JESUS could take the complex and reduce it to the simplest form. HE called HIS disciples together and told them to keep things simple by trusting and obeying GOD. Luke 9:3, "Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bread, nor money and do not have two tunics." By trusting in GOD they had power and authority to do what they were to do; they were given a simple approach to ministry, just do what they had seen JESUS doing; HE gave them a simple attitude toward possessions, "don't let stuff slow you down; and how to deal with "failure", shake off the dust and move on. We don't have to search for all of the "hidden" philosophical meanings. There is nothing "hidden" or complex about TRUSTING AND OBEYING.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD!
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I saw a little boy walking the family dog before school. It was also trash day and everyone had trash by the street to be picked up. It was not like a job he had to do, it seemed to be an adventure. They both were gathering treasures from the trash and the little boy had his arms full of things he and his dog had found. Psalm 119:162, "I rejoice at YOUR Word like one who finds great spoil." May everything we do today be a great adventure and not JUST WALKING THE DOG!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Matthew 7:14, "For the gate is narrow and the way is hard...those who find it are few." The gate of Faith is narrow because we are not permitted the "Fleshy Things" like Pride, Selfishness, and we are not permitted to accept all belief systems where everything is acceptable and everyone's "truth" is valid. The road of the flesh is not the road of the Spirit. The road of the Spirit is only hard because we experience great "fleshy" trials and tribulations that we don't want to give up! When we experience the narrow gate guarded by TRUTH, don't we want more than anything the Peace and JOY of JESUS, and when we have HIM we step through the "Wall" of deceit? The "Wall" of deceit are the lies that made us think the "World" was all there was. We didn't really believe in the Spiritual World and JESUS. That's why the road is narrow; there is NO BAGGAGE ALLOWED!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! What does a "little" lie hurt? We might think it is alright because we intend to make someone feel better. Or the opposite is, to "not" say something and allow someone to go on believing something that is not true. I have been told that it is ok to lie if it is to save someone's life. King David lied and so did Abraham; even though they did that doesn't make it right before GOD. I just wonder what great miracles and revelations had to be postponed because of their lies, instead of telling the truth? Lying is a form of "taking over" for GOD, that we know better how to handle the situation. Now think about this, what happens when someone lies? "Chip Chip" they lose a little of their Soul and this continues until their heart becomes hardened and lies no longer affect them at all. In fact, they no longer know the difference. Proverbs 12:22, "Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD..." CHIP CHIP YOU TELL A "little" LIE.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! When you drive in Detroit you keep both hands on the wheel, are constantly watchful of all traffic darting in and out all around you, and are extremely aware of pedestrians stepping out in front of you asking for money. It is a time when you pay extreme attention and are focused on one thing; driving (in my case driving and praying - as this seems to be the only time I can multi-task).2 Corinthians 1:9, "...that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves..." When "bad" things happen, we tend to seek GOD a lot harder, think about what HIS word says about HIS promises and do not take things for granted. We begin to think about JOYful things because about anything is JOYful compared to our circumstances. We find ourselves giving thannks and keeping "both hands" on the Bible, to just get through. We are CLOSER TO GOD! Maybe that's why BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Galatians 4:10, "You are observing special days..." TODAY IS SPECIAL, it is the time appointed by GOD to be unique, exciting and unforgetable! Today the LORD has planted dreams and hopes within our souls. HE has renewed our Spirits and our thoughts become spontaneous prayers. This is the day JESUS promised to be with us and take us to HIS special places. As the sun sets and the day's glow is more vibrant than ever, I realize that TODAY never ends; tomorrow will soon be today and TODAY IS SPECIAL.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! When some do the "right" thing they feel "righteous"; and when they fail to do the "right" thing they feel "unrighteous". Our relationship with GOD is not about "doing right" to become righteous. It is about "believing right" in JESUS to become righteous. If we "feel" what we do or don't do, "helps" us make ourselves clean and righteous before GOD; then The Cross is not enough to justify us and "CHRIST is dead in vain". Galatians 2:21, "...for if righteousness come by the law, then CHRIST is dead in vain." Righteousness? It is leading a life pleasing to GOD; to be free from guilt or sin. So my friend, do not frustrate the Grace of GOD by depending upon your own good works to make yourself righteous. The CROSS, JESUS did it all! Why? For a Love we don't even understand! Why does HE want a relationship with me? HE made you to complete a part of HIM which is HIM in you! You are chosen to have UNMERITED FAVOR, be CONFIDENT and expect great things in your life today because of HIM! AMEN!
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! The New Covenant established that GOD'S "Chosen People" was no longer based on "physical descent", but on Spiritual faithfulness. Those with GOD'S Words written on their heart would be GOD'S people. Have we become disillusioned and discouraged because we don't (or can't) rapid fire book, chapter and verse? When we read GOD'S Word don't we want to know how it applies to our lives, don't we want to know about GOD, know HIM personally, HIS ways, HIS character and to experience HIS guidance daily? "I have plans for you..."; "I know your name, you are MINE..."; "If you can't be trusted in small matters, you can't be trusted in large matters", or "You have not denied MY name..." Do you know where in Jeremiah, Isaiah or Revelation those come from, or do you have them on your heart and call them up daily for guidance, encouragement and sharing with others? Is part of of HIS Words being on our hearts, being selective what T.V. or music we listen to; who we associate with; or what we read? Psalm 119:11, "I have hidden YOUR word in my heart..." Psalm 139:23, "...Search me O GOD, and know my heart..." Did these scriptures go deep within you, where you trust the promptings of your heart more than the sight of your eyes? Did you use MEMORIZATION OR ASSOCIATION?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! 1 Thessalonians 2:4, "...but to please GOD WHO tests our hearts." Jeremiah 17:10, "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind..." If GOD knows everything (omniscience) then why would HE test us; what does it prove? Testing is valuable because it proves, TO US, by trial. It gives us a measure of confidence that our faith is real; and that no trial or test will overcome our faith. We have heard in physical exercising, "No Pain, No Gain"; maybe we experience the same thing Spiritually, in "Exercising our Faith". GOD requires us to move out of "our comfort zone" into areas we have not encountered; and for this, we need confidence! Testing proves to us, our Faith and gives us confidence in GOD to see us through anything. Testing of our Faith can be small things, like daily irritations or they can be catastrophic. Either way, GOD causes us to grow and mature into disciples who truly live by Faith in JESUS, and not by what we see! IF THE TESTING IS NOT FOR GOD, THEN WHO DO YOU THINK IT'S FOR?
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! Have you ever awaken and just knew this was going to be your day of rest? You knew that this day was going to be a day of peace, relaxation and a day of trusting. In fact, you were staying in your Pajamas because you were not going to let anything interrupt this special GODLY moment. GOD is very serious about rest! It is a time where we trust that GOD will take care of things for us; it is a time we give our cares to HIM; and a time when we release our grip on our lives and depend upon GOD instead of our own self effort. Matthew 11:28, "Come to ME, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." We can cease from our physical and spiritual labors and trust HIM, not just one day a week, but always. Maybe we need more, PAJAMA DAYS.
Psalm 139: 23-24 Isaiah 43:1 GOD IS GOD! |
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December 2015
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