Luke 12:16-21 (ESV)
"16 And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully,
17 and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'
18 And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry."'
20 But GOD said to him, '"FOOL!" This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?'
21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward GOD."
Imagine, if you will, a person winning a $250,000,000 lottery, only to die in their sleep that night before getting to spend one dime of the bounty? There is a lot to be said about planning for the future, but "this world" seems to want us to limit our plans to how we can further our earthly rewards. GOD, on the other hand, desires for us to be used of HIM to fulfill HIS Plan for our lives.
JESUS spoke in parables quite often as HE was trying to open eyes to SEE the TRUTHS that eluded most. The rich man had land that produced "plentifully", but he was mainly concerned with storing up his wealth, not on what GOD would have him accomplish with his blessings. The man made plans to build bigger barns so he could increase his "holdings"! But in his plans he neglected to consider GOD's Plans and it would wind up costing him his life!
Don't receive a blessing from GOD thinking that you deserve it, for GOD may have to say to you "FOOL", this night your soul is required of you! We are only here to glorify GOD, and when we start glorifying ourselves we run the risk of being called a "FOOL" by our Creator. Maybe "this world" thinks one should operate on their principles, but GOD says thou "FOOL" if we follow their lead.
FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to continually seek YOUR will in everything I do. YOU are the reason I exist and YOU deserve all praise and glory!!!
Friday, December 30, 2016
Thursday, December 29, 2016
"BE QUIET!"
Nehemiah 8:9-12 (ESV)
"9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your GOD; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.
10 Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is Holy to our LORD. And do not be grieved, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH."
11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, ""BE QUIET", for this day is Holy; do not be grieved."
12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them."
Many times the pressures of "this world" can be magnified to cause us to believe that everything is crashing in on us. The enemy wants us to believe that we are the ones in control and that we have our destiny within the limits of our abilities. Many think that hard work and clean living will suffice to assure financial success. But there are plenty of hard working, righteous people who don't experience financial gains that most consider being successful in today's greedy climate. True JOY can only come through living for the LORD.
But today's scripture passage reminds "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH", and we don't need to try finding JOY anywhere else! With all of the busyness "this world" tries to bring into our lives, we are continually reminded that the only was to experience JOY is to "BE QUIET" before the LORD. It is difficult, to say the least, to operate at the pace "this world" requires and still have the JOY only CHRIST can bring.
We should celebrate each day the LORD allows us to be a lighthouse for HIM, "for this day is Holy to our LORD"! Deadlines, budgets, rules and regulations can be enforced by many entities, but when we remember to "BE QUIET" before the LORD we can rest in HIS promises, and HIS peace! There is no substitute for resting in HIM and "BEING QUIET" before HIM. You can be busy beyond your capabilities, but until you "BE QUIET", you will find it difficult to experience true JOY!
"9 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the LORD your GOD; do not mourn or weep." For all the people wept as they heard the words of the Law.
10 Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is Holy to our LORD. And do not be grieved, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH."
11 So the Levites calmed all the people, saying, ""BE QUIET", for this day is Holy; do not be grieved."
12 And all the people went their way to eat and drink and to send portions and to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them."
Many times the pressures of "this world" can be magnified to cause us to believe that everything is crashing in on us. The enemy wants us to believe that we are the ones in control and that we have our destiny within the limits of our abilities. Many think that hard work and clean living will suffice to assure financial success. But there are plenty of hard working, righteous people who don't experience financial gains that most consider being successful in today's greedy climate. True JOY can only come through living for the LORD.
But today's scripture passage reminds "THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH", and we don't need to try finding JOY anywhere else! With all of the busyness "this world" tries to bring into our lives, we are continually reminded that the only was to experience JOY is to "BE QUIET" before the LORD. It is difficult, to say the least, to operate at the pace "this world" requires and still have the JOY only CHRIST can bring.
We should celebrate each day the LORD allows us to be a lighthouse for HIM, "for this day is Holy to our LORD"! Deadlines, budgets, rules and regulations can be enforced by many entities, but when we remember to "BE QUIET" before the LORD we can rest in HIS promises, and HIS peace! There is no substitute for resting in HIM and "BEING QUIET" before HIM. You can be busy beyond your capabilities, but until you "BE QUIET", you will find it difficult to experience true JOY!
Wednesday, December 28, 2016
"I HAVE NO IDEA!"
From a book I am currently reading;
"My Lord God, "I HAVE NO IDEA" where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this You will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone."
Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
There are times when I just am inclined to submit myself to HIS guidance and direction for my life and TRUST that HE will force me to travel the journey HE has for me, no matter how badly my selfish desires try to lead me astray!
LORD GOD, cause me to continually seek YOUR ways for my life!
"My Lord God, "I HAVE NO IDEA" where I am going. I do not see the road ahead of me. I cannot know for certain where it will end. Nor do I really know myself, and the fact that I think that I am following Your will does not mean that I am actually doing so. But I believe that the desire to please You does in fact please You. And I hope I have that desire in all that I am doing. I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire. And I know that if I do this You will lead me by the right road though I may know nothing about it. Therefore will I trust You always though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death. I will not fear, for You are ever with me, and You will never leave me to face my perils alone."
Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude
There are times when I just am inclined to submit myself to HIS guidance and direction for my life and TRUST that HE will force me to travel the journey HE has for me, no matter how badly my selfish desires try to lead me astray!
LORD GOD, cause me to continually seek YOUR ways for my life!
Sunday, December 25, 2016
"HE was in the beginning with GOD"!!
John 1:1-4 (ESV)
"1 In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD.
2 "HE was in the beginning with GOD".
3 All things were made through HIM, and without HIM was not any thing made that was made.
4 In HIM was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."
A little over 2,000 years ago JESUS came to mankind as a human. HE came for the express purpose of paying the sin debt that only a Holy GOD could pay.
When I hear people say that we celebrate the birthday of JESUS we act as though HE only came into existence when HIS earthly ministry did, when In fact, according to scripture JESUS has been here since the beginning! HE forever has been, and forever will be!
The caption over the scriptures above clearly says "The WORD became flesh", not the WORD was born as flesh! JESUS was made manifest to "this world", but HE has always been, for HE is part of the Triune GOD. John 1:2 states "HE was in the beginning with GOD" and so HE has been forever! Although the physical BEING was born of a virgin, HE forever has been, and forever will be!
Don't let the enemy blind you into believing that GOD is continually adjusting HIS Plan to counteract the evil perpetuated by satan! GOD is Sovereign and HE loves us so much that HE sent a part of HIMSELF to ransom "this world" from darkness known as itself.
Merry Christmas to you and yours. May we forever glorify HIM, not only on this day, but everyday throughout eternity!!!
Thursday, December 22, 2016
"IF THE LORD WILLS!"
James 4:13-15 (ESV)
"13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"-
14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
15 Instead you ought to say, ""IF THE LORD WILLS", we will live and do this or that.""
Our plans can be so meticulous, but GOD's Plan trumps everything we have ever planned. If we live by FAITH, we should walk day by day doing what the LORD leads us to do, where the LORD leads us to go, and when the LORD directs us to act! As for me, I don't have the intelligence to avoid even the slightest of pitfalls in my life, so why should I think I can guide me through the mine fields the enemy can bring?
The hospitals, morgues, and prisons are full of people who had other plans for their lives. We need to live by "IF THE LORD WILLS" and follow HIS Plan for our lives! "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6). HIS Plan works!!!
"13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit"-
14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
15 Instead you ought to say, ""IF THE LORD WILLS", we will live and do this or that.""
Our plans can be so meticulous, but GOD's Plan trumps everything we have ever planned. If we live by FAITH, we should walk day by day doing what the LORD leads us to do, where the LORD leads us to go, and when the LORD directs us to act! As for me, I don't have the intelligence to avoid even the slightest of pitfalls in my life, so why should I think I can guide me through the mine fields the enemy can bring?
The hospitals, morgues, and prisons are full of people who had other plans for their lives. We need to live by "IF THE LORD WILLS" and follow HIS Plan for our lives! "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE will make straight your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6). HIS Plan works!!!
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
"GIVE THANKS!"
1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 (ESV)
"16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 "GIVE THANKS" IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES; for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies,
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil."
We are told rather plainly in the passage above something that most prefer to not focus on when studying scripture. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "GIVE THANKS" IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS for you"! To my dismay, it doesn't say "GIVE THANKS" when things are going the way we planned it to go! It would seem almost sadistic to "GIVE THANKS" following a tragedy, such as the 9-11 terrorist attacks, or one of the Tsunamis that have occurred, but scripture instructs us to "GIVE THANKS" IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES!!!
GOD doesn't need for me to understand everything, nor does HE gain glory from my understanding! But HE does receive glory from me acknowledging that HE is worthy of me "GIVING THANKS", especially when I can't understand!!!
Maybe in time, as I become more Spiritually mature, I will understand more about the things that GOD directs and orchestrates in my life. The biggest challenge for me is to understand that HIS timing is for my own good (Ecclesiastes 3:9-14), and that HIS Plan WILL be fulfilled, no matter how much we want to influence the outcome. The stress and turmoil of trying to reach a goal (usually my plan) does not compare to GOD's Plan for the entire world!
When I finally understand that HIS Plan is far better than my plan, it becomes a lot easier to "GIVE THANKS" in all circumstances. GOD loves us far too much to hurt us and is far too wise to make a mistake, so why can't I just relax and trust HIS Plans? When we accept that HE is WHO HE says HE is, and is able to do more than we ever imagined, only then we we be able to properly "GIVE THANKS!"
"16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 "GIVE THANKS" IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES; for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies,
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil."
We are told rather plainly in the passage above something that most prefer to not focus on when studying scripture. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says "GIVE THANKS" IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS for you"! To my dismay, it doesn't say "GIVE THANKS" when things are going the way we planned it to go! It would seem almost sadistic to "GIVE THANKS" following a tragedy, such as the 9-11 terrorist attacks, or one of the Tsunamis that have occurred, but scripture instructs us to "GIVE THANKS" IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES!!!
GOD doesn't need for me to understand everything, nor does HE gain glory from my understanding! But HE does receive glory from me acknowledging that HE is worthy of me "GIVING THANKS", especially when I can't understand!!!
Maybe in time, as I become more Spiritually mature, I will understand more about the things that GOD directs and orchestrates in my life. The biggest challenge for me is to understand that HIS timing is for my own good (Ecclesiastes 3:9-14), and that HIS Plan WILL be fulfilled, no matter how much we want to influence the outcome. The stress and turmoil of trying to reach a goal (usually my plan) does not compare to GOD's Plan for the entire world!
When I finally understand that HIS Plan is far better than my plan, it becomes a lot easier to "GIVE THANKS" in all circumstances. GOD loves us far too much to hurt us and is far too wise to make a mistake, so why can't I just relax and trust HIS Plans? When we accept that HE is WHO HE says HE is, and is able to do more than we ever imagined, only then we we be able to properly "GIVE THANKS!"
Saturday, December 17, 2016
"SERVANT OF CHRIST!"
Galatians 1:8-10 (ESV)
"8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of GOD? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a "SERVANT OF CHRIST"."
Has the modern church become so popularity driven that the TRUE GOSPEL has been compromised? Are we seeking the approval of man instead of the TRUTHS of GOD? Why do we water down what JESUS gave HIS LIFE on Calvary for? Since we are a "SERVANT OF CHRIST", shouldn't we be more consumed with pleasing HIM rather than man?
Just a few questions to ponder as we prepare to worship this weekend. Will you be pleasing men? Or will you be a "SERVANT OF CHRIST"?
"8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed.
9 As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of GOD? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a "SERVANT OF CHRIST"."
Has the modern church become so popularity driven that the TRUE GOSPEL has been compromised? Are we seeking the approval of man instead of the TRUTHS of GOD? Why do we water down what JESUS gave HIS LIFE on Calvary for? Since we are a "SERVANT OF CHRIST", shouldn't we be more consumed with pleasing HIM rather than man?
Just a few questions to ponder as we prepare to worship this weekend. Will you be pleasing men? Or will you be a "SERVANT OF CHRIST"?
Friday, December 16, 2016
"WALK BY FAITH!"
2 Corinthians 5:6-7 (ESV)
"6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
7 for we WALK BY FAITH, not by sight."
Walking by faith is not like walking down the street, it means to proceed through life in a manner that exemplifies TRUSTING GOD!!!
HE has the answers! We don't!!!
"6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord,
7 for we WALK BY FAITH, not by sight."
Walking by faith is not like walking down the street, it means to proceed through life in a manner that exemplifies TRUSTING GOD!!!
HE has the answers! We don't!!!
Thursday, December 15, 2016
"HE SEEMS TO BE!"
Acts 17:16-18 (ESV)
"16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic PHILOSOPHERS also conversed with him. And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others said, "HE SEEMS TO BE" a preacher of foreign divinities"-because he was preaching JESUS and the resurrection."
The Apostle Paul was brought up and educated as Saul, a devout JEW (Acts 22), and was committed to eliminating people of "the Way"! The people of "the Way" were people who believed that JESUS was the Son of GOD and came to earth to pay a ransom for the sins of all mankind. However, there are many who cannot SEE TRUTH for many reasons, but mainly because it hasn't been revealed to them. A lot of them are too educated to have FAITH, as they think they need to have PROOF that something is as it appears to be? The Apostle Paul had his eyes opened to the TRUTH, and now shared with others and prayed that GOD would reveal HIS TRUTH to them.
When Paul was "reasoning" in the synagogue with "the Jews and devout persons", it wasn't as if these were illiterates of their day. These were people esteemed by most as people who were wiser than their peers. But "most" are of "this world" and cannot SEE Spiritual things! 1 Corinthians 2:14 says "The natural person does not accept the things of the SPIRIT of GOD, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." THE Apostle Paul knew these men were unable to SEE, so he had to speak to them accordingly. The thing is, the "educated illiterates" could only SEE things that their eyes were opened to by the SPIRIT of GOD!
It is difficult to remember that I was formerly an "educated illiterate" before GOD called me "out of darkness into HIS marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9)! Although I have no college education, I always tried learning from the situations I found myself in. Sadly, I had to go through a tremendous amount of "darkness" to find "HIS marvelous light" sometimes! Displaying what "HE SEEMS TO BE" sometimes was only what I wanted people to think about me, not what I actually was. When you are trying to be something you really aren't, the frustration can make you so unsettled and disgruntled that you appear angry even when you're not! Trying to be what "HE SEEMS TO BE" instead of what you truly are is masquerading, an emulation of the great deceiver, when you boil it all down.
When we back up and observe who we really are versus who we want to be, it makes it easier to flee from what "HE SEEMS TO BE"! We are just sojourners traveling through "this world", not permanent fixtures. We shouldn't concern ourselves with what others SEE from our lives. We need to realize that GOD SEES from our lives is what really matters! Only GOD knows if what "HE SEEMS TO BE" is what HE designed us to be! We need to be about pleasing HIM and let "this world" deal with their own!
"16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
17 So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there.
18 Some of the Epicurean and Stoic PHILOSOPHERS also conversed with him. And some said, "What does this babbler wish to say?" Others said, "HE SEEMS TO BE" a preacher of foreign divinities"-because he was preaching JESUS and the resurrection."
The Apostle Paul was brought up and educated as Saul, a devout JEW (Acts 22), and was committed to eliminating people of "the Way"! The people of "the Way" were people who believed that JESUS was the Son of GOD and came to earth to pay a ransom for the sins of all mankind. However, there are many who cannot SEE TRUTH for many reasons, but mainly because it hasn't been revealed to them. A lot of them are too educated to have FAITH, as they think they need to have PROOF that something is as it appears to be? The Apostle Paul had his eyes opened to the TRUTH, and now shared with others and prayed that GOD would reveal HIS TRUTH to them.
When Paul was "reasoning" in the synagogue with "the Jews and devout persons", it wasn't as if these were illiterates of their day. These were people esteemed by most as people who were wiser than their peers. But "most" are of "this world" and cannot SEE Spiritual things! 1 Corinthians 2:14 says "The natural person does not accept the things of the SPIRIT of GOD, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned." THE Apostle Paul knew these men were unable to SEE, so he had to speak to them accordingly. The thing is, the "educated illiterates" could only SEE things that their eyes were opened to by the SPIRIT of GOD!
It is difficult to remember that I was formerly an "educated illiterate" before GOD called me "out of darkness into HIS marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9)! Although I have no college education, I always tried learning from the situations I found myself in. Sadly, I had to go through a tremendous amount of "darkness" to find "HIS marvelous light" sometimes! Displaying what "HE SEEMS TO BE" sometimes was only what I wanted people to think about me, not what I actually was. When you are trying to be something you really aren't, the frustration can make you so unsettled and disgruntled that you appear angry even when you're not! Trying to be what "HE SEEMS TO BE" instead of what you truly are is masquerading, an emulation of the great deceiver, when you boil it all down.
When we back up and observe who we really are versus who we want to be, it makes it easier to flee from what "HE SEEMS TO BE"! We are just sojourners traveling through "this world", not permanent fixtures. We shouldn't concern ourselves with what others SEE from our lives. We need to realize that GOD SEES from our lives is what really matters! Only GOD knows if what "HE SEEMS TO BE" is what HE designed us to be! We need to be about pleasing HIM and let "this world" deal with their own!
Tuesday, December 13, 2016
"WAIT FOR ME!"
Isaiah 49:23 (NASB)
"Kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth and lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for ME will not be put to shame."
Over the past few days I have been fighting a cold, with coughing and sinus drainage and headaches in an abundant supply! Being sick is really a downer for me as I tend to lose sight of WHOM I worship, and instead focus on getting my physical health back to normal. Although I am still not back to my old self, I am FAR from where I was before! Feeling pretty bad a few days ago, I decided to go to scripture and look for an answer to the funk I was in, and I googled "bible.....how long must I wait"? One of the top responses was Isaiah 49:23!
The first part of the verse about Kings being my guardians and princesses being my nurses didn't catch my eye, but the part that DID stand out to me was "Those who HOPEFULLY wait for ME will NOT be it to shame." When feel you have been given a direction from GOD and you are made to wait for HIS Plan to come to fruition, the wait can be painful as our nature is to live in a microwave mentality. We want everything when we (mainly I) want it and we usually try making things work out the way we think they should. Learning to "WAIT FOR ME" is one of the most difficult lessons I have ever had to learn.
The sentence just prior to "Those who HOPEFULLY wait for ME will NOT be it to shame" is one that should remove all tension from our lives. "And you will know that I am the LORD" isn't just a catchy phrase that is placed in scripture as a filler phrase, it means to accentuate that GOD is GOD, and HE has HIS own way, HIS own Plan that we are not aware of and we should "WAIT FOR ME" to see. As bad as I sometimes want to think that I am righteous enough to know what is best for my life (and those around me), scripture reminds me that my thoughts are not HIS thoughts and my ways are not HIS ways (Isaiah 55:8-9)!
For me, learning to "WAIT FOR ME" is me agreeing "that I AM the LORD" is the ONE WHO is in control and I am not! FATHER in Heaven, my prayer is that I will mature into a vessel whose nature is to "HOPEFULLY wait for ME" and I will "NOT be it to shame"!
"Kings will be your guardians, And their princesses your nurses. They will bow down to you with their faces to the earth and lick the dust of your feet; And you will know that I am the LORD; Those who hopefully wait for ME will not be put to shame."
Over the past few days I have been fighting a cold, with coughing and sinus drainage and headaches in an abundant supply! Being sick is really a downer for me as I tend to lose sight of WHOM I worship, and instead focus on getting my physical health back to normal. Although I am still not back to my old self, I am FAR from where I was before! Feeling pretty bad a few days ago, I decided to go to scripture and look for an answer to the funk I was in, and I googled "bible.....how long must I wait"? One of the top responses was Isaiah 49:23!
The first part of the verse about Kings being my guardians and princesses being my nurses didn't catch my eye, but the part that DID stand out to me was "Those who HOPEFULLY wait for ME will NOT be it to shame." When feel you have been given a direction from GOD and you are made to wait for HIS Plan to come to fruition, the wait can be painful as our nature is to live in a microwave mentality. We want everything when we (mainly I) want it and we usually try making things work out the way we think they should. Learning to "WAIT FOR ME" is one of the most difficult lessons I have ever had to learn.
The sentence just prior to "Those who HOPEFULLY wait for ME will NOT be it to shame" is one that should remove all tension from our lives. "And you will know that I am the LORD" isn't just a catchy phrase that is placed in scripture as a filler phrase, it means to accentuate that GOD is GOD, and HE has HIS own way, HIS own Plan that we are not aware of and we should "WAIT FOR ME" to see. As bad as I sometimes want to think that I am righteous enough to know what is best for my life (and those around me), scripture reminds me that my thoughts are not HIS thoughts and my ways are not HIS ways (Isaiah 55:8-9)!
For me, learning to "WAIT FOR ME" is me agreeing "that I AM the LORD" is the ONE WHO is in control and I am not! FATHER in Heaven, my prayer is that I will mature into a vessel whose nature is to "HOPEFULLY wait for ME" and I will "NOT be it to shame"!
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
"FRET NOT!"
Psalms 37:1-3 (ESV)
"1 "FRET NOT" yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness."
Sometimes it is difficult to sit idly by as evildoers continue doing evil while their coffers continue to swell. But if GOD is in control of everything (and HE is) and HE cares for us (and HE does) why should we be concerned with our future?
The scriptures above tell us to "FRET NOT" over the seeming successes of those who are less than honorable, but to "trust in the LORD, and do good" and to "befriend faithfulness"! While I have no "formal education", I trust that the LORD will provide everything I need to accomplish that which HE has Planned for my life! The rich may get richer, but there won't be a rich man/woman trying to get into Heaven, we will all have no earthly wealth at the Judgement Seat!!! The rich will one day "fade like the grass and wither like the green herb", and then what will they do?
If we "FRET NOT" over the size of our bank account, then GOD can use us for HIS glory, to accomplish HIS Plan for our lives! HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to be more attentive to what I accomplish for YOUR Kingdom than the wealth I accumulate in this world.
"1 "FRET NOT" yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!
2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb.
3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness."
Sometimes it is difficult to sit idly by as evildoers continue doing evil while their coffers continue to swell. But if GOD is in control of everything (and HE is) and HE cares for us (and HE does) why should we be concerned with our future?
The scriptures above tell us to "FRET NOT" over the seeming successes of those who are less than honorable, but to "trust in the LORD, and do good" and to "befriend faithfulness"! While I have no "formal education", I trust that the LORD will provide everything I need to accomplish that which HE has Planned for my life! The rich may get richer, but there won't be a rich man/woman trying to get into Heaven, we will all have no earthly wealth at the Judgement Seat!!! The rich will one day "fade like the grass and wither like the green herb", and then what will they do?
If we "FRET NOT" over the size of our bank account, then GOD can use us for HIS glory, to accomplish HIS Plan for our lives! HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to be more attentive to what I accomplish for YOUR Kingdom than the wealth I accumulate in this world.
Monday, December 5, 2016
"I WILL RESTORE!"
Jeremiah 33:6-9 (ESV)
"6 Behold, I will bring to it (Judah and Israel) health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.
7 "I WILL RESTORE" the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first.
8 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against ME, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against ME.
9 And this city shall be to ME a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it."
There is no one worthy of GOD's grace and mercy, even the children of Judah and Israel listed above. People have asked me if these children hadn't ignored GOD's law and principles enough to warrant punishment for what they had done? Immediately my mind goes to my SIN and terrible choices and I have to reply with a HUGE, HUMBLE NO! GOD's mercy and grace are abundant, whether we acknowledge HIM or not. "I WILL RESTORE" was not because HIS children were worthy, rather because of HIS love for them!
Just in the few verses above GOD says HE would bring health and healing, heal them, reveal to them, restore fortunes, rebuild them, cleanse them, and finally forgive them! Then in verse nine GOD says "all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it" (Judah and Israel)! It was because GOD has MATCHLESS indescribable LOVE that HE chose to display it so freely time and again on HIS children, not because they deserved it!
One day last week I was extremely busy at work and didn't look at my cellphone until almost time to go home. When I did there was a message from one of my sons. I opened the message and then started crying, almost uncontrollably. He was saying he was thinking about the good example I had been as a father and he thanked me for being there for him. Being overcome by emotions is something I have always had problems with, and this time was no different. My son didn't tell me how many times I had failed him as a father, nor failed his mom as a husband, rather his message of encouragement was building me up like few times in my life. And then I started thinking about how GOD sees me and I was once again humbled to no end. GOD doesn't see my sinfulness. GOD sees HIS SON JESUS CHRIST when HE looks at me.
Just like Judah and Israel, I have failed GOD so many times. And yes, I continue to live a life that I am ashamed of, but only at times. GOD is always there showing me grace and mercy and saying "I WILL RESTORE" to me. Not because I am worthy, but because JESUS was a propitiation for my sin (1 John 2:2)! I don't understand mercy and grace, but I'm sure glad GOD has said "I WILL RESTORE" to me!!!
"6 Behold, I will bring to it (Judah and Israel) health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.
7 "I WILL RESTORE" the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first.
8 I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against ME, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against ME.
9 And this city shall be to ME a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it."
There is no one worthy of GOD's grace and mercy, even the children of Judah and Israel listed above. People have asked me if these children hadn't ignored GOD's law and principles enough to warrant punishment for what they had done? Immediately my mind goes to my SIN and terrible choices and I have to reply with a HUGE, HUMBLE NO! GOD's mercy and grace are abundant, whether we acknowledge HIM or not. "I WILL RESTORE" was not because HIS children were worthy, rather because of HIS love for them!
Just in the few verses above GOD says HE would bring health and healing, heal them, reveal to them, restore fortunes, rebuild them, cleanse them, and finally forgive them! Then in verse nine GOD says "all the nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good that I do for them. They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it" (Judah and Israel)! It was because GOD has MATCHLESS indescribable LOVE that HE chose to display it so freely time and again on HIS children, not because they deserved it!
One day last week I was extremely busy at work and didn't look at my cellphone until almost time to go home. When I did there was a message from one of my sons. I opened the message and then started crying, almost uncontrollably. He was saying he was thinking about the good example I had been as a father and he thanked me for being there for him. Being overcome by emotions is something I have always had problems with, and this time was no different. My son didn't tell me how many times I had failed him as a father, nor failed his mom as a husband, rather his message of encouragement was building me up like few times in my life. And then I started thinking about how GOD sees me and I was once again humbled to no end. GOD doesn't see my sinfulness. GOD sees HIS SON JESUS CHRIST when HE looks at me.
Just like Judah and Israel, I have failed GOD so many times. And yes, I continue to live a life that I am ashamed of, but only at times. GOD is always there showing me grace and mercy and saying "I WILL RESTORE" to me. Not because I am worthy, but because JESUS was a propitiation for my sin (1 John 2:2)! I don't understand mercy and grace, but I'm sure glad GOD has said "I WILL RESTORE" to me!!!
Friday, December 2, 2016
"I SHALL KNOW FULLY!"
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (ESV)
"11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then "I SHALL KNOW FULLY", even as I have been fully known."
Recently I saw a comment from a friend saying "the kids are growing up so fast"! Remembering when my children were born, and now seeing them with children of their own, it seems to be eerily true that everything is moving faster and faster as I age. It SEEMS as though the older I get, the more rapidly things happen. The years between when I was four and fourteen seemed to take twenty years to pass, but the past 10 years SEEMS like have flown by!
But wait, ten years is ten years, and everyday is 24 hours! We don't get to hurry through the rough times, and REALLY slow down and enjoy the good times. Maybe as we age, our perspective changes as we are better able to comprehend life and the happenings around us? Maybe I am more able to understanding that I am a sojourner passing through this world on a journey to another place where "I SHALL KNOW FULLY"?
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see in a mirror dimly". We tend to act (and react) as though the place we currently are in life is where we are going to always be. But the latter portion of that verse plainly states "I SHALL KNOW FULLY", a reminder that we are on a journey, not in a destination! Our witness is determined by how we act/react to the place we are in that journey!
While recovering from the brain hemorrhage I experienced in 2007, I seemed to be of the mindset that every day was a new day all I needed to be concerned about was what was happening THAT day. Isn't that walking by faith? Why then do I attempt to plan my future out based off of what "I see"? Walking by faith got me through the darkest times of my life, why would I try to do anything more today???
"I SHALL KNOW FULLY" is like a Promissory Note from Someone WHO is able to deliver "far more abundantly" (Ephesians 3:20) for us! For now, we only operate as "seeing in a mirror dimly", but one day soon I will see face to face the ONE WHO "I SHALL KNOW FULLY"!!!
"11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then "I SHALL KNOW FULLY", even as I have been fully known."
Recently I saw a comment from a friend saying "the kids are growing up so fast"! Remembering when my children were born, and now seeing them with children of their own, it seems to be eerily true that everything is moving faster and faster as I age. It SEEMS as though the older I get, the more rapidly things happen. The years between when I was four and fourteen seemed to take twenty years to pass, but the past 10 years SEEMS like have flown by!
But wait, ten years is ten years, and everyday is 24 hours! We don't get to hurry through the rough times, and REALLY slow down and enjoy the good times. Maybe as we age, our perspective changes as we are better able to comprehend life and the happenings around us? Maybe I am more able to understanding that I am a sojourner passing through this world on a journey to another place where "I SHALL KNOW FULLY"?
The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:12 "For now we see in a mirror dimly". We tend to act (and react) as though the place we currently are in life is where we are going to always be. But the latter portion of that verse plainly states "I SHALL KNOW FULLY", a reminder that we are on a journey, not in a destination! Our witness is determined by how we act/react to the place we are in that journey!
While recovering from the brain hemorrhage I experienced in 2007, I seemed to be of the mindset that every day was a new day all I needed to be concerned about was what was happening THAT day. Isn't that walking by faith? Why then do I attempt to plan my future out based off of what "I see"? Walking by faith got me through the darkest times of my life, why would I try to do anything more today???
"I SHALL KNOW FULLY" is like a Promissory Note from Someone WHO is able to deliver "far more abundantly" (Ephesians 3:20) for us! For now, we only operate as "seeing in a mirror dimly", but one day soon I will see face to face the ONE WHO "I SHALL KNOW FULLY"!!!
Thursday, December 1, 2016
"IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS!"
Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV)
"1 MY son, "IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS" and treasure up MY commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD."
King Solomon is known as the wisest man to have ever lived (1 Kings 4:30-31). But wisdom like he possessed comes only from GOD ALMIGHTY, as indicated in Proverbs 2:6a where scripture says "For the LORD gives wisdom;". Institutions of so-called "higher learning" are rampant in our society, yet we don't teach our children the value of "IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS"!
Remembering my own faults is something that my nature try's to avoid most of the time, as being reminded of your failures is never pleasant. Scripture says, though, in Isaiah 55:8-9 that our thoughts are far inferior to GOD's thoughts and ways. We can only rely on GOD to lead and direct us in the path we should go and learn from our mistakes.
When my oldest son was in high school, I went to a teacher conference while he was practicing soccer for the high school. He was always the intelligent one, who had an occasional absent mindedness that I was determined to help him overcome. When the teacher told me that he had a deficient grade due to not turning in some homework, I went to the soccer field and pulled him off the field and sent him home to get his homework completed. Later that evening, his mother found his COMPLETED HOMEWORK in his backpack GRADED by the teacher! The teacher had erred in her record keeping, just as I had done by trusting that she was correct in her report. By placing my trust in a flawed report, I had been proven to be incorrect!
There are times when the enemy can get us so busy with hearing what he wants us to hear (maybe a flawed report!) that we can't hear from GOD! When we don't listen to TRUTH, we wind up hearing and LISTENING TO ERROR! King Solomon was the wisest (1 Kings 4:30) man alive and he wrote "IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS", then you will understand the fear of the LORD! We can know HIS WORDS, but unless we RECEIVE HIS WORDS we cannot accomplish what HE has planned for our lives!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to willingly receive YOUR Plan for my life as I live for YOU, and to see that "IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS" I will be on the path YOU desire for me.
"1 MY son, "IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS" and treasure up MY commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of GOD."
King Solomon is known as the wisest man to have ever lived (1 Kings 4:30-31). But wisdom like he possessed comes only from GOD ALMIGHTY, as indicated in Proverbs 2:6a where scripture says "For the LORD gives wisdom;". Institutions of so-called "higher learning" are rampant in our society, yet we don't teach our children the value of "IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS"!
Remembering my own faults is something that my nature try's to avoid most of the time, as being reminded of your failures is never pleasant. Scripture says, though, in Isaiah 55:8-9 that our thoughts are far inferior to GOD's thoughts and ways. We can only rely on GOD to lead and direct us in the path we should go and learn from our mistakes.
When my oldest son was in high school, I went to a teacher conference while he was practicing soccer for the high school. He was always the intelligent one, who had an occasional absent mindedness that I was determined to help him overcome. When the teacher told me that he had a deficient grade due to not turning in some homework, I went to the soccer field and pulled him off the field and sent him home to get his homework completed. Later that evening, his mother found his COMPLETED HOMEWORK in his backpack GRADED by the teacher! The teacher had erred in her record keeping, just as I had done by trusting that she was correct in her report. By placing my trust in a flawed report, I had been proven to be incorrect!
There are times when the enemy can get us so busy with hearing what he wants us to hear (maybe a flawed report!) that we can't hear from GOD! When we don't listen to TRUTH, we wind up hearing and LISTENING TO ERROR! King Solomon was the wisest (1 Kings 4:30) man alive and he wrote "IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS", then you will understand the fear of the LORD! We can know HIS WORDS, but unless we RECEIVE HIS WORDS we cannot accomplish what HE has planned for our lives!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to willingly receive YOUR Plan for my life as I live for YOU, and to see that "IF YOU RECEIVE MY WORDS" I will be on the path YOU desire for me.
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