Psalms 127:3-5 (ESV)
"3 Behold, children are a "HERITAGE FROM THE LORD", the fruit of the womb a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth.
5 Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."
This morning I observed a post on a social media site which read something close to "I don't think there is any greater feeling of joy than having a spiritual moment with your child"! As I pondered the statement, my mind went to several scriptures, like John 4:24 (GOD IS SPIRIT) and Genesis 1:27 (We are created in HIS image).
Yesterday I was blessed to visit my oldest son's house and celebrate his daughter's first birthday. Memories carried me back to celebrating the birthdays of my children and how it seemed only a short time ago they were children. Now, they are adults and are "free" to live their lives as they are led of the LORD to do. In meditating GOD's design for the human race, it amazes me that we, in all of our depraved existence, were/are entrusted with reproducing GOD's Creation to serve HIM?
As I contemplate Psalms 127:3-5 and how GOD chooses to honor and BLESS us with those who will be responsible for continuing the worship of HIM long after we have exhausted our time, and my mind is REALLY overwhelmed! Why would GOD choose me to be a "caregiver" to HIS CREATION for limited timeframe? It seems that I am seemingly consumed with making my "existence" in "this world" as comfortable as I can when I am only here for a short period. According to one dictionary, HERITAGE is "something reserved for one; something that comes or belongs to oneby reason of birth; an inherited lot or portion". Our "HERITAGE FROM THE LORD" are only on loan to us to teach about HIM, not to teach about what we THINK they need to know!
My "babies" are now in their mid/late 20's and have "babies" of their own. Their "HERITAGE FROM THE LORD" can be traced, not only back to me, but also my parents, and their parents, all the way back to Adam and Eve, who were formed from dirt and a rib by our Creator! GOD's design for humanity continually fills my mind with awe and amazement! My grandchildren, like every human being, are SPIRITS first and secondly have bodies that are extremely unique. Our physical attributes will not save us from eternal judgement. Only a living Spiritual being will be able to receive their "HERITAGE FROM THE LORD"! We need to focus more on the Spiritual and less on the physical, for the Spiritual is in HIS image! Thank YOU GOD IN HEAVEN for allowing me to be a guardian over YOUR "HERITAGE FROM THE LORD" for a brief period on this earth!
Monday, July 25, 2016
Friday, July 22, 2016
"THE LORD HATES!"
Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV)
"16 There are six things that "THE LORD HATES", seven that are an abomination to HIM:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."
With all of the turmoil and strife going on in "this world" today, most people who are not familiar with GOD's WORD seem to be desiring to put GOD into a limited "box" named whatever they choose for that occasion. My favorite is GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:8 and over 25 other places in scripture) so, IN THEIR OPINION, HE would never do anything that WE think that would be considered "bad"!
So how do you explain the scriptures above that say "There are six things that "THE LORD HATES", seven that are an abomination to HIM"? Since GOD is love, is HE even able to hate? Before you answer, remember in Isaiah 55:8-9 GOD HIMSELF says "For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thoughts." The Bible is filled with account after account of GOD instructing those who would listen to do things that "make no earthly sense", then HE steps in and works a "miracle"! JESUS says in Matthew 19:26 "With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible." Although we may not be able to explain how or why, NOTHING is outside the realm of possibility with GOD! Except to be unholy!!!
A.W. Tozer, noted author and Biblical scholar, writes about the Attributes of GOD in his book named "THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY" the following paragraph about HOLINESS:
"Holiness: This is the attribute that sets GOD apart from all created beings. It refers to HIS majesty and HIS perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in GOD at all. HIS holiness is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe. Wherever GOD has appeared, such as to Moses at the burning bush, that place becomes Holy just for GOD having been there."
Everything GOD does, any place GOD has been, should be considered HOLY! HE made everything so HE has been everywhere. We SHOULD have a tremendous amount of reverence and respect for HIS Creation, but do we? We should have similar reverence and respect for our fellow man, but do we? GOD isn't just about a temple or church house. Colossians 1:16 states "For by HIM all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through HIM and for HIM."
Believing that GOD is incapable of HATING sin while loving the world enough to send HIS SON to provide a road to redemption is akin to saying HIS WORD contains flaws and imperfections! GOD is incapable of one thing, and that is making a mistake! HE got close when HE made me, but HIS SON redeemed me on Calvary, along with the sins of the entire world. Yes, my GOD is awesome enough to love unconditionally! But HE is also HOLY enough to let us know exactly what "THE LORD HATES"!!!
"16 There are six things that "THE LORD HATES", seven that are an abomination to HIM:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers."
With all of the turmoil and strife going on in "this world" today, most people who are not familiar with GOD's WORD seem to be desiring to put GOD into a limited "box" named whatever they choose for that occasion. My favorite is GOD IS LOVE (1 John 4:8 and over 25 other places in scripture) so, IN THEIR OPINION, HE would never do anything that WE think that would be considered "bad"!
So how do you explain the scriptures above that say "There are six things that "THE LORD HATES", seven that are an abomination to HIM"? Since GOD is love, is HE even able to hate? Before you answer, remember in Isaiah 55:8-9 GOD HIMSELF says "For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thoughts." The Bible is filled with account after account of GOD instructing those who would listen to do things that "make no earthly sense", then HE steps in and works a "miracle"! JESUS says in Matthew 19:26 "With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible." Although we may not be able to explain how or why, NOTHING is outside the realm of possibility with GOD! Except to be unholy!!!
A.W. Tozer, noted author and Biblical scholar, writes about the Attributes of GOD in his book named "THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY" the following paragraph about HOLINESS:
"Holiness: This is the attribute that sets GOD apart from all created beings. It refers to HIS majesty and HIS perfect moral purity. There is absolutely no sin or evil thought in GOD at all. HIS holiness is the definition of that which is pure and righteous in all the universe. Wherever GOD has appeared, such as to Moses at the burning bush, that place becomes Holy just for GOD having been there."
Everything GOD does, any place GOD has been, should be considered HOLY! HE made everything so HE has been everywhere. We SHOULD have a tremendous amount of reverence and respect for HIS Creation, but do we? We should have similar reverence and respect for our fellow man, but do we? GOD isn't just about a temple or church house. Colossians 1:16 states "For by HIM all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through HIM and for HIM."
Believing that GOD is incapable of HATING sin while loving the world enough to send HIS SON to provide a road to redemption is akin to saying HIS WORD contains flaws and imperfections! GOD is incapable of one thing, and that is making a mistake! HE got close when HE made me, but HIS SON redeemed me on Calvary, along with the sins of the entire world. Yes, my GOD is awesome enough to love unconditionally! But HE is also HOLY enough to let us know exactly what "THE LORD HATES"!!!
Thursday, July 21, 2016
"THEY HAVE REJECTED ME!"
1 Samuel 8:7 (ESV)
"And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but "THEY HAVE REJECTED ME" from being king over them."
This Bible verse was in a message last evening from a dear friend who is as "rightly and fully connected" with the LORD as anyone I have had the privilege of knowing. The reason his name is not shared is because the focus should always be on the MESSAGE from the LORD, and not the messenger. Too many times it seems the messenger is the one vilified or glorified, when the MESSAGE is what people reject or accept! When the LORD speaks, HIS voice isn't discerned a lot of the time because HIS children are so "in tune" with "this world" that they don't/won't slow down to hear the "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) of GOD!
There is no magic potion or formula for hearing from GOD. HE hasn't changed HIS method of speaking to man, nor will HE! HIS WORD (Holy Bible) is where we need to begin. The tendency of man is to desire a miracle be performed by GOD. But in John 4:46-54 JESUS spoke a WORD and the nobleman (son's father) believed, and the son, who was very sick, was healed. The boy was healed AT THAT VERY HOUR that the man BELIEVED what JESUS spoke!
The enemy is very adept in getting us moving so briskly that we can't hear the "still, small voice" of GOD. Whether we are listening to music, television, our own desires, or even our GRANDCHILDREN (getting personal!), unless we begin with hearing the "still, small voice" from our CREATOR where are we going? Listening to anything other than GOD will ultimately lead to disaster!
The children of Israel would not listen to GOD as their King in 1 Samuel 8 and said "Give us a king to judge us." When a nation cries out to "gives us a king to judge us" GOD has a tendency to grant their wishes. But GOD told Samuel (1 Samuel 8:9) "only you shall SOLEMNLY WARN them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
He who hath an ear to hear, let him hear this SOLEMN WARNING, "THEY HAVE REJECTED ME" comes with dire consequences!
"And the LORD said to Samuel, "Obey the voice of the people in all that they say to you, for they have not rejected you, but "THEY HAVE REJECTED ME" from being king over them."
This Bible verse was in a message last evening from a dear friend who is as "rightly and fully connected" with the LORD as anyone I have had the privilege of knowing. The reason his name is not shared is because the focus should always be on the MESSAGE from the LORD, and not the messenger. Too many times it seems the messenger is the one vilified or glorified, when the MESSAGE is what people reject or accept! When the LORD speaks, HIS voice isn't discerned a lot of the time because HIS children are so "in tune" with "this world" that they don't/won't slow down to hear the "still, small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) of GOD!
There is no magic potion or formula for hearing from GOD. HE hasn't changed HIS method of speaking to man, nor will HE! HIS WORD (Holy Bible) is where we need to begin. The tendency of man is to desire a miracle be performed by GOD. But in John 4:46-54 JESUS spoke a WORD and the nobleman (son's father) believed, and the son, who was very sick, was healed. The boy was healed AT THAT VERY HOUR that the man BELIEVED what JESUS spoke!
The enemy is very adept in getting us moving so briskly that we can't hear the "still, small voice" of GOD. Whether we are listening to music, television, our own desires, or even our GRANDCHILDREN (getting personal!), unless we begin with hearing the "still, small voice" from our CREATOR where are we going? Listening to anything other than GOD will ultimately lead to disaster!
The children of Israel would not listen to GOD as their King in 1 Samuel 8 and said "Give us a king to judge us." When a nation cries out to "gives us a king to judge us" GOD has a tendency to grant their wishes. But GOD told Samuel (1 Samuel 8:9) "only you shall SOLEMNLY WARN them and show them the ways of the king who shall reign over them."
He who hath an ear to hear, let him hear this SOLEMN WARNING, "THEY HAVE REJECTED ME" comes with dire consequences!
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
"PRAYING AT ALL TIMES!"
Ephesians 6:16-20 (ESV)
"16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD,
18 "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES" in the SPIRIT, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, MAKING SUPPLICATION for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
The WORDS we enunciate speaks volumes about who we are in the SPIRIT of the LIVING GOD. It is liken to a billboard declaring we are SPIRITUALLY mature, or unfortunately immature, to the world. Once we espouse said WORDS, they can never be unsaid, for they are there for eternity! Maybe that is why King Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 5:2 "Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before GOD, for GOD is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW"!
From time to time you can hear people use the phrase "It's time to talk with the LORD", or something similar. Even I have used these WORDS in my speech. According to scripture, these WORDS can be a billboard saying we haven't been "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES" as we are instructed to do in Ephesians 6:18. The SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST lives within my body (John 17:23; Romans 8:10-11) and I should reflect that constantly! Do I live for HIM constantly? Not until I get to Heaven will I be able to achieve that, but that should be my goal.
And it's not as if we don't have enough things to pray about. Just in the few verses above the Apostle Paul shows us MANY items he was praying for. Number one, that we should "in all circumstances take up the shield of faith". That should be enough to keep me busy for awhile!
While King Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived (2 Chronicles 1:12) and he wrote LET YOU WORDS BE FEW, the Apostle Paul gave a different view when he wrote "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES", for he knew when we pray for the SUPPLICATION of others we are exhibiting CHRIST-LIKE traits, for JESUS was ever thinking about supplying our needs! We should always strive to be CHRIST-LIKE as HE demonstrated a LOVE for others in everything HE did! And HE did so because HE was in constant contact with THE FATHER by "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES"!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, my prayer is that I will be a man of FEW WORDS and that those WORDS be chosen wisely, especially when it comes to speaking to YOU! May I develop a mindset of "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES" and totally TRUST in YOUR guidance and direction in my life.
"16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD,
18 "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES" in the SPIRIT, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, MAKING SUPPLICATION for all the saints,
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak."
The WORDS we enunciate speaks volumes about who we are in the SPIRIT of the LIVING GOD. It is liken to a billboard declaring we are SPIRITUALLY mature, or unfortunately immature, to the world. Once we espouse said WORDS, they can never be unsaid, for they are there for eternity! Maybe that is why King Solomon says in Ecclesiastes 5:2 "Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before GOD, for GOD is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore LET YOUR WORDS BE FEW"!
From time to time you can hear people use the phrase "It's time to talk with the LORD", or something similar. Even I have used these WORDS in my speech. According to scripture, these WORDS can be a billboard saying we haven't been "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES" as we are instructed to do in Ephesians 6:18. The SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST lives within my body (John 17:23; Romans 8:10-11) and I should reflect that constantly! Do I live for HIM constantly? Not until I get to Heaven will I be able to achieve that, but that should be my goal.
And it's not as if we don't have enough things to pray about. Just in the few verses above the Apostle Paul shows us MANY items he was praying for. Number one, that we should "in all circumstances take up the shield of faith". That should be enough to keep me busy for awhile!
While King Solomon, the wisest king who ever lived (2 Chronicles 1:12) and he wrote LET YOU WORDS BE FEW, the Apostle Paul gave a different view when he wrote "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES", for he knew when we pray for the SUPPLICATION of others we are exhibiting CHRIST-LIKE traits, for JESUS was ever thinking about supplying our needs! We should always strive to be CHRIST-LIKE as HE demonstrated a LOVE for others in everything HE did! And HE did so because HE was in constant contact with THE FATHER by "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES"!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, my prayer is that I will be a man of FEW WORDS and that those WORDS be chosen wisely, especially when it comes to speaking to YOU! May I develop a mindset of "PRAYING AT ALL TIMES" and totally TRUST in YOUR guidance and direction in my life.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
"MAKES HIMSELF!"
James 4:4-8 (ESV)
"4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with GOD? Therefore whoever wishes to be A FRIEND OF THE WORLD "MAKES HIMSELF" an enemy of GOD.
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "HE yearns jealously over the SPIRIT that HE has made to dwell in us"?
6 But HE gives more grace. Therefore it says, "GOD opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
7 Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and "he will flee" from you.
8 Draw near to GOD, and HE will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
One of the first Bible verses I ever memorized as a youngster was James 4:7b "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"! My teacher told us that the devil would seemingly be on our heels trying to get us to sin, but all we had to do was 'resist' and he would flee! The devil must not have been listening to my teacher, for many times I have tried to "resist", yet it seems he always keeps the enticement to sin ever before me!
The verses above surrounding James 4:7 enlightens us about how much resisting is required for the enemy to begin to FLEE. To begin with, James writes about an "adulterous people". Adultery is when someone cheats on their spouse. We can be tempted to sin all day long, but until we make the decision to "cheat on our spouse" (Revelation 19:7-9) all we have done is be tempted. When we make the decision to be A FRIEND OF THE WORLD, we run the risk of "MAKING HIMSELF" an enemy of GOD!
In verse 8 scripture directs us to "DRAW near to GOD, and HE will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Have you ever tried to attach two magnets with similar poles? You can't! We have to surrender control of our lives to JESUS CHRIST to allow opposite poles to attract and DRAW us to HIM. Until then, we will be just like the like poked magnets resisting being rightly and fully connected to the other.
This morning I was laying in bed snuggled up with my wife of almost 33 years. Being next to one you love gives you a sense of security and comfort that words cannot adequately describe. Although I love my wife more than life itself, GOD's love for us is far greater! HE longs to have us snuggle up with HIM, but sometimes the enemy tries to tempt us to lie with him, to cheat on our SPOUSE! When we do that, we "MAKE HIMSELF" to be an enemy of GOD, according to James 4:4. We are NOT our own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and we can't "MAKE HIMSELF" to be what we want!!!
"4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with GOD? Therefore whoever wishes to be A FRIEND OF THE WORLD "MAKES HIMSELF" an enemy of GOD.
5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, "HE yearns jealously over the SPIRIT that HE has made to dwell in us"?
6 But HE gives more grace. Therefore it says, "GOD opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."
7 Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and "he will flee" from you.
8 Draw near to GOD, and HE will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
One of the first Bible verses I ever memorized as a youngster was James 4:7b "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you"! My teacher told us that the devil would seemingly be on our heels trying to get us to sin, but all we had to do was 'resist' and he would flee! The devil must not have been listening to my teacher, for many times I have tried to "resist", yet it seems he always keeps the enticement to sin ever before me!
The verses above surrounding James 4:7 enlightens us about how much resisting is required for the enemy to begin to FLEE. To begin with, James writes about an "adulterous people". Adultery is when someone cheats on their spouse. We can be tempted to sin all day long, but until we make the decision to "cheat on our spouse" (Revelation 19:7-9) all we have done is be tempted. When we make the decision to be A FRIEND OF THE WORLD, we run the risk of "MAKING HIMSELF" an enemy of GOD!
In verse 8 scripture directs us to "DRAW near to GOD, and HE will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." Have you ever tried to attach two magnets with similar poles? You can't! We have to surrender control of our lives to JESUS CHRIST to allow opposite poles to attract and DRAW us to HIM. Until then, we will be just like the like poked magnets resisting being rightly and fully connected to the other.
This morning I was laying in bed snuggled up with my wife of almost 33 years. Being next to one you love gives you a sense of security and comfort that words cannot adequately describe. Although I love my wife more than life itself, GOD's love for us is far greater! HE longs to have us snuggle up with HIM, but sometimes the enemy tries to tempt us to lie with him, to cheat on our SPOUSE! When we do that, we "MAKE HIMSELF" to be an enemy of GOD, according to James 4:4. We are NOT our own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and we can't "MAKE HIMSELF" to be what we want!!!
Monday, July 18, 2016
"EVERY DEED!"
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (ESV)
"13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear GOD and keep HIS commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For GOD will bring "EVERY DEED" into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
Recently one of my married children was buying a new vehicle. When he and his wife were preparing to drive away from the dealership, my son decided to let his wife drive the new vehicle home, as they live about 30 miles from where they bought the car. My wife, who was present when the trade was made, had explained that when I bought a Suburban about 15 years earlier, I had let her drive it home and she was convinced we had made a good purchase. My son told his mom that he learned so much from his dad? Now I'm not sure how many of those things were "good things or "bad things", but he remembered some of these things! Evidently, he absorbed some "good things" growing up, and I'm proud of that? We won't discuss how many "bad thing"s he learned that he is avoiding by learning from my mistakes!
The author of the book of Ecclesiastes is generally credited to King Solomon. His wisdom was a blessing from GOD, and since he requested wisdom from GOD instead of wealth and possessions, GOD have him wisdom, knowledge, and wealth! Now King Solomon was royalty in that his father was King David. While I am not considered to be royalty in this life, 1 Peter 2:9 says we are a "royal priesthood" in CHRIST! We should understand that our children absorb the "good things", as well as the "bad things" we do, and they will be made manifest one day without warning!
My prayer is that the "bad things" I have done that have been observed by others will serve as a learning tool and used to glorify GOD in Heaven. The "good things" that others have seen me do have only been because of ALMIGHTY GOD living within my life! However, "EVERY DEED" that I have done will one day be judged, whether good or evil! Be careful how you act/react to "EVERY DEED" in your life, for "someone" is watching, and that "someone" maybe making subconscious mental notes they will use in their future!!!
"13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear GOD and keep HIS commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For GOD will bring "EVERY DEED" into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil."
Recently one of my married children was buying a new vehicle. When he and his wife were preparing to drive away from the dealership, my son decided to let his wife drive the new vehicle home, as they live about 30 miles from where they bought the car. My wife, who was present when the trade was made, had explained that when I bought a Suburban about 15 years earlier, I had let her drive it home and she was convinced we had made a good purchase. My son told his mom that he learned so much from his dad? Now I'm not sure how many of those things were "good things or "bad things", but he remembered some of these things! Evidently, he absorbed some "good things" growing up, and I'm proud of that? We won't discuss how many "bad thing"s he learned that he is avoiding by learning from my mistakes!
The author of the book of Ecclesiastes is generally credited to King Solomon. His wisdom was a blessing from GOD, and since he requested wisdom from GOD instead of wealth and possessions, GOD have him wisdom, knowledge, and wealth! Now King Solomon was royalty in that his father was King David. While I am not considered to be royalty in this life, 1 Peter 2:9 says we are a "royal priesthood" in CHRIST! We should understand that our children absorb the "good things", as well as the "bad things" we do, and they will be made manifest one day without warning!
My prayer is that the "bad things" I have done that have been observed by others will serve as a learning tool and used to glorify GOD in Heaven. The "good things" that others have seen me do have only been because of ALMIGHTY GOD living within my life! However, "EVERY DEED" that I have done will one day be judged, whether good or evil! Be careful how you act/react to "EVERY DEED" in your life, for "someone" is watching, and that "someone" maybe making subconscious mental notes they will use in their future!!!
Saturday, July 16, 2016
"HE PLEASES!"
Psalms 115:1-3 (ESV)
"1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to YOUR name give glory, for the sake of YOUR steadfast love and YOUR faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their GOD?"
3 Our GOD is in the heavens; HE DOES ALL THAT "HE PLEASES!"
For much of my life my prayers consisted of mainly me "making my requests known to GOD" (Philippians 4:6-7). It was as if I thought I knew what was best and I wanted GOD to work things the way I THOUGHT they should be? Surely I would never lead myself, or my family, into a dangerous situation? Surely, since my God was "so loving", HE wouldn't allow me to take a wrong turn on my journey of serving HIM? SURELY?!?
But wait, scripture states in 1 Corinthians 1:19 "For it is written, "I (GOD) will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Our supposed earthly wisdom will lead us into distress, especially IF WE OMIT GOD from the process! There was a time not so long ago that my perceived intelligence (and ill used wit) got me into as much, or more, trouble than it ever got me out of. Seeking glory for myself and my friends may have been my target, but GOD definitely wasn't being glorified! My supposed "can't miss" ideas may have been opposed to the Will of ALMIGHTY GOD!
Whether our wishes and desires are met (OR NOT) could depend on if we are striving to bring glory and honor to GOD! Psalms 37:4 states "DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD, and HE will give you the desires of your heart". The problem is, too many times, we want to DELIGHT IN OUR PLEASURES and expect GOD to still give us the desires of our hearts!
In Exodus 14:4 it is recorded "and I (GOD) will get glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts, and the Egyptians shall know that I AM THE LORD! And they did so!!!" Some modern day Believers would have a huge problem believing that a "loving God" would drown a leader of a worldly dynasty and his army at the bottom of an ocean! However, GOD did, and HE is capable of doing it again, IF "HE PLEASES"! We must be clear, unless we give honor and glory to GOD, we have to beware of whatever "HE PLEASES"!!!
"1 Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to YOUR name give glory, for the sake of YOUR steadfast love and YOUR faithfulness!
2 Why should the nations say, "Where is their GOD?"
3 Our GOD is in the heavens; HE DOES ALL THAT "HE PLEASES!"
For much of my life my prayers consisted of mainly me "making my requests known to GOD" (Philippians 4:6-7). It was as if I thought I knew what was best and I wanted GOD to work things the way I THOUGHT they should be? Surely I would never lead myself, or my family, into a dangerous situation? Surely, since my God was "so loving", HE wouldn't allow me to take a wrong turn on my journey of serving HIM? SURELY?!?
But wait, scripture states in 1 Corinthians 1:19 "For it is written, "I (GOD) will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Our supposed earthly wisdom will lead us into distress, especially IF WE OMIT GOD from the process! There was a time not so long ago that my perceived intelligence (and ill used wit) got me into as much, or more, trouble than it ever got me out of. Seeking glory for myself and my friends may have been my target, but GOD definitely wasn't being glorified! My supposed "can't miss" ideas may have been opposed to the Will of ALMIGHTY GOD!
Whether our wishes and desires are met (OR NOT) could depend on if we are striving to bring glory and honor to GOD! Psalms 37:4 states "DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD, and HE will give you the desires of your heart". The problem is, too many times, we want to DELIGHT IN OUR PLEASURES and expect GOD to still give us the desires of our hearts!
In Exodus 14:4 it is recorded "and I (GOD) will get glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts, and the Egyptians shall know that I AM THE LORD! And they did so!!!" Some modern day Believers would have a huge problem believing that a "loving God" would drown a leader of a worldly dynasty and his army at the bottom of an ocean! However, GOD did, and HE is capable of doing it again, IF "HE PLEASES"! We must be clear, unless we give honor and glory to GOD, we have to beware of whatever "HE PLEASES"!!!
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