One thing I know for sure, "I am perfectly imperfect"! I once worked for a Church where the Pastor was constantly "imperfect". I wondered how GOD could be Glorified with this man. He would continually talk of "his VISION" of a MEGA Church that GOD was building. Then one day I passed his office and I heard him pray, "JESUS, have mercy on me, a sinner". Today I realize how that prayer said it all, he was repenting and knew he could not be who GOD wanted under his own power. 1 Thessalonians 5: 17, "Pray without ceasing." When you are concentrating on your sins, give thanks that they bother you, give thanks you are not who you want to be, and know those thoughts are GOD in you! Instead of counting all of your wrongs (and the wrongs of others) talk with the SHEPARD. Those prayers are just as easy as "JESUS, have mercy on me, a sinner". Oh, by the way, that Pastor's Church never became a MEGA Church, but the young pastors he mentored went on to plant many Churches and Yes, some are the MEGA Churches you see on Television today. He had a VISION, he just had no idea how big that VISION was. GOD answered my question, "how can GOD be Glorified with this man"?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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Whatever we do without the full conviction that it is right (right with GOD), is wrong. So whatever we do, even if it is "right" by the world, and we have doubt, it is wrong. The difference is conviction over belief. If we speak, act and live by Faith (that which Glorifies GOD) we won't be wrong in HIS eyes, and we will be Blessed! Let us go in Faith and be Blessed! Romans 14:23, "But whoever has doubts is condemned...For whatever does not proceed from Faith is sin."
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the Theology of the Bible that I don't live the "Love-ology". Romans 1:22, "Claiming to be wise, they became fools." People can preach to me all day trying to push me toward GOD, but it is the one who constantly lives GOD'S love that gets me to move! It is HIS love that draws me near, not threats of me burning in Hell or "logic" that HE is real, so I better believe. GOD has given so much evidence of HIS Divine nature through creation and yet man has rejected HIM. So, there must be something far greater than knowledge that "Leads" us to HIM. LOVE! Instead of "Pushing" someone to CHRIST by telling them their faults, try "Leading" someone to CHRIST by telling them the good you see in them by living in Love. The love in them will grow, and they will grow until there is no room for sin. What would you prefer; LEAD BY LOVE, OR PUSHED BY KNOWLEDGE?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Acts 9:15-16, "...Go, for he (you) is a chosen instrument of MINE..." Having a vibrant faith requires a commitment to obey GOD. The more we learn what JESUS has accomplished on our behalf, the greater will be our passion to share the Gospel. HIS face is shining upon you, beaming Peace that transcends understanding. We may be surrounded by a myriad of problems, but we can be face to face with JESUS and HE will keep us safe. When we start to "sink" simply call out "Help me JESUS!" and HE will lift us up. The closer we live with JESUS, the safer we are. Let us fix our eyes on HIM who never changes. Philippians 4: 7, "And the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Maybe some of you have experienced disappointment with the things you've done, or the people you have hurt. I pray these are words of encouragement to you. I am not what I ought to be; Oh, how imperfect and deficient I am! I am not what I wish to be: to abhor what is evil and cling to what is good. Yet, though I am not what I ought to be, nor what I wish to be, nor even what I hoped to be, I can Truly say, "I am not what I once was; a slave to sin and satan." By the Grace of GOD, I am who I am. 1 Corinthians 15:10-11, "...by the Grace of GOD I am what I am, and HIS Grace toward me was not in vain...though it was not I, but the Grace of GOD that is in me..." Even though I am not what I hoped to be, soon, yes very soon, I shall put the mortality of the world behind me and with mortality, all sin and inequities. I have great HOPE for you and me.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Has someone ever tried to convince you of something and finished their statement with "I swear to GOD"? Or has someone ever used many words to convince you to do what they want? How about when they don't think you are convinced that they use anger for intimidation or make you feel guilty? Sometimes we hear their pleas and we want to be the "rescuer" so they will feel better and ironically we become the vicitim. Matthew 5:37, "Let what you say be simply Yes or No; anything more than this comes from evil." No one is believed any sooner in common conversation because they "swear" to something. When someone swears to something or becomes angry it is pretty good evidence that they know what they are saying is false. The Bible explains that profound swearers are seldom believed. But we can be believed if our character is beyond suspicion in all things. If we live in obedience to GOD we do not need "oaths" to make us believed. Our YES is our YES and our NO is our NO! Now you know WHO YOU CAN BELIEVE!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! The teacher explains the subject in class and you say, "I know this now". Then you go and start doing the assignment and think, "where did this come from"? Or I can watch a musician playing an instrument and think, "That can't be to hard"; and then you try it and it is very difficult. I may hear many things and learn a "smidgen"; but until I actually follow up on what I hear (PUT IT INTO ACTION BY DOING) by actually doing it do I learn anything. James 1:22, "But be doers of the WORD, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves..." Then, in addition to that, if I don't keep going back and doing something by either repeating it or expanding it, I soon forget and can't do it at all. James 1:23, "For if anyone is a hearer of the WORD and not a doer, he is like a man...who looks ...in a mirror...and forgets what he was like." I wish all of you could learn from my mistakes to save you pain and misery but hearing without action is self-deceptive and we all "only learn by doing". Keep going to the WORD and try it, YOU WILL BE SURPRISED WHAT YOU WILL LEARN.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Last SONday the Denver Broncos played the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the NFL playoffs. The NFL has banded Tim Tebow (the Broncos quarterback) from wearing his "eye black" (to reduce glare) with his usual John 3:16 written on it. So during the game there was no John 3:16 being broadcast nation or world wide. But the news media noticed something about the game. Tebows passing yards for the game totaled 316 yards. His average gain per pass (which is something he is not good at) was 31.6 per pass. Oh, and as the TV ratings are how TV stations measure their money was, can you believe it, 31.6 percent! Proverbs 16:, "Man may make his plans, but GOD has the last word." The message was more recognized than before! If GOD shares HIS message in a football game what do you think HE will do for you? GOD ALWAYS HAS THE LAST WORD IN OUR LIVES AND SPREADS HIS WORD IN US!
Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." What ever you think about, focus your attention on, and are dominated on determines the course of your life. If we think about our circumstances we are not exercising Faith. I believe Faith is strengthen by Praise. Faith is the ASSURANCE of and the CONVICTION the unseen has happened. If we focus upon GOD and what HE tells us in the Bible, it will come true and manifest itself in our lives even if we can't feel it or see it now. If we are not Praising GOD (in our lives and actions) even before we see the physical manifestation then our Fatih is not complete. Change our lives today as we Praise GOD and abound in Faith. THINK "OUTSIDE" THE BOX.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! One morning I was beginning my morning prayers and I said, "LORD, I just want to be perfectly honest, I began dreading my prayer time about fifteen minutes ago, because it is always the same repetition." HIS voice from within me was so loud and clear, 'Randy, I BEGAN DREADING IT AN HOUR AGO". Now, my motivation for prayer is to have a relationship with GOD, to hear what HE has to say and tell HIM my deepest urnings Yes, me listening while HE reveals how I should pray, read the Bible or anything else. My problem was I never gave GOD an opportunity to say anything. Hebrews 10:22, "...let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith...".
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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