Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he..." When you know you are greatly blessed, highly favored and deeply loved; you know what to say and what to do. Nothing is confusing (as you know the evil one is the master of confusion) as you are in harmony with your surroundings and yourself. It is as though you and GOD are in agreement as to HIS promises, character and love. You learn not to depend upon your self efforts but upon GOD. You realize you are so Blessed that you become a Blessing to others. Yes, you are in total agreement and harmony with GOD and HIS desires for your life. What a beautiful way to pray; in harmony and agreement with GOD and when you finish you say AMEN (which is the Biblical word which means in agreement with). So is it AMEN? or AMEN! You were born for this day to be a Blessing to others.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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Matthew 11:29, "...learn from ME, for I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls." Do we have the wrong understanding of "humble"? Humble is defined as low in importance, low quality and having a feeling of insignificance or inferiority. Moses in his first 40 years as an Egyptian Prince was looked up to and admired; and he thought he knew everything. He was "mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22), but GOD did not use him. When he fled Egypt after killing an Egyptian, he went to dwell in the Midian desert. He became a shepherd and was no longer considered mighty in words nor deeds. Now, GOD used him! Humble must be confidence without pride; wisdom without arrogance; and child like trust in dependence upon GOD. Humbleness is like the eyes; you can see them in others but you can't see your own. So if you pray, "LORD, I humbly pray", you don't! If you say you are humble, you're not! If JESUS is the focus of your life and you are obedient, then you are! BUT YOU WILL NEVER KNOW IT!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, "...WHO became to us wisdom from GOD..." How many times have we heard or read this and think how will GOD use us? Likewise, how many times do we see those (we judge) who are evil receive the Grace and Mercy we want? Then, something happens and these same people do something so gracious that they don't even seem like the same persons we thought we knew. The only explanation is, THAT MUST BE GOD! I wonder how many people who knew us before we accepted CHRIST and have a personal relationship with HIM, would know us now? I am not talking about when our selfish attempts wanted to know HIM for what HE could do for us; I am talking about HIM being in us and us in HIM and HIS WORD is written in our hearts. I wonder if they would have to say, "NOW THAT MUST BE GOD"!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Ephesians 1:3, "...WHO has blessed us in CHRIST with every Spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." I was pondering about Heaven on my way to the store. As I was walking down the isle I saw a little boy looking at the candy rack. It came to me to ask him the question I was pondering. I asked, "Do you know where Heaven is?" He looked at his dad and said, "sure, it is where GOD is." I thought to myself, "Yes, we have Heaven right here, as long as we have GOD with us. Our Blessings are all in Heavenly Places." How simple can that be? Well, I had one more question for the little boy; I asked, "Do you know who JESUS is? He looked up so serious and said, "HE'S the only one that can tell my mom what to do." SOMETIMES YOU JUST GOTTA ASK!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! John 15:2, "Every branch in ME that does not bear fruit HE takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit HE prunes that it may bear more fruit." Do we get up and go to Church because it is SONday; or are we excited about Praising GOD and hearing HIS WORD? Do we genuflect at the pew without knowing its meaning? Not all who follow JESUS for awhile and hear (but don't act upon) HIS teachings are genuine believers. Fruit is the results that are in the life of a Believer that brings Spiritual benefit to the lives of others and advance the Gospel throughout the sphere of their influence. The Apostle Paul was warned of his potential danger and escaped death because GOD had set him aside for a special ministry. If you are reading this, GOD has set you aside for a special ministry to Glorify HIM. We are not just to get up today and GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Acts 4:13, "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished." Amazed is to be suddenly filled with wonder, experience great surprise and to marvel. Boldness here is synonymous to SPIRIT. The SPIRIT inspired courage, confidence and eloquence to speak in spite of danger or threat. Men like Peter and John were considered ignorant because they did not have formal education or had gone through the advanced training of rabbinic schools. Peter and John spent three years with JESUS and AMAZED the most profound Jewish leaders and educators. Perhaps the foundation of their conviction, courage and confidence was their honest, genuine conviction of TRUTH. They were not dependent upon talent, experience, learning and skill; only upon the Presence of JESUS in their lives. I wonder if we spent more time in the Bible, living the teaching of JESUS, if we too might be amazed of the Blessings in our lives. When we get up in the mornings do we go right to our "to do lists" and spend no time in the Bible. Do we really not believe GOD'S promises to go before us in all things? ARE WE JUST TO BUSY TO BE AMAZED?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your GOD is in your midst...HE will rejoice over you...HE will quiet you by HIS love..." We talk about Love, Peace and Joy as though they are separate emotions, feelings and creations within us. We spend so much time "defining" everything that we just don't let it happen and experience the "Divining" understanding. Only in GOD is Love, Peace and Joy undivided and uncreated. That is why the longing in our heart is never fulfilled without GOD. We can never experience Love, Peace and Joy in themselves because they are not "created" and they are not "divided". They are all ONE in GOD and that emptiness and longing in our hearts can only be filled by GOD. As we accept HIM, HE completes us as ONE in HIM, with Love, Peace and Joy. Undivided and uncompromising we grow in HIS love.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! 2 Corinthians 3:16, "But when one turns to the LORD, the veil is removed." Do you really want to understand the Bible? If you are really ready for a life changing experience, then do this! OBEY THE SCRIPTURES! Understanding the Bible is not a matter of education, understanding the Bible is a matter of obedience. Those who read the Bible for education will obtain facts, be able to recite scriptures, but they will not understand the secrets of life. We have the same opportunity to go before GOD that Moses did. Think about it for a moment; to experience THE VOICE of GOD just like Moses. As we obey and act upon the instructions of the Scriptures, the Bible "comes alive" and we begin to understand THE VOICE of GOD. If we have not obeyed and acted on what GOD has already told us why should we expect HIM to reveal more of HIS deep truths? As we grow in the WORD it becomes exciting and brings us JOY and is no longer just a duty. The Bible is not something subject to interpretation and opinion; it is to be obeyed. Try this today; Don't lie about anything (Exodus 20:16). Don't exaggerate to make someone feel good or laugh. Don't think up lies to get you past a circumstance not even if it is one of "those harmless little lies" that won't hurt anyone. Just this one act of obedience WILL CHANGE YOU LIFE forever. Obedience will bring us life and more secrets will be revealed. IT IS NOT A MATTER OF INTERPRETATION, IT IS A MATTER OF OBEDIENCE.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Matthew 12:34, "...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." When the Pharisees spoke, they spoke evil because their hearts (Treasure Chests) were evil; when JESUS spoke, HIS words were beautiful because HIS heart (Treasure Chest) was beautiful. The "Storeroom" in the Bible refers to the Magi's treasure chest which had Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. We too have Treasure Chests, and what we fill them with determines how we speak. We not only speak words aloud but silent words about situations and about ourselves. Words, spoken aloud or silent, either breathe life into us or they breathe the veil of death. When we look into a mirror what are our thoughts? Are they beautiful words that express the magnificence of GOD'S creation in us, or do they bring "death" as we think what is wrong with us? Today let us express words about ourselves and others that GOD uses in the Scriptures. We are made in HIS image, HE said what HE made was good, HE loves what HE made, we have value, worth and beauty because HE chose to give us life. Let us put these words of power in our "Treasure Chest"; now go look into a mirror and see the beauty of who HE created.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! 1 Corinthians 15:10, "But by the Grace of GOD I am what I am..." I know an immigrant worker who does odd jobs. His charges are far below what others charge but it appears to be enough for him. By definition, enough is enough when circumstances provide quantity and quality to fully meet our demands, needs and expectations. And yet GOD says, "MY Grace is sufficient for you..." Grace is GOD'S unmerited favor to withhold HIS judgement and to provide only good in the life of a Christian. Our expectations and demands in this world will NEVER be met so that can't be a true definition of "enough". Enough is GOD providing for our needs and HIS unmerited favor for our salvation. So, "by the Grace of GOD we are who we are" and HIS enough exceeds our expectations.
Psalm 139: 23-24Isaiah 43:1GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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