Permanence

 

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Permanence

6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change, Malachi 3:6

 

God said "I do not change."    There is peace in knowing that the Creator of life does not change. He will always be the same, he will always be dependable, and steadfast. He is honest, without prejudice, lover of man. He will always provide, forgive, sustain, and be holy.  He will always be perfect in justice and righteousness. He will always be the supreme sovereign God and creator. We never have to worry about not knowing where He stands. Because He is perfect He will always be perfect. Because He is the only constant in life we always know where to find Him. In this rock that is our God we find unending security and peace of mind.  Because he is and he will never change we have the knowledge that he will never leave us.

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Little Faith

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Little Faith

 

He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

 

What comes first faith or the mountain? Usually, we are looking for the faith required when we arrive at the mountain. Not until the heart attack are we looking for the faith necessary to manifest a miracle. We, at least I, don't have reservoirs of faith stored for trying or impossible situations. Yet when we find ourselves in impossible situations, we try to call on faith we have not stored or attained. The time to exercise faith is not when you don't have any. To pray a vain hopeless prayer of faith with an empty tank at the time of crisis is precisely that an empty request. 

 

At present, I am trying to accomplish something that is far above anything I've ever done. If we are successful, it will be a miracle. It requires a lot of people, and not everyone regardless of my intention will be on the same page. I will gain no personal benefit in this endeavor other than to see the hand of God work. It is a huge endeavor for me, but I have perfect peace in the attempt. If I fail, the lost will not be mine as much as to the people this project would help. 

 

When I presented the idea to some of my associates, there was some resistance on several fronts. All of their objections were and are valid. But I see them all as obstacles, not real barriers. I am convinced that they can all be overcome fairly easily. I don't see any of the challenges as a death blow to the project. 

 

The feeling I have is peace. I believe I am convinced. Unlike any other time in my life that God will provide everything we need to accomplish the goal. I have an unrelenting faith that we will succeed because the project will bring honor and glory to God. It is the most unusual feeling I've ever had. This will be done because God will bring the necessary pieces together. Do I have a reservoir of faith to accomplish this task? Well yes, I do because I have seen the hand of God work in my life. I saw it when I had my heart attack. I saw Him heal me, restore me and bring me back from the jaws of death. I have seen Him work in my life and in the lives of many other people. So yes my tank is full. I believe He will provide the miracle we need to move the mountain before us.

 

If you want to see your faith become a reality, you must reach beyond what you can grasp. If you extend your hand beyond what you can grasp without faith, you will retract an empty hand. You must believe, expect and receive the miracle of God.

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One Thing

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One Thing

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple. Psalms 27:4

This is the perfect picture of contentment. Being in the presence of God. No fear, no want, perfectly secure fully provided for, in the presence of all mighty God.  To be in His presence would make us whole.

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Valley

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Valley

In the next 36-48 hours some of the residents of Florida will feel like they are walking through the valley of death. Many people will be in the throes of fear, confusion and anxiety. But for us who believe in the Lord we will fear no evil for God is with us. He will comfort us. It does not mean we will pass without concern or trial. It means despite our trial and concerns; we have a God who can and will bring us through.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 (KJV)

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Joy

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Joy

 

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

"Fullness of joy" To me this short phrase defines the height, depth, and breadth of the fullness of life. This verse promises me what my heart longs for peace, fulfillment, and love.  A life without lack, full of all of the good things of life. A lack of need, want or desire. It means that I will have abundance in every area of my life. And if that is not enough it then says," at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." When you're on the path of God, you will be safe, provided for loved and cared for. He will give you pleasures above and beyond that. Have you ever received a better offer?

When you are in the presence of God almighty He will give you the fullness joy. All you have to do is walk the path He has provided for you.  The path is not a secret. It is not anything that requires great education, superior, intelligence or a unique revelation. The path is the same for everyone. 

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 (ESV)  

Jesus is the path. He is the way into the presence of God the Father. Jesus is the one that makes your joy full. It is He that provides all that you need. He is the secret in plain sight. He is the fullness of life. In the God Man, that is Jesus rests the the completion of man, and it is offered to you freely. You can have all the promises of God, but only through the path, that is Jesus. Celebrate the joy which is Jesus. Look around you will not find a better life.

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One Day

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One Day

Better is one day in your courts 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

Somewhere along the life of Christianity, we've allowed the devil to upstage this reality. I have lived the life the devil has to offer I have received the best he has, I know the lies he has perpetrated against us. It is better to enter into the kingdom God and be as far away from his presence as possible and still receive his glory. Than to be in the center of the devil's demise.  We've allowed the lies of the enemy to be sold as truth and accepted as desirable accomplishments. 

Our country our world is in the shape, it is in because we have allowed the lies of the enemy to be sold as truths.  There isn't anything the enemy has sold us that compares to being in the presence of God.  All the world's accomplishments combined can not equate to being in the presence of God.  not even for an instant.

God's presence is where you are fulfilled to overflowing. It is where you will find love, peace, joy, happiness. It is where you will be filled with the water of life, and you'll never be thirsty again. Today, now these things are available to those who choose Christ. You can have a meaningful, purposeful and joyous life now. You can have the love, security and the companionship of God now, here today. You can have everything that makes life worth living. You can experience the presence of God.

Then when we are in His permanent presence when He dwells with man. There will be no more war, famine, hate, disease. No more lack, hurt, loss, exclusion, rejection, loneliness or empty promises. You will have security, peace, love, and acceptance. You will be washed and cleansed from the filth of sin.  You will be given a new perfect body. You will share in His glory.

We need to turn the tide of evil and let the world know, God has a better way, a better life. Instead of selling the world the lies of the devil we need to give them the truth of the joy of living the life of Christ. It is better to live life in the love of Christ than to live the life of lust and lost without Christ. We have a much better life to live here and now and into eternity, Far better than anything the devil has ever offer. If we show the world what it is like to live one day in His courts, we will revolutionize the world. 

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Realities of Heaven

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 Realities of Heaven

 

1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Colossians 3:1

 

What are the realities of heaven?  It is the dwelling of God, Father Son, and Holy Spirit. No more death, disease, infirmity or pain. Peace, joy, and happiness are its foundation. Completeness, wholeness is the standard of life. Lack will not exist. Love received without impediment.  No enemy that can taunt, assail or kill. No conflict, war or discord. Worship and praise are unhindered or obstructed.  The fullness of God is ever-present. Jesus our Lord rules. Our eyes, ears, and minds opened and unfettered by the veil of sin. We will live in truth, free from the threat of sin. We will be cleansed from the stench of sin. We will be free.  Our minds will be opened, and we will understand the justice, love, and forgiveness of God. 

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A Generation to Come

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A Generation to Come

18 Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord. Psalms 102:19

Was it recorded for us? This verse can't be regarding Israel. As Israel already existed when it was written so it could not be "a people yet to be created." What other people claim the God of Abraham Issac and Jacob? (Exodus 3:15) Christians are the only other people in the world that call on the great "I Am." We the adopted children of God are that people, we are that generation. We were created that we may praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

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Simplicity

Sometimes to think about.

Simplicity

10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Romans 13:3

At times the simplicity of the Bible is overwhelming in is naked and piercing truth.  If you love someone, you will not cause them harm. If you look at the unrest in our society, in our personal relationships. If you look at the pain and sorrow caused in all forms from every spectrum, it is due in large part because of the utter absence of love.

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The Lord Bless You

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The Lord Bless You

The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26

This blessing God spoke over Israel through Aaron is uplifting, motivating and generous.  What we seek in this life is contained in the first words of these verses,  "The LORD bless you and keep you." What I seek in this life is the blessings of God and His protection which is what he has given us as per the first verse. Then He goes beyond that and gives us peace.  God gives us all who call upon Him these blessings, but we have to accept them. If you don't let go of what you have, you can never receive the blessings God has for you and His blessings are always better.

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Where Can I Go?

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Where Can I Go?

1 You have searched me, Lord,

and you know me.

2 You know when I sit and when I rise;

you perceive my thoughts from afar.

3 You discern my going out and my lying down;

you are familiar with all my ways.

4 Before a word is on my tongue

you, Lord, know it completely.

5 You hem me in behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

7 Where can I go from your Spirit?

Where can I flee from your presence?

8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 even there your hand will guide me,

your right hand will hold me fast. Pslam139:1-10

These verses are both exhilarating and frightening.  If you belong to God, it is wonderful to know that where ever you are He is with you. It is reassuring to know that He knows you inside and out that He is with you always these are things that we who call upon Him cherish. 

For those who are fighting aginst or are in opposition to Him, they must find these verses to be utterly frightening. Knowing that God knows you better than you know yourself must be sobering and frightening. Knowing that none of the beneficial promises of God pertain to you must be demoralizing, to say the least. I imagine the only hope for those in opposition to God is that He does not exist. A vain hope of an undeniable reality. For God is alive, Always has been and always will be. 

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No Other

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No Other

““Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other.”
Isaiah 45:22 NIV

The message and the call are still the same God does not change.  He is still calling man to salvation. He is still God singular in His deity. His call is for all nations, tribes, and peoples. There is a satisfying peace, joy, and exuberance in knowing that God is unmovable; that He is the solid rock of our existence. 

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To And Fro

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To And Fro


9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”11Chronicles 16:9

God is seeking to bless those who are loyal to Him. He wants to make a significant impact on your life because of your steadfast, firm, unwavering, dedication to Him. Do you want to be a recipient of His favor? The price is wholehearted loyalty. If you do not have complete loyalty towards Him, you will have the life you have. The blessing of God will not be a part of your life.

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Better to Obey Than Repent

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Better to Obey Than Repent

22 And Samuel said,

“Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,

as in obeying the voice of the Lord?

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

and to listen than the fat of rams.

1 Samuel 15:22 (ESV)

Obedience, a word that might as well be the four letter word. Yet it is the word that best describes God's desire for those who claim to be His. It is not because He is master and we are servants, it is because in obedience we find the greatest blessings. If we obeyed God, a sacrifice would not be required. In obedience is where we find peace, joy, purpose, love, happiness, fulfillment, and rest. In short, all the beautiful things of life are abundantly available to us if we would obey.  

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Overwhelmingly Lonely and Frightening

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 Overwhelmingly Lonely and Frightening

27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, 28 so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28

I do not fear death because I know after I die I will be in the presence of God. I look forward to beginning eternity in the presence of a great, wonderful benevolent God.  There is great peace, a peace that passes the understanding of man. I am in no rush for that inevitability, but I do not fear it. 

Can those who reject God say the same thing? All over the world humanity struggles to remain alive. Death is the only thing that you truly do alone. To the glory of God, I have the assurance of salvation and eternal life with Christ. What does the rest of humanity have? The certainty of not knowing. It must be so overwhelmingly lonely and frightening to have no hope, no assurance, no peace as to their eternal destination. They don't know what is coming.

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Profit

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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. 

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Comfort

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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.

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Greater is He

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Greater is He

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 ESV

Are you empty? Is it just you, are you all alone? Is your life, a life of endless toil? Are you aware of what is available to you? Who is the writer speaking of?

He is speaking of the Spirit of God. You can have the spirit of God in you.  To empower your life not to be overcome by the evil forces of this world.

The turmoil of our present political and social situation is quickly becoming overwhelming. Never in my life have I seen such hate being perpetrated. Those who protest do so in hate, those who support does so with just as much hate. The spirit and indeed it is a spirit that underpins and empowers the opposing forces is one of hate. If you are participating in the opposition on either side, I ask you to look into your heart and ask yourself what spirit is in you? If you find yourself hating, associating or aligning yourself with those who hate, you are being led by the spirit of hate. That spirit, that entity is not the mind of God, it is not the spirit that will lead to victory it will lead to destruction.

I remind all who call themselves Christian.

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

I am not saying, do not oppose. I am saying do it without the spirit of hate. Oppose in such a way as to bring constructive change. Don't force change through hate. Hate breeds hate and plants the seeds of divisiveness which will blossom into separatism which grows into hatred which begins the cycle all over again.  
Only the Spirit of God that is available to you, which manifest the fruits of the Spirit of God will bring about the positive gainful change you seek.

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Cry Out

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Cry Out

4 The pangs of death surrounded me, And the floods of ungodliness made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, And cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, And my cry came before Him, even to His ears. Psalms 18:4-6

Have you been there? When life seems to be hopeless when everything is aligned against you when death seems to be the only relief. Have you done like me froze, panicked, grasped at straws and made terrible decisions? Or have you done like David and cried out to the Lord with the confidence and the assured knowledge that God will hear your cry.  

 

 

 

 

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The Lord Is God

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The Lord Is God

³ Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3 (ESV) 

We, as much as we may desire on the contrary are His people. Every one of us good bad or in between are His people we can't opt out. We can not choose to be excluded from His people. We may choose to be sinful, rebellious and an outcast but we are still His people. We do not have the ability to extricate ourselves from Him.  As a result, we will answer to Him, we will not escape His judgment. He will judge us by His standard by His power by His will, none of those He has made will be exempt, and He has made us all.

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