Luke 11:1-13 (KJV)
"1 And it came to pass, that, as HE was praying in a certain place, when HE ceased, one of HIS disciples said unto HIM, LORD, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples. 2 And HE said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our FATHER which art in heaven, Hallowed be THY name. THY kingdom come. "THY WILL BE DONE", as in heaven, so in earth. 3 Give us day by day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
5 And HE said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? 7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee. 8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. 10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 11 If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he aska fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? 12 Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?"
While sitting in Sunday School recently my mind was caused to wonder, "what if we sought the LORD's will with the confidence HE displayed prayed to HIS HEAVENLY FATHER with when HE was here on earth"? Would I be timid with my requests as I typically am, or would I "boldly" approach HIS throne seeking assistance for HIS glory? The thing is, if the truth were known, I typically ask what I think will make my life easier, more comfortable, with less trials and tribulations, than whatever GOD will get glory from!
We are only here on earth for MAYBE 100 years, many people less than that, and most of us are consumed with making our time as luxurious and safe as humanly possible. Where in scripture does it promise to deliver us from trials and tribulations? James 1:2-4 (ESV) says "COUNT IT ALL JOY, my brothers, when you meet TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND COMPLETE, lacking in nothing!" The trials and tribulations PERFECT us into what GOD can be glorified in. Why then would we pray for GOD to make our paths comfortable and protected?
For me and my future, my prayer is that "THY WILL BE DONE", especially in my life! That may mean Acts 9:16 will become part of my future, not just the Apostle Paul, when it says "For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for MY name's sake!" For "THY WILL BE DONE" in my life may cost me my life, but JESUS paid for my life in Calvary and it is HIS to do with as HE pleases!!!
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Friday, January 13, 2017
"WALK BY FAITH!"
2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
"7 (For we "WALK BY FAITH", not by sight:)"
On July 08, 2007, when I put my head down on my pillow, do you think I was prepared to wake up the next morning with a brain hemorrhage? In October of the same year, do you think a dear friend of mine, when he left for an afternoon bicycle ride, ever imagined that he was taking his last ride? There is another friend who is currently battling dementia in a nursing facility in their early 50's. Can you imagine preparing in your late 40's to go through such a terrible journey?
The ways of GOD are so much higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) that we cannot begin to understand IN OUR FLESH! The brain hemorrhage I experienced in 2007 was totally and completely unplanned. But GOD knew before the foundation of the world that I would, not only survive the hemorrhage, but HE would bless me beyond measure and that I would serve HIM faithfully, yet imperfectly!
To "WALK BY FAITH" is not for the weak of heart, nor faint of Spirit! No, I'm not worthy in man's eyes to have my health restored like it has been. GOD has revealed to me part of HIS Plan for my remaining years here on earth, but HE hasn't revealed how HE plans to accomplish HIS Plan? It is my desire to be found "WALKING BY FAITH" when my life is examined by history. To "WALK BY FAITH" is to totally and completely trust in GOD to perform HIS Plan on HIS Timing!!!
"7 (For we "WALK BY FAITH", not by sight:)"
On July 08, 2007, when I put my head down on my pillow, do you think I was prepared to wake up the next morning with a brain hemorrhage? In October of the same year, do you think a dear friend of mine, when he left for an afternoon bicycle ride, ever imagined that he was taking his last ride? There is another friend who is currently battling dementia in a nursing facility in their early 50's. Can you imagine preparing in your late 40's to go through such a terrible journey?
The ways of GOD are so much higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) that we cannot begin to understand IN OUR FLESH! The brain hemorrhage I experienced in 2007 was totally and completely unplanned. But GOD knew before the foundation of the world that I would, not only survive the hemorrhage, but HE would bless me beyond measure and that I would serve HIM faithfully, yet imperfectly!
To "WALK BY FAITH" is not for the weak of heart, nor faint of Spirit! No, I'm not worthy in man's eyes to have my health restored like it has been. GOD has revealed to me part of HIS Plan for my remaining years here on earth, but HE hasn't revealed how HE plans to accomplish HIS Plan? It is my desire to be found "WALKING BY FAITH" when my life is examined by history. To "WALK BY FAITH" is to totally and completely trust in GOD to perform HIS Plan on HIS Timing!!!
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Psalms 115
Psalms 115 (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.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! HE is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! HE is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD has remembered us; HE will bless us; HE will bless the house of Israel; HE will bless the house of Aaron;
13 HE will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great.
14 MAY THE LORD GIVE YOU INCREASE, you and your children!
15 MAY YOU BE BLESSED BY THE LORD, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND EARTH!
16 The heavens are the LORD's heavens, but the earth HE has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!"
May the LORD bless the reading of HIS WORD!
"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.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands.
5 They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see.
6 They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell.
7 They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.
8 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.
9 O Israel, trust in the LORD! HE is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, trust in the LORD! HE is their help and their shield.
11 You who fear the LORD, trust in the LORD! He is their help and their shield.
12 The LORD has remembered us; HE will bless us; HE will bless the house of Israel; HE will bless the house of Aaron;
13 HE will bless those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great.
14 MAY THE LORD GIVE YOU INCREASE, you and your children!
15 MAY YOU BE BLESSED BY THE LORD, WHO MADE THE HEAVEN AND EARTH!
16 The heavens are the LORD's heavens, but the earth HE has given to the children of man.
17 The dead do not praise the LORD, nor do any who go down into silence.
18 But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and forevermore. Praise the LORD!"
May the LORD bless the reading of HIS WORD!
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
"GOD IS SPIRIT!"
John 4:24 (ESV)
"GOD IS SPIRIT."
Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
"So GOD created man in HIS own IMAGE, in the IMAGE of GOD HE created him; male and female HE created them."
Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)
"15 HE is the IMAGE of the invisible GOD, the firstborn of all creation.
16 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.
17 And HE is before all things, and in HIM all things hold together.
18 And HE is the head of the body, the church. HE is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything HE might be preeminent.
19 For in HIM all the fullness of GOD was pleased to dwell,
20 and through HIM to reconcile to HIMSELF all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of HIS cross."
Since we are created in the IMAGE of GOD, and for the glory of GOD, why do we tend to build our lives around things that are temporary, ""where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19)? GOD in flesh (JESUS) said in Matthew 6:20-21 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Do I keep as close of an eye on the Spiritual aspects of life as I do on my earthly bank account? While it's true we must be good stewards over what we have been blessed with, there are some who find it hard to exist without "worrying" about if whether their earthly assets are more than their neighbors.
Shouldn't we be more concerned with our relationship with the Creator of the Universe than how much money is in our bank account? Since "GOD IS SPIRIT" and the things of GOD are Spiritual, everything we do should be directed toward glorifying HIM! Instead, we seem to have our priorities all out of whack to where everything is centered on ourselves. Our physical wellbeing should be secondary to making sure HE is FIRST in everything, not us being first in everything.
Do we really grasp the magnitude of WHO GOD is? Do I elevate HIM above all? HE shouldn't have to REQUIRE that we adore HIM, that we celebrate HIS majesty more than a sports championship, that HE means more than a fancy home, OR CHURCH BUILDING. "GOD IS SPIRIT" should mean that everything we do that isn't Spiritual is nothing but waste (Philippians 3:8) and shouldn't warrant a lot of effort.
FATHER IN HEAVEN, move me to be MORE focused on the things that draw glory and honor to YOUR Name!!!
"GOD IS SPIRIT."
Genesis 1:27 (ESV)
"So GOD created man in HIS own IMAGE, in the IMAGE of GOD HE created him; male and female HE created them."
Colossians 1:15-20 (ESV)
"15 HE is the IMAGE of the invisible GOD, the firstborn of all creation.
16 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.
17 And HE is before all things, and in HIM all things hold together.
18 And HE is the head of the body, the church. HE is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything HE might be preeminent.
19 For in HIM all the fullness of GOD was pleased to dwell,
20 and through HIM to reconcile to HIMSELF all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of HIS cross."
Since we are created in the IMAGE of GOD, and for the glory of GOD, why do we tend to build our lives around things that are temporary, ""where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal" (Matthew 6:19)? GOD in flesh (JESUS) said in Matthew 6:20-21 "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
Do I keep as close of an eye on the Spiritual aspects of life as I do on my earthly bank account? While it's true we must be good stewards over what we have been blessed with, there are some who find it hard to exist without "worrying" about if whether their earthly assets are more than their neighbors.
Shouldn't we be more concerned with our relationship with the Creator of the Universe than how much money is in our bank account? Since "GOD IS SPIRIT" and the things of GOD are Spiritual, everything we do should be directed toward glorifying HIM! Instead, we seem to have our priorities all out of whack to where everything is centered on ourselves. Our physical wellbeing should be secondary to making sure HE is FIRST in everything, not us being first in everything.
Do we really grasp the magnitude of WHO GOD is? Do I elevate HIM above all? HE shouldn't have to REQUIRE that we adore HIM, that we celebrate HIS majesty more than a sports championship, that HE means more than a fancy home, OR CHURCH BUILDING. "GOD IS SPIRIT" should mean that everything we do that isn't Spiritual is nothing but waste (Philippians 3:8) and shouldn't warrant a lot of effort.
FATHER IN HEAVEN, move me to be MORE focused on the things that draw glory and honor to YOUR Name!!!
Friday, January 6, 2017
"THE WORD OF GOD!"
2 Thessalonians 2:13 (ESV)
"And we also thank GOD constantly for this, that when you received "THE WORD OF GOD", which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, "THE WORD OF GOD", which is AT WORK in you believers."
To be brief this morning, you have heard it said "you are a piece of work"! Well, we all "are a piece of work", the question is, who is working on you???
The Apostle Paul says "you Believers" were being worked on by "THE WORD OF GOD". If you are not being worked on by "THE WORD OF GOD", you must be trying to get through "this world" by your own strength?!? I prefer "THE WORD OF GOD" mold and make me!!!
"And we also thank GOD constantly for this, that when you received "THE WORD OF GOD", which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, "THE WORD OF GOD", which is AT WORK in you believers."
To be brief this morning, you have heard it said "you are a piece of work"! Well, we all "are a piece of work", the question is, who is working on you???
The Apostle Paul says "you Believers" were being worked on by "THE WORD OF GOD". If you are not being worked on by "THE WORD OF GOD", you must be trying to get through "this world" by your own strength?!? I prefer "THE WORD OF GOD" mold and make me!!!
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
"RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY!"
Matthew 5:21-26 (ESV)
"21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.
26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny."
These scriptures caused my mind to reflect on a conversation recently with an acquaintance when the subject of him being done wrong by several of his adversaries came up. He was telling how he was treated badly by others when an interview of Dr. Charles Stanley was brought to my mind by the Holy Spirit. In the interview Dr. Stanley recalls GOD speaking to him and saying "You've got to see it all as coming from ME (GOD)"! My initial response to the conversation with my acquaintance was to join with him in calculating a proper response to the people who were offending, but then I thought how JESUS would respond to them and my thoughts began changing. Being able to RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY" when the enemy is present should be one of the easiest things to do, but he blends in so well with our daily activities that it can be difficult to SEE him, unless we are keeping a keen eye on the lookout for him!
In the scripture passage above, JESUS is telling HIS disciples that we should not react the way "this world" reacts to being done wrong! We are "called" (1 Peter 2:9) out of darkness into HIS marvelous light maybe in order for HIM to be glorified. JESUS said in Acts 9:16 to Ananias "For I will show him (Saul) how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name." Some are called to suffer for the sake of HIS name and exhibit that we are simply here to draw Glory to the FATHER! It should be our privilege to be used of HIM to draw Glory to HIM. Keeping our focus on the "main thing" will help us be able to SEE the Spirit world and the enemy at work!
Do I automatically SEE the lessons I am trying to be taught by the Holy Spirit? Obviously NOT! Sometimes I don't even SEE them until the person with whom I am speaking with has already left my company. Being able to "RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY" the snake that Satan is should be something we all need to improve on in our lives. Genesis 3:1 says he is "more crafty" than any other creature that GOD has made. Satan will disguise himself to us where to where we THINK others should be blamed for actions, when in reality, the reason we are offended is satan is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)!
While I am far from where I need to be Spiritually, I can only thank the Heavenly Father that I am not where I used to be! Being able to "RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY" the enemy when he tries to slither into my surroundings is something that we all should continually improve upon. We MUST be able to SEE that there are plenty of good people who are being used by the spirit of the enemy to assist him in stealing, killing, and destroying. Basically, it is GOOD versus evil, and we are being used to further an agenda. Whose agenda do I most often display??? How proficient am I at being able to "RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY"???
"21 "You have heard that it was said to those of old, 'You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.'
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, 'You fool!' will be liable to the hell of fire.
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
25 Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison.
26 Truly, I say to you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny."
These scriptures caused my mind to reflect on a conversation recently with an acquaintance when the subject of him being done wrong by several of his adversaries came up. He was telling how he was treated badly by others when an interview of Dr. Charles Stanley was brought to my mind by the Holy Spirit. In the interview Dr. Stanley recalls GOD speaking to him and saying "You've got to see it all as coming from ME (GOD)"! My initial response to the conversation with my acquaintance was to join with him in calculating a proper response to the people who were offending, but then I thought how JESUS would respond to them and my thoughts began changing. Being able to RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY" when the enemy is present should be one of the easiest things to do, but he blends in so well with our daily activities that it can be difficult to SEE him, unless we are keeping a keen eye on the lookout for him!
In the scripture passage above, JESUS is telling HIS disciples that we should not react the way "this world" reacts to being done wrong! We are "called" (1 Peter 2:9) out of darkness into HIS marvelous light maybe in order for HIM to be glorified. JESUS said in Acts 9:16 to Ananias "For I will show him (Saul) how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name." Some are called to suffer for the sake of HIS name and exhibit that we are simply here to draw Glory to the FATHER! It should be our privilege to be used of HIM to draw Glory to HIM. Keeping our focus on the "main thing" will help us be able to SEE the Spirit world and the enemy at work!
Do I automatically SEE the lessons I am trying to be taught by the Holy Spirit? Obviously NOT! Sometimes I don't even SEE them until the person with whom I am speaking with has already left my company. Being able to "RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY" the snake that Satan is should be something we all need to improve on in our lives. Genesis 3:1 says he is "more crafty" than any other creature that GOD has made. Satan will disguise himself to us where to where we THINK others should be blamed for actions, when in reality, the reason we are offended is satan is seeking to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10)!
While I am far from where I need to be Spiritually, I can only thank the Heavenly Father that I am not where I used to be! Being able to "RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY" the enemy when he tries to slither into my surroundings is something that we all should continually improve upon. We MUST be able to SEE that there are plenty of good people who are being used by the spirit of the enemy to assist him in stealing, killing, and destroying. Basically, it is GOOD versus evil, and we are being used to further an agenda. Whose agenda do I most often display??? How proficient am I at being able to "RECOGNIZE and IDENTIFY"???
GOD's Spirit?!?
Since the Spirit of GOD lives inside of my body, everyone I see may be depending on my witness to be exposed to GOD's love. Don't assume just because people are mean, or discourteous to you that they don't like you. They may have been expecting to see more of GOD than you were demonstrating at the time?
Just a thought to ponder during your daily walk!!
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