Are we experiencing suffering because of our sins? JOB was a man who was the BEST OF THE BEST, immeasurable Faith, total Trust and a heart committed to GOD. And yet he experienced the WORST OF THE WORST; he lost his wife, seven sons and three daughters, all of his wealth and was inflicted with sores all over his body. Was this a test for GOD to see how much JOB loved him; or was it to let JOB know how deeply GOD can be involved in his life? He was not a victim of time and chance. JOB believed that whatever happened to him - in some way would be for his good, for everyone's benefit (Romans 8:28). JOB did not have to overcome his sinfulness, it was for him to grow in understanding with a deeper, clearer perception of his Creator and Sustainor. Through all of this, JOB learned that he could LOVE GOD UNCONDITIONALLY. DO WE PASS THE TEST?
0 Comments
WHY CAN'T WE HEAR GOD? To hear anything we have to be "STILL and QUIET"; to understand what we hear, we must FOCUS upon the ONE speaking. "Be still and know that I AM GOD ...(Psalm 46:10). When we are still we hear GOD revealing HIS HEART to our hearts. When we hear HIS VOICE there is no confusion, no doubt, and we are in TOTAL AGREEMENT with what we hear. When we are STILL, we think about what we hear.
What a great translation and revelation of meaning! "We are GOD'S WORKMANSHIP" (Ephesians 2:10). WORKMANSHIP, translated from Greek is "poema", or POEM. Like a POEM, GOD made us with a BEAUTY and COMPLEXITY which is unique only to us. SCIENCE cannot explain; "Who am I", "What's my purpose"; and "Why do I exist"! We are uniquely and wonderfully made; custom designed for the events today; THAT ONLY WE CAN DO! It may be stopping to help and stranger, calling someone waiting to hear a kind voice, or maybe a smile to someone who has lost hope. TO EVERYONE WE MEET TODAY; WE ARE GOD'S POETRY IN MOTION.
Are our PRAYERS JUST WORDS that are placed out into the universe? Are our PRAYERS simply asking GOD for something; are they begging and pleadings to give us what we want? Are our "PRAYERS" no longer a longing of our SOUL for COMPLETENESS of our SPIRIT (Ephesians 6:18)? HAVE OUR PRAYERS BECOME JUST WORDS FLOATING ENDLESSLY AND MEANINGLESSLY IN THE UNIVERSE? Or, are our PRAYERS THE SPIRITUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD THAT CARRIES US THROUGH EVERY SECOND OF THE DAY?
Sometimes WE THINK WE ARE; Sometimes WE THINK WE AREN'T. "CHRISTIANS THAT IS"! Maybe if we have to THINK ABOUT something TO DO IT; IT IS NOT "SPIRITUALLY NATURAL" (1 Corinthian 15:46). Are we "not Christians" if we don't go to Church; or do we LOOK FORWARD, TREASURE AND REJOICE in GOING TO CHURCH? Do we help others because IT IS WHAT WE SHOULD DO; or because WE WANT TO DO IT? Are we Christians because we constantly THINK ABOUT OBEYING GOD'S COMMANDS; or because WE LOVE GOD'S COMMANDS (Psalm 119:165)?
Have we ever experienced something NEW that wasn't there before (Psalm 51:10)? Do we try to find this by "Patching" and trying to change our "OLD HEARTS"? We cannot "MEND" OLD CLOTH, for it will tear away; IT MUST BE MADE NEW! GOD CREATES US NEW WHERE THERE WAS NOTHING BEFORE.
Most of us have never stood in court before a Judge awaiting our fate. Some of us have. While standing there, we do not offer excuses, think of what else we can do to be exonerated, we commit ourselves completely to THE MERCY OF THE JUDGE. MERCY is not a decision to give us what we want; MERCY is the acceptance of whatever decision is given, and knowing it is for our own good (Romans 8:28). This understanding comes from our heart; "Against YOU LORD I have sinned..." While standing, alone with GOD, HE REVEALS, whatever good we may have done, was for HIS GLORY. And whatever FAILURES AND OFFENSES against others we may have done, HE USED TO DRAW THEM CLOSER TO HIM, AGAIN FOR HIS GLORY. WHILE STANDING ALONE WITH GOD; WE ACCEPT HIS MERCY! AMEN!
I'M "FIX-N" TO GET READY TOO is a response given when we are not quite prepared to do something, when asked. It means that we are "UNPREPARED". Do we lose confidence that GOD'S PROMISES apply to us because we don't see them NOW? Are we like a six year old who wants to drive the car but can't see over the dash? WE WANT, but are NOT CAPABLE OR PREPARED for the responsibility! Are we still waiting for GOD'S PROMISES to come TRUE in our life, because we are NOT PREPARED? Are we going to spend our whole life, "FIX-N" TO GET READY TOO?
It is SO EASY to make the right decision! It is when we try to anticipate all of the repercussions and ramifications of that decision, is when things get confused, distorted and difficult. Are our decisions based upon "the fear of what might happen", or upon what is RIGHT OR WRONG (1 Chronicles 29:17)? Peace and Harmony are the Spiritual forces that eliminate "Second Guessing" and "Compromising" THE RIGHT DECISION. IT IS SO EASY!
Have we ever found an old watch, chain, or book outside; where they may have "weathered" for awhile? Were they tarnished, partially destroyed or unrecognizable? At the same time, did we notice how the trees, grass and flowers continue to grow. sleep and RENEW again, MORE BEAUTIFUL AND STRONGER than before? Did we experience the Revelation that GOD is NOT ONLY THE CREATOR BUT ALSO THE SUSTAINER OF HIS CREATION (Colossians 1:17)? Did we meditate that we are RENEWED DAY BY DAY (2 Corinthians4:16)? We don't have to understand Coulomb's law of electrostatic force where elements repel and destroy each other; because GOD IS THE CREATOR AND SUSTAINER.
|
About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
Categories |