready to forgive."
Too many times it has been said "I will get my life straightened out one of these days", like a person KNOWS when they are going to die? Or a person knows when CHRIST will return for HIS church? Matthew 24:36 enlightens us to the words of JESUS on the matter when HE said "But of that day and hour knoweth "no man", no not the Angels of heaven, but my FATHER only".
So how can one determine that he or she will get things together when they have no idea when the FATHER is sending HIS SON on a return mission! How do you know you will have the desire when you are older to come to HIM? The bible says in John 6:44 "NO MAN can come to me, EXCEPT THE FATHER, which hath sent me, DRAW HIM: and I will raise him up at the last day." GOD IN HEAVEN is required to wait on no one to decide the time is right. HE is merciful and withholds HIS judgement for our benefit.
"SEEK YE THE LORD" is not a suggestion to get my life straightened out. Our eternal being (our SPIRIT) cannot truly "live" outside of Christ. In John 14:6 JESUS says "Jesus said unto him, I am that Way, and that Truth, and that "LIFE". No man cometh unto the Father, but by me". HE has given us fair warning THROUGHOUT HIS WORD to be prepared!
I can never live a life that is "worthy" of going to Heaven. I can't feed the poor enough, donate to the hungry enough, clothe the naked enough, or build enough buildings to honor HIM enough. All I can do is claim HIS mercy and "SEEK YE THE LORD" to show HIS love through my life! My life will then give evidence that HE lives through me by ministering to the poor, hungry, and naked. But the thing that should drive me is to "SEEK YE THE LORD while HE may be found!"
"6 SEEK YE THE LORD while HE may be found: call ye upon HIM while he is near.
7 Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous his own imaginations, and return unto the LORD, and HE will have mercy upon him; and to our GOD, for HE is very ready to forgive."
Too many times it has been said "I will get my life straightened out one of these days", like a person KNOWS when they are going to die? Or a person knows when CHRIST will return for HIS church? Matthew 24:36 enlightens us to the words of JESUS on the matter when HE said "But of that day and hour knoweth "no man", no not the Angels of heaven, but my FATHER only".
So how can one determine that he or she will get things together when they have no idea when the FATHER is sending HIS SON on a return mission! How do you know you will have the desire when you are older to come to HIM? The bible says in John 6:44 "NO MAN can come to me, EXCEPT THE FATHER, which hath sent me, DRAW HIM: and I will raise him up at the last day." GOD IN HEAVEN is required to wait on no one to decide the time is right. HE is merciful and withholds HIS judgement for our benefit.
"SEEK YE THE LORD" is not a suggestion to get my life straightened out. Our eternal being (our SPIRIT) cannot truly "live" outside of Christ. In John 14:6 JESUS says "Jesus said unto him, I am that Way, and that Truth, and that "LIFE". No man cometh unto the Father, but by me". HE has given us fair warning THROUGHOUT HIS WORD to be prepared!
I can never live a life that is "worthy" of going to Heaven. I can't feed the poor enough, donate to the hungry enough, clothe the naked enough, or build enough buildings to honor HIM enough. All I can do is claim HIS mercy and "SEEK YE THE LORD" to show HIS love through my life! My life will then give evidence that HE lives through me by ministering to the poor, hungry, and naked. But the thing that should drive me is to "SEEK YE THE LORD while HE may be found!"
Thursday, June 19, 2014
"SPECIAL PLAN!!"
Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)
"For I KNOW THE PLANS I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
The verse above is one that I have referred to for quite sometime in my life. This morning there was a line in the devotional I get each morning from Dr. Charles Stanley that caused me to stop and consider!. It said "The Lord is committed to transforming each of us according to His "SPECIAL PLAN" for our lives"! That sentence causes me to reflect on what HIS plan might be for the remainder of my life.
When one considers the path one has traveled in life's journey, one has to be amazed! I am amazed that you lived through some of the decisions I made in my youthful days, amazed that I have been blessed with the family that loves and supports me like they do, amazed that my health has been restored, AMAZED that the Creator of ALL would have a plan JUST FOR ME!
Judas Iscariot is best known for being the one who betrayed our LORD to be crucified over 2000 years ago. But when you thoroughly weigh the situation, had Judas Iscariot NOT betrayed JESUS and JESUS not been put through the sham of a "trial", there would have been no forgiveness for my sins! GRACE was revealed more perfectly through the imperfections of mankind.
It has been stated that JESUS fulfilled over 350 prophecies in the bible. In the book of John 17:23, JESUS prays "I in them, and THOU in ME, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that THOU hast sent ME, and hast loved them, as THOU hast loved ME." Since CHRIST lives in me, it is easy to understand that GOD has a plan for my life, for CHRIST to be glorified! All I need to do is line myself up with that "SPECIAL PLAN"!
"For I KNOW THE PLANS I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."
The verse above is one that I have referred to for quite sometime in my life. This morning there was a line in the devotional I get each morning from Dr. Charles Stanley that caused me to stop and consider!. It said "The Lord is committed to transforming each of us according to His "SPECIAL PLAN" for our lives"! That sentence causes me to reflect on what HIS plan might be for the remainder of my life.
When one considers the path one has traveled in life's journey, one has to be amazed! I am amazed that you lived through some of the decisions I made in my youthful days, amazed that I have been blessed with the family that loves and supports me like they do, amazed that my health has been restored, AMAZED that the Creator of ALL would have a plan JUST FOR ME!
Judas Iscariot is best known for being the one who betrayed our LORD to be crucified over 2000 years ago. But when you thoroughly weigh the situation, had Judas Iscariot NOT betrayed JESUS and JESUS not been put through the sham of a "trial", there would have been no forgiveness for my sins! GRACE was revealed more perfectly through the imperfections of mankind.
It has been stated that JESUS fulfilled over 350 prophecies in the bible. In the book of John 17:23, JESUS prays "I in them, and THOU in ME, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that THOU hast sent ME, and hast loved them, as THOU hast loved ME." Since CHRIST lives in me, it is easy to understand that GOD has a plan for my life, for CHRIST to be glorified! All I need to do is line myself up with that "SPECIAL PLAN"!
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
"Turbo-Man!!!"
1 John 2:15-17 (ESV)
"15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
In the mid 1990's a movie was playing named "Jingle All the Way"! In the movie was a toy named "Turbo-Man" that grown men were fighting over for the privilege of buying one for their children. One of my sons just had to have a "Turbo-Man" of his own. Initially, I resisted his desires, but eventually, I gave in and bought him a "Turbo-Man". He played with it for a couple of days and then the thrill was gone and he wanted to take "Turbo-Man" back to the store. His mom kept the "Turbo-Man" to this day as a reminder of how temporary life's pleasures tend to be!
The scripture above illustrates how the things of this world only bring temporary satisfaction. Real JOY and PEACE can only come through a source that is everlasting! JESUS is the ONLY source that can bring that water that quenches the thirst that life brings (John 4:14).
My son relished in having a "Turbo-Man" for a few days, but soon "the world is (was) passing away along with its desires"! Life is no different for most adults than it was for my son. We spend our money we are blessed with to attain earthly treasures, only to realize the joy we imagined the world would bring was not to be found. We want to take our toys back to the store and get our money back!
"Whoever does the will of GOD abides forever" is a promise that we can claim throughout eternity. Real JOY and PEACE from above cannot be stolen away from us. But if we settle for a "Turbo-Man", we will be left unfulfilled.
In 1989 a Christian singing group named NEWSONG recorded a song called "Square Peg, Round Hole". Some the lyrics of that song say "You can try to fill your life with everything but Christ", but it just won't work! There is a "GOD" hole in our hearts that nothing else is capable of filling. We can buy Cars, boats, houses, diamonds, and yes, even a "Turbo-Man", but the only way to quench the thirst we have is to have the "water of life" that can only be found in JESUS CHRIST!!!
"15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world-the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life-is not from the Father but is from the world.
17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever."
In the mid 1990's a movie was playing named "Jingle All the Way"! In the movie was a toy named "Turbo-Man" that grown men were fighting over for the privilege of buying one for their children. One of my sons just had to have a "Turbo-Man" of his own. Initially, I resisted his desires, but eventually, I gave in and bought him a "Turbo-Man". He played with it for a couple of days and then the thrill was gone and he wanted to take "Turbo-Man" back to the store. His mom kept the "Turbo-Man" to this day as a reminder of how temporary life's pleasures tend to be!
The scripture above illustrates how the things of this world only bring temporary satisfaction. Real JOY and PEACE can only come through a source that is everlasting! JESUS is the ONLY source that can bring that water that quenches the thirst that life brings (John 4:14).
My son relished in having a "Turbo-Man" for a few days, but soon "the world is (was) passing away along with its desires"! Life is no different for most adults than it was for my son. We spend our money we are blessed with to attain earthly treasures, only to realize the joy we imagined the world would bring was not to be found. We want to take our toys back to the store and get our money back!
"Whoever does the will of GOD abides forever" is a promise that we can claim throughout eternity. Real JOY and PEACE from above cannot be stolen away from us. But if we settle for a "Turbo-Man", we will be left unfulfilled.
In 1989 a Christian singing group named NEWSONG recorded a song called "Square Peg, Round Hole". Some the lyrics of that song say "You can try to fill your life with everything but Christ", but it just won't work! There is a "GOD" hole in our hearts that nothing else is capable of filling. We can buy Cars, boats, houses, diamonds, and yes, even a "Turbo-Man", but the only way to quench the thirst we have is to have the "water of life" that can only be found in JESUS CHRIST!!!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
"The Word of GOD!"
Acts 10:10-13 (KJV)
"10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people."
Have you ever been in a situation where you disagree with someone you respect greatly? They may have a different view politically, or maybe socially, and you (or they) take a stand based on principle. I have even seen pastors leave churches over something that, in hindsigh,t seemed so ridiculous!
The church at Berea was "more noble" than those in Thessalonica. One translation says they were "OPEN-MINDED" and took what was preached to them, verified it with scripture, and let the scripture determine if what they heard was beneficial to them. When you trust that scripture is "The Word of GOD" and not just some book of literature written by some mortal men through the ages, it changes how you see everything. They applied what "The Word of GOD" spoke to them about and let their lives be changed.
My life needs to be changed, not by public opinion or what is deemed popular, but what "The Word of GOD" directs me to do. GOD will always direct us to do that which is congruent with HIS Word. Lining our lives up with "The Word of GOD" will not cause our lives to have necessarily less trouble, but we will be better equipped to handle the difficulties if we learn to trust in HIM, rather than figuring things out on our own.
The Jews from Thessalonica heard that "The Word of GOD" was being preached, so they came to stir up the people! The Jews did not want the Bereans changing their lives to follow scripture. The Jews were interested in the people following what they decided was the right way. The Jews from Thessalonica wanted everyone to see things their way.
GOD made every one of us to think differently. We have different beliefs and convictions that we will have to answer to HIM for. The path I am led down may be different than the path you are led down. The thing all of us must do, like the Bereans, is to receive "The Word of GOD" with all readiness of mind and let our lives be changed by that Word. Don't let the Jews from Thessalonica influence the way you live! But let "The Word of GOD" mold you into HIS plan for your life!!!
"10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people."
Have you ever been in a situation where you disagree with someone you respect greatly? They may have a different view politically, or maybe socially, and you (or they) take a stand based on principle. I have even seen pastors leave churches over something that, in hindsigh,t seemed so ridiculous!
The church at Berea was "more noble" than those in Thessalonica. One translation says they were "OPEN-MINDED" and took what was preached to them, verified it with scripture, and let the scripture determine if what they heard was beneficial to them. When you trust that scripture is "The Word of GOD" and not just some book of literature written by some mortal men through the ages, it changes how you see everything. They applied what "The Word of GOD" spoke to them about and let their lives be changed.
My life needs to be changed, not by public opinion or what is deemed popular, but what "The Word of GOD" directs me to do. GOD will always direct us to do that which is congruent with HIS Word. Lining our lives up with "The Word of GOD" will not cause our lives to have necessarily less trouble, but we will be better equipped to handle the difficulties if we learn to trust in HIM, rather than figuring things out on our own.
The Jews from Thessalonica heard that "The Word of GOD" was being preached, so they came to stir up the people! The Jews did not want the Bereans changing their lives to follow scripture. The Jews were interested in the people following what they decided was the right way. The Jews from Thessalonica wanted everyone to see things their way.
GOD made every one of us to think differently. We have different beliefs and convictions that we will have to answer to HIM for. The path I am led down may be different than the path you are led down. The thing all of us must do, like the Bereans, is to receive "The Word of GOD" with all readiness of mind and let our lives be changed by that Word. Don't let the Jews from Thessalonica influence the way you live! But let "The Word of GOD" mold you into HIS plan for your life!!!
Monday, June 16, 2014
"NO FEAR!!!"
2 Timothy 1:7 (KJV)
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
This mornings devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley began with these two paragraphs:
For us as believers, contentment should be governed by inner attitude and the decisions we make rather than by external circumstances. Because Paul HAD LEARNED THIS SECRET, he was able to experience joy and peace in any kind of situation--whether he was surrounded by friends or isolated in a Roman prison; whether he had plenty or was in great need.
The apostle understood what it meant to live in Christ and to have Christ living in him (John 15:1-9; Gal. 5:22-23). He had made a simple but profound faith decision to draw his life from the Lord and, as a result, had the calm assurance that what he possessed inside could never be stolen. He was confident in his identity as a child of the Almighty, with full access to the abundant life Jesus offers.
Our "CONTENTMENT" is often replaced with fear! Fear that we won't meet expectations of others, or fear that we won't meet our own expectations, can be the most common anxieties. If the enemy can instill fear in us, he has us defeated already.
GOD IS LOVE. Since GOD is LOVE, and JESUS and GOD are ONE, and JESUS lives in me (John 17:23), and there is NO fear in love (1 John 4:18), I should have "NO FEAR" in me! If GOD designed a plan before the foundations of the world for CHRIST to indwell me, why would I allow the enemy to deceive me into worry and doubt? GOD is not an inexperienced novice Creator learning on on the go. HE is the ONE who simply spoke into existence ALL of Creation, and HE is the ONE who sustains that Creation.
A few years ago there was a marketing strategy by a company whose big push was on the "NO FEAR" logo. I don't know if their emphasis had anything to do with JESUS living in a person? But when JESUS exists in a person, "NO FEAR" can grow because "perfect love casteth out fear"! Anxiety, doubt, and turmoil cannot grow where fear is removed.
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that I will be an earthly example of how a person should live with "NO FEAR"! I pray that I would exude a spirit of POWER, and LOVE, and a SOUND MIND that will be a witness for YOU!
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
This mornings devotional from Dr. Charles Stanley began with these two paragraphs:
For us as believers, contentment should be governed by inner attitude and the decisions we make rather than by external circumstances. Because Paul HAD LEARNED THIS SECRET, he was able to experience joy and peace in any kind of situation--whether he was surrounded by friends or isolated in a Roman prison; whether he had plenty or was in great need.
The apostle understood what it meant to live in Christ and to have Christ living in him (John 15:1-9; Gal. 5:22-23). He had made a simple but profound faith decision to draw his life from the Lord and, as a result, had the calm assurance that what he possessed inside could never be stolen. He was confident in his identity as a child of the Almighty, with full access to the abundant life Jesus offers.
Our "CONTENTMENT" is often replaced with fear! Fear that we won't meet expectations of others, or fear that we won't meet our own expectations, can be the most common anxieties. If the enemy can instill fear in us, he has us defeated already.
GOD IS LOVE. Since GOD is LOVE, and JESUS and GOD are ONE, and JESUS lives in me (John 17:23), and there is NO fear in love (1 John 4:18), I should have "NO FEAR" in me! If GOD designed a plan before the foundations of the world for CHRIST to indwell me, why would I allow the enemy to deceive me into worry and doubt? GOD is not an inexperienced novice Creator learning on on the go. HE is the ONE who simply spoke into existence ALL of Creation, and HE is the ONE who sustains that Creation.
A few years ago there was a marketing strategy by a company whose big push was on the "NO FEAR" logo. I don't know if their emphasis had anything to do with JESUS living in a person? But when JESUS exists in a person, "NO FEAR" can grow because "perfect love casteth out fear"! Anxiety, doubt, and turmoil cannot grow where fear is removed.
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that I will be an earthly example of how a person should live with "NO FEAR"! I pray that I would exude a spirit of POWER, and LOVE, and a SOUND MIND that will be a witness for YOU!
Sunday, June 15, 2014
"WE SHALL BE CHANGED!"
1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (ESV)
"50 I tell you this, brothers: FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and WE SHALL BE CHANGED.
53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
My morality becomes more evident to me with every passing day. Only this morning was I reading a story about a police officer who gave his earthly life in the line of duty recently. His mother was quoted as saying "I wasn’t surprised when he went into police work. He was very caring, just a caring person." For someone to "Serve and Protect" in the field of law enforcement, their family must accept the possibility that every day they leave their home may be their last.
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul explained as well as I have heard it put. Our skin and bones are temporal! But our Spirit's will last for an eternity. Why then, do we seem to emphasize the things that have no bearing on eternity and apparently ignore the everlasting? How many obituaries do you read of a missionary who was used to spread the gospel to souls in a foreign country? But you let a politician, or a movie actor, a popular musician go to their eternal reward, and it is as if the world pauses?
The "sting of death" was overcome by our LORD JESUS CHRIST on Calvary. Yet, it seems we only want to remember HIS sacrifice when a holiday or gift giving comes about. Everyday should be a remembrance of what HE has done for us! Every breath we take should be a testament for HIM and the price HE paid for my sin.
"WE SHALL BE CHANGED" is not a prognostication. It is not a hope-so maybe-so occurrence. "This mortal body must put on immortality" is not to be taken as fantasy. "WE SHALL BE CHANGED" is coming SOON to a theater near you! I pray you have not been fooled by the great deceiver and are caught unaware. The day is coming when "WE SHALL BE CHANGED"!!!!
"50 I tell you this, brothers: FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.
51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and WE SHALL BE CHANGED.
53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
55 "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
My morality becomes more evident to me with every passing day. Only this morning was I reading a story about a police officer who gave his earthly life in the line of duty recently. His mother was quoted as saying "I wasn’t surprised when he went into police work. He was very caring, just a caring person." For someone to "Serve and Protect" in the field of law enforcement, their family must accept the possibility that every day they leave their home may be their last.
In his first letter to the church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul explained as well as I have heard it put. Our skin and bones are temporal! But our Spirit's will last for an eternity. Why then, do we seem to emphasize the things that have no bearing on eternity and apparently ignore the everlasting? How many obituaries do you read of a missionary who was used to spread the gospel to souls in a foreign country? But you let a politician, or a movie actor, a popular musician go to their eternal reward, and it is as if the world pauses?
The "sting of death" was overcome by our LORD JESUS CHRIST on Calvary. Yet, it seems we only want to remember HIS sacrifice when a holiday or gift giving comes about. Everyday should be a remembrance of what HE has done for us! Every breath we take should be a testament for HIM and the price HE paid for my sin.
"WE SHALL BE CHANGED" is not a prognostication. It is not a hope-so maybe-so occurrence. "This mortal body must put on immortality" is not to be taken as fantasy. "WE SHALL BE CHANGED" is coming SOON to a theater near you! I pray you have not been fooled by the great deceiver and are caught unaware. The day is coming when "WE SHALL BE CHANGED"!!!!
Friday, June 13, 2014
"WHO AM I?"
1 Chronicles 29:10-14 (KJV)
"10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
14 But "WHO AM I", and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee."
Back when I a bit younger I used to try to sing publically! I had some people who really liked my singing, and some were so moved they never came back to hear me again!!! One of my favorite songs was written by Rusty Goodman named "WHO AM I". Rusty Goodman sang the song a lot better than I, but I gave it my best! I never thought of myself as a good singer, but I was giving my voice as an offering to The LORD, and all I could give HIM was my best!
King David says it quite succinctly in 1 Chronicles. King David was highly regarded as a Mighty Warrior, since as a lad he was used to slay Goliath. A young man, who seemingly had no great qualities to offer, submitted his best to The LORD and GOD blessed his efforts.
King David realized WHO the blessings in his life came from. The English Standard Version of 1 Chronicles 29:14 says "But WHO AM I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and OF YOUR OWN HAVE WE GIVEN YOU." We can only give to GOD what HE has given us! It is a true statement that "You can't give what you don't have"!
Perhaps I don't give as much as I would like because I haven't been entrusted with the blessings required for me to give? GOD alone determines what we give to HIM. The things we give to others in need, we are really giving to The LORD!!! It ALL belongs to HIM anyway, as we will only be here for a short time (James 4:14). Then all of our belongings will be handed to someone else.
"WHO AM I" that HE should entrust me with another breath? "WHO AM I" that HE offers me eternal life through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST? All we can give HIM is what HE has first given to us. HE deserves our best, and HE will get my best, for "WHO AM I" to withhold HIS blessings from HIM???
"10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.
11 Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.
12 Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
13 Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
14 But "WHO AM I", and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee."
Back when I a bit younger I used to try to sing publically! I had some people who really liked my singing, and some were so moved they never came back to hear me again!!! One of my favorite songs was written by Rusty Goodman named "WHO AM I". Rusty Goodman sang the song a lot better than I, but I gave it my best! I never thought of myself as a good singer, but I was giving my voice as an offering to The LORD, and all I could give HIM was my best!
King David says it quite succinctly in 1 Chronicles. King David was highly regarded as a Mighty Warrior, since as a lad he was used to slay Goliath. A young man, who seemingly had no great qualities to offer, submitted his best to The LORD and GOD blessed his efforts.
King David realized WHO the blessings in his life came from. The English Standard Version of 1 Chronicles 29:14 says "But WHO AM I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and OF YOUR OWN HAVE WE GIVEN YOU." We can only give to GOD what HE has given us! It is a true statement that "You can't give what you don't have"!
Perhaps I don't give as much as I would like because I haven't been entrusted with the blessings required for me to give? GOD alone determines what we give to HIM. The things we give to others in need, we are really giving to The LORD!!! It ALL belongs to HIM anyway, as we will only be here for a short time (James 4:14). Then all of our belongings will be handed to someone else.
"WHO AM I" that HE should entrust me with another breath? "WHO AM I" that HE offers me eternal life through HIS SON JESUS CHRIST? All we can give HIM is what HE has first given to us. HE deserves our best, and HE will get my best, for "WHO AM I" to withhold HIS blessings from HIM???
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
"BEING ALONE WITH GOD!!!"
Psalms 119:97-104 (ESV)
"97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."
There are some days when GOD directs me to a scripture with very little effort on my part. Then there are days (like today) when GOD has to use the proverbial "board across the head" approach to get my attention. GOD continues to deal with me about meditating HIS Word and HIS precepts until they become a part of my life. It seems I write about this so frequently, that I am "beating the drum" constantly!
This morning while waiting to be alone, I was scanning over my Facebook "wall". A friend of mine is the Campus Director at Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the state University where I live. She recently posted a photo of what appeared to be a devotional that listed a couple of things that JUMPED out at me.
Number one, in order to develop a time where we allow GOD to speak and commune with us, "we must exercise both planning and self-denial"! We must not only allow a time for HIM to speak to us, but we must EXPECT HIM to speak to us when we commune with HIM. Sometimes my life is too "busy" to hear HIS "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12). I need to be willing to quieten my life to the point that I can hear HIM speaking to me. HE may be trying to give me a MIRACLE if I just would listen!
Secondly, one of the most difficult things I have had to do is...."We HAVE TO reclaim our time"! The enemy doesn't have to involve us with "bad" things near as much as keeping us busy doing "good" things that are disguised! Keep in kind, the enemy is known as the greatest deceiver and Genesis 3:1 says he is "more crafty" than any beast that was ever made. All the enemy has to do is to convince us that our job, our ministry, serving others, or ANY other thing needs to be done OTHER THAN communing with GOD, and we are defeated! The time we commit to GOD is the most important time, not of our day, but the most important if our lives!
The final point is "Wherever it comes from, we must find TIME every day to enter into our closet, AND HAVING SHUT THE DOOR, to pray to our Father who is in secret"! The act of "closing the door" is not the point that needs to be focused on, rather "BEING ALONE WITH GOD" should be our desire. When you slow down and think about it, we have the privilege of coming before the ONE WHO created the very world we live in! JESUS CHRIST paid a heavy price for us to have that privilege. I pray that I would not only "find the time" the be alone with GOD, but that I am more like Joshua in Exodus 33:11. I pray I value "BEING ALONE WITH GOD" so much that I would not depart from the tent!!
"97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.
101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way."
There are some days when GOD directs me to a scripture with very little effort on my part. Then there are days (like today) when GOD has to use the proverbial "board across the head" approach to get my attention. GOD continues to deal with me about meditating HIS Word and HIS precepts until they become a part of my life. It seems I write about this so frequently, that I am "beating the drum" constantly!
This morning while waiting to be alone, I was scanning over my Facebook "wall". A friend of mine is the Campus Director at Fellowship of Christian Athletes at the state University where I live. She recently posted a photo of what appeared to be a devotional that listed a couple of things that JUMPED out at me.
Number one, in order to develop a time where we allow GOD to speak and commune with us, "we must exercise both planning and self-denial"! We must not only allow a time for HIM to speak to us, but we must EXPECT HIM to speak to us when we commune with HIM. Sometimes my life is too "busy" to hear HIS "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12). I need to be willing to quieten my life to the point that I can hear HIM speaking to me. HE may be trying to give me a MIRACLE if I just would listen!
Secondly, one of the most difficult things I have had to do is...."We HAVE TO reclaim our time"! The enemy doesn't have to involve us with "bad" things near as much as keeping us busy doing "good" things that are disguised! Keep in kind, the enemy is known as the greatest deceiver and Genesis 3:1 says he is "more crafty" than any beast that was ever made. All the enemy has to do is to convince us that our job, our ministry, serving others, or ANY other thing needs to be done OTHER THAN communing with GOD, and we are defeated! The time we commit to GOD is the most important time, not of our day, but the most important if our lives!
The final point is "Wherever it comes from, we must find TIME every day to enter into our closet, AND HAVING SHUT THE DOOR, to pray to our Father who is in secret"! The act of "closing the door" is not the point that needs to be focused on, rather "BEING ALONE WITH GOD" should be our desire. When you slow down and think about it, we have the privilege of coming before the ONE WHO created the very world we live in! JESUS CHRIST paid a heavy price for us to have that privilege. I pray that I would not only "find the time" the be alone with GOD, but that I am more like Joshua in Exodus 33:11. I pray I value "BEING ALONE WITH GOD" so much that I would not depart from the tent!!
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
"GOD'S GOT THIS!!"
This is a rather simple BLOG this morning! Sometimes simplicity is what is required!!!
My pastor ended his sermon recently with a repeat of this often used story:
A man fell off of a cliff While descending, he grasped a limb growing from the side of the mountain. Hanging there with no hope, he yelled out "Is anybody up there?" Quietly, a voice was heard saying "This is GOD. I do hear you. Trust ME and let go of the limb"!
After a brief delay, the man yelled "Is anybody else up there"?
Isn't that what we do to our GOD? We find ourselves in a tight spot, and we need help. The Creator of the Universe is trying to help us, yet HIS plan may differ from ours, from what we want to hear. We find ourselves wanting someone else to tell us their solution so we can see if we like their solution better?!?!? Do we think their plan will be better than a Holy GOD's plan for our life?
Why, pray tell, would we want anyone else trying to help us when the Creator is telling us all we have to do is to trust in HIM, HE's got this!!!
Isaiah 41:11 (KJV)
"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."
My pastor ended his sermon recently with a repeat of this often used story:
A man fell off of a cliff While descending, he grasped a limb growing from the side of the mountain. Hanging there with no hope, he yelled out "Is anybody up there?" Quietly, a voice was heard saying "This is GOD. I do hear you. Trust ME and let go of the limb"!
After a brief delay, the man yelled "Is anybody else up there"?
Isn't that what we do to our GOD? We find ourselves in a tight spot, and we need help. The Creator of the Universe is trying to help us, yet HIS plan may differ from ours, from what we want to hear. We find ourselves wanting someone else to tell us their solution so we can see if we like their solution better?!?!? Do we think their plan will be better than a Holy GOD's plan for our life?
Why, pray tell, would we want anyone else trying to help us when the Creator is telling us all we have to do is to trust in HIM, HE's got this!!!
Isaiah 41:11 (KJV)
"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."
Monday, June 9, 2014
"Is it TOO late???"
Zephaniah 3:1-8 (ESV)
"1 Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city!
2 She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God.
3 Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning.
4 Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law.
5 The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.
6 "I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant.
7 I said, 'Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.' But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.
8 "Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed."
Do you ever read the Bible and wonder WHAT the people were thinking?? Why in the world couldn't they see they were traveling down the pathway of destruction?
The path mankind is on today looks eerily similar to what I read in verse two of Zephaniah 3! "She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God."
Mankind has declined in their "TRUST IN THE LORD", and the United States is leading the way. Luke 12:48 states "But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. EVERYONE TO WHOM MUCH WAS GIVEN, OF HIM MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more." Can you dream of a country who has been more blessed that the United States over the past 240 years? Yet everyday we see where our nation rejects the very ONE who has bestowed the blessings on us.
We are in a tough and rebellious state, but all hope is not lost! 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 says "12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.
13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." I just pray that GOD ALMIGHTY will continue to be longsuffering with us and tarry HIS judgement!
"1 Woe to her who is rebellious and defiled, the oppressing city!
2 She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God.
3 Her officials within her are roaring lions; her judges are evening wolves that leave nothing till the morning.
4 Her prophets are fickle, treacherous men; her priests profane what is holy; they do violence to the law.
5 The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.
6 "I have cut off nations; their battlements are in ruins; I have laid waste their streets so that no one walks in them; their cities have been made desolate, without a man, without an inhabitant.
7 I said, 'Surely you will fear me; you will accept correction. Then your dwelling would not be cut off according to all that I have appointed against you.' But all the more they were eager to make all their deeds corrupt.
8 "Therefore wait for me," declares the LORD, "for the day when I rise up to seize the prey. For my decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, to pour out upon them my indignation, all my burning anger; for in the fire of my jealousy all the earth shall be consumed."
Do you ever read the Bible and wonder WHAT the people were thinking?? Why in the world couldn't they see they were traveling down the pathway of destruction?
The path mankind is on today looks eerily similar to what I read in verse two of Zephaniah 3! "She listens to no voice; she accepts no correction. She does not trust in the LORD; she does not draw near to her God."
Mankind has declined in their "TRUST IN THE LORD", and the United States is leading the way. Luke 12:48 states "But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. EVERYONE TO WHOM MUCH WAS GIVEN, OF HIM MUCH WILL BE REQUIRED, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more." Can you dream of a country who has been more blessed that the United States over the past 240 years? Yet everyday we see where our nation rejects the very ONE who has bestowed the blessings on us.
We are in a tough and rebellious state, but all hope is not lost! 2 Chronicles 7:12-14 says "12 Then the LORD appeared to Solomon in the night and said to him: "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a house of sacrifice.
13 When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people,
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." I just pray that GOD ALMIGHTY will continue to be longsuffering with us and tarry HIS judgement!
"TRAIN UP A CHILD!"
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
I never had a daughter to give a speech like this at her wedding, and both of my sons are probably glad I wasn't allowed to speak at their weddings! But I had to share this!
This video was on a social media site this morning and it last for over 5 minutes! I started not to listen to it because of its length, but once I started I was reminded of the card (below) I got from my son one Fathers Day. I trust you will bear with me as I show you what I speak of!
When GOD puts something together, there is no doubt of HIS sovereignty! I praise GOD ALMIGHTY that both of my sons are examples of HIS love in a world that increasingly rejects that love!
Sunday, June 8, 2014
"FEAR???"
Isaiah 41:10-13 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"10 FEAR thou not, for I am with thee: be not afraid, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, and help thee, and will sustain thee with the right hand of my justice.
11 Behold, all they that provoke thee, shall be ashamed, and confounded: they shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish.
12 Thou shalt seek them and shalt not find them: to wit, the men of thy strife, for they shall be as nothing, and the men that war against thee, as a thing of nought.
13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, FEAR not, I will help thee."
One of my earliest memories in childhood was seeing a news report of the Vietnam War on television. I was a small child and I remember seeing the reporter with, what looked to me to be, hundreds of dead American soldiers! That thought brought FEAR to me that was difficult to overcome. I grew to be a rather large man, one who would be an easier target to hit with a bullet! I didn't want to take the chance!!!
It is "natural" for us to FEAR! We FEAR the things we don't know about. We FEAR the things we haven't experienced. We FEAR the unknown, things we don't have control over!
John 4:24 says GOD is a Spirit. We FEAR the spirit world because we are humans. The "natural" is what we can see, feel, touch, and taste. But the real world, the Spirit world, is something we don't have control in and we find ourselves with a FEAR of things we can't control.
We seem to believe we can control the "natural". We go to the doctor and get prescriptions to control our medical conditions. We go to the grocery store and buy food so we can control our hunger. We have thermostats in our homes that control the temperature inside our house.
But when we can't control something, FEAR becomes prevalent! GOD instructs us to FEAR not! HE is with us! Why should we FEAR if the Creator of the Universe is with us? HE made everything. And everything is subject to HIS direction (Psalms 24:1). Why should I fret over anything if The Creator has my best interest at heart? Why should I FEAR anything?
I told you I grew to be a rather large man. Being six feet six inches tall can be fun, and it can be difficult. But FEAR can make a mountain of a man appear to be a midget! The GOD that lives within me has no FEAR. HE came to earth in the form of JESUS CHRIST to overcome FEAR, death, and the grave. If GOD is the antithesis of FEAR, why should I allow FEAR into my life? "FEAR thou not, for I am with thee: be not afraid, for I am thy GOD"!!!
"10 FEAR thou not, for I am with thee: be not afraid, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee, and help thee, and will sustain thee with the right hand of my justice.
11 Behold, all they that provoke thee, shall be ashamed, and confounded: they shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish.
12 Thou shalt seek them and shalt not find them: to wit, the men of thy strife, for they shall be as nothing, and the men that war against thee, as a thing of nought.
13 For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, FEAR not, I will help thee."
One of my earliest memories in childhood was seeing a news report of the Vietnam War on television. I was a small child and I remember seeing the reporter with, what looked to me to be, hundreds of dead American soldiers! That thought brought FEAR to me that was difficult to overcome. I grew to be a rather large man, one who would be an easier target to hit with a bullet! I didn't want to take the chance!!!
It is "natural" for us to FEAR! We FEAR the things we don't know about. We FEAR the things we haven't experienced. We FEAR the unknown, things we don't have control over!
John 4:24 says GOD is a Spirit. We FEAR the spirit world because we are humans. The "natural" is what we can see, feel, touch, and taste. But the real world, the Spirit world, is something we don't have control in and we find ourselves with a FEAR of things we can't control.
We seem to believe we can control the "natural". We go to the doctor and get prescriptions to control our medical conditions. We go to the grocery store and buy food so we can control our hunger. We have thermostats in our homes that control the temperature inside our house.
But when we can't control something, FEAR becomes prevalent! GOD instructs us to FEAR not! HE is with us! Why should we FEAR if the Creator of the Universe is with us? HE made everything. And everything is subject to HIS direction (Psalms 24:1). Why should I fret over anything if The Creator has my best interest at heart? Why should I FEAR anything?
I told you I grew to be a rather large man. Being six feet six inches tall can be fun, and it can be difficult. But FEAR can make a mountain of a man appear to be a midget! The GOD that lives within me has no FEAR. HE came to earth in the form of JESUS CHRIST to overcome FEAR, death, and the grave. If GOD is the antithesis of FEAR, why should I allow FEAR into my life? "FEAR thou not, for I am with thee: be not afraid, for I am thy GOD"!!!
Saturday, June 7, 2014
"WAIT ON THE LORD!"
Psalms 27:14 (KJV)
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
So many times in life I have to remind myself that I am only a vessel that JESUS CHRIST indwells in so HIS message can be made known to the world. I get so caught up in the rat-race society surrounding me that I have to be reminded that my body has been surrendered to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Yesterday I posted this "Dr. Charles Stanley sends out a daily devotional via email. Today there was a statement in the devotional that continues to cause me to reflect. "Our culture is so fast-paced that few of us take the time to actually consider where we're going." Dr. Stanley also has an interview that I listen through frequently on YouTube with Moira Brown. In that interview he states that GOD has a way of teaching us something, and then quickly testing us on the lesson HE just taught us.
As I was driving to the office yesterday, a older gentleman was in a car in front of me driving about 20MPH! People who know me understand that I have never been known for my patience behind the wheel. While behind this older gentleman my mind went to the interview with Dr. Stanley. A calmness and control came over me like I can't explain and I actually enjoyed surrendering to my elder! It was if GOD was telling me that I had passed THIS test, will if pass the next one?
"WAIT ON THE LORD" is a verse that I would prefer to not have been put in my bible. I have lived my entire life being a busy-body for what I thought was Kingdom work. But just as GOD is the only ONE who can convict someone of sin and draw them to HIM, the pace HE moves is not subject to mankind or our timetables. If I am only a vessel for JESUS CHRIST to inhabit, I need to slow down and "WAIT ON THE LORD" to have HIS protection and blessing on my life! Wait, I say, on the LORD!
"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."
So many times in life I have to remind myself that I am only a vessel that JESUS CHRIST indwells in so HIS message can be made known to the world. I get so caught up in the rat-race society surrounding me that I have to be reminded that my body has been surrendered to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!
Yesterday I posted this "Dr. Charles Stanley sends out a daily devotional via email. Today there was a statement in the devotional that continues to cause me to reflect. "Our culture is so fast-paced that few of us take the time to actually consider where we're going." Dr. Stanley also has an interview that I listen through frequently on YouTube with Moira Brown. In that interview he states that GOD has a way of teaching us something, and then quickly testing us on the lesson HE just taught us.
As I was driving to the office yesterday, a older gentleman was in a car in front of me driving about 20MPH! People who know me understand that I have never been known for my patience behind the wheel. While behind this older gentleman my mind went to the interview with Dr. Stanley. A calmness and control came over me like I can't explain and I actually enjoyed surrendering to my elder! It was if GOD was telling me that I had passed THIS test, will if pass the next one?
"WAIT ON THE LORD" is a verse that I would prefer to not have been put in my bible. I have lived my entire life being a busy-body for what I thought was Kingdom work. But just as GOD is the only ONE who can convict someone of sin and draw them to HIM, the pace HE moves is not subject to mankind or our timetables. If I am only a vessel for JESUS CHRIST to inhabit, I need to slow down and "WAIT ON THE LORD" to have HIS protection and blessing on my life! Wait, I say, on the LORD!
Friday, June 6, 2014
"BUILDING BIGGER BARNS!"
Luke 12:16-21 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"16 And he put forth a parable unto them, saying, The GROUND of a certain RICH man brought forth FRUITS PLENTEOUSLY.
17 Therefore he thought with himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where I may lay up my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do, I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and therein will I gather all my fruits, and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, live at ease, eat, drink, and take thy pastime.
20 But GOD said unto him, O fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul from thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that gathereth riches to himself, and is not rich in GOD."
Too many times I get so caught up with "making a dollar" that I lose sight of the important things of life. I get so caught up with "BUILDING BIGGER BARNS" that I forget about the lives that my product can be affecting. The people who buy our products do so, not because we are the biggest and best, but because they trust that our employees care about the clients needs more than profit.
In this parable, JESUS was expressing to the masses (Luke 12:1 says the crowd was "innumerable") that a RICH man had experienced a huge return from the seeds he planted. JESUS made it clear the GROUND yielded the fruits, not the efforts of the RICH man. Why didn't the RICH man give some of his surplus to the needy? Why did he have to build bigger barns for more harvest when there could be a drought the next few years leaving his new barns empty? The RICH man lost sight of the things that really mattered and was looking too much at his bank account!
Dr. Charles Stanley sends out a daily devotional via email. Today there was a statement in the devotional that continues to cause me to reflect. "Our culture is so fast-paced that few of us take the time to actually consider where we're going." Why do we allow the desire to make MORE money, wealth, or "BUILDING BIGGER BARNS" to drive us into a rat-race where we forget about serving others? 1 Peter 4:10 tells us "Let every man as he hath received the gift, minister (or serve) the same one to another, as good disposers of the manifold grace of God."
I think I would enjoy being a RICH man! I have no desire of "BUILDING BIGGER BARNS" though. I would invest in the Kingdom by giving to the needy and helping those who GOD placed in my path to show HIS mercy on. 1 Corinthians 3:6 says that GOD gives the increase, so HE will have to provide the blessings to bring about my desires. I have no dreams of "BUILDING BIGGER BARNS", rather my desire is serving HIS Kingdom!
"16 And he put forth a parable unto them, saying, The GROUND of a certain RICH man brought forth FRUITS PLENTEOUSLY.
17 Therefore he thought with himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where I may lay up my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do, I will pull down my barns, and build greater, and therein will I gather all my fruits, and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years, live at ease, eat, drink, and take thy pastime.
20 But GOD said unto him, O fool, this night will they fetch away thy soul from thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that gathereth riches to himself, and is not rich in GOD."
Too many times I get so caught up with "making a dollar" that I lose sight of the important things of life. I get so caught up with "BUILDING BIGGER BARNS" that I forget about the lives that my product can be affecting. The people who buy our products do so, not because we are the biggest and best, but because they trust that our employees care about the clients needs more than profit.
In this parable, JESUS was expressing to the masses (Luke 12:1 says the crowd was "innumerable") that a RICH man had experienced a huge return from the seeds he planted. JESUS made it clear the GROUND yielded the fruits, not the efforts of the RICH man. Why didn't the RICH man give some of his surplus to the needy? Why did he have to build bigger barns for more harvest when there could be a drought the next few years leaving his new barns empty? The RICH man lost sight of the things that really mattered and was looking too much at his bank account!
Dr. Charles Stanley sends out a daily devotional via email. Today there was a statement in the devotional that continues to cause me to reflect. "Our culture is so fast-paced that few of us take the time to actually consider where we're going." Why do we allow the desire to make MORE money, wealth, or "BUILDING BIGGER BARNS" to drive us into a rat-race where we forget about serving others? 1 Peter 4:10 tells us "Let every man as he hath received the gift, minister (or serve) the same one to another, as good disposers of the manifold grace of God."
I think I would enjoy being a RICH man! I have no desire of "BUILDING BIGGER BARNS" though. I would invest in the Kingdom by giving to the needy and helping those who GOD placed in my path to show HIS mercy on. 1 Corinthians 3:6 says that GOD gives the increase, so HE will have to provide the blessings to bring about my desires. I have no dreams of "BUILDING BIGGER BARNS", rather my desire is serving HIS Kingdom!
Thursday, June 5, 2014
"PROVISION PROVIDING!"
Exodus 16:4-8 (ESV)
"4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.
5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily."
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, "At evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against the LORD. For what are we, that you grumble against us?"
8 And Moses said, "When the LORD gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him-what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD."
The children of Israel had just been delivered from 400 years of Egyptian captivity. GOD had worked a miracle like few others recorded in history and displayed "I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host" (Exodus 14:17). Now the children of Israel were wondering where they were going to get food and water.
GOD told the Israelites in Exodus 15:26 "saying, "If you will DILIGENTLY listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in HIS eyes, and give ear to HIS commandments and keep all HIS statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer." Now if the children of Israel had DILIGENTLY listen to and for GOD, and had done that which was right in HIS eyes, and given ear to HIS commandments and kept all of HIS law (statutes), don't you think their faith that HE would provide food and water would have been a lot more evident?
It amazes some to see those whom GOD has done miraculous things in their lives, yet they worry where their sustenance is coming from! We want to store up HIS blessings (Exodus 16:19-21), but GOD would not allow that. To increase their faith, they had to gather manna each morning! And everyday the provisions from Heaven was there for them. They didn't have to ask for manna each day. GOD knew they needed it, and HE provided their needs!
GOD has not gotten out of the "PROVISION PROVIDING" business. Sometimes we want something other than manna, quail, and water, but HE provides WHAT we need WHEN we need it according to HIS wisdom. We need to learn that HIS "PROVISION PROVIDING" skills are far better than anything I can dream or understand. I pray I DILIGENTLY listen for HIS guidance and direction in my life and KNOW that the "PROVISION PROVIDING " of my Heavenly FATHER is at work for me!!!
"4 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not.
5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily."
6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, "At evening you shall know that it was the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the LORD, because he has heard your grumbling against the LORD. For what are we, that you grumble against us?"
8 And Moses said, "When the LORD gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the LORD has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him-what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the LORD."
The children of Israel had just been delivered from 400 years of Egyptian captivity. GOD had worked a miracle like few others recorded in history and displayed "I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host" (Exodus 14:17). Now the children of Israel were wondering where they were going to get food and water.
GOD told the Israelites in Exodus 15:26 "saying, "If you will DILIGENTLY listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and do that which is right in HIS eyes, and give ear to HIS commandments and keep all HIS statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, your healer." Now if the children of Israel had DILIGENTLY listen to and for GOD, and had done that which was right in HIS eyes, and given ear to HIS commandments and kept all of HIS law (statutes), don't you think their faith that HE would provide food and water would have been a lot more evident?
It amazes some to see those whom GOD has done miraculous things in their lives, yet they worry where their sustenance is coming from! We want to store up HIS blessings (Exodus 16:19-21), but GOD would not allow that. To increase their faith, they had to gather manna each morning! And everyday the provisions from Heaven was there for them. They didn't have to ask for manna each day. GOD knew they needed it, and HE provided their needs!
GOD has not gotten out of the "PROVISION PROVIDING" business. Sometimes we want something other than manna, quail, and water, but HE provides WHAT we need WHEN we need it according to HIS wisdom. We need to learn that HIS "PROVISION PROVIDING" skills are far better than anything I can dream or understand. I pray I DILIGENTLY listen for HIS guidance and direction in my life and KNOW that the "PROVISION PROVIDING " of my Heavenly FATHER is at work for me!!!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
"SPIRIT OF CHRIST!"
Romans 8:8-11 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"8 So then they that are in the flesh, cannot please God.
9 Now ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, because the Spirit of God dwelleth in you: but if any man hath not the "SPIRIT OF CHRIST", the same is not HIS.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead, because of sin: but the Spirit is life for righteousness sake.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
Most know that I admire Bishop Robert E. Smith, Sr. "Bishop", as he is lovingly called by most who know him, has a certain "aura" about him that is peculiar to most. Upon meeting with him a few years ago, I told my wife she HAD to meet this man. There was something unique about him. He "drew" others to him with this "aura" in a seemingly effortless manner.
I imagine experiencing JESUS walking among men would give me a similar feeling. The above scripture is telling us that if any man, I don't care who he is, hath not the "SPIRIT OF CHRIST", that man is NOT one of HIS children! The "SPIRIT OF CHRIST" draws men to come to them, for CHRIST fills a need that nothing else can fill.
Verse 10 above states "If Christ be in you, the body is dead, because of sin"! Now surely our bodies do not die as soon as we believe the JESUS is the Son of the Living GOD? Galatians 2:20 explains a bit for us when it says "I am crucified with Christ, but I live, yet not I anymore, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and in that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith in the Son of God, who hath loved me, and given himself for me." HE paid a price to indwell my body. Not just on Sunday mornings, and not just part of my body, but MY WHOLE being!
The Spirit of JESUS lives in me. I need to move my Spirit out everyday and let HIS Spirit indwell my body more and more until I allow HIM to totally control me! JESUS has the "aura" about HIM! Bishop has the "aura" about him! I should have the "aura" about me! And if I surrender to the "SPIRIT OF CHRIST", I will have the "aura" about me.
"8 So then they that are in the flesh, cannot please God.
9 Now ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, because the Spirit of God dwelleth in you: but if any man hath not the "SPIRIT OF CHRIST", the same is not HIS.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead, because of sin: but the Spirit is life for righteousness sake.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
Most know that I admire Bishop Robert E. Smith, Sr. "Bishop", as he is lovingly called by most who know him, has a certain "aura" about him that is peculiar to most. Upon meeting with him a few years ago, I told my wife she HAD to meet this man. There was something unique about him. He "drew" others to him with this "aura" in a seemingly effortless manner.
I imagine experiencing JESUS walking among men would give me a similar feeling. The above scripture is telling us that if any man, I don't care who he is, hath not the "SPIRIT OF CHRIST", that man is NOT one of HIS children! The "SPIRIT OF CHRIST" draws men to come to them, for CHRIST fills a need that nothing else can fill.
Verse 10 above states "If Christ be in you, the body is dead, because of sin"! Now surely our bodies do not die as soon as we believe the JESUS is the Son of the Living GOD? Galatians 2:20 explains a bit for us when it says "I am crucified with Christ, but I live, yet not I anymore, but CHRIST LIVETH IN ME: and in that I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith in the Son of God, who hath loved me, and given himself for me." HE paid a price to indwell my body. Not just on Sunday mornings, and not just part of my body, but MY WHOLE being!
The Spirit of JESUS lives in me. I need to move my Spirit out everyday and let HIS Spirit indwell my body more and more until I allow HIM to totally control me! JESUS has the "aura" about HIM! Bishop has the "aura" about him! I should have the "aura" about me! And if I surrender to the "SPIRIT OF CHRIST", I will have the "aura" about me.
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
"FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY"
Ephesians 3:20 (ESV)
"20 Now to HIM who is able to do FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to HIM be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Not being one of the "Name it, Claim it" doctrine, I have found it difficult to believe that GOD is going to make everything in my life come our smelling like roses. Scripture indicates from the book of Genesis to Revelation many times where the people who follow GOD have to go through perilous times, but HE gets glory and honor through their struggles and trials.
"Without Faith" (Hebrews 11:6) tells me that I must exhibit trust that GOD is able, has been able, and will be able to provide all of my needs. I can't just say I trust HIM, I must exhibit (sometimes under pressure) that HE is going to supply my every need.
The Apostle Paul was a great example of GOD providing needs. When GOD caused Saul/Paul to lose his sight on the road to Damascus, the LORD told Ananias to go lay hands on Saul/Paul that "I will show him how many things he must SUFFER for my name's sake". Now only a few years later, Paul is writing a letter to the Ephesians extolling the grace of our LORD saying HE is able to do "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" than anything we can dream! Paul had to SUFFER so GOD could use him, and then do "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" through his life.
And there is one thing that must be addressed for people such as I? GOD's timing and my timing are not the same! GOD has shown me that my timing is flawed and I "MUST" rely on HIM to be GOD and work this out for HIS good. HE gets glory when HE works things out. When I try to help HIM, I usually mess things up!
Paul did not write that GOD 'will' do "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" for everything we desire. The Apostle Paul wrote HE is 'ABLE' to do "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" according to the POWER at work within us! If my desire is for GOD to perform "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" in my life, I must surrender to letting the POWER at work within me to accomplish HIS will in and through my life.
"20 Now to HIM who is able to do FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
21 to HIM be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Not being one of the "Name it, Claim it" doctrine, I have found it difficult to believe that GOD is going to make everything in my life come our smelling like roses. Scripture indicates from the book of Genesis to Revelation many times where the people who follow GOD have to go through perilous times, but HE gets glory and honor through their struggles and trials.
"Without Faith" (Hebrews 11:6) tells me that I must exhibit trust that GOD is able, has been able, and will be able to provide all of my needs. I can't just say I trust HIM, I must exhibit (sometimes under pressure) that HE is going to supply my every need.
The Apostle Paul was a great example of GOD providing needs. When GOD caused Saul/Paul to lose his sight on the road to Damascus, the LORD told Ananias to go lay hands on Saul/Paul that "I will show him how many things he must SUFFER for my name's sake". Now only a few years later, Paul is writing a letter to the Ephesians extolling the grace of our LORD saying HE is able to do "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" than anything we can dream! Paul had to SUFFER so GOD could use him, and then do "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" through his life.
And there is one thing that must be addressed for people such as I? GOD's timing and my timing are not the same! GOD has shown me that my timing is flawed and I "MUST" rely on HIM to be GOD and work this out for HIS good. HE gets glory when HE works things out. When I try to help HIM, I usually mess things up!
Paul did not write that GOD 'will' do "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" for everything we desire. The Apostle Paul wrote HE is 'ABLE' to do "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" according to the POWER at work within us! If my desire is for GOD to perform "FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY" in my life, I must surrender to letting the POWER at work within me to accomplish HIS will in and through my life.
Monday, June 2, 2014
"NOT BE ANXIOUS!!"
Matthew 6:24-34 (ESV)
"24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. Are you not of more value than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 "Therefore do "NOT BE ANXIOUS" about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
It seems I am always trying to lose weight. I weigh considerable less than I did seven years ago, but I would still enjoy weighing twenty pounds more than I graduated high school! The first thing I do upon getting out of bed is get on the scales. I am not OBSESSED, but I am determined to manage my weight better.
JESUS makes a profound statement in the text above. "Look at the birds??" Have you ever seen a bird die from malnutrition? Do the birds have food banks where the poor birds go for sustenance? The birds have to depend on The FATHER to feed them. GOD supplies them with their dietary needs.
I have yet to see a Weight Watchers program for birds either! They have to get out and work for their food. If birds are lazy and wait for their food to be delivered to them, they will probably not function very well. If birds get out of shape and don't exercise their wings, flying will be most difficult. GOD has a plan and purpose for the birds, and they fulfill the plan and purpose very well. So do we!
Man was made after GOD's image (Genesis 1:27). Our ultimate goal should be to be like GOD. JESUS and GOD are ONE (John 10:30). If JESUS and GOD are ONE and JESUS came to give HIS life for me that I might have eternal life with HIM, is there anything I should fret over? I can never live worthy of HIS acceptance, but GRACE provides me with HOPE! So, shall I be concerned over next months bills? What about next weeks test results from my doctor? Or maybe weighing twenty pounds more than I did after I graduated high school??? GOD has all of this in HIS control.....and I should "NOT BE ANXIOUS"!!!
"24 "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
26 LOOK AT THE BIRDS OF THE AIR: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and YET YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER FEEDS THEM. Are you not of more value than they?
27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?
28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin,
29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
34 "Therefore do "NOT BE ANXIOUS" about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
It seems I am always trying to lose weight. I weigh considerable less than I did seven years ago, but I would still enjoy weighing twenty pounds more than I graduated high school! The first thing I do upon getting out of bed is get on the scales. I am not OBSESSED, but I am determined to manage my weight better.
JESUS makes a profound statement in the text above. "Look at the birds??" Have you ever seen a bird die from malnutrition? Do the birds have food banks where the poor birds go for sustenance? The birds have to depend on The FATHER to feed them. GOD supplies them with their dietary needs.
I have yet to see a Weight Watchers program for birds either! They have to get out and work for their food. If birds are lazy and wait for their food to be delivered to them, they will probably not function very well. If birds get out of shape and don't exercise their wings, flying will be most difficult. GOD has a plan and purpose for the birds, and they fulfill the plan and purpose very well. So do we!
Man was made after GOD's image (Genesis 1:27). Our ultimate goal should be to be like GOD. JESUS and GOD are ONE (John 10:30). If JESUS and GOD are ONE and JESUS came to give HIS life for me that I might have eternal life with HIM, is there anything I should fret over? I can never live worthy of HIS acceptance, but GRACE provides me with HOPE! So, shall I be concerned over next months bills? What about next weeks test results from my doctor? Or maybe weighing twenty pounds more than I did after I graduated high school??? GOD has all of this in HIS control.....and I should "NOT BE ANXIOUS"!!!
Sunday, June 1, 2014
"THE CROSS OF CHRIST!"
1 Corinthians 1:17 (KJV)
"For CHRIST sent me (Apostle Paul) not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest "THE CROSS OF CHRIST" should be made of none effect."
There are a few preachers I really like to listen to. Their delivery of the message of JESUS resonates with me like few others. Dr. Charles Stanley is one of those. I love listening to Dr. Stanley when I am alone with no interruptions. Dr. Stanley can make things so clear and sensible to me that I seem to be moved by every word that he says.
The Apostle Paul moved people in similar fashion. However, he realized that his education, pedigree, or stature was not what people should be motivated by. Paul said in Acts 23:6 that he was a Pharisee, and his father was a Pharisee, yet he chose NOT to glory in earthly titles! He gloried only (Galatians 6:14) in the cross of JESUS!
The Apostle Paul makes it clear in verse 17 above that it is "not with wisdom of words" that he spoke. Words can be twisted and misunderstood to get whatever meaning might be desired. Many of my writings might be written better! But GOD knows the heart in which I deliver the words, and HE can use them for HIS honor and glory!
Finally, Paul finishes the above statement with, what I feel is the most enlightening statement that he could make. "Lest the cross of CHRIST should be made of none effect" is a proclamation that the only thing that makes a difference in eternity is "THE CROSS OF CHRIST"!! Whether one is called to preach, baptize, minister, pray, or whatever GOD instructs us to do, "THE CROSS OF CHRIST" should be our chief focus!
"For CHRIST sent me (Apostle Paul) not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest "THE CROSS OF CHRIST" should be made of none effect."
There are a few preachers I really like to listen to. Their delivery of the message of JESUS resonates with me like few others. Dr. Charles Stanley is one of those. I love listening to Dr. Stanley when I am alone with no interruptions. Dr. Stanley can make things so clear and sensible to me that I seem to be moved by every word that he says.
The Apostle Paul moved people in similar fashion. However, he realized that his education, pedigree, or stature was not what people should be motivated by. Paul said in Acts 23:6 that he was a Pharisee, and his father was a Pharisee, yet he chose NOT to glory in earthly titles! He gloried only (Galatians 6:14) in the cross of JESUS!
The Apostle Paul makes it clear in verse 17 above that it is "not with wisdom of words" that he spoke. Words can be twisted and misunderstood to get whatever meaning might be desired. Many of my writings might be written better! But GOD knows the heart in which I deliver the words, and HE can use them for HIS honor and glory!
Finally, Paul finishes the above statement with, what I feel is the most enlightening statement that he could make. "Lest the cross of CHRIST should be made of none effect" is a proclamation that the only thing that makes a difference in eternity is "THE CROSS OF CHRIST"!! Whether one is called to preach, baptize, minister, pray, or whatever GOD instructs us to do, "THE CROSS OF CHRIST" should be our chief focus!
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