Do you have things that need to be done (really what you want done, but have convinced yourself they are needs) and you establish unrealistic (which you see as perfectly reasonable) times for completion? Do you impose upon others in completing these objectives, because they are so important (not even asking what the other individuals may "need" to do) and you can't rest until they are done? When others are not willing to meet our time table, do we "create" a sense of emergency to persuade them to take "Immediate Action"? Or are we the ones who think it is "UNGODLY" not to respond to every request of someone else, even when we have things that "need" to be done ourselves? We create our own stress with our own time tables; everything can get done if we have enough time! Which brings up another observation, do all of those "fires" need to be put out? Let'em burn, don't you have more important things to do? Or put another way, do you want "unimportant things" to waste your important time? Job 30:27, "My inner self is in turmoil and never still, days of affliction come to meet me." Most important, did you pray about these things first? If so, probably 3/4 of them were not so urgent. How did you do on the STRESS TEST?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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Pain can be devastating, and when it becomes so deep we come to the point where nothing but nothing can threaten or cause fear any more. It is a time when "we become the weakest, we are the strongest". It is when our limited concept of GOD is enlarged and we discover things about ourselves and GOD that we would have never discovered without it. We no longer pray for deliverance from the pain but to know GOD, HIS presence and to seek HIS face not just HIS hand. James 1:2-5, "Consider it pure joy, ... whenever you face trials of many kinds...so you are not lacking anything..." This is where we come the full circle and submit to "THY will be done"; it is a time when we are no longer motivated by fear but are dependent on HIM, which is why we were created in the first place. So it starts with pain until there is no pain and progresses to discovering a new and deeper relationship with GOD. WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! After reading the story of JESUS in the Garden of Gethsemane, I have come to this conclusion; "satan never saw it coming"! Satan, thought he was destroying JESUS and therefore he would win a victory from GOD! I have heard that satan knows scripture better than me; but even I am not "stupid" enough to mess with Isaiah 14:24, "As I have planned, so shall it be, and as I have purposed, so shall it stand." Or what was satan thinking when he read Romans 8:28, "...we know all things work together for good to those who love GOD, to those who are called according to HIS purpose..." GOD did not go around telling everyone "how" he was going to "give all of us Salvation and Eternal Life", HE just did it! Satan had no clue! I don't know all of the "WHYS and WHATFORS", and I don't know why GOD lets satan keep hurting people or why HE just doesn't get rid of satan (probably my answer to the problem). But I do know from the lesson at Gethsemane, that whatever GOD has planned for satan, that plan will be the best one possible; resulting in GOD'S perfect wrath and justice being satisfied and HIS righteousness Glorified. What about all of the pain and suffering we see now? It is nothing compared to the Heavenly rewards GOD has for us! We are the ones that are deceived by satan that all of this is bad. "What satan means for evil, GOD means for good". Psalm 18:30, "As for GOD, HIS way is perfect"! Just think how the events in the Garden of Gethsemane has affected us in our everyday life (nothing is greater than what JESUS did for our salvation) aside from the obvious (now it is obvious, as I never saw it coming); in the 16th century the composer Bach wrote two Oratorios based on the account of Matthew and John. Even our language has been affected today; "...he who lives by the sword dies by the sword..." (Matthew 26:52; "the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak..." (Mark 14:38); Luke 22:24, "...sweating drops of blood.." I don't know about you, but I am already doing the Victory Dance! Whether we understand it or not, we know HIS timing for satan's demise is THE BEST POSSIBLE PLAN because it's GOD'S plan. My part is easy, I don't have to ask why or when, I just have to obey; that's about all I can handle anyway.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Don't let the world confuse us! They define Belief is the mental conviction of the Truth as the result of critical thinking or proof. While Faith is the conviction of Truth without proof. I would like for you to consider GOD'S definition, Hebrews 11:1, "Now Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." We read the scriptures (they are real) and are given the True Character of GOD. Our Faith is our response to the Divine Character revealed in the Scriptures. GOD tells HIS story in the Scriptures and our Faith rests upon the Character of GOD and HIS perfection. Our Belief is controlled by our mind, which is controlled by the Spirit within us. Our Faith is the GOD in us, which is no less than our Belief. So do we have the "mental conviction" that our conviction of JESUS is Truth? We go far beyond that, our faith is not a vague hope and wishful thinking; it is the confidence in GOD and HIS perfection, HE IS the Proof. So DO YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE FAITH?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! I used to do this as a child and now I am doing it again today. I wonder how many people (and who) stood at this very place (or walked on this ground) throughout all of time? Were they Indians who stopped to enjoy the presence of creation all around them; maybe wild animals who came to lie down and rest; or a parent and child just walking and laughing. These times take me back to my childhood where GOD'S unspoken kindness would manifest itself in acts of Mercy. I would have very private conversations with HIM and there I was filled with HIS love and I never wanted to "break HIS heart" or do something that HE would disapprove of. It was an unspeakable privilege to be where others had been. Luke 1:50, "And HIS mercy is on them that fear HIM from generation to generation." I realized this is not a Mercy that is extended just to me; but is extended to all that love the LORD; not only in this age, but from generation to generation. Today, let GOD treat you to a special time, THINK LIKE A CHILD!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Would you start a new business and hire criminals, the malcontent, people who had gone bankrupt, thieves and people who were bitter in their soul? King David did (1 Samuel 22:2) This motley crew could have easily become a marauding band of thugs and outlaws; but instead they became a "national guard" for local farmers and ranchers against a well organized army. In fact they became the formidable warriors that were feared and their war tactics are still studied today in different countries military "War Colleges". These vagabonds worked as a team, watched each others back, and moved as one unit, one mind accomplishing feats they never thought imaginable! They responded to someone looking at them with the eyes of GOD; believing that their hardships could make them better and seeing who they were going to be, not who they had been. GOD sees who HE made in you and the plans HE has for you! So you think THAT AIN'T NONE OF YOUR "BUNCH", OR IS IT? Besides where do you think the Army's saying "BE ALL THAT YOU CAN BE" came from?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! We live in a ruthless, sinful world where we see hunger and poverty, while the rich seem to get richer and go unpunished for their evil actions. Then we go through circumstances we could have never imagined; the pain is so deep that we want to die and afraid we won't. WHY GOD, WHY; WHERE ARE YOU GOD? When we ask why, we express our doubt in the Willingness of GOD, the Character of GOD and our lack of Trust in GOD. WDJD? What Did JESUS Do? John 12:27-28, "...And what shall I say? FATHER, save me from this hour? But for this purpose I have come to 'this hour'. FATHER, Glorify YOUR name..." Maybe our questions should be HOW or WHAT? FATHER, WHAT can I learn from this to Glorify YOU, and grow in faith in this seemingly 'endless' hell? FATHER, HOW can I be more obedient and Trust YOUR promises for me? Why do we ask WHY when things are out of our control? It is because GOD IS GOD and we are not! JESUS told HIS disciples "not to be surprised at the trials and tribulations they would go through". 1 Thessalonians 5:16, "... in everything rejoice always..." Yes, the Bible has all of the answers but we ask the wrong questions. Perhaps as we read the Bible more, we learn THE WHO, IS THE WHY and that is the only answer that matters.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Depending where we grew up, we pronounce various words differently. A woman in the north might be a "whoa-mun" in the south; and to think in the north might be "to thank" when where I grew up. Knowing GOD determines how and what we think about HIM. Affirming the existence of JESUS is not the same as believing in HIM or being Saved. How can we think of GOD (JESUS) without thinking of HIS HOLINESS? Even the Angels hid their faces when GOD entered HIS temple (Isaiah 6:2). Job questioned GOD and was told; "Where were you when, I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell ME, if you have understanding" (Job 38:4). Our confidence and trust in GOD and HIS HOLINESS, lets us live with many unanswered questions. Our urgency and relevance of JUST WHO GOD is determines our Spiritual "rebirth" and the way we think of HIM. When we "thank about thangs" we are "THANKING TOO MUCH"; but when "thank" the things of GOD; our "thanking" is not enough. Do we spend too much time "thanking" about the gifts and not the GIVER?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! GOD, is so not like us! HE is faithful and full of loving kindness; HE is patient and works for our good, always. How many times have we tried to convince ourselves by telling GOD, I HAD SOMETHING COME UP! "YOU know LORD, I really wanted to tithe this week but after food, clothing and shelter (all the things I know you want me to have); and of course the 401K plan (YOU must have provided for my future retirement) and setting aside a "little" for my vacation (which YOU know I really need) I HAD SOMETHING COME UP; my car broke down and YOU know how much money it took to fix it! So this week I am short (actually no money left) on my tithe but I will get back on "track" next week. YOU know my heart LORD, I want to tithe but just ran out of money! I am so thankful, GOD is not like us! What if the roles we reversed and HE was like us? Oh, John, I would have given you your 90% today but I had an emergency in Afghanistan and had to give your money to the poor hungry people there; I will bet "back on track" next week, you see, I HAD SOMETHING COME UP! Our FATHER in Heaven, THANK YOU FOR NOT BEING LIKE ME, BUT PLEASE, MAKE ME MORE LIKE YOU!!!!! 2 Peter 3:9, "The LORD is not slow to fulfill HIS promise...but is patient toward you.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Elijah saw GOD defeat the prophets of Jezebel and work miracles before his eyes. Then, after she sent her army to kill him, he turns to GOD and says, "It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers." (1 Kings 19:4). Do we keep asking GOD to "Confirm" and "Reconfirm" what we already know, or do we do it to "remove our doubt"? When JESUS asked Peter "who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "YOU are the CHRIST, the SON of the living GOD." (Matthew 16:16); Peter already knew who JESUS was! Do we read the Bible to learn something new; or do we find ourselves encouraged and inspired, when we realize it is the CONFIRMATION OF WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW. GOD has already put eternity into man's heart (Ecclesiastes 3:11); so does GOD continually CONFIRM WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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