WHEN "FEEL GOOD" JUST ISN'T ENOUGH.
"... but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven", (Mathew 5:17). There is a man at Church that wears an old suit that is far to big, an older crumpled tie; and he sits alone because he is "touched in the head" (you know not all of his oars are in the water). When you sit to speak with him, he will instantly tell you, "my wife is not here today, because she had to work". (He has no wife). So you listen, maybe someday he will feel the Love of JESUS, maybe not today, but someday. There is a man who has a "garbage route" (he is looking for food, bottles and money) and he walks it daily; Have you ever made sure there are plenty of bottles (maybe even a dollar taped to one, once in a while) for him to find? Or, a man is scolded by one of the Deacons for "taking part of Sunday's sacrament" in his pocket as he leaves the Church. Later you find out it is for his elderly, ill mother who is bed-ridden. All of these makes your heart ache and you want to do more; IT'S WHEN JUST TO "FEEL GOOD" ISN'T ENOUGH. Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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hose of us who have scars (some more than others), can look at those scars and know exactly how we got them. Scars serve as reminders of a situation, a person or any number of things that were involved in creating it. "Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of MY hands..." (Isaiah 49:16). GOD is telling us that we are constantly before HIS eyes; we are dear to HIS heart. But have we thought of a "scar" as the natural process of repairing an open wound or injury? Yes, we are forever before the Heart of GOD, being Healed and Reconciled to dwell in HIS presence. HE is always with us and protecting us! HE HAS THE SCARS TO PROVE IT!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! When they shoot rockets to other planets, they know exactly 10 years and 20 years from now where the planets are going to be. How can this happen? Because GOD made an orderly creation!
Do we think that someone who made everything so orderly, is disorganized HIMSELF? Do we think GOD makes a plan one day, then abandonds it the next day? When we pray asking GOD for something; it is not us "praying" and waiting on GOD; it is GOD waiting on us! Waiting on us to release HIS power in our lives; to step in Faith, because why? GOD is predictable! "JESUS is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8). So why is it, we expect to see the sunrise, the seasons to change and the flowers to grow? In other words, we consistnetly expect the CREATOR'S gifts to be orderly and predictable, so why don't we expect the same from our CREATOR? Miracles only exist within us, not in GOD; it is our Faith releasing HIS power in our lives that let Miracles appear to the world. Are we praying and waiting on GOD, instead of expecting HIS WILL to be done? Ask yourself; Am I waiting on GOD, or IS GOD WAITING ON ME? Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! When a "prayer warrior" says they will pray for you; you are not just some name on a list, that gets mentioned during a repetitious lifeless prayer. Aneffectual fervent prayer is one that is energetic, full of power and by its own nature, produces the Will of GOD for you. This prayer is "in-wrought" (an integral, interdependent and inseparable communication of the HOLY SPIRIT) with the HOLY SPIRIT. It is not a cold, lukewarm, lifeless, formal and customary prayer. This prayer is INSPIRED by the Spirit of GOD, the actual BREATH OF SPIRITUAL LIFE, it is the Spirit of GOD praying to GOD with passion, energy and power for you. It is exhausting and effective as a GODLY heart intertwines and intercedes with GOD'S Heart for you! James 5:16, "...The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."Now you wil KNOW the meaning when a RIGHTEOUS person says, I'LL PRAY FOR YOU!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! James 1:2, "Count it all joy, my brothers,when you meet trials of various kinds..." When we encounter "trials" do we think that GOD gives them to us to make us appreciate the good times, or are these the "good" times? Trials in our lives is a strengthening of our Faith. They consist of worldly conflicts that deceive us into thinking they are the beginning and end; when they are really Spiritual Pilgrimages! In these Pilgrimages we are given Spiritual Maturity, clear vision of Truth, no confusion and this in itself produces pure JOY. Satan wants us to abuse the Truth and distort our circumstances so the Truth will lose its value and effectiveness. Truth is Truth, do not "condense it" nor "add to it". Complete JOY is the Spiritual enduring, it is not temporal worldly happiness. Yes, TESTS ARE GOOD!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! The Polish Community celebrates "Three Kings Day"; in commemoration of the Three Kings Searching for JESUS. Chalk is taken and "20 + K + B + M + 13" is written above the door to the home as it is a Holy Threshold. It is to remind the inhabitants, that all who come to their doors are to be treated as Kings; Kings searching for JESUS. They are reminded that Hospitality and kindness is shown to all; it emphasizes that inside these doors, under this roof, anyone who seeks hospitality, rest, forgiveness or love will find it here. In other words, if someone is looking for JESUS, they will find HIM in this home.Joshua 24:15, "...choose this day whom you will serve, ...But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” So if you meet someone today looking for JESUS, let them find HIM in your Heart; AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE POLISH.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Our memories, have no value unless we apply the lessons learned, to NOW. Our thoughts of tomorrow have no value because we don't know if tomorrow will come (James 4:14). Ephesians 5d:15, "Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise". We gain wisdom by living each day with an eternal perspective (for GOD has put enternity in our hearts, Ecclesiastes 3:11). Maybe those whose endeavors do the most for the PRESENT life (NOW) are those who think more about the next life. The past is gone, the future a mystery, but TODAY is a gift, THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT PRESENT.
salm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! We hear to "give thanks in all circumstances". Unless we have given all that we have to help someone else, can we really be grateful for someone's sacrifice for us? Can we really appreciate someone doing our laudry for us, UNLESS WE'VE DONE THE LAUNDRY OURSELVES? Why do we think of Blessings and Gifts in perspective to ourselves? Perhaps we still don't understand the difference between actions others may take on our behalf (that has a hidden agenda, for their benefit); and those actions which originate in the "WILL" for good that is directed toward us. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." (James 1:17). Maybe we are not as grateful as we should be for other's acts of kindness UNLESS WE'VE DONE THE LAUNDRY OURSELVES.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! When we do an act of kindness, is it because it makes us "feel good" or do we have a "flashing thought"; this could be JESUS (in disguise) and we certainly don't want to mess up here? Matthew 25:35, "For I was hungred, and ye gave ME meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave ME drink; I was a stranger, and ye took ME in." This scripture tells us that it is all about "relationships"; our relationship with JESUS. It describes a union between CHRIST and us; the most tender and endearing relationship we will ever know. It becomes a union of "GODLY" feelings, interests, plans and destiny. It is where we love the same things, share the trials and inherit the same Blessedness. "He that abideth in ME, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit." An act of kindness is not of our own power, it is HIS Spirit in us, evidence of our union with HIM. These acts spring from love and mercy, because these "fruits" give us a unity with GOD. These acts are of GOD, they bring a oneness of Spirit, Body and Soul. Are our "acts of kindness" to do "good things" or "certainly not to mess up"; OR IS IT SOMETHING MORE?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Do you get "worn out" or discouraged reading the Bible? Are all of those "hidden meanings" still hidden? No matter what you try you only find "partial" JOY, "imperfect" JOY and JOY intermingled with pain and sorrow. We are told, "we can experince FULL JOY, full and satisfying where nothing will diminish its completeness and brightness. This only happens in HIS PRESENCE. Psalm 16:11, "...in THY presence is fulness of joy..." I am going to suggest you just start reading the Book of Ruth; Pray ask the HOLY SPIRIT to read with you. Don't have a dictionary on one side and theological interpretations on the other, just you and the HOLY SPIRIT will read together. The story is so intriging that it comes alive, and the JOY satisfys the desires of the Soul. You are in HIS Presence, "you see GOD as HE is..." (1 John 3:2); "and when HE appears, we shall be like HIM..." GOD'S WORD is alive! As you read in HIS Presence, JOY fills every crevas of your heart and YOUR EYES WILL "HEAR"!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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