"...you do not know what you are asking...But whoever be great among you must be your servant..." (Mark 10:32-45). When James and John asked to sit at the right and left of JESUS, did they understand what HE was saying when HE told them they did not know what they were asking? Did they really understand that after all of this time with JESUS, their desires were still the same as the pagans. They confused "power and recognition" of the world to that of being a disciple. But to have the love of GOD in us for others, means that whatever we do and whatever we think is the same thing JESUS would do. To forgive them, encourage them, to feed, help and pray with them. By being a servant to GOD, we will always serve others. To be at the right or left is not important because, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ASK.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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Do we sometimes use the Truth to "beat" someone up? Do we let our not "being wrong" condemn others? Have we ever held someone "accountable" (over and over) until they really want to avoid us? Do our actions cause them to say things that are not true (even though they want them to be)? "Take heed that this right (correctness) of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak", (1 Corinthians 8:9). Romans 14:12, "...we will all give account of our conduct..." We will give account of OUR (not someone else's) character, conduct, words and actions. Let us be able to give our account with JOY and not with grief. Maybe NOT BEING WRONG, CAN BE WRONG if it is not used to Glorify GOD!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Do we think of the world as being divided between those who love GOD (US?), and those who don't (THEM?)? Do we believe that when we live to please the LORD, that HE will protect "US" by destroying our enemies? HE does, but maybe not always in the ways we think. You see, I was one of "THEM" for a long long time. HE destroyed me by changing my heart. I abandoned my hostile position and became a friend as HE worked for the good of all of "US"! We are all GOD'S children and HE loves each of us the very same. When we hear that, it humbles "US" and gives "US" hope in HIS love. Our "old self" is destroyed with love and a new heart! Proverbs 16:7, "When a man's ways please the LORD, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Have you ever had a critic or "enemy" come and say or do something nice to you? You instantly knew the POWER OF GOD! Love has the power to charm and win even enemies! Now that's an AMEN!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Do sometimes we get so inspired, encouraged and certain with GOD in our life that nothing discourages us? We know we are, and have always been, so Blessed in everything we do that we are INVINCIBLE! But then, there are the times when we feel so average and so "unspecial" that it is hard to pray, if we can pray at all. So do we always feel close to GOD; SOMETIMES YES, SOMETIMES NO? Psalm 138:8, "The LORD will fulfill HIS purpose for me, YOUR steadfast love...endures forever..." HE will not begin something in us, then abandon us; HE will not promise to save us and then fail to fulfill HIS promise; and HE will not encourage us and then cast us off. GRACE will complete what GRACE begins! Let me ask you about those prayers that don't seem to go "higher than the ceiling". When does it take more Faith to pray; when everything is perfect or when nothing seems to be right? And when those prayers don't go "higher than the ceiling"; they don't have too, GOD is in you, with you always! JUST SAY IT, BELIEVE IT, HE HEARS IT! AMEN!! AND MORE HALLELUIAHS!!!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! How many times have we been saddened because we didn't get what "we deserved"? Or how many times have we been "sooo..thankful" that we didn't get what "we deserved"? "FEAR NOT", this is repeated in the Scriptures many times from Genesis 15:1 all the way through Revelation1:17. "FEAR NOT" is GOD'S promise of HIS personal protection, provision and Grace. "FEAR NOT" gives us a new life of adventure, boldness, courage and Yes, even a special "swagger". "FEAR NOT" makes us an over-comer, a victorious soldier, a world changer, a family builder and GOD'S AMBASSADOR! Thank you GOD, that YOU DON'T GIVE ME WHAT I DESERVE! AMEN!!!! HALLELUIAH!!!!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! here is a time in all of our lives that our hunger and thirst for the LORD can't be satisfied. Pageantry, drama, religious rituals and eloquent sermons can't satisfy that "glimpse of eternity" we so desperately seek. Then GOD sends someone with HIS WORD just for you; it breaks all barriers and removes distractions. You hear HIM, you know it is HIM, that "glimpse of eternity" is real. It may come in words as simple, yet profound as, Isaiah 43:1, "...Fear not: for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, you are MINE." The overwhelming intimacy of calling us by name, redeeming (paying for our sins) us and saying we are HIS; just like King David, Moses and all others. Yes, the Truth of HIS WORD makes us "hunger and thirst" for more because WE JUST CAN'T GET ENOUGH.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Ecclesiastes 5:20, "...because GOD keeps him occupied with JOY in his heart." There are two contrasting ways to Live life and/or read the Bible. One is from a secular and materialistic viewpoint, where we conclude that life is futile, temporary and without purpose. The other perspective is asking the HOLY SPIRIT to lead us and reveal how GOD is involved in all that we do. To be full of the HOLY SPIRIT is to have the HOLY SPIRIT have all of us. Then the darker "illusions" of life no longer overshadow the DIVINELY bestowed blessings. There are TWO WAYS TO LOOK AT LIFE; one a lie, the other a revelation of Truth.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Do we want the "Gifts" more than the GIVER? Is money to pay our bills and give us what we want really a "Blessing"? Blessing defined, "is to speak well of...". In the Bible we find the word Blessing used as "Praise and Worship", "Salvation", "Approval and Love" and "Inheritances" of GOD. We do not find the word "Blessing" being used to indicate material possessions. What are our Blessings? They are the key benefits of a relationship with GOD through JESUS CHRIST. HE chose us before the foundation of the world, HE extends HIS grace and offers us Salvation, HE grants us to be HIS children, HE redeemed us (paid for our sins), HE forgives us, and HE puts HIS mark of ownership on us guaranteeing our eternal security with the HOLY SPIRIT. Ephesians 1:3, "...WHO has blessed us in CHRIST with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places." "Seek ye first the kingdom of GOD, and these things will be given unto you." Today, let us know our Blessings and NOT CONFUSE THE GIFTS WITH THE GIVER. ABUNDANT BLESSINGS!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! GOD does not withhold Blessings to the repentant and sincere heart. But HE does withhold Blessing from the wicked, unrepentant and insincere heart. Also, we may not receive Blessings for lack of faith (James 1:6-7), for asking selfishly (James 4:3), or asking for something against GOD'S WILL (2 Corinthians 12:8-9). HAVE WE ASKED AND ASKED, AND STILL NOTHING? Psalm 103:2-10, "Bless the LORD, O my soul...WHO forgives all your iniquity...WHO satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's...HE does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities..." When we die we will no longer be thinking about how to make the next dollar or drive a newer car; we will be absorbed in the Presence of GOD as HE reveals HIS mysteries. Shouldn't those be the Blessings we ask for now, or MAYBE WE DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND BLESSINGS.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! I saw you in Church yesterday. Weren't you the one that obeyed when GOD said, "Come be with ME, and let's spend some time together"? You were the one walking among the flowers, taking off your shoes and dancing with JESUS. As I watched you, I realized, Church is not a building where we go; Church is the way we live life! Psalm 66:4, "All the earth worships YOU and sings praises to YOU..." I SAW YOU IN CHURCH YESTERDAY!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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