Something to think about.
A Sobering Thought
4 May all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you! May those who love your salvation say evermore, "God is great!" Psalms 70:4
"May all who seek you," this phrase is not inclusive of everyone. There are people who will not seek Him. There are people who know of Him that will not love His salvation. There are people who will not say "God is great."
It is incomprehensible to me that anyone would not seek Him, love His salvation and say "God is great." However, we can not and should not focus on those who won't seek Him.
We need to rejoice and be glad in those that will, in those that through our efforts will embrace the goodness and greatness of God. God is good, God is great, and His love endures forever, and I will rejoice and be glad in Him. I do love His salvation, and I will proclaim in all situations Gods is great.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
A Sobering Thought
Monday, February 27, 2017
Get Off The Fence
Something to thnk about.
Get Off The Fence
And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21 ESV
Elijah is speaking to his people, the Jewish people. Nothing of what he said at that time was intended for anyone other than the Israelites. He is talking to a nation that has experienced the direct intervention of God. You would think with that history these people would have lived with an abundance of faith. Yet, they are straddling the fence.
It is amazing to me that humanity at its core has not changed in thousands of years. We have people not just in one nation but throughout the world who are sitting on the same fence. Humanity struggles with conflicting beliefs within ourselves, we want to comingle two sets of opposing beliefs. You cannot have both fire and water in the same space either the water will put out the fire or the fire will evaporate the water.
As Joshua said, "And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15
Jesus said, “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Rev 13 15-16
Get off the fence.
Leia Mais…
Saturday, February 25, 2017
Court
Something to think about.
Court
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked. Psalm 84:10 (NIV)
The court of a monarch, or at some periods an important nobleman, is a term for the extended household and all those who regularly attended on the ruler or central figure. It can also refer to the physical residence of the monarch where the court resides or a series of complexes.
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_(royal)
Friday, February 24, 2017
Breathed in us.
Something to think about.
Breathed in us.
7 then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature. Genesis 2:7
When God created man from the dust of the ground, he formed him with a perfect body. Man after his creation did not have life. In verse 7 it very clearly states "breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life" Adam came to life, not by an
electrical impulse or a chemical process but by the living breath of
God. Which is consistent with verse 26 in chapter 1 of Genesis 26 Then
God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." For us
to be His likeness, we have to be endowed with some of His attributes.
One of His attributes is immortality. For us to be endowed with his
likeness, we must be immortal.
The
interesting thing about verse 7 is the word breath, do you think God
breathes? The obvious answer is no. If he needed to breathe, he would be
subject to oxygen which did not exist until he created it. And if he
created that which he is dependent upon how could he have created it?
This "breathing" for lack of a better word means something entirely different from
what we normally associate with breath. The breath of God turned a
lifeless perfectly formed body into and eternal being. What God did when
He breathed into man
was not just start him breathing or jumpstart his heart. He did not
just bring life to humanity he extended immortality from Himself to us.
You are special because out of all the life which exists on this planet you are the only life that has the eternal breath of God in you.
Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Contractual Obligations
Something to think about.
Contractual Obligations
2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28: 2
Here is the question, do you expect to receive the blessing of the Lord? "IF" you obey the Lord do you expect Him to fulfill his promises?
Let me give you my interpretation of this verse.
I, God in a written contract, contractually obligate myself to fulfill the terms of this agreement. Stated as such; If you obey me, I will bless you in the following ways. (The ways are written in Deuteronomy 28:1-14)
If you are not being blessed by God, there is only one reason why not. You are not in obedience to God. This contract does not say you will be without trials and conflicts it says He will bless you if you obey Him.
Do you not receive because you do not believe? Do you not receive because you do not trust Him? What is holding you back from receiving what he has contractually obligated Himself to do? Do you understand? "These blessing will overtake you." The way it is written is almost as if the writer is saying, these blessings are going to attack you.
As for me, I want "all these blessings, " and all I have to do is "obey the voice of the Lord."
I pledge from this day forward to open my ears that I may hear the voice of the lord. open my heart that I can receive everything he has for me.
Monday, February 20, 2017
Something to think about.
If
2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 28:2
15 "But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Deuteronomy 28: 15
You will live out one of these two verses. You will be blessed or cursed depending on the "If." Notice it is not optional, blessings or curses will overtake you. You know people that have been blessed, and you know people who have been cursed. If you can look beyond the portrayed facade, you will find these verses lived out in astonishing clarity.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
Seek the Lord
Something to think about.
Seek the Lord
“Seek the LORD
while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked
forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to
the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will
abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7 NKJV
God
is calling to you. He is doing all He can short of taking away your
free will. For you to turn from your wicked ways and be saved. The
principal part of
these verses is "while He may be found". If you turn from your wicked
ways and repent, God will be gracious in mercy and forgive you.
There will come a time in your life when God will stop
calling, wooing you. His call for you to repent is not life long. There
is a moment when God will leave you to your own devices, leave you to
your own righteousness. Then when your time comes to stand before God,
you will only have your righteousness to justify yourself before a
perfect God. He will judge you by His perfect standard, do you really
want to do that?
Friday, February 17, 2017
Glory and Honor
Something to think about
Glory and Honor
“"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created."” Revelation 4:11 ESV
Glorify, honor, recognize and acknowledge God for what He has already done. What has He done? He created you He gave you life. The purpose of His creating you was and is so He can love you. By His will, everything in creation was created. He is worthy of glory, and honor and power just because He has always existed.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
Isolated
Something to think about.
Isolated
These along with other Bible verses assure us that God will be with us always that He will never leave us or abandon us. Are you aware this only applies to believers? The favor and presence of God do not accompany or commune with the unbeliever. What we enjoy and sometimes take for granted is not something the rest of the world experiences.
Leia Mais…
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Certainty
Something to think about.
Certainty
When you're tired, spent, worried, weary when you are carrying the world on your shoulders. When life seems to be and endless burden. When hopelessness is the rule of the day. When you are entirely alone. The love of God is still in full bloom over your life. The love of God will always be yours, there is no power or occurrence that can keep God from loving you. The knowledge of Gods love will carry you through any circumstance. God will never fail you. His love will sustain you when everything and or person has left you He will love you and uphold you. Leia Mais…
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Risen
Something to think about.
Risen
5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28: 5-6
"He is risen," spoken by an angel of God defines the destiny of humanity. This man Jesus died. Not an uncommon occurrence, as a matter of fact, is is a very common occurrence it will happen to everyone of us. What is unique is that He was brought back to life. His resurrection and the power of God that resurrected Him sets Him apart from every other person that has ever lived. His life and ministry took on a whole new meaning because He became the first to come into a new life. Do you understand, without the resurrection, Jesus would probably have been lost and forgotten in the pages of history? After his crucifixion, all of His apostles were in hiding in fear for their lives. Without the resurection, they all would have scattered and disappeared. Without this event, we would have nothing to believe in. But since it did happen it changes everything even our very lives. "He is Risen" are the most important words ever spoken.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Profit
Something to think about.
Profit
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? Matthew 16:26
The amassing of great things power, influence, prestige, accomplishments, and wealth were very much sought after in Jesus's day as they are today. And the question He asked is just as relevant today as it was yesterday. "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole
world and forfeits his soul?" But the opposite can be asked as well. If
you're living a life of extreme poverty what will that profit you? It really isn't a question of
extremes or position. When you stand before God your wealth or poverty
will not matter. You won't be judged on either, you will be judged on
whether you choose to obey God or not. Wealth and poverty will pass away
but your choice will be eternal.
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Comfort
Something to think about.
Comfort
24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three
times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three
times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I
have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in
danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from
Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at
sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I
have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known
hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold
and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. 2 Corinthians 11:24-28
Christ
was crucified. All of His disciples but John died a violent death. Why
do we expect as Christians to live lives free from tribulation and
trial? As Christians, we need to get beyond the idea of a placid,
peaceful existence. None of our original and subsequent
leaders have. A synonymous reality of the Christian life is a
continual struggle against the forces of evil. Sometimes that struggle
is nasty, messy with real casualties. It will cost some their lives,
their possessions and some their liberty. We need to say to those that
are coming after us, this life is not for the weak, for the spineless,
it is not for those who seek comfort. It is a life that demands all you
have, sometimes it may include your life. It is not a choice you get to
make it is what is demanded of you by Christ.
Friday, February 10, 2017
The Promised Land
Something to think about.
The Promised Land
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' assistant, 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. Joshua 1:1-2
The
time has come, and the Israelites are about to take possession of this
promise. The interesting thing about this promise is the word give. When
you read the rest of the story, you'll see that Joshua leads the people
of Israel in a
war of conquest. They go in and invade and conquer the promise land.
When God says "give" it does not mean that all you have to do is open
your hand to receive. It does not mean that out of nowhere your desire
will be fulfilled. It means that God will be there to provided you with
what you need to accomplish what he has promised you. In order to
receive what God wants to give you, you have to be fully vested in the
pursuit. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan, they were fully vested
in the acquisition of Gods promise. They went in knowing that they were
putting their lives on the line, literally not figuratively. Has God
promised you something? Have you received it? Was it without cost? If
it cost you nothing, it is not from God. God wants you to recognize Him
in all you do. He shows Himself to us when we look back and see His hand
weaved through the times in our lives when we were not sufficient or
equal to the task. He is visible when we attain victory and recognize
that it was by His working in our lives that we achieved victory.
Thursday, February 9, 2017
The Narrow Door
Something to think about.
The Narrow Door
24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, 'Lord, open to us,' then he will answer you, 'I do not know where you come from.' 26 Then you will begin to say, 'We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.' 27 But he will say, 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!' 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God but you yourselves cast out.Luke 13:24:28
I used to think these verses referred to people outside of the Christian faith or on the fringes. But it does not, people on the fringes or outside the faith are easily identified. These verses, unfortunately, are referring to our present day leadership. Our leadership that has decided that modern reinterpretation of scripture should supplant or erase the undeniable word of God. Leadership that has decided that it better understands the needs of man than God himself. Leadership that insists on putting forth their own errant interpretation of scripture rather than bowing down to the clear word of God. Our leaders and ourselves need to read the word of God and acknowledge it and obey it even if we don't agree with it. Knowing that the God who created us is in a better position to supply our needs. He is the only one that sees the entirity of Humanity and knows how best to redeem it. If you are one of the ones that follow these leaders with their reinterpretation of scripture, you will in that day, find yourself knocking on the door requesting access and hearing; 'I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!'
Tuesday, February 7, 2017
I Have no Pleasure
Something to think about.
I Have no Pleasure
““Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways,” says the Lord GOD. “Repent, and turn from all your transgressions, so that iniquity will not be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,” says the Lord GOD. “Therefore turn and live!”” Ezekiel 18:30-32 NKJV
Some see God as an unjust taskmaster who's only desire is to see the distress and destruction of man. They see Him as one who is sitting in secret plotting how to punish man for the smallest transgression. But here in Ezekiel, we see the true heart of God. He is pleading with you and me to acquire for ourselves a new heart and a new spirit that will bring us into fellowship with Him. He ask us, why would we chose death, He clearly states He takes no pleasure in the one who dies. Then if you can read between the lines, you can hear and see God screaming imploring, cajoling us to turn and live, and not just live but to live as one accepted by Him.
Monday, February 6, 2017
Living and Powerful
Something to think about.
Living and Powerful
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Even though this was written shortly after the crucifixion of Christ, it still bears the truth. The word of God is still a sharp sword piercing through the heart of man. Discerning righteousness and sin, relentlessly exposing injustice and rebellion. The word of God stands as a standard that exposes the inequity of man, and as such it reveals the evil and inherently vile heart of man. The sword of God which is the word of God has always caused division and separation among men because the perfect righteousness of God will not exist with any sin. Someday you will stand before God, and you will be judged in accordance with the undeviating standard of God, which is His word. On that day the piercing sword of God will identify those who have received redemption.
Friday, February 3, 2017
Cornerstone
Something to think about.
Cornerstone
6 For it stands in Scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,"8 and "A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense."They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. Peter 2:6-8
The crux of the problems of man is found in this verse. We are stumbling over the cornerstone that is Christ. To many, the ministry and life of Christ have become an offense not because it is offensive but because it is truth. People refuse to believe the truth that is Christ, and as a result, they stumble and fall. Christ is the rock that will not go away or be moved. He is the rock of salvation to those who believe in Him.
Thursday, February 2, 2017
Resistance
Something to think about.
Resistance
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7-8
I always related this verse to common sins like adultery, hate, child abuse, robbery, and the like. Though it definitely applies to those crimes, the last words in verse eight are double-minded. The term double-minded in this sense refers to the person who believes he can live in both worlds the world of righteousness and the world of secularism. The sin this verse relates to is the sin that says we can comingle righteousness with the desire to be inclusive or included in the bosom of man. Do not champion the sin of man as righteousness and do not celebrate sin as glory. In other words, do not propagate, foster, validate a position of sin because you want to make it acceptable, or you want to be accepted. Sin is sin regardless of our attempts to justify it intellectualized it rationalize it or humanize it. Irrespective of the skillful efforts of the spin doctors to hide it, it is still sin, and it will still cost you your eternal life.