How many times do we say something to excuse ourselves from the moment, then don't keep our commitments? "I'm on the other line, I'll call you back in a few minutes" (It never happens); or you agree to meet someone at 10:00 am and show up at 10:30 (or call with an excuse to "postpone" the meeting). Most of our friends or family let it go as, "well, you know John, he may or may not call back, but he means well". How does your "keeping your word" affect others? If you are one who shows up early or on time, others notice! Your actions are dependable (even GODLY) and when you say something they know what you say is accurate and without exaggeration. They begin to count on you and at times even ask for advice. It is the Divine Nature that Glorifies GOD and gives others Peace with us, because we have Peace with GOD and ourselves. 2 Peter 1:4, "...HE has granted to us HIS precious and very great promises,... so that you may become partakers of the Divine Nature." You may never know how GOD uses you, but we do "know that for those who love GOD all things work together for good,..." So maybe the next time you tell someone you will call right back, YOU'LL DO IT!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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GOD has a beautiful plan for each of us. When we face seemingly "impossible circumstances", HE wants us to acknowledge HIS power and guidance through what HE has promised us. Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you...to give you a future and hope." Have you ever wondered how many more people have read this Scripture and were encouraged and inspired? How about a man named Daniel (yes, the one who wouldn't stop praying to our GOD even when they threw him into the Lions' Den)? Daniel 9:2, "...I, Daniel, perceived in the books...according to the WORD of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet..." When Daniel read this Scripture, he immediately sought GOD in prayer (turning his face to GOD; humbling himself with fasting and confession. A Prophet inspired by the WORD OF GOD to him and another Prophet. WE ARE ALL INSPIRED BY THE "ONE" WHO INSPIRES!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! If we haven't experienced it yet, we will! There will be a time (if it hasn't happened already) when the "world" no longer satisfies us; pain and fear is gone while we sit in wonder and amazement of the simple TRUTH. Exodus 3:14-15, "...I AM WHO I AM...This is MY NAME forever..." This is a time when we know HE is faithful to HIS promises and that HE is with us always. It is a time when what HE tells us is enough. A time when HE says, "I AM WHO I AM" and we say YES, YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Today I woke up before the sunrise, the same way my mother used to do. She would listen for the first bird's song and just sit there and smile. She would always be so happy when any of us kids would come to see her. Her arthritic hands would delicately put coins in the cobblestone wall inside our house so when children came they could search for "treasures". The Disciples were so busy preaching that many of the needs of the people were not being provided. They appointed Stephen to make sure the widows had food, and the Bible tells us that the WORD of GOD spread and the number of disciples increased. Acts 11:24, "...for he was a good man, full of the HOLY SPIRIT and of faith..." Today may be the day GOD has created for me to go to rest homes, hospitals and "shut-ins" with little treasurers to share. Yes, GOD woke me early so TODAY I WOULD THINK THINGS, I DON'T NORMALLY THINK.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Just as salt adds flavor to food; Trust, Faithfulness, Commitment and Love enhances our relationship to our infinite fulfillment. Our deepest yearning for love comes as we change and remove all obstacles and become ONE. Love expresses the spontaneity and thrillingly intimate relationship with the PERSON our heart cries out for. It is the ONE of WHOM we are literally made. This spiritual transformation is so revolutionary that it is aptly termed "being born again"! The ultimate relationship is a life changing union between two persons. Sometimes we show that we are listening by repeating back something the OTHER says to us; we don't use formal terms or "lofty" words, we just relax and are ourselves. By being quite and listening to the OTHER we hear with our hearts and we find we experience something within us that is deeper than our conscious thought. Sometimes it is an inner impression that you have never had, comes as a thought. It is so gentle that it becomes difficult to distinguish it from our own thoughts. In this SPIRITUAL ONENESS you find each other infinitely attractive, desirable and yes, lovable. We find the ultimate intimacy with SOMEONE WHOSE integrity we do not doubt. We find the OTHER never asks us to do something that they wouldn't do themselves; they not only understand our limitations but THEY themselves have experienced them. We are willing to lose all of our possessions (tangible and intangible), suffer pain, and even die for them. Philippians 4:8, "...what ever is true, honorable, whatever is pure...whatever is worthy of praise, think about these things." Give HIM your most treasured possessions; your spouse, your family and yourself then you will see that your relationship has "flavor" and FAVOR.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Do we have these suppressed files in the back of our minds that burst forward to remind us of our failures (real or not)? Then, in those private conversations with ourselves do we dwell upon the things that we are not good at? Does this voice in our mind tell us that we are not enough, and never will be? This voice becomes like static trying to drowned out the Truth of THE ONE WHO created you. Zephaniah 3:17, "The LORD your GOD is with you...HE takes great delight in you, HE will quite you with HIS love...He will reJOYce over you with singing." Know the VOICE you are listening to and the one you will rebuke! GOD rejoices in our life, HE believes in us and we are in HIS constant care. You are valued and loved, not only by those you know, but by the ONE who created you. Get rid of the "old files and confusion"; know the VOICE who loves you and listen to HIM! GOD does not make "junk", YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH FOR HIM, and that is all that matters. Don't you think it is time to let JESUS help you do some SERIOUS HOUSE CLEANING of those worthless files?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! The mind convinces us that the "lies" of the world are Truth. It rejects the "knowledge" of GOD until, enamored of our own brilliance, we are convinced that we are on our way to enlightenment. We continue to learn more and more about less and less, until we know everything about nothing. Or we try to know a little bit about everything and again realize we know nothing. Wisdom is the "knowing" the ONE WHO does know! Ephesians 4:17-18, "...in the futility of their minds...They are darkened in their understanding...because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart." Do we choose to receive GOD'S gift of a "new heart" so we will have Wisdom, Enlightenment, and Freedom of Truth; or do WE LEARN MORE AND MORE, ABOUT LESS AND LESS, UNTIL WE KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT NOTHING, AND LIVE IN IGNORANCE?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! If you haven't been somewhere before you might want to get directions. We may have even thought that this somewhere is so far away that "there is no way to get there from here". After every effort has failed, we try "MapQuest" or "GPS" but they just lead us in circles and keep "rerouting". The only way to get there is ask SOMEONE WHO has been there before, and still resides there. You realize you can't get there on your own and that you need your "NEW FRIEND'S" constant guidance so you don't get lost again. Your "NEW FRIEND" won't take any money for HIS help, it is HIS free gift to you, HE just wants to go along for the ride. HE laughs with you as you discover "new places" along the way. You begin to TRUST HIM in everything, you actually know your journey is directed by your faith in HIM (Ephesians 2:8-10). You remember the many roads you took before you knew your "NEW FRIEND" and see how foolish you were. You begin to tell "HIM" how sorry you are and you never want to go on those roads again (Acts 17:30-31). HE assures you that if you take a wrong turn HE will be there to help you get back on the right road. Soon you are so "absorbed" in the love of your "NEW FRIEND" you want, and will, tell everyone about HIM (Matthew 10:32-33 and Romans 10:9-10). Now, you two have become great friends and you want to emulate HIM (Romans 6:1-7 and Acts 8:26-39). We begin to learn, that we need HIM to get where we've never been before (John 3:16). We just need to GET DIRECTIONS and follow them.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Our "deepest thoughts" are not our own, they are those of the SPIRIT. These "thoughts" (they are really not thoughts; they are revelations as they are not progressive) are meant for us only; their simplicity, clarity and the penetrating profoundness of their presence. To try and share these "deep thoughts" by reducing them to words, would only confuse and complicate their innocence and purity. They are private "conversations" with GOD. 1 Corinthians 2:11, "For who knows a person's thoughts except the SPIRIT of that person...no one comprehends the thoughts of GOD except the SPIRIT of GOD..." We may not be able to explain the relationship we know; but we can tell others where we've been. GOD'S WORD cannot be expressed in definitions and explanations, IT is a relationship where "PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS" cannot be expressed in words.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Have you ever met someone whose life was so different, that you saw GOD in them? Someone who after being insulted, receiving harsh treatment or being lied to, responded in kindness and love. It is not the kind of response where they "grit" their teeth and try to be nice; it is a genuine response of love. They are HOLY and Transparent (they belong to GOD and are set apart for HIS exalted purpose). 2 Peter 1:16, "...You shall be HOLY, for I AM HOLY." They do not try to convince you, or themselves, the lies of the world is TRUTH. You no longer see them, you see GOD! NOW THAT IS "TRANSPARENT"!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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