2 Peter 3:8-10 (ESV)
"But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed."
There is much talk is going around about the current movie "SON OF GOD". I went to see the movie recently and have my own take on what "I THINK" should have been shown. Of course, had everything "I THINK" should have been shown actually been shown, the movie would have lasted for days!
The feeling I left the theater with was that JESUS CHRIST truly loved all of mankind. Especially when HE was hanging on Calvary's cross, HE loved. For JESUS to suffer the pain and separation from GOD THE FATHER in order to purchase my redemption is the ultimate statement of LOVE.
There is coming a day, very soon, when the patience of GOD will be complete! Scripture says there will be no warning! The earth, along with all of the works done on the earth, shall be burned up. You can build buildings, roads, monuments, even castles and cathedrals. Unless those are built under GOD's guidance and direction, they are built in vain.
The scripture above says GOD is patient. It also says GOD "is not slow to fulfill HIS promise as some count slowness". GOD will judge sin! I am so grateful that my sin has been covered by the blood that JESUS shed on the cross. I pray you too are trusting in JESUS.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Friday, March 7, 2014
"THE LOVE OF GOD!"
1 John 4:19-21 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"19 We love him, because he loved us first.
20 If any man say, I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: for how can he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we of him, that he that loveth God, should love his brother also."
I have been hurt by people in my past who were very dear to me. The people you are not close to, you tend to not care about so much. The people you really care about can be the ones who hurt you the deepest. The real measure of a person is whether they can LOVE when they are truly hurt by someone they love.
This scripture can be very convicting if you are harboring ill feelings about how you have been treated. GOD told Dr. Charles Stanley, when dealing with hurt caused by his friends, "You've got to see it all as coming from me!" When I get defensive and want to draw-up into my shell and not be exposed to pain or disappointment, I try to remember the words from Dr. Stanley. The lessons GOD may be wanting you to learn could not be revealed any other way.
GOD can teach us through a number of venues. When you are looking for HIM, you can find HIM! Jeremiah 29:13 says "And ye shall seek me, and find me, because ye shall seek me with all your heart." I pray that I will seek HIM in all that is presented to me, as I prefer learning pleasant lessons over trials and tribulations. But when others hurt my feelings, I pray I remember the pain I caused The SON OF GOD when HE willingly hung on a tree for me at Calvary!
"19 We love him, because he loved us first.
20 If any man say, I love God, and hate his brother, he is a liar: for how can he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, love God whom he hath not seen?
21 And this commandment have we of him, that he that loveth God, should love his brother also."
I have been hurt by people in my past who were very dear to me. The people you are not close to, you tend to not care about so much. The people you really care about can be the ones who hurt you the deepest. The real measure of a person is whether they can LOVE when they are truly hurt by someone they love.
This scripture can be very convicting if you are harboring ill feelings about how you have been treated. GOD told Dr. Charles Stanley, when dealing with hurt caused by his friends, "You've got to see it all as coming from me!" When I get defensive and want to draw-up into my shell and not be exposed to pain or disappointment, I try to remember the words from Dr. Stanley. The lessons GOD may be wanting you to learn could not be revealed any other way.
GOD can teach us through a number of venues. When you are looking for HIM, you can find HIM! Jeremiah 29:13 says "And ye shall seek me, and find me, because ye shall seek me with all your heart." I pray that I will seek HIM in all that is presented to me, as I prefer learning pleasant lessons over trials and tribulations. But when others hurt my feelings, I pray I remember the pain I caused The SON OF GOD when HE willingly hung on a tree for me at Calvary!
Thursday, March 6, 2014
"I WANT TO BE HOLY!"
Isaiah 44:1-2 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant, and Israel whom I have chosen.
2 Thus saith the LORD, that made thee, and formed thee from the womb: HE will help thee. Fear not, O Jacob, my servant, and thou righteous whom I have chosen."
My spirit has been dealing with GOD'S PLAN for my portion in life for the past few weeks. The struggles and challenges of living for HIM are sometimes great, but recently I have a JOY and EXCITEMENT that I can't explain.
When I realize that the GOD OF CREATION chose me, just like HE did Jacob/Israel, it floods my soul with gladness. GOD formed me in the womb and HE ordains the steps I take. Proverbs 20:24 tells me "The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then understand his own way?"
GOD will direct your steps when you desire to follow HIM! One of my favorite passages in scripture is Proverbs 3:5-7 which reads "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own wisdom. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy ways. Be not wise in thine own eyes: but fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Why should we trust in our own wisdom when ALMIGHTY GOD is waiting to guide us!
To come to the realization that THE HOLY GOD gives direction to me is a privilege beyond description. I desire to live for HIM and I pray that my life is a testament on how to live for HIM! Geron Davis, songwriter, says in a preface to a song he wrote called "HUNGER FOR HOLINESS", these words. "I want my words, my actions, my life, to be acceptable in HIS sight. I want nothing less than Holiness. I want to be Holy, like JESUS. I want my life to be an example of what HE is to me!"
"1 Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant, and Israel whom I have chosen.
2 Thus saith the LORD, that made thee, and formed thee from the womb: HE will help thee. Fear not, O Jacob, my servant, and thou righteous whom I have chosen."
My spirit has been dealing with GOD'S PLAN for my portion in life for the past few weeks. The struggles and challenges of living for HIM are sometimes great, but recently I have a JOY and EXCITEMENT that I can't explain.
When I realize that the GOD OF CREATION chose me, just like HE did Jacob/Israel, it floods my soul with gladness. GOD formed me in the womb and HE ordains the steps I take. Proverbs 20:24 tells me "The steps of man are ruled by the Lord: how can a man then understand his own way?"
GOD will direct your steps when you desire to follow HIM! One of my favorite passages in scripture is Proverbs 3:5-7 which reads "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own wisdom. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy ways. Be not wise in thine own eyes: but fear the Lord, and depart from evil." Why should we trust in our own wisdom when ALMIGHTY GOD is waiting to guide us!
To come to the realization that THE HOLY GOD gives direction to me is a privilege beyond description. I desire to live for HIM and I pray that my life is a testament on how to live for HIM! Geron Davis, songwriter, says in a preface to a song he wrote called "HUNGER FOR HOLINESS", these words. "I want my words, my actions, my life, to be acceptable in HIS sight. I want nothing less than Holiness. I want to be Holy, like JESUS. I want my life to be an example of what HE is to me!"
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
"GARDEN BOXES!"
Luke 6:43-45 (1599 Geneva Bible)
"43 For it is not a good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit: neither an evil tree, that bringeth forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit: for neither of thorns gather men figs, nor of bushes gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
A couple of weeks ago my wife and I were building two more "garden boxes" behind our house. While assembling the "garden boxes", I accidentally punctured my finger with the drill I was using! The pain was pretty bad, yet after recovering from the near fainting spell, I continued assembling the box. In my younger days I would have thrown something, or said something not worth repeating! I have physically matured a little since. I have matured spiritually immensely since!
The "garden boxes" we built last year were pretty successful. We harvested tomatoes and okra well into November! I love cantaloupes, but we didn't plant any cantaloupe seeds, conversely we didn't get to harvest any cantaloupes. We only harvested what we planted, watered, helped grow till harvest time.
JESUS was telling us in Luke 6:43-45 that we can't expect good to come from bad! If we plant evil, water evil, and help evil grow, at harvest we should not be surprised when evil is what we reap. And if we sew good, we can expect good crops! You shouldn't be surprised when one's mouth harvests things that have been planted, watered, and nurtured. When you see the harvest, it is only what has been sewn.
The puncture of my finger is slowly healing, although the drill bit went all the way to the bone. The wound is healing, but the scar will remain. I pray that the words that come out of my mouth will be words that will no longer leave a scar, but used to harvest good fruit in my "GARDEN BOXES"!
"43 For it is not a good tree that bringeth forth evil fruit: neither an evil tree, that bringeth forth good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit: for neither of thorns gather men figs, nor of bushes gather they grapes.
45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh."
A couple of weeks ago my wife and I were building two more "garden boxes" behind our house. While assembling the "garden boxes", I accidentally punctured my finger with the drill I was using! The pain was pretty bad, yet after recovering from the near fainting spell, I continued assembling the box. In my younger days I would have thrown something, or said something not worth repeating! I have physically matured a little since. I have matured spiritually immensely since!
The "garden boxes" we built last year were pretty successful. We harvested tomatoes and okra well into November! I love cantaloupes, but we didn't plant any cantaloupe seeds, conversely we didn't get to harvest any cantaloupes. We only harvested what we planted, watered, helped grow till harvest time.
JESUS was telling us in Luke 6:43-45 that we can't expect good to come from bad! If we plant evil, water evil, and help evil grow, at harvest we should not be surprised when evil is what we reap. And if we sew good, we can expect good crops! You shouldn't be surprised when one's mouth harvests things that have been planted, watered, and nurtured. When you see the harvest, it is only what has been sewn.
The puncture of my finger is slowly healing, although the drill bit went all the way to the bone. The wound is healing, but the scar will remain. I pray that the words that come out of my mouth will be words that will no longer leave a scar, but used to harvest good fruit in my "GARDEN BOXES"!
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
"NEVER FORGET!"
2 Kings 21:1-2 (KJV)
"1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzi-bah.
2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel
2 Kings 21:11-12 (KJV)
"11 Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
12 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle."
A man named George Santayana wrote a book in 1906 entitled "The Reason in Common Sense". In that book he offered the quote "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it."
From the beginning of time man has exhibited the notion that mankind was superior to GOD. Adam was told by GOD, even before Eve had been created, NOT to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. But Adam and Eve listened to the serpent (evil) and SPIRITUAL DEATH was introduced to the world.
Even today, mankind has many, many examples to learn from. King David, Samson, Apostle Peter, Apostle Paul, Abraham, Moses, we all have fallen short of GOD's glory. Yet, we seem to always think we know better than anyone else how to solve the worlds problems. We think we can work things out if we are just given a chance.
King Manasseh was 12 years old when he became King. In 2 Kings 21:1 it is recorded that Manasseh reigned 55 years. King Manasseh "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD!" Not only did King Manasseh do evil, he "made Judah also to sin with his idols." Leadership had its privileges, but it also has its burdens! King Manasseh caused Judah to sin, and his sins did not go unnoticed.
In 2 Kings 21:16 it is written "Moreover, Manasseh shed innocent blood exceedingly much, till he replenished Jerusalem from corner to corner, beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, and to do evil in the sight of The Lord." King Manasseh was 67 years old when he "slept with his fathers". His eternal "reward" will not be fun to pay.
We all have to pay for the evil we have done. Numbers 32:23 tells us "But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord, and be sure, that YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT." I cannot express my gratitude that JESUS paid my debt on Calvary's cross. I will NEVER FORGET the price HE paid for my sin.
"1 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzi-bah.
2 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel
2 Kings 21:11-12 (KJV)
"11 Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols:
12 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle."
A man named George Santayana wrote a book in 1906 entitled "The Reason in Common Sense". In that book he offered the quote "Those who cannot remember the past, are condemned to repeat it."
From the beginning of time man has exhibited the notion that mankind was superior to GOD. Adam was told by GOD, even before Eve had been created, NOT to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. But Adam and Eve listened to the serpent (evil) and SPIRITUAL DEATH was introduced to the world.
Even today, mankind has many, many examples to learn from. King David, Samson, Apostle Peter, Apostle Paul, Abraham, Moses, we all have fallen short of GOD's glory. Yet, we seem to always think we know better than anyone else how to solve the worlds problems. We think we can work things out if we are just given a chance.
King Manasseh was 12 years old when he became King. In 2 Kings 21:1 it is recorded that Manasseh reigned 55 years. King Manasseh "did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD!" Not only did King Manasseh do evil, he "made Judah also to sin with his idols." Leadership had its privileges, but it also has its burdens! King Manasseh caused Judah to sin, and his sins did not go unnoticed.
In 2 Kings 21:16 it is written "Moreover, Manasseh shed innocent blood exceedingly much, till he replenished Jerusalem from corner to corner, beside his sin wherewith he made Judah to sin, and to do evil in the sight of The Lord." King Manasseh was 67 years old when he "slept with his fathers". His eternal "reward" will not be fun to pay.
We all have to pay for the evil we have done. Numbers 32:23 tells us "But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord, and be sure, that YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT." I cannot express my gratitude that JESUS paid my debt on Calvary's cross. I will NEVER FORGET the price HE paid for my sin.
Monday, March 3, 2014
"GOD INCARNATE"
Psalms 31:14-16 (NASB)
"14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.
16 Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
Save me in Your lovingkindness."
James 4:13-17 (NASB)
"13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”
14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."
Most mornings I read the headlines on the front page of the local newspaper and the obituary page. The rest of the newspaper has not proven worthy of my time to invest in reading. Today there was a name very familiar to me in the obituaries. She was a very sweet lady who was very considerate and helpful to others. She was not "OLD", just passed retirement age. She left here for her eternal reward in a far better place.
We ALL get caught up in the hustle-bustle rat race we call LIFE! Seldom do we sit down and plan for the end stages of life? How will I leave this life! Will I go in my sleep tomorrow! Will I be the resident of a nursing home for a number of years? Will I go in an auto accident in 12 years? Will this earthly life end due age and deterioration of this body? Or maybe GOD will decide it is TIME and I will be RAPTURED?!? How will this life end?
King David wrote Psalms 39. He was "a man after GOD's own heart"(1 Samuel 13:14). The book of James was written by the brother of JESUS. These two passages were written by two men who loved GOD immensely. "My times" "are just a vapor" that appear briefly, and then "vanishes away"! What lies before me is unknown for me. I trust GOD alone with my next breath and the future.
Most reports indicate that 10 of the 12 disciples were martyred. One would think the disciples were the most dedicated to JESUS (GOD INCARNATE). The disciples knew that they had experienced GOD INCARNATE and their reward was not of this world. The Priests and hierarchy of the church (Pharisees and Sadducees) were so caught up in their rituals and man-made traditions that when GOD INCARNATE appeared right before their eyes, they couldn't even see HIM!
Does JESUS appear before me at times and I not even see HIM because I am so caught up in my RAT-RACE? How many times do I fail to see GOD INCARNATE right before my eyes? Could I be just like those who thought so much of themselves that they were blinded to see GOD INCARNATE?
Scripture tells us our times here on earth are just "a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away"! FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to keep my eyes focused on the things of Heaven and not miss GOD INCARNATE when HE passes my way!
"14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord,
I say, “You are my God.”
15 My times are in Your hand;
Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.
16 Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
Save me in Your lovingkindness."
James 4:13-17 (NASB)
"13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”
14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin."
Most mornings I read the headlines on the front page of the local newspaper and the obituary page. The rest of the newspaper has not proven worthy of my time to invest in reading. Today there was a name very familiar to me in the obituaries. She was a very sweet lady who was very considerate and helpful to others. She was not "OLD", just passed retirement age. She left here for her eternal reward in a far better place.
We ALL get caught up in the hustle-bustle rat race we call LIFE! Seldom do we sit down and plan for the end stages of life? How will I leave this life! Will I go in my sleep tomorrow! Will I be the resident of a nursing home for a number of years? Will I go in an auto accident in 12 years? Will this earthly life end due age and deterioration of this body? Or maybe GOD will decide it is TIME and I will be RAPTURED?!? How will this life end?
King David wrote Psalms 39. He was "a man after GOD's own heart"(1 Samuel 13:14). The book of James was written by the brother of JESUS. These two passages were written by two men who loved GOD immensely. "My times" "are just a vapor" that appear briefly, and then "vanishes away"! What lies before me is unknown for me. I trust GOD alone with my next breath and the future.
Most reports indicate that 10 of the 12 disciples were martyred. One would think the disciples were the most dedicated to JESUS (GOD INCARNATE). The disciples knew that they had experienced GOD INCARNATE and their reward was not of this world. The Priests and hierarchy of the church (Pharisees and Sadducees) were so caught up in their rituals and man-made traditions that when GOD INCARNATE appeared right before their eyes, they couldn't even see HIM!
Does JESUS appear before me at times and I not even see HIM because I am so caught up in my RAT-RACE? How many times do I fail to see GOD INCARNATE right before my eyes? Could I be just like those who thought so much of themselves that they were blinded to see GOD INCARNATE?
Scripture tells us our times here on earth are just "a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away"! FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to keep my eyes focused on the things of Heaven and not miss GOD INCARNATE when HE passes my way!
Saturday, March 1, 2014
"WHO ART THOU???"
James 4:10-12 (KJV)
"10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11 SPEAK NOT EVIL one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12 There is ONE lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: WHO ART THOU that judgest another?"
Everybody has faults! Whether they admit their faults, or not, is another story. I know people who want to expose the wrongs of others, yet never mention any wrongs they may have done.
The scriptures above tell us that one should not judge someone else. It is so tempting to get caught up in telling how someone else has failed. The thing is, we "ALL" (Romans 3:23) have failed! And most of us get pretty defensive when others want to shine a light on our failures. The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians "for when I am weak, then I am strong"! I believe Paul is saying, when I humble myself and admit I am weak, then I become strong in relying on JESUS in my life.
"WHO ART THOU" to judge someone else? I can find plenty of people who do plenty of wrong. GOD is able to judge the wrongs of others. HE is does not need my help correcting them. Just because we are one of HIS chosen does not mean HE needs us to do ALL of HIS work. If John 6:44 is true ("No man can come to me, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH SENT ME DRAW HIM: and I will raise him up at the last day."), I should let GOD and HIS HOLY SPIRIT convict and work in people's lives. When HE needs me to intervene, HE will make it clear!
Going back to the start, I am of the belief that I should "Humble myself in the sight of the Lord"(v10). HE is faithful to do what HE said HE would do. Am I faithful to trust HIM to "lift me up"? And to proclaim that HE is the ONE who lifts people up when they humble themselves in HIS sight?
"10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
11 SPEAK NOT EVIL one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12 There is ONE lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: WHO ART THOU that judgest another?"
Everybody has faults! Whether they admit their faults, or not, is another story. I know people who want to expose the wrongs of others, yet never mention any wrongs they may have done.
The scriptures above tell us that one should not judge someone else. It is so tempting to get caught up in telling how someone else has failed. The thing is, we "ALL" (Romans 3:23) have failed! And most of us get pretty defensive when others want to shine a light on our failures. The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians "for when I am weak, then I am strong"! I believe Paul is saying, when I humble myself and admit I am weak, then I become strong in relying on JESUS in my life.
"WHO ART THOU" to judge someone else? I can find plenty of people who do plenty of wrong. GOD is able to judge the wrongs of others. HE is does not need my help correcting them. Just because we are one of HIS chosen does not mean HE needs us to do ALL of HIS work. If John 6:44 is true ("No man can come to me, EXCEPT THE FATHER WHICH SENT ME DRAW HIM: and I will raise him up at the last day."), I should let GOD and HIS HOLY SPIRIT convict and work in people's lives. When HE needs me to intervene, HE will make it clear!
Going back to the start, I am of the belief that I should "Humble myself in the sight of the Lord"(v10). HE is faithful to do what HE said HE would do. Am I faithful to trust HIM to "lift me up"? And to proclaim that HE is the ONE who lifts people up when they humble themselves in HIS sight?
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