But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And so I ordain in all the churches. Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called. --1 Corinthians 7:17-24
To My Daughters,
BE CONTENT! LIVE AS CHRIST CALLED YOU. Our status in the world is not important...it only has meaning in the context of how God wants to use it in your life for your good and His glory. Abide where He has placed you...live as He has called you. As the Lord's freed man, we are bond servants of Christ. And what a wonderful, kind, loving Master He is! His mercy is boundless and eternal in the Heavens. He sent His Son to willingly die for our sins so that we could become His true children. He draws us to Himself...calling us by name. When we respond, He showers us with His grace and enables us to believe and walk with Him by faith. He rewards us according to our works...this sounds like justice but really think on it. He gives us all we need to accomplish these works He has prepared for us and then He graciously rewards us for our very feeble, imperfect attempts. He does not require us to walk on hot coals or make bricks without straw... He does not give us anything we can't handle and gives us enough strength to get through each day. He promises never to leave us or forsake us. If all this were not enough, He is the one that does the work and our very faith is a gift from Him! LET ME BE CHRIST'S SLAVE ANY DAY....and that is where my heart and my study focus today.
Verse 22 says this:
For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave
Some of the Christians in Paul's day were slaves. Paul is saying that although they were slaves to human beings they were the Lord's freed man and if they were called while free they were now Christ's slave. They had been set free from power of sin in their lives. Before we commit our lives to Christ, we are dead in trespasses and sin. We are slaves to sin. We cannot do good...we cannot NOT sin. When Christ enters our hearts, we are freed from both the penalty and power of sin. His truth sets us free from guilt, sin and misery! As I surrender to Him by His Spirit and obey, His grace is poured out and I am free from ME!! and filled with Him! I am not at liberty to sin and do my own will...but free to do HIS! Just as a slave owner no longer has power over a slave he no longer owns, sin no longer has power over a believer. We are now bond servants of Christ. Victory is ours in Him!
We belong to God! We have been bought with the precious blood of His Son. God investment in us is incalculable! He is the Good Shepherd. He will care for us well and will ensure that all that happens in our lives is according to His perfect plan of love laid out for us before our days even began. We can rest knowing that He will complete the good work He started in us and that all He does in us and through us will be for our good and for His glory!
And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. --Romans 6:18-23
Love
Mom
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Christophobia: Work and Labor of Love
Christophobia: Work and Labor of Love: "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints,..."
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
YET WILL I TRUST HIM...
SPURGEON...
A child of God is not expected to be stoic, for God's grace takes away the heart of stone. When we endure trials, we feel the pain. Do not ask to be made hard and callous, for this is not how grace works. Grace makes us strong to bear trials, but we still have to bear them. Grace gives us patience and submission, not stoicism. We feel, and we benefit by the feeling. There are some who will not cry when God chastens, and there are some who will not yield when God strikes. Do not be like them! Be content to Job's suffering heart. (Job 1:21) Feel the bitter spirit and the anguish of soul which racked that blessed patriarch.
My dear friend, when grief presses you to the dust, worship there! Remember David's words, "Pour out your heart." But do not stop there; finish the quotation. "Pour out your heart before Him." Turn your heart upside down, and empty it, and let every drop run out." (Ps 62:8)
When you are bowed down beneath a heavy burden of sorrow, worship and adore God there. In full surrender to His divine will, say with Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15) This kind of worship subdues the will, arouses the affections, stirs the whole mind, and presents you to God in solemn consecration. This worship sweetens sorrow and takes away its sting.
A child of God is not expected to be stoic, for God's grace takes away the heart of stone. When we endure trials, we feel the pain. Do not ask to be made hard and callous, for this is not how grace works. Grace makes us strong to bear trials, but we still have to bear them. Grace gives us patience and submission, not stoicism. We feel, and we benefit by the feeling. There are some who will not cry when God chastens, and there are some who will not yield when God strikes. Do not be like them! Be content to Job's suffering heart. (Job 1:21) Feel the bitter spirit and the anguish of soul which racked that blessed patriarch.
My dear friend, when grief presses you to the dust, worship there! Remember David's words, "Pour out your heart." But do not stop there; finish the quotation. "Pour out your heart before Him." Turn your heart upside down, and empty it, and let every drop run out." (Ps 62:8)
When you are bowed down beneath a heavy burden of sorrow, worship and adore God there. In full surrender to His divine will, say with Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him." (Job 13:15) This kind of worship subdues the will, arouses the affections, stirs the whole mind, and presents you to God in solemn consecration. This worship sweetens sorrow and takes away its sting.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
The Tender Mercies of our God!
The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, Nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, And its place remembers it no more. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting On those who fear Him, And His righteousness to children's children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember His commandments to do them. --Psalm 103:8-19
To My Daughters,
The tender mercy of our God. I LOVE dwelling on that picture. Our omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God is also KIND and TENDERHEARTED. God's mercy proceeds from His heart of love toward us. Our God embodies love. He embodies mercy. He embodies gentleness. Here is how Jesus describes Himself:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." --Matthew 11:28-29
Our God is gentle and lowly in heart...It is in Him that we find rest for our soul. Our God is so great, so powerful and so wonderful and yet so FULL of compassion and mercy. The King of all Kings cares about me! A bruised reed He will not break and a smoking flax He will not quench. Here is the definition I found for mercy in my Thompson Chain Reference Bible:
A form of love, especially directed toward the needy or unworthy. I love that...the needy and the unworthy...that would be us! God's mercy is also described as eternal, everlasting, boundless, prolonging life, encouraging penitence, forgiving sin, making salvation possible and is most vividly seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
The bible says that the earth is full of His mercy. Ask the Lord to make you aware of the multitudes of His mercies to you each and every day. Ask Him to open your eyes to the many many blessings He sends your way. Dwell on His mercy. DWELL IN HIS MERCY. See His power but look with what gentle cords He draws you to Himself. When you are feeling burdened, He will give you rest. When you are weak or afraid you have no need to fear, He will stoop down and help you. When you are downcast or desperate or depressed...His tender mercies will revive you. They will renew a right spirit within and minister to your heart in such a way that beauty will come from ashes.
As Jesus ministers to my heart in trials, I so want to minister the lovingkindness He has shown me to others. I fail miserably and often, but it is a beautiful thing, when, by the power of His Spirit, I surrender and allow His love to rain down on those He has placed in my path. Love and mercy are weapons...they never fail and affect not only the temporal but the eternal. Jesus did the will of His Father in heaven. His agenda was not His own, but His Father's. His mind was always set on the eternal and His heart's focus was others. He did nothing through selfish ambition or conceit and always esteemed others as better than Himself. Look for His mercy in your life and as you do allow your heart to so overflow with His mercy and goodness that you just can't keep it to yourself. Put off your own selfishness, striving and sin and put on Jesus. Walk in mercy and love and be a breath of heavenly air to those the Lord has placed in your path.
Love
Mom
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.--John 3:16
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.--Ephesians 2:4-7
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.--Psalm 86:5
To My Daughters,
The tender mercy of our God. I LOVE dwelling on that picture. Our omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God is also KIND and TENDERHEARTED. God's mercy proceeds from His heart of love toward us. Our God embodies love. He embodies mercy. He embodies gentleness. Here is how Jesus describes Himself:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." --Matthew 11:28-29
Our God is gentle and lowly in heart...It is in Him that we find rest for our soul. Our God is so great, so powerful and so wonderful and yet so FULL of compassion and mercy. The King of all Kings cares about me! A bruised reed He will not break and a smoking flax He will not quench. Here is the definition I found for mercy in my Thompson Chain Reference Bible:
A form of love, especially directed toward the needy or unworthy. I love that...the needy and the unworthy...that would be us! God's mercy is also described as eternal, everlasting, boundless, prolonging life, encouraging penitence, forgiving sin, making salvation possible and is most vividly seen in the face of Jesus Christ.
The bible says that the earth is full of His mercy. Ask the Lord to make you aware of the multitudes of His mercies to you each and every day. Ask Him to open your eyes to the many many blessings He sends your way. Dwell on His mercy. DWELL IN HIS MERCY. See His power but look with what gentle cords He draws you to Himself. When you are feeling burdened, He will give you rest. When you are weak or afraid you have no need to fear, He will stoop down and help you. When you are downcast or desperate or depressed...His tender mercies will revive you. They will renew a right spirit within and minister to your heart in such a way that beauty will come from ashes.
As Jesus ministers to my heart in trials, I so want to minister the lovingkindness He has shown me to others. I fail miserably and often, but it is a beautiful thing, when, by the power of His Spirit, I surrender and allow His love to rain down on those He has placed in my path. Love and mercy are weapons...they never fail and affect not only the temporal but the eternal. Jesus did the will of His Father in heaven. His agenda was not His own, but His Father's. His mind was always set on the eternal and His heart's focus was others. He did nothing through selfish ambition or conceit and always esteemed others as better than Himself. Look for His mercy in your life and as you do allow your heart to so overflow with His mercy and goodness that you just can't keep it to yourself. Put off your own selfishness, striving and sin and put on Jesus. Walk in mercy and love and be a breath of heavenly air to those the Lord has placed in your path.
Love
Mom
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.--John 3:16
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.--Ephesians 2:4-7
For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.--Psalm 86:5
Monday, August 8, 2011
POUR OUT YOUR HEART...
Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he come and attack me and the mother with the children. For You said, 'I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.' " --Genesis 32:11-12
Dear Girls,
Here is Jacob laying it all out for God. Jacob is afraid and he goes to the right place and pours his fear out to God. His honesty and straightforwardness are refreshing as honesty and straightforwardness always are. God...I am afraid my brother Esau will attack me and the mother with the children. HA...he is first in that sentence...he is afraid for himself first and then his wives and children. He does not hide his heart from God...he lays it bare. He knows God already knows everything, anyway. There is no true relationship without honesty. The foundation of any relationship must be truth. Jesus is the truth...the very Word of God. He is the Alpha and the Omega...the One who is and was and is to come. If you are not being honest in your relationship with the God of the Universe, you are not being honest with yourself or anyone else in your life. If your relationship with Him is not based on truth all of your relationships are, in one way or another, a lie.
Jacob not only pours out his heart here to His God, but he also holds Him to His word. Our God is a refuge for us. A very present help in time of trouble. Jacob reminds God of what He promised.
For You said, 'I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.' "
I can't die yet, Lord...you promised you would treat me well and make my descendants as the sand of the sea...so they can't die now either!
Now God did not need a reminder, but I am pretty sure Jacob did. I am always so encouraged when I pray the promises in the Word.because I am reminded of who God is. He is faithful and true. Not a jot or a tittle of His word will pass away til all is fulfilled. My God will hear me! He keeps His promises, He has a plan, His strength is perfected in weakness and His presence goes before me and is with me always.
READ THE PSALMS...THEY ARE FILLED WITH THE ASSURANCES OF OUR GOD and there is one sufficient for OUR every feeling and OUR every need. Pour out your heart to Him. Come to Him as the poor and helpless sinner you are in great need of His grace and allow Him to minister as only He can. He uses our most difficult times to yield great blessings and brings beauty from ashes. Surrender to Him and allow Him to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ask or think!
Love
Mom
Dear Girls,
Here is Jacob laying it all out for God. Jacob is afraid and he goes to the right place and pours his fear out to God. His honesty and straightforwardness are refreshing as honesty and straightforwardness always are. God...I am afraid my brother Esau will attack me and the mother with the children. HA...he is first in that sentence...he is afraid for himself first and then his wives and children. He does not hide his heart from God...he lays it bare. He knows God already knows everything, anyway. There is no true relationship without honesty. The foundation of any relationship must be truth. Jesus is the truth...the very Word of God. He is the Alpha and the Omega...the One who is and was and is to come. If you are not being honest in your relationship with the God of the Universe, you are not being honest with yourself or anyone else in your life. If your relationship with Him is not based on truth all of your relationships are, in one way or another, a lie.
Jacob not only pours out his heart here to His God, but he also holds Him to His word. Our God is a refuge for us. A very present help in time of trouble. Jacob reminds God of what He promised.
For You said, 'I will surely treat you well, and make your descendants as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.' "
I can't die yet, Lord...you promised you would treat me well and make my descendants as the sand of the sea...so they can't die now either!
Now God did not need a reminder, but I am pretty sure Jacob did. I am always so encouraged when I pray the promises in the Word.because I am reminded of who God is. He is faithful and true. Not a jot or a tittle of His word will pass away til all is fulfilled. My God will hear me! He keeps His promises, He has a plan, His strength is perfected in weakness and His presence goes before me and is with me always.
READ THE PSALMS...THEY ARE FILLED WITH THE ASSURANCES OF OUR GOD and there is one sufficient for OUR every feeling and OUR every need. Pour out your heart to Him. Come to Him as the poor and helpless sinner you are in great need of His grace and allow Him to minister as only He can. He uses our most difficult times to yield great blessings and brings beauty from ashes. Surrender to Him and allow Him to do exceedingly abundantly above all that you could ask or think!
Love
Mom
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Spurgeon on Psalm 62:9
Surely men of low degree are a vapor, Men of high degree are a lie; If they are weighed on the scales, They are altogether lighter than vapor.--Psalm 62:9
Surely men of low degree are vanity. Here the word is only again; men of low degree are only vanity, nothing more. They are many and enthusiastic, but they are not to be depended on; they are mobile as the waves of the sea, ready to be driven to and fro by any and every wind; they cry "Hosanna" today, and "Crucify him" tomorrow. The instability of popular applause is a proverb; as well build a house with smoke as find comfort in the adulation of the multitude. As the first son of Adam was called Abel or vanity, so here we are taught that all the sons of Adam are Abels: it were well if they were all so in character as well as in name; but alas! in this respect, too many of them are Cains. And men of high degree are a lie. That is worse. We gain little by putting our trust in the aristocracy, they are not one whit better than the democracy: nay, they are even worse, for we expect something from them, but get nothing. May we not trust the elite? Surely reliance may be placed in the educated, the chivalrous, the intelligent? For this reason are they a lie; because they promise so much, and in the end, when relied upon, yield nothing but disappointment. How wretched is that poor man who puts his trust in princes. The more we rely upon God, the more shall we perceive the utter hollowness of every other confidence. To be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Take a true estimate of them; judge them neither by quantity nor by appearance, but by weight, and they will no longer deceive you. Calmly deliberate, quietly ponder, and your verdict will be that which inspiration here records. Vainer than vanity itself are all human confidences: the great and the mean, alike, are unworthy of our trust. A feather has some weight in the scale, vanity has none, and creature confidence has less than that: yet such is the universal infatuation, that mankind prefer an arm of flesh to the power of the invisible but almighty Creator; and even God's own children are too apt to be bitten with this madness.
Surely men of low degree are vanity. Here the word is only again; men of low degree are only vanity, nothing more. They are many and enthusiastic, but they are not to be depended on; they are mobile as the waves of the sea, ready to be driven to and fro by any and every wind; they cry "Hosanna" today, and "Crucify him" tomorrow. The instability of popular applause is a proverb; as well build a house with smoke as find comfort in the adulation of the multitude. As the first son of Adam was called Abel or vanity, so here we are taught that all the sons of Adam are Abels: it were well if they were all so in character as well as in name; but alas! in this respect, too many of them are Cains. And men of high degree are a lie. That is worse. We gain little by putting our trust in the aristocracy, they are not one whit better than the democracy: nay, they are even worse, for we expect something from them, but get nothing. May we not trust the elite? Surely reliance may be placed in the educated, the chivalrous, the intelligent? For this reason are they a lie; because they promise so much, and in the end, when relied upon, yield nothing but disappointment. How wretched is that poor man who puts his trust in princes. The more we rely upon God, the more shall we perceive the utter hollowness of every other confidence. To be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity. Take a true estimate of them; judge them neither by quantity nor by appearance, but by weight, and they will no longer deceive you. Calmly deliberate, quietly ponder, and your verdict will be that which inspiration here records. Vainer than vanity itself are all human confidences: the great and the mean, alike, are unworthy of our trust. A feather has some weight in the scale, vanity has none, and creature confidence has less than that: yet such is the universal infatuation, that mankind prefer an arm of flesh to the power of the invisible but almighty Creator; and even God's own children are too apt to be bitten with this madness.
The Consolation of Israel..
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, According to Your word; For my eyes have seen Your salvation Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel." And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, "Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed." --Luke 2:25-35
To My Daughters,
I loved reading these verses last night. So much in the news, today, and well...really every day, that is not good. We live in a fallen world, among fallen human beings where sin abounds. BUT where sin abounds, grace abounds much more. AMEN! What a wonderful example Simeon is always looking for the Consolation of Israel.
Simeon was just and devoted...a man upon whom the Holy Spirit rested. A man who listened to the voice of His God and believed that he would not die until he saw His Lord's Messiah. How excited and watchful he must have been after John the Baptist came on the scene! Thinking more on this, Simeon own personal expectation for the Messiah was probably not one of a tiny, helpless baby. Nevertheless, he believed God's Spirit when He spoke to his heart and was able to see beyond what his own desires and expectations were, embrace God's plan and speak words to Joseph and Mary! WOW!
Simeon's prophetic words in verse 35 really spoke to my heart as a mom and as a believer. Truly a sword did pierce this woman's heart (see Luke 2:49, Matthew 12:48, John 19:26) as well as revealing the hypocritical hearts of many in Israel. Jesus is the very Word of God...The following are His words to us, while He was here on earth.
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW'; and 'A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
Hebrews 4 says this:
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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Simeon prophesied of Jesus' paradoxical effect. With Jesus there is no neutral ground! If you do not accept Him, then you totally reject Him. The Light had come into the world but many loved darkness rather than light. The same is true today. We, like Mary, are sorrowful at times...yet always rejoicing. We are poor and yet rich. We have nothing and yet possess all things. In fact, we are only restricted by our own darkness...our own selfish affections. More of Jesus sets us free from ourselves and allows us to live as He created us to live...for Him.
As believers, we all will face the sword of rejection and persecution, but we do not lose heart even though our outward man may be perishing our inward man is being renewed daily and we are filled with JOY unspeakable. Follow Simeon's example and look to your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our expectation is from Him alone and as a friend reminded me today...People get ready, Jesus is coming!!!
Over the past few days the Lord keeps bringing me back to 2nd Corinthians 4...I end with the entire chapter.
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Love
Mom
To My Daughters,
I loved reading these verses last night. So much in the news, today, and well...really every day, that is not good. We live in a fallen world, among fallen human beings where sin abounds. BUT where sin abounds, grace abounds much more. AMEN! What a wonderful example Simeon is always looking for the Consolation of Israel.
Simeon was just and devoted...a man upon whom the Holy Spirit rested. A man who listened to the voice of His God and believed that he would not die until he saw His Lord's Messiah. How excited and watchful he must have been after John the Baptist came on the scene! Thinking more on this, Simeon own personal expectation for the Messiah was probably not one of a tiny, helpless baby. Nevertheless, he believed God's Spirit when He spoke to his heart and was able to see beyond what his own desires and expectations were, embrace God's plan and speak words to Joseph and Mary! WOW!
Simeon's prophetic words in verse 35 really spoke to my heart as a mom and as a believer. Truly a sword did pierce this woman's heart (see Luke 2:49, Matthew 12:48, John 19:26) as well as revealing the hypocritical hearts of many in Israel. Jesus is the very Word of God...The following are His words to us, while He was here on earth.
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW'; and 'A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THOSE OF HIS OWN HOUSEHOLD.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. "He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
Hebrews 4 says this:
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. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
Simeon prophesied of Jesus' paradoxical effect. With Jesus there is no neutral ground! If you do not accept Him, then you totally reject Him. The Light had come into the world but many loved darkness rather than light. The same is true today. We, like Mary, are sorrowful at times...yet always rejoicing. We are poor and yet rich. We have nothing and yet possess all things. In fact, we are only restricted by our own darkness...our own selfish affections. More of Jesus sets us free from ourselves and allows us to live as He created us to live...for Him.
As believers, we all will face the sword of rejection and persecution, but we do not lose heart even though our outward man may be perishing our inward man is being renewed daily and we are filled with JOY unspeakable. Follow Simeon's example and look to your Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Our expectation is from Him alone and as a friend reminded me today...People get ready, Jesus is coming!!!
Over the past few days the Lord keeps bringing me back to 2nd Corinthians 4...I end with the entire chapter.
Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus' sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I BELIEVED AND THEREFORE I SPOKE," we also believe and therefore speak, knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Love
Mom
Friday, August 5, 2011
TO GOD BE THE INCREASE AND THE GLORY!!!
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building. --1 Corinthians 3:5-9
To My Girls,
If you ever get the idea that you are something or that your ministry is special remember how Paul spoke of himself and his fellow workers in Christ...Who is Paul? Who is Apollos? Truly he saw himself as an instrument used by God...nothing more. Paul was a bond servant for Christ's sake, preaching not himself but Jesus.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bond servants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.--2nd Corinthians 4:5
One plants...One waters...God gives the increase. The power and growth are from God. We are simply His workers performing our assigned tasks. It is God who gives our efforts life.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. --1 Corinthians 15:10-11
God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.
Remembering that I am nothing and can do nothing outside of Him is very helpful because it reminds us to relax and enter into His rest. 1 Corinthians 4 tells us that ministers or stewards of God are required to be faithful to their Master. We do not have to be rocket scientists....we don't even have to be successful...we are just required to be faithful to carry out the responsibilities the Lord gives us. No striving required. His Spirit brings life to our efforts as we surrender and obey. We all have different gifts but the same Spirit and the same purpose...to glorify our Father in heaven and carry out the work that He has given us to do. Work hard knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord, be faithful knowing that He who called you is faithful and will complete the good work He began in you, promote unity in the body of Christ and keep your eye on the prize!
Closing with one of my favorite verses in Scripture...
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.--Psalm 127:1
Love
Mom
To My Girls,
If you ever get the idea that you are something or that your ministry is special remember how Paul spoke of himself and his fellow workers in Christ...Who is Paul? Who is Apollos? Truly he saw himself as an instrument used by God...nothing more. Paul was a bond servant for Christ's sake, preaching not himself but Jesus.
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bond servants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us.--2nd Corinthians 4:5
One plants...One waters...God gives the increase. The power and growth are from God. We are simply His workers performing our assigned tasks. It is God who gives our efforts life.
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. --1 Corinthians 15:10-11
God has spoken once, Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God. Also to You, O Lord, belongs mercy; For You render to each one according to his work.
Remembering that I am nothing and can do nothing outside of Him is very helpful because it reminds us to relax and enter into His rest. 1 Corinthians 4 tells us that ministers or stewards of God are required to be faithful to their Master. We do not have to be rocket scientists....we don't even have to be successful...we are just required to be faithful to carry out the responsibilities the Lord gives us. No striving required. His Spirit brings life to our efforts as we surrender and obey. We all have different gifts but the same Spirit and the same purpose...to glorify our Father in heaven and carry out the work that He has given us to do. Work hard knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord, be faithful knowing that He who called you is faithful and will complete the good work He began in you, promote unity in the body of Christ and keep your eye on the prize!
Closing with one of my favorite verses in Scripture...
Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.--Psalm 127:1
Love
Mom
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Trust in Him at all Times...Spurgeon
From Spurgeon's Treasury of David: Psalm 62:8
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Faith is an abiding duty, a perpetual privilege. We should trust when we can see, as well as when we are utterly in the dark. Adversity is a fit season for faith; but prosperity is not less so. God at all times deserves our confidence. We at all times need to place our confidence in him. A day without trust in God is a day of wrath, even if it be a day of mirth. Lean ever, ye saints, on him, on whom the world leans. Ye people, pour out your heart before him. Ye to whom his love is revealed, reveal yourselves to him. His heart is set on you, lay bare your hearts to him. Turn the vessel of your soul upside down in his secret presence, and let your inmost thoughts, desires, sorrows, and sins be poured out like water. Hide nothing from him, for you can hide nothing. To the Lord unburden your soul; let him be your only father confessor, for he only can absolve you when he has heard your confession. To keep our griefs to ourselves is to hoard up wretchedness. The stream will swell and rage if you dam it up: give it a clear course, and it leaps along and creates no alarm. Sympathy we need, and if we unload our hearts at Jesus' feet, we shall obtain a sympathy as practical as it is sincere, as consolatory as it is ennobling. The writer in the Westminster Assembly's Annotations well observes that it is the tendency of our wicked nature to bite on the bridle, and hide our grief in sullenness; but the gracious soul will overcome this propensity, and utter its sorrow before the Lord. God is a refuge for us. Whatever he may be to others, his own people have a peculiar heritage in him; for us he is undoubtedly a refuge: here then is the best of reasons for resorting to him whenever sorrows weigh upon our bosoms. Prayer is peculiarly the duty of those to whom the Lord has specially revealed himself as their defence. SELAH. Precious pause! Timely silence! Sheep may well lie down when such pasture is before them.
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Faith is an abiding duty, a perpetual privilege. We should trust when we can see, as well as when we are utterly in the dark. Adversity is a fit season for faith; but prosperity is not less so. God at all times deserves our confidence. We at all times need to place our confidence in him. A day without trust in God is a day of wrath, even if it be a day of mirth. Lean ever, ye saints, on him, on whom the world leans. Ye people, pour out your heart before him. Ye to whom his love is revealed, reveal yourselves to him. His heart is set on you, lay bare your hearts to him. Turn the vessel of your soul upside down in his secret presence, and let your inmost thoughts, desires, sorrows, and sins be poured out like water. Hide nothing from him, for you can hide nothing. To the Lord unburden your soul; let him be your only father confessor, for he only can absolve you when he has heard your confession. To keep our griefs to ourselves is to hoard up wretchedness. The stream will swell and rage if you dam it up: give it a clear course, and it leaps along and creates no alarm. Sympathy we need, and if we unload our hearts at Jesus' feet, we shall obtain a sympathy as practical as it is sincere, as consolatory as it is ennobling. The writer in the Westminster Assembly's Annotations well observes that it is the tendency of our wicked nature to bite on the bridle, and hide our grief in sullenness; but the gracious soul will overcome this propensity, and utter its sorrow before the Lord. God is a refuge for us. Whatever he may be to others, his own people have a peculiar heritage in him; for us he is undoubtedly a refuge: here then is the best of reasons for resorting to him whenever sorrows weigh upon our bosoms. Prayer is peculiarly the duty of those to whom the Lord has specially revealed himself as their defence. SELAH. Precious pause! Timely silence! Sheep may well lie down when such pasture is before them.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Carnal Christians of Corinth...
And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal? --1 Corinthians 3:1-4
Pretty sure that the lack of growth in the believer's lives in Corinth lay heavy on Paul's heart. The Christians in Corinth were still babes...they had not even mastered the basics...he could not teach them the things they really needed to know to be prepared for what lay ahead. If you are a diligent student of God's word, you will notice that God uses His word in your daily life to prepare and equip you for situations and trials that are down the road. What was the evidence of the Corinthians' carnality? Envy, divisions and strife. James tells us this in chapter 4 of his epistle:
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Further down in verse 7 he tells us the remedy for our selfish desires is to submit to God, to draw near to Him, and to resist the devil. When we do this, our flesh decreases and our spiritual desire increases. We begin to want what God wants and by the power of His Spirit we put off our fleshly desires and put on our Lord Jesus Christ.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts --Romans 13:14
The Corinthian believers were still spiritual infants looking to their own or one another's righteousness instead of the righteousness which is of God through faith in His Son. (I am of Paul...and another...I am of Apollos). They should have been saying...I am of Jesus!
Paul tells them that they are behaving like mere men...this means literally walking according to man. They were dominated by the things of the flesh and not the things of God. Their minds were set on earthly things and not on the eternal.
The believers in Corinth were in Christ, but were unskilled in the Word because they were still choosing the things of the world instead of and before the things of God. Our walk with Christ should be marked by growth. How do we grow? The very simple answer is by immersing ourselves in His Word...taking it in as our necessary food...praying through what we are studying and gleaning from it. Choosing to feed our spirit rather than our flesh makes our Spirits' stronger. Choosing to feed our flesh will weaken our Spirit. It will also weaken our desire for the things of God and increase our desire for the things of the world. On the other hand, when we feed our Spirit and not our flesh, it grows strong. If we feed our spirit often enough, it will grow to such a point that we will no longer desire the things of the world at all. Our minds will be focused rightly and our desire for God and His presence will be all encompassing.
Make it a point to look and evaluate how your time is spent. Ask the Lord to increase your desire for Him and His word. Listen to His Spirit speaking to your heart as you make choices throughout your day about how, where and with whom you are spending your time. The bottom line purpose of our lives as believers is to glorify our Father in heaven. Each one of our lives are to be hidden with Christ in God. We are His bond servants. His slaves, really. A slave does not look to himself for direction...He looks to His Master. Look to your Master. Follow Him. Watch and stand fast in the faith. Stay in His presence. Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Meditate on those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Do all that you do with love! Glorify your Father in Heaven!
Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. --Ephesians 5:14-21
Love
Mom
Pretty sure that the lack of growth in the believer's lives in Corinth lay heavy on Paul's heart. The Christians in Corinth were still babes...they had not even mastered the basics...he could not teach them the things they really needed to know to be prepared for what lay ahead. If you are a diligent student of God's word, you will notice that God uses His word in your daily life to prepare and equip you for situations and trials that are down the road. What was the evidence of the Corinthians' carnality? Envy, divisions and strife. James tells us this in chapter 4 of his epistle:
Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Further down in verse 7 he tells us the remedy for our selfish desires is to submit to God, to draw near to Him, and to resist the devil. When we do this, our flesh decreases and our spiritual desire increases. We begin to want what God wants and by the power of His Spirit we put off our fleshly desires and put on our Lord Jesus Christ.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts --Romans 13:14
The Corinthian believers were still spiritual infants looking to their own or one another's righteousness instead of the righteousness which is of God through faith in His Son. (I am of Paul...and another...I am of Apollos). They should have been saying...I am of Jesus!
Paul tells them that they are behaving like mere men...this means literally walking according to man. They were dominated by the things of the flesh and not the things of God. Their minds were set on earthly things and not on the eternal.
The believers in Corinth were in Christ, but were unskilled in the Word because they were still choosing the things of the world instead of and before the things of God. Our walk with Christ should be marked by growth. How do we grow? The very simple answer is by immersing ourselves in His Word...taking it in as our necessary food...praying through what we are studying and gleaning from it. Choosing to feed our spirit rather than our flesh makes our Spirits' stronger. Choosing to feed our flesh will weaken our Spirit. It will also weaken our desire for the things of God and increase our desire for the things of the world. On the other hand, when we feed our Spirit and not our flesh, it grows strong. If we feed our spirit often enough, it will grow to such a point that we will no longer desire the things of the world at all. Our minds will be focused rightly and our desire for God and His presence will be all encompassing.
Make it a point to look and evaluate how your time is spent. Ask the Lord to increase your desire for Him and His word. Listen to His Spirit speaking to your heart as you make choices throughout your day about how, where and with whom you are spending your time. The bottom line purpose of our lives as believers is to glorify our Father in heaven. Each one of our lives are to be hidden with Christ in God. We are His bond servants. His slaves, really. A slave does not look to himself for direction...He looks to His Master. Look to your Master. Follow Him. Watch and stand fast in the faith. Stay in His presence. Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Meditate on those things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Do all that you do with love! Glorify your Father in Heaven!
Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God. --Ephesians 5:14-21
Love
Mom
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
GOOD TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY!!!
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" --Luke 2:1-14
To My Daughters:
The Dayspring from on high had arrived. The dawn was breaking!
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.
First notice with me that God's Son was born exactly where the Scripture tells us He will be born.
Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."
Caesar Augustus was a powerful man and yet was used as a tool in the hands of God. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth which is about 80 miles from Bethlehem. When Caesar ordered a taxation it meant that everyone had to go to his hometown to register. Jesus' parents were both descendants of David and thus had to return to Bethlehem, the City of David to register. I read that Bethlehem means house of bread....so the Bread of Life was born in the city which means House of Bread. Truly, God controls the world and by the decree of Caesar Augustus, the Messiah was born exactly where God said He would be born...in the city of David.
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN!
This was the praise of the angel and heavenly host at the birth of God's Son in a manger in Bethlehem to the shepherds...really the outcasts of Israel....who were tending the flocks. God's divine goodwill and favor toward men was first announced to the lowest in Israel...to the ones whose job made them unclean and unable to get to the temple for weeks at a time to receive cleansing. SO MUCH beauty in that!! Jesus was not only the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His flock, but He was also the perfect Lamb of God that would be sacrificed for the sins of humanity.
The redemption of mankind is God's greatest glory! The night was over...the Light had come into the world. His purpose was to bring glory to God, His Father, in both His life and His sacrificial death, through which we can now draw near to God. For as it says in Hebrews 7 the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Jesus is that hope...the Anchor of our Soul....which makes us perfect!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life--John 3:16
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.--Psalm 85:9-13
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!
Love
Mom
To My Daughters:
The Dayspring from on high had arrived. The dawn was breaking!
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth.
First notice with me that God's Son was born exactly where the Scripture tells us He will be born.
Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."
Caesar Augustus was a powerful man and yet was used as a tool in the hands of God. Mary and Joseph lived in Nazareth which is about 80 miles from Bethlehem. When Caesar ordered a taxation it meant that everyone had to go to his hometown to register. Jesus' parents were both descendants of David and thus had to return to Bethlehem, the City of David to register. I read that Bethlehem means house of bread....so the Bread of Life was born in the city which means House of Bread. Truly, God controls the world and by the decree of Caesar Augustus, the Messiah was born exactly where God said He would be born...in the city of David.
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOODWILL TOWARD MEN!
This was the praise of the angel and heavenly host at the birth of God's Son in a manger in Bethlehem to the shepherds...really the outcasts of Israel....who were tending the flocks. God's divine goodwill and favor toward men was first announced to the lowest in Israel...to the ones whose job made them unclean and unable to get to the temple for weeks at a time to receive cleansing. SO MUCH beauty in that!! Jesus was not only the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His flock, but He was also the perfect Lamb of God that would be sacrificed for the sins of humanity.
The redemption of mankind is God's greatest glory! The night was over...the Light had come into the world. His purpose was to bring glory to God, His Father, in both His life and His sacrificial death, through which we can now draw near to God. For as it says in Hebrews 7 the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Jesus is that hope...the Anchor of our Soul....which makes us perfect!
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life--John 3:16
Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, That glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yes, the LORD will give what is good; And our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway.--Psalm 85:9-13
GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!
Love
Mom
Monday, August 1, 2011
SURELY GOD IS IN THIS PLACE AND I DID NOT KNOW IT!
Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you." Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!" Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then the LORD shall be my God.--Genesis 28:12-21
Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna, and Mikayla,
Here we find Jacob sleeping under the stars, fleeing his brother Esau's wrath and fearing for his life. I am pretty sure he is filled with anxiety and much uncertainty. He has no idea what his future holds and cannot go back into the past. Trouble was behind him...he had to go forward. Sometimes our thoughts, like Jacob, get so consumed by our circumstances that we forget this. BUT GOD. While Jacob slept that night God gave him a vision and a promise.
The vision was the ladder reaching from heaven to earth with the angels ascending and descending. Reading John 1:43 -51 this vision is clarified.
The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
Jesus is declaring here that the ladder that figured in Jacob's dream...the ladder that reached heaven where God met man was Jesus Himself. Jesus is the ladder that brings man to God. He is the bridge between heaven and earth. He is the way, the truth and the life...no one comes to the Father except through Him.
The promise Jacob received that night:
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you."
God would bring Jacob through and bring him back to his father's house in peace.
Jacob's words upon awakening...
"Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"
Like Jacob, we so forget that our Lord...our great God is in all our trials when we believe. We forget that Hs presence goes with us and is before us always. We forget that He is God and has promised not to leave us or forsake us. He will do all that He has promised in our lives and will bring us home to Him when the work is complete.
God not only allows the trials that come to us, but orchestrates them for His beloved children to work always for their good and His glory. We have no need to get muddled up in our dark thoughts. As His beloved child, we can cry out to Him. We can nestle under His wing until the calamities have passed and be safe in His presence. His plan for us is from His heart of love. Our trials, though difficult, are our greatest blessings in disguise. They keep us at His feet and surround us with His presence. It is there, at His feet, that we are safe and content...happy and peaceful. It is there, at His feet, that we begin to see what He went through for us. It is there, at His feet, that we begin to thank God for our trials and afflictions because in them we have known Him.
Love
Mom
Dear Suzanne, Rebecca, Anna, and Mikayla,
Here we find Jacob sleeping under the stars, fleeing his brother Esau's wrath and fearing for his life. I am pretty sure he is filled with anxiety and much uncertainty. He has no idea what his future holds and cannot go back into the past. Trouble was behind him...he had to go forward. Sometimes our thoughts, like Jacob, get so consumed by our circumstances that we forget this. BUT GOD. While Jacob slept that night God gave him a vision and a promise.
The vision was the ladder reaching from heaven to earth with the angels ascending and descending. Reading John 1:43 -51 this vision is clarified.
The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me." Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph." And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you." Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."
Jesus is declaring here that the ladder that figured in Jacob's dream...the ladder that reached heaven where God met man was Jesus Himself. Jesus is the ladder that brings man to God. He is the bridge between heaven and earth. He is the way, the truth and the life...no one comes to the Father except through Him.
The promise Jacob received that night:
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you."
God would bring Jacob through and bring him back to his father's house in peace.
Jacob's words upon awakening...
"Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it." And he was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!"
Like Jacob, we so forget that our Lord...our great God is in all our trials when we believe. We forget that Hs presence goes with us and is before us always. We forget that He is God and has promised not to leave us or forsake us. He will do all that He has promised in our lives and will bring us home to Him when the work is complete.
God not only allows the trials that come to us, but orchestrates them for His beloved children to work always for their good and His glory. We have no need to get muddled up in our dark thoughts. As His beloved child, we can cry out to Him. We can nestle under His wing until the calamities have passed and be safe in His presence. His plan for us is from His heart of love. Our trials, though difficult, are our greatest blessings in disguise. They keep us at His feet and surround us with His presence. It is there, at His feet, that we are safe and content...happy and peaceful. It is there, at His feet, that we begin to see what He went through for us. It is there, at His feet, that we begin to thank God for our trials and afflictions because in them we have known Him.
Love
Mom
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Christophobia: Whose End is to be Burned
Christophobia: Whose End is to be Burned: "For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessin..."
Call Upon Me....Psalm 50:15
By Spurgeon....from By Still Waters with Roy Clarke editing.
Oh Lord, You see how great my trouble is! It is heavy. I cannot carry it, and I cannot get rid of it. It follows me to bed, and it will not let me sleep. When I rise, it is still with me. I cannot shake it off. My trouble is unusual. Few are as afflicted as I am. Please give me extraordinary help, for my trouble is crushing. If you do not help, I will soon be broken! This is good reasoning and good pleading.
Turn your adversity to advantage. Go to the Lord this moment and say, "Lord, do you hear me? You have commanded me to pray. I, though I am evil, would not tell anyone to ask me for something unless I intended to honor their request. I would not urge them to ask for help if I meant to refuse it."
When God tells you to call on Him, He will deal compassionately with you. You are not urged to pray in the hour of trouble to experience deeper disappointment. God knows that you have trouble enough without the added burden of unanswered prayer. The Lord will not unnecessarily add even a quarter of an ounce to your burden. When he tells you to call on Him, you may call on Him without fear of failure.
So plead the time, plead the trouble, plead the command, and then plead with God. Speak reverently, but with belief, "Lord, it is You Yourself to whom I appeal. You said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you" (Psalm 50:15). So Lord, by Your truth, by Your faithfulness, by Your immutability, and by Your love, I, a poor sinner, heartbroken and crushed, call on You in the day of trouble. Help me. Help me soon, or else I die."
If I were in trouble, I would pray like David, Elijah, or Daniel in the power of this promise, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
Oh Lord, You see how great my trouble is! It is heavy. I cannot carry it, and I cannot get rid of it. It follows me to bed, and it will not let me sleep. When I rise, it is still with me. I cannot shake it off. My trouble is unusual. Few are as afflicted as I am. Please give me extraordinary help, for my trouble is crushing. If you do not help, I will soon be broken! This is good reasoning and good pleading.
Turn your adversity to advantage. Go to the Lord this moment and say, "Lord, do you hear me? You have commanded me to pray. I, though I am evil, would not tell anyone to ask me for something unless I intended to honor their request. I would not urge them to ask for help if I meant to refuse it."
When God tells you to call on Him, He will deal compassionately with you. You are not urged to pray in the hour of trouble to experience deeper disappointment. God knows that you have trouble enough without the added burden of unanswered prayer. The Lord will not unnecessarily add even a quarter of an ounce to your burden. When he tells you to call on Him, you may call on Him without fear of failure.
So plead the time, plead the trouble, plead the command, and then plead with God. Speak reverently, but with belief, "Lord, it is You Yourself to whom I appeal. You said, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you" (Psalm 50:15). So Lord, by Your truth, by Your faithfulness, by Your immutability, and by Your love, I, a poor sinner, heartbroken and crushed, call on You in the day of trouble. Help me. Help me soon, or else I die."
If I were in trouble, I would pray like David, Elijah, or Daniel in the power of this promise, "Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Go to My Father - Luke 5:18
Charles H. Spurgeon from Beside Still Waters...Words of Comfort for the Soul - Roy H. Clarke, Editor.
When you are suffering from severe pain, when you are surrounded by bitter grief, when you are depressed, pray. Do not cry for the sake of crying, and do not moan to the physician or the nurse. Cry, "Father." For isn't this how a lost child cries?
Have you ever cried to God? Have you ever said, "Father"? Oh may Father put His love in your heart. May He make you say, " I will arise and go to my Father" (Luke 5:18). If that cry is in your heart and on your lips then you will truly be a child of God.
Give yourself to God. Trust in Him. Every morning when you arise, put yourself in God's divine protection. Every night before you fall asleep, give yourself to Hm who is able to keep you when the image of death is on your face. Before you fall asleep, commit yourself to God. Do it when there is nothing to frighten you, when everything is going smoothly, when the south wind blows softly and your ship is speeding toward its desired haven.
Realize God's personal and continuous presence. "Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit" (Luke 23:46). Say to Him, "You are here, Father. I know that You are here. I realize that You are here in my
pain, sorrow and danger. I put myself in Your hand. If anyone or anything attacks me, I commit myself to You, the unseen Guardian of the night and the unwearied Keeper of the day. You are my God. You have covered my head in the day of battle (Ps. 140:7), and under Your wings I will trust."
When you are suffering from severe pain, when you are surrounded by bitter grief, when you are depressed, pray. Do not cry for the sake of crying, and do not moan to the physician or the nurse. Cry, "Father." For isn't this how a lost child cries?
Have you ever cried to God? Have you ever said, "Father"? Oh may Father put His love in your heart. May He make you say, " I will arise and go to my Father" (Luke 5:18). If that cry is in your heart and on your lips then you will truly be a child of God.
Give yourself to God. Trust in Him. Every morning when you arise, put yourself in God's divine protection. Every night before you fall asleep, give yourself to Hm who is able to keep you when the image of death is on your face. Before you fall asleep, commit yourself to God. Do it when there is nothing to frighten you, when everything is going smoothly, when the south wind blows softly and your ship is speeding toward its desired haven.
Realize God's personal and continuous presence. "Father, into Your hands I commit My Spirit" (Luke 23:46). Say to Him, "You are here, Father. I know that You are here. I realize that You are here in my
pain, sorrow and danger. I put myself in Your hand. If anyone or anything attacks me, I commit myself to You, the unseen Guardian of the night and the unwearied Keeper of the day. You are my God. You have covered my head in the day of battle (Ps. 140:7), and under Your wings I will trust."
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Lovingkindness of our God...
Walk in His ways...do not follow the dictates of your own heart. Keep your eyes turned always toward the Lord. Our expectation is from Him. Know that the Lord is good and upright. He guides the humble in justice and teaches them His way. Trust in the Lord...not on your own understanding! Acknowledge Him in all that you do and allow Him to direct your path. All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies.
Read the blessing and cursing chapter in its entirety. Our obedience and our disobedience have very real consequences. All these things came to pass in the history of Israel. Israel had been given the oracles of God and to whom much is given, much is required. The picture God paints here is very real...very stark. He wanted them to know the consequences of disobedience. He wanted them to look for His favor and shrink from His wrath. Scripture was written for our learning...The words of Paul to Timothy come to mind here.
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.--2nd Timothy 3:16-17
Do not despise His goodness and grace. Our God suffers long and is kind. Judgment does come, however. If you have walked away from God or you do not yet know Him and trust Him in a personal way, the Bible says to come...today is the day of salvation. Do not wait to clean yourself up...you never will without Him. Go to Him, confess your sin, turn from it, believe and let Him work in your heart and your life. The blessings are right there...waiting for you. Receive His free gift.
And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.--Revelation 22:17
Love
Mom
Deuteronomy 28
Blessings on Obedience
1 “Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. 2 And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God:3 “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.
4 “Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
5 “Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
6 “Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.
7 “The LORD will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
8 “The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
9 “The LORD will establish you as a holy people to Himself, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways. 10 Then all peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the LORD, and they shall be afraid of you. 11 And the LORD will grant you plenty of goods, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your ground, in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give you. 12 The LORD will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow. 13 And the LORD will make you the head and not the tail; you shall be above only, and not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, and are careful to observe them. 14 So you shall not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right or the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
Curses on Disobedience
15 “But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:
16 “Cursed shall you be in the city, and cursed shall you be in the country.
17 “Cursed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.
18 “Cursed shall be the fruit of your body and the produce of your land, the increase of your cattle and the offspring of your flocks.
19 “Cursed shall you be when you come in, and cursed shall you be when you go out.
20 “The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me. 21 The LORD will make the plague cling to you until He has consumed you from the land which you are going to possess. 22 The LORD will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with severe burning fever, with the sword, with scorching, and with mildew; they shall pursue you until you perish. 23 And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron. 24 The LORD will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed.
25 “The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies; you shall go out one way against them and flee seven ways before them; and you shall become troublesome to all the kingdoms of the earth. 26 Your carcasses shall be food for all the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and no one shall frighten them away. 27 The LORD will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with tumors, with the scab, and with the itch, from which you cannot be healed. 28 The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart. 29 And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness; you shall not prosper in your ways; you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually, and no one shall save you.
30 “You shall betroth a wife, but another man shall lie with her; you shall build a house, but you shall not dwell in it; you shall plant a vineyard, but shall not gather its grapes. 31 Your ox shall be slaughtered before your eyes, but you shall not eat of it; your donkey shall be violently taken away from before you, and shall not be restored to you; your sheep shall be given to your enemies, and you shall have no one to rescue them. 32 Your sons and your daughters shall be given to another people, and your eyes shall look and fail with longing for them all day long; and there shall be no strength in your hand. 33 A nation whom you have not known shall eat the fruit of your land and the produce of your labor, and you shall be only oppressed and crushed continually. 34 So you shall be driven mad because of the sight which your eyes see. 35 The LORD will strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head.
36 “The LORD will bring you and the king whom you set over you to a nation which neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you shall serve other gods—wood and stone. 37 And you shall become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all nations where the LORD will drive you.
38 “You shall carry much seed out to the field but gather little in, for the locust shall consume it. 39 You shall plant vineyards and tend them, but you shall neither drink of the wine nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them. 40 You shall have olive trees throughout all your territory, but you shall not anoint yourself with the oil; for your olives shall drop off. 41 You shall beget sons and daughters, but they shall not be yours; for they shall go into captivity. 42 Locusts shall consume all your trees and the produce of your land.
43 “The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower. 44 He shall lend to you, but you shall not lend to him; he shall be the head, and you shall be the tail.
45 “Moreover all these curses shall come upon you and pursue and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 And they shall be upon you for a sign and a wonder, and on your descendants forever.
47 “Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything, 48 therefore you shall serve your enemies, whom the LORD will send against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in need of everything; and He will put a yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you. 49 The LORD will bring a nation against you from afar, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flies, a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young. 51 And they shall eat the increase of your livestock and the produce of your land, until you are destroyed; they shall not leave you grain or new wine or oil, or the increase of your cattle or the offspring of your flocks, until they have destroyed you.
52 “They shall besiege you at all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land; and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the LORD your God has given you. 53 You shall eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and your daughters whom the LORD your God has given you, in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you. 54 The sensitive and very refined man among you will be hostile toward his brother, toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the rest of his children whom he leaves behind, 55 so that he will not give any of them the flesh of his children whom he will eat, because he has nothing left in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates. 56 The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground because of her delicateness and sensitivity, will refuse[a] to the husband of her bosom, and to her son and her daughter, 57 her placenta which comes out from between her feet and her children whom she bears; for she will eat them secretly for lack of everything in the siege and desperate straits in which your enemy shall distress you at all your gates.
58 “If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD, 59 then the LORD will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary plagues—great and prolonged plagues—and serious and prolonged sicknesses. 60 Moreover He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you. 61 Also every sickness and every plague, which is not written in this Book of the Law, will the LORD bring upon you until you are destroyed. 62 You shall be left few in number, whereas you were as the stars of heaven in multitude, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God. 63 And it shall be, that just as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good and multiply you, so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you and bring you to nothing; and you shall be plucked from off the land which you go to possess.
64 “Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known—wood and stone. 65 And among those nations you shall find no rest, nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul. 66 Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life. 67 In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’ because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see.
68 “And the LORD will take you back to Egypt in ships, by the way of which I said to you, ‘You shall never see it again.’ And there you shall be offered for sale to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.”
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Spirit is Willing but the Flesh is Weak...
From the Essentials of Prayer: Prayer Born of Compassion by E.M. Bounds
Jesus Christ was altogether man. While he was the divine Son of God yet at the same time, he was the human Son of God. Christ had a preeminently human side, and, here, compassion reigned. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. At one time how the flesh seems to have weakened under the fearful strain upon him, and how he must have inwardly shrunk under the pain and pull! Looking up to heaven, he prays, "Father, save me from this hour." How the spirit nerves and holds -"but for this cause came I to this hour." Only he can solve this mystery who has followed his Lord in straits and gloom and pain, and realized that the "spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."
All this but fitted our Lord to be a compassionate savior. It is no sin to feel the pain and realize the darkness on the path into which God leads. It is only human to cry out against the pain, the terror, and desolation of that hour. It is divine to cry out to God in that hour, even while shrinking and sinking down, "For this cause came I unto this hour." Shall I fail through the weakness of the flesh? No. "Father, glorify thy name." How strong it makes us, and how true, to have one pole star to guide us to the glory of God!
Jesus Christ was altogether man. While he was the divine Son of God yet at the same time, he was the human Son of God. Christ had a preeminently human side, and, here, compassion reigned. He was tempted in all points as we are, yet without sin. At one time how the flesh seems to have weakened under the fearful strain upon him, and how he must have inwardly shrunk under the pain and pull! Looking up to heaven, he prays, "Father, save me from this hour." How the spirit nerves and holds -"but for this cause came I to this hour." Only he can solve this mystery who has followed his Lord in straits and gloom and pain, and realized that the "spirit is willing but the flesh is weak."
All this but fitted our Lord to be a compassionate savior. It is no sin to feel the pain and realize the darkness on the path into which God leads. It is only human to cry out against the pain, the terror, and desolation of that hour. It is divine to cry out to God in that hour, even while shrinking and sinking down, "For this cause came I unto this hour." Shall I fail through the weakness of the flesh? No. "Father, glorify thy name." How strong it makes us, and how true, to have one pole star to guide us to the glory of God!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
DAWN BREAKS!
"And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest; For you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, To give knowledge of salvation to His people By the remission of their sins, Through the tender mercy of our God, With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us; To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, To guide our feet into the way of peace." --Luke 1:76-79
There are 400 years of silence between the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, until the New Testament begins with the birth of John the Baptist. Malachi prophesied around 400 BC, at the tail end of Nehemiah's leadership. The temple had been built, the people had been allowed to return to their land and were comfortable under Persian rule. Life was starting again and for the most part it was good.
This is when God places Malachi on the scene. Malachi's name means messenger. The message he had for the Jewish nation was that their hearts were no longer in their worship. It was once again outward and not inward sincerity of the heart. God wants a real relationship with us. He wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. While preaching this message, however, Malachi also spoke of John the Baptist and the coming of the Messiah.
"Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts. --Malachi 3:1
In Chapter 4 verses 1 and 2 he warns of a day that is coming when God's wrath will burn like an oven and all the proud and those who do wickedly will be stubble...they will be burned up. But to those who love, obey Him and fear His name...He will be as the warmth of the Sun and arise with healing on His wings. The last few verses of the Old Testament are filled with such hope. No matter how dark things look, God is in control and He will perfect all those things that concern us. He who is faithful will do it! Hope is ours in Him when we believe!
Malachi, Chapter 4 describes Jesus as the Sun of Righteousness who comes with healing for those who walk in belief. In the Gospel of Luke, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, prophesies the coming of the Messiah as well as predicting that his son, John the Baptist, would prepare His way. All the Old Testament prophecies were coming true!!! I am pretty sure Zachariah was doing a "happy dance" here. The Messiah was coming in his lifetime and his son...the son of his old age...would prepare His way! Zacharias calls Jesus the "Dayspring from on High". Dayspring in Greek literally means dawn. The dawn was coming for those in darkness. THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL! The coming of Jesus was like a sunrise...which speaks of beauty, hope and the promise of a new day. The night was over...the day was dawning.
There are 400 years of silence between the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi, until the New Testament begins with the birth of John the Baptist. Malachi prophesied around 400 BC, at the tail end of Nehemiah's leadership. The temple had been built, the people had been allowed to return to their land and were comfortable under Persian rule. Life was starting again and for the most part it was good.
This is when God places Malachi on the scene. Malachi's name means messenger. The message he had for the Jewish nation was that their hearts were no longer in their worship. It was once again outward and not inward sincerity of the heart. God wants a real relationship with us. He wants us to worship Him in spirit and in truth. While preaching this message, however, Malachi also spoke of John the Baptist and the coming of the Messiah.
"Behold, I send My messenger, And he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, Will suddenly come to His temple, Even the Messenger of the covenant, In whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," Says the LORD of hosts. --Malachi 3:1
In Chapter 4 verses 1 and 2 he warns of a day that is coming when God's wrath will burn like an oven and all the proud and those who do wickedly will be stubble...they will be burned up. But to those who love, obey Him and fear His name...He will be as the warmth of the Sun and arise with healing on His wings. The last few verses of the Old Testament are filled with such hope. No matter how dark things look, God is in control and He will perfect all those things that concern us. He who is faithful will do it! Hope is ours in Him when we believe!
Malachi, Chapter 4 describes Jesus as the Sun of Righteousness who comes with healing for those who walk in belief. In the Gospel of Luke, Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, prophesies the coming of the Messiah as well as predicting that his son, John the Baptist, would prepare His way. All the Old Testament prophecies were coming true!!! I am pretty sure Zachariah was doing a "happy dance" here. The Messiah was coming in his lifetime and his son...the son of his old age...would prepare His way! Zacharias calls Jesus the "Dayspring from on High". Dayspring in Greek literally means dawn. The dawn was coming for those in darkness. THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL! The coming of Jesus was like a sunrise...which speaks of beauty, hope and the promise of a new day. The night was over...the day was dawning.
Monday, July 25, 2011
GLORYING IN THE LORD...
For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” --1 Corinthians 1:26-31
Dear Girls,
These verses tell us that God does not choose many wise, noble or mighty according to the flesh. In fact, God usually chooses pretty simple folks. I am reading through the Gospel of Luke right now and as I read this passage in Corinthians my mind went to Mary. Mary had no credentials...in fact she had three strikes against her. She was young, poor and a woman....unusable in her culture for any great work. But God...He chose her to be the mother of His Son. This is so encouraging to me...our God is not a respecter of persons. I don't have to be rich, famous, wise or strong to be used by God. I just have to acknowledge my own weakness...my own sinful heart and believe. He does the rest!
What do these verses tell us the reason is for God choosing the foolish, weak and base things of the world? The simple answer is so "that no flesh should glory in His presence." and THAT is His mercy to us! He knows what we are like. If the messenger was famous, intelligent or mighty we, being the fallen humans we are, would worship them. We would look to them and honor them instead of God.
"ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF THE GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND ITS FLOWER FALLS AWAY,
Man will always disappoint. There is NO help for us in man. God is our shield and our exceedingly great reward. He wants us to look to Him AND BE SAVED. This is a warning to us who love Jesus and serve Him to stay humble. Jesus came as a humble servant and all He did glorified His Father in Heaven. The Bible tells us that when people saw Jesus, they saw the Father in Heaven. Most true ministers of God's word are not much in and of themselves. I thank God for that. I do not need the messenger to distract me from the person and the message of Christ...the world provides enough distractions for me. Salvation is the power of God...there is NOTHING we can do to earn it or as a minister to make someone else accept it. It is not about the messenger...it is about Him. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ spoken about by the prophet Isaiah. John made it abundantly clear in his gospel that He was NOT the Christ. He describes himself as 'THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS: "MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD." 'He also says that He who comes after Him (that would be Jesus) is preferred before Him and that he is not even worthy to unloose His sandal strap. In chapter 3 John responds this way to his disciples who had come to him upset that multitudes were now going to Jesus to be baptized instead of John.
He must increase, but I must decrease.--John 3:30
John understood that he had fulfilled his mission...he had done his job. He had been obedient. He had pointed people to Jesus...John knew it was not about him. His job was to make straight the way of the Lord and bear witness to Him. These 7 words are the essence of what true ministry is. Pointing others away from us and to Jesus! GLORY IN GOD YOUR SAVIOR!! LIVE. FOR. HIM!
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it--Matthew 10:39
Dear Girls,
These verses tell us that God does not choose many wise, noble or mighty according to the flesh. In fact, God usually chooses pretty simple folks. I am reading through the Gospel of Luke right now and as I read this passage in Corinthians my mind went to Mary. Mary had no credentials...in fact she had three strikes against her. She was young, poor and a woman....unusable in her culture for any great work. But God...He chose her to be the mother of His Son. This is so encouraging to me...our God is not a respecter of persons. I don't have to be rich, famous, wise or strong to be used by God. I just have to acknowledge my own weakness...my own sinful heart and believe. He does the rest!
What do these verses tell us the reason is for God choosing the foolish, weak and base things of the world? The simple answer is so "that no flesh should glory in His presence." and THAT is His mercy to us! He knows what we are like. If the messenger was famous, intelligent or mighty we, being the fallen humans we are, would worship them. We would look to them and honor them instead of God.
"ALL FLESH IS AS GRASS, AND ALL THE GLORY OF MAN AS THE FLOWER OF THE GRASS. THE GRASS WITHERS, AND ITS FLOWER FALLS AWAY,
Man will always disappoint. There is NO help for us in man. God is our shield and our exceedingly great reward. He wants us to look to Him AND BE SAVED. This is a warning to us who love Jesus and serve Him to stay humble. Jesus came as a humble servant and all He did glorified His Father in Heaven. The Bible tells us that when people saw Jesus, they saw the Father in Heaven. Most true ministers of God's word are not much in and of themselves. I thank God for that. I do not need the messenger to distract me from the person and the message of Christ...the world provides enough distractions for me. Salvation is the power of God...there is NOTHING we can do to earn it or as a minister to make someone else accept it. It is not about the messenger...it is about Him. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.
John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ spoken about by the prophet Isaiah. John made it abundantly clear in his gospel that He was NOT the Christ. He describes himself as 'THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS: "MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY OF THE LORD." 'He also says that He who comes after Him (that would be Jesus) is preferred before Him and that he is not even worthy to unloose His sandal strap. In chapter 3 John responds this way to his disciples who had come to him upset that multitudes were now going to Jesus to be baptized instead of John.
He must increase, but I must decrease.--John 3:30
John understood that he had fulfilled his mission...he had done his job. He had been obedient. He had pointed people to Jesus...John knew it was not about him. His job was to make straight the way of the Lord and bear witness to Him. These 7 words are the essence of what true ministry is. Pointing others away from us and to Jesus! GLORY IN GOD YOUR SAVIOR!! LIVE. FOR. HIM!
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it--Matthew 10:39
Saturday, July 23, 2011
The Isaac's...A Dysfunctional Family
To My Daughters,
Genesis 27 can be a pretty depressing chapter to read, but I am always encouraged by it because the people in the Bible are so real. The "Isaac's" were such a dysfunctional family! They do nothing perfectly and yet many are still mentioned in Hebrews 11....the hall of faith chapter. And there is the encouragement...God did not look at the results only...He looked at those things they did by faith and not by sight and rewarded them. Our God is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of our hearts. The bible tells us that our hearts are desperately wicked...who could know them? God does. He sees through it all and focuses His attention not on the carnality and disobedience but on the smoldering flax and the bruised reed that desire to live for Him and builds and if that weren't enough He is also faithful to deal with us as sons...disciplining us and pruning us to mold us into vessels fit for His use. He does it all and is faithful to complete the good work he starts in each of us.
For this study we will just look at Isaac and the responsibility he had in all that occurred in this 27th chapter. Here is what struck me as I read. Isaac had a good beginning with the Lord...he ran well. His zeal faded as he reached the end, however, and his focus seems to be on the things of the world rather than on His Lord.
The chapter begins with Isaac thinking he is going to die....neither God nor his family were on his mind...his stomach was on his mind. Clearly, Isaac's focus was Isaac. His mind was on the things of the flesh, not the things of God.
Isaac knew what God had told Rebekah when Jacob and Esau were still in her womb. The younger son would receive the blessing...the older would serve the younger. He probably also knew that Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob. Yet, here we find Isaac in direct disobedience to God ready to give Esau the blessing instead of Jacob.
Reading from verses 21-27 we see that Isaac was living by sight...by his feelings...not by faith. Read the chapter carefully. There is no mention of him asking God for guidance or for help. AND you would think, given his weakened condition, that this would be the case. He was not depending on God...he was depending on his own senses.
Isaac had the responsibility here as a man of God to lead his family. It is clear from the sin and plotting that surrounded him as well as his own words and actions, that his mind had been on himself and the things of the world for a long time. In fact, Isaac had gone so far as to place himself in direction opposition to the declared word of God. He was trying to change the plan of God. Read verses 32 and 33:
And his father Isaac said to him, "Who are you?" So he said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau." Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, "Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed."
I think, Isaac, in one fell swoop saw with heart knowledge here just how far he had fallen and how long he had opposed the will of His Father in Heaven. He trembled exceedingly...methinks in remembering God's words....The older shall serve the younger. Despite his fleshly efforts, God's word still went forth as declared, but his family suffered. in large part due to Isaac's lack of faithfulness. To his credit he immediately affirmed God's plan and word and here is what is amazing...Read what is written in Hebrews 11 about him.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Nevertheless, our sin has consequences. It does not just affect us...it affect all those around us...especially those that God has placed in our care. Isaac and his family lived a troubled life despite its godly beginning. Live your life according to the word and the will of God. Be blessed both here and in the heavenlies!!!
Love
Mom
Genesis 27 can be a pretty depressing chapter to read, but I am always encouraged by it because the people in the Bible are so real. The "Isaac's" were such a dysfunctional family! They do nothing perfectly and yet many are still mentioned in Hebrews 11....the hall of faith chapter. And there is the encouragement...God did not look at the results only...He looked at those things they did by faith and not by sight and rewarded them. Our God is a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of our hearts. The bible tells us that our hearts are desperately wicked...who could know them? God does. He sees through it all and focuses His attention not on the carnality and disobedience but on the smoldering flax and the bruised reed that desire to live for Him and builds and if that weren't enough He is also faithful to deal with us as sons...disciplining us and pruning us to mold us into vessels fit for His use. He does it all and is faithful to complete the good work he starts in each of us.
For this study we will just look at Isaac and the responsibility he had in all that occurred in this 27th chapter. Here is what struck me as I read. Isaac had a good beginning with the Lord...he ran well. His zeal faded as he reached the end, however, and his focus seems to be on the things of the world rather than on His Lord.
The chapter begins with Isaac thinking he is going to die....neither God nor his family were on his mind...his stomach was on his mind. Clearly, Isaac's focus was Isaac. His mind was on the things of the flesh, not the things of God.
Isaac knew what God had told Rebekah when Jacob and Esau were still in her womb. The younger son would receive the blessing...the older would serve the younger. He probably also knew that Esau had sold his birthright to Jacob. Yet, here we find Isaac in direct disobedience to God ready to give Esau the blessing instead of Jacob.
Reading from verses 21-27 we see that Isaac was living by sight...by his feelings...not by faith. Read the chapter carefully. There is no mention of him asking God for guidance or for help. AND you would think, given his weakened condition, that this would be the case. He was not depending on God...he was depending on his own senses.
Isaac had the responsibility here as a man of God to lead his family. It is clear from the sin and plotting that surrounded him as well as his own words and actions, that his mind had been on himself and the things of the world for a long time. In fact, Isaac had gone so far as to place himself in direction opposition to the declared word of God. He was trying to change the plan of God. Read verses 32 and 33:
And his father Isaac said to him, "Who are you?" So he said, "I am your son, your firstborn, Esau." Then Isaac trembled exceedingly, and said, "Who? Where is the one who hunted game and brought it to me? I ate all of it before you came, and I have blessed him—and indeed he shall be blessed."
I think, Isaac, in one fell swoop saw with heart knowledge here just how far he had fallen and how long he had opposed the will of His Father in Heaven. He trembled exceedingly...methinks in remembering God's words....The older shall serve the younger. Despite his fleshly efforts, God's word still went forth as declared, but his family suffered. in large part due to Isaac's lack of faithfulness. To his credit he immediately affirmed God's plan and word and here is what is amazing...Read what is written in Hebrews 11 about him.
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
Nevertheless, our sin has consequences. It does not just affect us...it affect all those around us...especially those that God has placed in our care. Isaac and his family lived a troubled life despite its godly beginning. Live your life according to the word and the will of God. Be blessed both here and in the heavenlies!!!
Love
Mom
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