Then Judges 6:12-16 (ESV)
"12 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him and said to him, "THE LORD IS WITH YOU", O mighty man of valor."
13 And Gideon said to him, "Please, sir, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all his wonderful deeds that our fathers recounted to us, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and given us into the hand of Midian."
14 And the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian; do not I send you?"
15 And he said to him, "Please, Lord, how can I save Israel? Behold, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I AM THE LEAST in my father's house."
16 And the LORD said to him, "But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man."
The recollection of Gideon being used of GOD to deliver Israel from the Midianites is a miracle that must not be overshadowed. The first thing the angel of the LORD told Gideon was "THE LORD IS WITH YOU"! Then, in Judges 7:2 GOD told Gideon that people he had with him were "too many for me", so 22,000 returned to their home and 10,000 remained. Eventually, GOD reduced the number of men to 300 and said HE would only need that many to do what HE had Planned! But as it turned out, all those 300 had to do was blow a trumpet and break some jars and GOD took care of the rest!
On top of everything else, Gideon knew he was not from the biggest or strongest tribe. He responded to the LORD in Judges 6:15 "my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I AM THE LEAST in my father's house." GOD seems to use those who deflect all of HIS glory! But GOD knew he was obedient and wasn't too proud to give GOD glory for the battles, so HE tabernacled with Gideon. Do I deflect HIS glory, or do I tend to revel in it??
GOD can use captivity to slow us down and teach us lessons. Being held captive from "this world" and all distractions is sometimes the only way we will listen to GOD? Israel had been held captive for seven years (Judges 6:1), but that is nothing compared to the 430 years of being captive to the Egyptians (Exodus 12:40)! GOD is INTIMATELY involved in our lives and HE KNOWS when HIS timing is right! To say "THE LORD IS WITH YOU" can be easy to do. To actually LIVE "THE LORD IS WITH YOU" may mean a time of captivity for you SO GOD CAN GET GLORY!!
Gideon went with fewer resources than "prudent" people might have thought was needed in obedience to GOD, and GOD received glory from it. When "THE LORD IS WITH YOU" your hopes and dreams had better not be trusting in "common sense", as GOD's work is never "common"! When life's circumstances seem to be more than you can bare, don't forget "THE LORD IS WITH YOU" has born much more than this before! HE overcame death, the grave, and hell, all for me.............and you! We just need to give HIM all of HIS glory, because "THE LORD IS WITH YOU" is not about us, but all about HIM!!
Monday, February 8, 2016
Sunday, February 7, 2016
"PEOPLE's HEART!"
Matthew 13:10-17
"10 Then the disciples came and said to HIM, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"
11 And HE answered them, "To you IT has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them IT has not been given.
12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:9-10) is fulfilled that says: "You will indeed hear but NEVER understand, and you will indeed see but NEVER perceive."
15 For this "PEOPLE's HEART" has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
17 For truly, I say to you, MANY PROPHETS AND RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE LONGED TO SEE WHAT YOU SEE, AND DID NOT SEE, AND HEAR WHAT YOU HEAR, AND DID NOT HEAR IT!"
GOD's SPIRIT can do miraculous things! When a miraculous thing happens in your life, letting it go by the wayside isn't something that is easily accomplished. The brain hemorrhage I experienced didn't seem like something "miraculous" at the time, but the further down the recovery road I travel, the more convinced I am that GOD was/is at work!
My physician, who is a Believer, wrote these words, verbatim, in my medical records, and they are his words, not mine: "Patient sustained a massive hemorrhagic stroke on July 9th. He was in ICU for over a month and on the ventilator for much of that time...........He initially was not able to speak or swallow. He had right sided hemiplegia. However, he has had an remarkable recovery that could only be defined as a miracle from God"!
Before the brain hemorrhage I was busy beyond belief and honestly didn't have time for anything, let alone listening to an Invisible GOD! My recovery continues, but I was off from work nine days short of two years! During those two years I had time to evaluate what was being accomplished with my life, that is what good was I getting done? I "SEE" things from a different perspective now, not only as a hemorrhagic stroke survivor, but as a child of the living GOD who is blessed beyond measure.
JESUS told HIS disciples that they were BLESSED because they could see some things others couldn't SEE, HEAR, nor UNDERSTAND! Sometimes it is easy to forget how physically BLESSED I am, not only to have survived the hemorrhage, but to have recovered with no deficits (disabilities)! But the thing that is far more meaningful is being able to SPIRITUALLY SEE, HEAR, and UNDERSTAND that which is revealed to us by The FATHER!
Knowing there are people who spiritually can't SEE, HEAR, nor can they UNDERSTAND is a heartbreaking understanding. SEEing someone who can't SEE Spiritually can be frustrating, yet heartbreaking, as they can't SEE, HEAR, or UNDERSTAND things that are so obvious to believers. JESUS said these "PEOPLE's HEART" has grown dull, or calloused, hardened, or unable to receive nutrients. FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to SEE the needs of those who have chosen to not SEE, HEAR, nor UNDERSTAND the things from YOU, and to share YOUR Word in a way YOU will be glorified!
"10 Then the disciples came and said to HIM, "Why do you speak to them in parables?"
11 And HE answered them, "To you IT has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them IT has not been given.
12 For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah (Isaiah 6:9-10) is fulfilled that says: "You will indeed hear but NEVER understand, and you will indeed see but NEVER perceive."
15 For this "PEOPLE's HEART" has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'
16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.
17 For truly, I say to you, MANY PROPHETS AND RIGHTEOUS PEOPLE LONGED TO SEE WHAT YOU SEE, AND DID NOT SEE, AND HEAR WHAT YOU HEAR, AND DID NOT HEAR IT!"
GOD's SPIRIT can do miraculous things! When a miraculous thing happens in your life, letting it go by the wayside isn't something that is easily accomplished. The brain hemorrhage I experienced didn't seem like something "miraculous" at the time, but the further down the recovery road I travel, the more convinced I am that GOD was/is at work!
My physician, who is a Believer, wrote these words, verbatim, in my medical records, and they are his words, not mine: "Patient sustained a massive hemorrhagic stroke on July 9th. He was in ICU for over a month and on the ventilator for much of that time...........He initially was not able to speak or swallow. He had right sided hemiplegia. However, he has had an remarkable recovery that could only be defined as a miracle from God"!
Before the brain hemorrhage I was busy beyond belief and honestly didn't have time for anything, let alone listening to an Invisible GOD! My recovery continues, but I was off from work nine days short of two years! During those two years I had time to evaluate what was being accomplished with my life, that is what good was I getting done? I "SEE" things from a different perspective now, not only as a hemorrhagic stroke survivor, but as a child of the living GOD who is blessed beyond measure.
JESUS told HIS disciples that they were BLESSED because they could see some things others couldn't SEE, HEAR, nor UNDERSTAND! Sometimes it is easy to forget how physically BLESSED I am, not only to have survived the hemorrhage, but to have recovered with no deficits (disabilities)! But the thing that is far more meaningful is being able to SPIRITUALLY SEE, HEAR, and UNDERSTAND that which is revealed to us by The FATHER!
Knowing there are people who spiritually can't SEE, HEAR, nor can they UNDERSTAND is a heartbreaking understanding. SEEing someone who can't SEE Spiritually can be frustrating, yet heartbreaking, as they can't SEE, HEAR, or UNDERSTAND things that are so obvious to believers. JESUS said these "PEOPLE's HEART" has grown dull, or calloused, hardened, or unable to receive nutrients. FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to SEE the needs of those who have chosen to not SEE, HEAR, nor UNDERSTAND the things from YOU, and to share YOUR Word in a way YOU will be glorified!
Friday, February 5, 2016
"THE TRUTH!"
John 14:1-7 (ESV)
"1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in GOD; believe also in ME.
2 In my FATHER's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to MYSELF, that where I am you may be also.
4 And you know the way to where I am going."
5 Thomas said to HIM, "LORD, we do not know where YOU are going. How can we know the way?"
6 JESUS said to him, "I am the way, and "THE TRUTH", and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.
7 If you had known ME, you would have known my FATHER also. From now on you do know HIM and have seen HIM."
With the political season starting to get into full swing it can become difficult to detect "THE TRUTH" amongst all of the so-called "politics", which has basically devolved into manipulating the English language to get as many followers as possible on Election Day! The words that are used nowadays normally don't carry much weight, as they haven't been exposed to "THE TRUTH"! Even JESUS spoke in "parables", for our minds could not comprehend "THE TRUTH" without it being watered down. The eyes of the people couldn't see "THE TRUTH", even when HE was walking right in front of them!
JESUS is THE WAY to heaven. Believing that JESUS is GOD's SON and that HE sacrificed HIMSELF for our sins is the MAIN thing that is required. To really KNOW "THE TRUTH" one has to be experienced in knowing JESUS. You can't say you know know "THE TRUTH" with no knowledge of HIM, for that is when your faith will be tested and exposed! Not KNOWING "THE TRUTH" intimately will wind up frustrating you to no end. Having your faith not only tested, but proven, can be an uncomfortable experience. In Genesis 22:12 scripture records "HE said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for NOW I KNOW THAT YOU FEAR GOD, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from ME." GOD is sovereign and HE ALREADY KNEW the faith of Abraham would be sufficient. But now Abraham knew that GOD would provide his needs! The uncomfortable test of his faith was for Abraham's benefit, not GOD's!
In the passage above, JESUS was telling Thomas about heaven, otherwise known as HIS FATHER's house. It seems most, even confessors of the faith, want to place all of their efforts on things associated with things of "this world", and neglect preparing to go to the FATHER'S house! They seemed to be deceived by the great deceiver into believing that earthly gain will matter when we get to Heaven? JESUS was telling Thomas about heaven, otherwise known as HIS FATHER's house. Mankind seems to have the perception that the FATHER'S will need to be furnished with earthly treasures? But when the great deceiver is cast into hell for eternity the things of this world will be so insignificant that we will wonder what we were doing? "THE TRUTH" will be revealed!
The answer to the problems facing this world today is not in conservative or liberal policies, rather in the Way, and "THE TRUTH", and the Life! Don't be deceived by the busyness and the pace that everything appears to be moving. When GOD is relegated to not being first in our lives, and the enemy has things moving so rapidly that we won't take time to worship GOD, chaos and division will flourish! Maybe it's time we listen to The CREATOR of the Universe and recognize that HE is "the way, and "THE TRUTH", and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME"!!!
"1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in GOD; believe also in ME.
2 In my FATHER's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to MYSELF, that where I am you may be also.
4 And you know the way to where I am going."
5 Thomas said to HIM, "LORD, we do not know where YOU are going. How can we know the way?"
6 JESUS said to him, "I am the way, and "THE TRUTH", and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.
7 If you had known ME, you would have known my FATHER also. From now on you do know HIM and have seen HIM."
With the political season starting to get into full swing it can become difficult to detect "THE TRUTH" amongst all of the so-called "politics", which has basically devolved into manipulating the English language to get as many followers as possible on Election Day! The words that are used nowadays normally don't carry much weight, as they haven't been exposed to "THE TRUTH"! Even JESUS spoke in "parables", for our minds could not comprehend "THE TRUTH" without it being watered down. The eyes of the people couldn't see "THE TRUTH", even when HE was walking right in front of them!
JESUS is THE WAY to heaven. Believing that JESUS is GOD's SON and that HE sacrificed HIMSELF for our sins is the MAIN thing that is required. To really KNOW "THE TRUTH" one has to be experienced in knowing JESUS. You can't say you know know "THE TRUTH" with no knowledge of HIM, for that is when your faith will be tested and exposed! Not KNOWING "THE TRUTH" intimately will wind up frustrating you to no end. Having your faith not only tested, but proven, can be an uncomfortable experience. In Genesis 22:12 scripture records "HE said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for NOW I KNOW THAT YOU FEAR GOD, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from ME." GOD is sovereign and HE ALREADY KNEW the faith of Abraham would be sufficient. But now Abraham knew that GOD would provide his needs! The uncomfortable test of his faith was for Abraham's benefit, not GOD's!
In the passage above, JESUS was telling Thomas about heaven, otherwise known as HIS FATHER's house. It seems most, even confessors of the faith, want to place all of their efforts on things associated with things of "this world", and neglect preparing to go to the FATHER'S house! They seemed to be deceived by the great deceiver into believing that earthly gain will matter when we get to Heaven? JESUS was telling Thomas about heaven, otherwise known as HIS FATHER's house. Mankind seems to have the perception that the FATHER'S will need to be furnished with earthly treasures? But when the great deceiver is cast into hell for eternity the things of this world will be so insignificant that we will wonder what we were doing? "THE TRUTH" will be revealed!
The answer to the problems facing this world today is not in conservative or liberal policies, rather in the Way, and "THE TRUTH", and the Life! Don't be deceived by the busyness and the pace that everything appears to be moving. When GOD is relegated to not being first in our lives, and the enemy has things moving so rapidly that we won't take time to worship GOD, chaos and division will flourish! Maybe it's time we listen to The CREATOR of the Universe and recognize that HE is "the way, and "THE TRUTH", and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME"!!!
Thursday, February 4, 2016
"GOD SO LOVED!"
Philippians 2:3-11 (ESV)
"3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in CHRIST JESUS,
6 WHO, though HE was in the form of GOD, did not count equality with GOD a thing to be grasped,
7 but EMPTIED HIMSELF, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, HE humbled HIMSELF by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore GOD HAS HIGHLY EXALTED HIM and bestowed on HIM the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the GLORY of GOD the FATHER."
In my meditations I have many times tried to imagine what JESUS must have gone through during Passion Week, from being hailed on HIS triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to being sacrificed for the sins of all mankind? Knowing that HIS TIME was drawing near must have been excruciating for my LORD, yet HE walked HIS journey out of love for me!
But JESUS not only knew the last weeks, or the last year of HIS life, HE knew from the foundations of the world HIS life would be sacrificed for the sins of the whole world! The scriptures above point out that although JESUS was "in the form of GOD", HE EMPTIED HIMSELF just for me!
Why would JESUS do such a selfless, humble thing? Why would HE sacrifice HIS life for someone who is as worthless and despicable as me? Yes, it's true that because of HIS sacrifice, GOD HAS EXALTED HIM above every name ever spoken, but is GOD so vain that HE would have HIS SON go through separation from HIMSELF just to draw glory to HIM? Fellowship between JESUS and The FATHER wasn't broken until JESUS took on our sin while hanging on Calvary's cross!
The true answer isn't found in the writings above. In John 3:16 it is written "For "GOD SO LOVED" the world, that he gave his only SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life". JESUS knew HE would be required to pay an unimaginable price for the salvation of my soul, yet HE left HIS throne, walked among men, a died a gruesome death, all for me! And all because "GOD SO LOVED"!
"3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in CHRIST JESUS,
6 WHO, though HE was in the form of GOD, did not count equality with GOD a thing to be grasped,
7 but EMPTIED HIMSELF, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, HE humbled HIMSELF by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore GOD HAS HIGHLY EXALTED HIM and bestowed on HIM the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the GLORY of GOD the FATHER."
In my meditations I have many times tried to imagine what JESUS must have gone through during Passion Week, from being hailed on HIS triumphant entry into Jerusalem, to being sacrificed for the sins of all mankind? Knowing that HIS TIME was drawing near must have been excruciating for my LORD, yet HE walked HIS journey out of love for me!
But JESUS not only knew the last weeks, or the last year of HIS life, HE knew from the foundations of the world HIS life would be sacrificed for the sins of the whole world! The scriptures above point out that although JESUS was "in the form of GOD", HE EMPTIED HIMSELF just for me!
Why would JESUS do such a selfless, humble thing? Why would HE sacrifice HIS life for someone who is as worthless and despicable as me? Yes, it's true that because of HIS sacrifice, GOD HAS EXALTED HIM above every name ever spoken, but is GOD so vain that HE would have HIS SON go through separation from HIMSELF just to draw glory to HIM? Fellowship between JESUS and The FATHER wasn't broken until JESUS took on our sin while hanging on Calvary's cross!
The true answer isn't found in the writings above. In John 3:16 it is written "For "GOD SO LOVED" the world, that he gave his only SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life". JESUS knew HE would be required to pay an unimaginable price for the salvation of my soul, yet HE left HIS throne, walked among men, a died a gruesome death, all for me! And all because "GOD SO LOVED"!
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
"BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS!"
Hebrews 11:1-7 (ESV)
"1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of GOD, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to GOD a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, GOD commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because GOD had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased GOD.
6 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.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by GOD concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
To me, the Holy Bible has always been authoritative and true, regardless of the conjecture and spin "this world" attempts to spin around it. Even when I was five years old in Sunday School learning the history of the Bible, I accepted that just because the Bible said it, that made it true! Maybe that's because I have seen GOD work in my life so much, and from a very young age, I knew HE had to exist, for there was no better explanation for my existence? And HIS Word is an extension of HIS embodiment, proof that HE does exist!
To see GOD, even in the things we perceive as "bad", has never been a strength of mine. Beginning when I was four years old, my mom and dad divorced and my mom was awarded custody of me and two sisters. My dad loved us so much, he promptly moved to Canada for the next 20 years to avoid paying child support! The BITTERNESS of growing up without a father was something that affected me well into my adulthood. When I was 36 years old my younger sister, who I love dearly, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late October. She passed away two months later. And, of course, when I was 46 years old I experienced a rather severe brain hemorrhage that hospitalized me for 52 days! Seeing GOD at work in just these dark times makes me KNOW that HE exists and has a Plan for our lives!
All of the events of my lifetime have contributed to me "BELIEVING THAT HE EXISTS" and has a Plan for my life, for your life, and for "this world"! From time to time I have to be reminded that HE IS IN CONTROL and HIS Plan is more important than my ideas of how I think things should work! While HE does give us guidance and direction in our lives, we are COMMANDED in Hebrews 11:6 "Without FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM"!!! We cannot fake our way to trusting in GOD and HIS timetable.
While I do "BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS" and is "working all things for my good", I constantly have to remind myself that my ways are NOT HIS ways! Somethings I can't currently understand how or why, I have to "BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS" and HE has a Plan!
Looking back over my life, I can see HIS Hand in my life, especially when things were toughest! PHYSICALLY, the most amazing accomplishment of my lifetime SO FAR, (outside of being married to the most perfect woman in the world FOR ME, and the two sons that marriage produced) has to be the recovery from the brain hemorrhage in July 2007. Although I was there the entire time, I was not in control of even my breathing, as I was placed into a drug induced coma for 17 days, with no recollection of anything that transpired during this time. The most amazing things were happening and I had no part in making them happen!!!
Exodus 14:14 says "The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." Being put into a coma took all ability to assist in my recovery from me. GOD has manifested to me that HE can work MIRACLES, if we "BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS" and trust in HIM!!
"1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the people of old received their commendation.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of GOD, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to GOD a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, GOD commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because GOD had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased GOD.
6 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.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by GOD concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith."
To me, the Holy Bible has always been authoritative and true, regardless of the conjecture and spin "this world" attempts to spin around it. Even when I was five years old in Sunday School learning the history of the Bible, I accepted that just because the Bible said it, that made it true! Maybe that's because I have seen GOD work in my life so much, and from a very young age, I knew HE had to exist, for there was no better explanation for my existence? And HIS Word is an extension of HIS embodiment, proof that HE does exist!
To see GOD, even in the things we perceive as "bad", has never been a strength of mine. Beginning when I was four years old, my mom and dad divorced and my mom was awarded custody of me and two sisters. My dad loved us so much, he promptly moved to Canada for the next 20 years to avoid paying child support! The BITTERNESS of growing up without a father was something that affected me well into my adulthood. When I was 36 years old my younger sister, who I love dearly, was diagnosed with stomach cancer in late October. She passed away two months later. And, of course, when I was 46 years old I experienced a rather severe brain hemorrhage that hospitalized me for 52 days! Seeing GOD at work in just these dark times makes me KNOW that HE exists and has a Plan for our lives!
All of the events of my lifetime have contributed to me "BELIEVING THAT HE EXISTS" and has a Plan for my life, for your life, and for "this world"! From time to time I have to be reminded that HE IS IN CONTROL and HIS Plan is more important than my ideas of how I think things should work! While HE does give us guidance and direction in our lives, we are COMMANDED in Hebrews 11:6 "Without FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM"!!! We cannot fake our way to trusting in GOD and HIS timetable.
While I do "BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS" and is "working all things for my good", I constantly have to remind myself that my ways are NOT HIS ways! Somethings I can't currently understand how or why, I have to "BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS" and HE has a Plan!
Looking back over my life, I can see HIS Hand in my life, especially when things were toughest! PHYSICALLY, the most amazing accomplishment of my lifetime SO FAR, (outside of being married to the most perfect woman in the world FOR ME, and the two sons that marriage produced) has to be the recovery from the brain hemorrhage in July 2007. Although I was there the entire time, I was not in control of even my breathing, as I was placed into a drug induced coma for 17 days, with no recollection of anything that transpired during this time. The most amazing things were happening and I had no part in making them happen!!!
Exodus 14:14 says "The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." Being put into a coma took all ability to assist in my recovery from me. GOD has manifested to me that HE can work MIRACLES, if we "BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS" and trust in HIM!!
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
"YOU, O LORD!"
Psalms 92:4-11 (ESV)
"4 For "YOU, O LORD", have made me glad by YOUR work; at the works of YOUR hands I sing for joy.
5 How great are YOUR works, O LORD! YOUR thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;
8 but "YOU, O LORD", are on high forever.
9 For behold, YOUR enemies, O LORD, for behold, YOUR enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.
10 But YOU have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; YOU have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants."
It is very easy to get caught up in a victory celebration when the team you support is victorious in a tough battle. Everyone is weakened by the battle, the warfare, the struggle that has transpired for their team to come out on top and the temptation is to gloat and revel just a bit. But the focus should never be on things man has seemingly accomplished or achieved. All glory should ALWAYS be given to "YOU, O LORD"!
It might be easy to accept praise, honor, and glory for things that happen in our lives. But the writings above display that "YOU have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; YOU have poured over me fresh oil"! It is difficult to not be humble when you have an appropriate vision of where ALL blessings come from. For some of us, the enemy wants us to be so caught up in being victorious that our focus is on the outcome of the battle, and not WHO we are fighting for! We should remember that "YOU, O LORD", are on high forever".
Unless "the battle belongs to the LORD" we have a tendency to want to take credit for what GOD achieves through our lives. "The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:" is a sobering statement that must be HUMBLY evaluated. If I cannot "know" or "understand" why a battle is being won or lost, it may be because a HOLY FORCE is behind the scenes working HIS will? GOD is sovereign and HE accomplishes HIS will (Genesis 18:9-15)! No matter how bleak our circumstances, GOD WILL GET GLORY (Exodus 14:3-31).
Being on the victorious team is not something to flaunt or revel in. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by GRACE you have been saved through faith. And this is NOT OF YOUR OWN DOING; it is the gift of GOD, not a result of works, so that NO ONE MAY BOAST." GOD has provided everything for us to accomplish the PLAN HE has for each of us. Our mindset should be to discover, through a devout prayer life and studying GOD's Word, exactly what HIS Plan is for our lives, and follow that Plan so all praise will go to "YOU, O LORD"!!
"4 For "YOU, O LORD", have made me glad by YOUR work; at the works of YOUR hands I sing for joy.
5 How great are YOUR works, O LORD! YOUR thoughts are very deep!
6 The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:
7 that though the wicked sprout like grass and all evildoers flourish, they are doomed to destruction forever;
8 but "YOU, O LORD", are on high forever.
9 For behold, YOUR enemies, O LORD, for behold, YOUR enemies shall perish; all evildoers shall be scattered.
10 But YOU have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; YOU have poured over me fresh oil.
11 My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies; my ears have heard the doom of my evil assailants."
It is very easy to get caught up in a victory celebration when the team you support is victorious in a tough battle. Everyone is weakened by the battle, the warfare, the struggle that has transpired for their team to come out on top and the temptation is to gloat and revel just a bit. But the focus should never be on things man has seemingly accomplished or achieved. All glory should ALWAYS be given to "YOU, O LORD"!
It might be easy to accept praise, honor, and glory for things that happen in our lives. But the writings above display that "YOU have exalted my horn like that of the wild ox; YOU have poured over me fresh oil"! It is difficult to not be humble when you have an appropriate vision of where ALL blessings come from. For some of us, the enemy wants us to be so caught up in being victorious that our focus is on the outcome of the battle, and not WHO we are fighting for! We should remember that "YOU, O LORD", are on high forever".
Unless "the battle belongs to the LORD" we have a tendency to want to take credit for what GOD achieves through our lives. "The stupid man cannot know; the fool cannot understand this:" is a sobering statement that must be HUMBLY evaluated. If I cannot "know" or "understand" why a battle is being won or lost, it may be because a HOLY FORCE is behind the scenes working HIS will? GOD is sovereign and HE accomplishes HIS will (Genesis 18:9-15)! No matter how bleak our circumstances, GOD WILL GET GLORY (Exodus 14:3-31).
Being on the victorious team is not something to flaunt or revel in. Ephesians 2:8-9 says "For by GRACE you have been saved through faith. And this is NOT OF YOUR OWN DOING; it is the gift of GOD, not a result of works, so that NO ONE MAY BOAST." GOD has provided everything for us to accomplish the PLAN HE has for each of us. Our mindset should be to discover, through a devout prayer life and studying GOD's Word, exactly what HIS Plan is for our lives, and follow that Plan so all praise will go to "YOU, O LORD"!!
Monday, February 1, 2016
"HE GAVE THE RIGHT!"
John 1:9-13 (ESV)
"9 The true LIGHT, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 HE was in the world, and the world was made through HIM, yet the world did not know HIM.
11 HE came to HIS own, and HIS own people did not receive HIM.
12 But to all who did receive HIM, who believed in his name, "HE GAVE THE RIGHT" to become children of GOD,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of GOD."
While driving back to my home from a relatives house in another state, I was pondering and meditating where GOD would lead me in my study of HIS WORD over the next few days. The phrase that seemed to be on my heart was "it is a privilege to be a part of the family of GOD". When I got home I looked up that phrase and was directed to John 1:12. Just a few minutes prior I had watched an endorsement of a presidential candidate where the man making the endorsement said our nation not only was founded on Judaeo-Christian principles, he gave a certain scripture (Acts 17:26-28) for a reference.
As I began to read how it was a privilege to be a child of GOD, my mind couldn't help but remember the Declaration of Independence and the words that say: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are CREATED equal, that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness....." The Declaration of Independence of the United States is pretty plain about where the founders of the United States gave us our "rights". All of the "spinsters" can give their "opinion" of where our rights originate, but the words "CREATED" by their "CREATOR" doesn't allow room for denial that GOD was, AND STILL IS, the Originator of those "rights"!.
GOD "gave" us the RIGHT to become HIS children, but we must choose to be a child of HIS! The privilege of being a child of GOD cannot be described with language of men. It would be a privilege and an honor to be the child of a wealthy, honorable, and wise father who always makes the right decision on your behalf. GOD does just that! HE always has our best interest in MIND, even when the evidence is not being seen by the human eye! GOD doesn't have the ability to make mistakes. Just because our ways may be different than HIS ways doesn't mean HIS ways are imperfect! HE doesn't need to satisfy my questions to display HIS omniscience, for who am I (2 Samuel 7:18).
"This world" does not, and did not, recognize GOD or JESUS, even though HE was physically in their presence for over 33 years! GOD IN FLESH walked among mankind for 1/3 of a century yet they nailed HIM to a tree trying to rid this world of the LIGHT! While it is a privilege to be known as a child of GOD, this world sacrificed HIM on Calvary, so we shouldn't think we will receive a red-carpet celebration when we acknowledge HIM as LORD OF ALL! My desire is to have so much JESUS' DNA in me that this world separate itself from me also!
We've all heard it said that with rights comes responsibilities. GOD gives us the RIGHT to become HIS children, but with that rights comes the responsibility of following HIS direction in our lives. If we don't follow man's law we have to pay the penalty. GOD saw that mankind was unable to follow HIS law, so HE sent HIS only SON to pay our penalty for our unholiness. "HE GAVE THE RIGHT" to the whole world to be a child of HIS. But only we who choose to believe in the Invisible GOD will be saved from HIS judgment!
Being a part of the family of GOD indeed is an honor and privilege. But "HE GAVE THE RIGHT" to me, not because I am someone special, but because HE is a merciful and loving GOD!
"9 The true LIGHT, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 HE was in the world, and the world was made through HIM, yet the world did not know HIM.
11 HE came to HIS own, and HIS own people did not receive HIM.
12 But to all who did receive HIM, who believed in his name, "HE GAVE THE RIGHT" to become children of GOD,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of GOD."
While driving back to my home from a relatives house in another state, I was pondering and meditating where GOD would lead me in my study of HIS WORD over the next few days. The phrase that seemed to be on my heart was "it is a privilege to be a part of the family of GOD". When I got home I looked up that phrase and was directed to John 1:12. Just a few minutes prior I had watched an endorsement of a presidential candidate where the man making the endorsement said our nation not only was founded on Judaeo-Christian principles, he gave a certain scripture (Acts 17:26-28) for a reference.
As I began to read how it was a privilege to be a child of GOD, my mind couldn't help but remember the Declaration of Independence and the words that say: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are CREATED equal, that they are endowed by their CREATOR with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness....." The Declaration of Independence of the United States is pretty plain about where the founders of the United States gave us our "rights". All of the "spinsters" can give their "opinion" of where our rights originate, but the words "CREATED" by their "CREATOR" doesn't allow room for denial that GOD was, AND STILL IS, the Originator of those "rights"!.
GOD "gave" us the RIGHT to become HIS children, but we must choose to be a child of HIS! The privilege of being a child of GOD cannot be described with language of men. It would be a privilege and an honor to be the child of a wealthy, honorable, and wise father who always makes the right decision on your behalf. GOD does just that! HE always has our best interest in MIND, even when the evidence is not being seen by the human eye! GOD doesn't have the ability to make mistakes. Just because our ways may be different than HIS ways doesn't mean HIS ways are imperfect! HE doesn't need to satisfy my questions to display HIS omniscience, for who am I (2 Samuel 7:18).
"This world" does not, and did not, recognize GOD or JESUS, even though HE was physically in their presence for over 33 years! GOD IN FLESH walked among mankind for 1/3 of a century yet they nailed HIM to a tree trying to rid this world of the LIGHT! While it is a privilege to be known as a child of GOD, this world sacrificed HIM on Calvary, so we shouldn't think we will receive a red-carpet celebration when we acknowledge HIM as LORD OF ALL! My desire is to have so much JESUS' DNA in me that this world separate itself from me also!
We've all heard it said that with rights comes responsibilities. GOD gives us the RIGHT to become HIS children, but with that rights comes the responsibility of following HIS direction in our lives. If we don't follow man's law we have to pay the penalty. GOD saw that mankind was unable to follow HIS law, so HE sent HIS only SON to pay our penalty for our unholiness. "HE GAVE THE RIGHT" to the whole world to be a child of HIS. But only we who choose to believe in the Invisible GOD will be saved from HIS judgment!
Being a part of the family of GOD indeed is an honor and privilege. But "HE GAVE THE RIGHT" to me, not because I am someone special, but because HE is a merciful and loving GOD!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)