Isaiah prophecied to Believers throughout the ages that GOD IS THE LORD; THEY SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED THAT WAIT FOR HIM! (Isaiah 49:23)
God admonishes us to look unto Abraham our father, and unto Sarah that bore you, for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. The Apostle Paul said that if we believe in Yeshua we are Abraham's seed. Whether spiritual or physical seed, Abraham is our father and we fall under the promises given to him.
Abraham was called alone. He was blessed and increased. I want to be blessed and increased; it is the called alone part that is troubling at times! Elijah sat outside of a cave in despair as Jezebelle sought his life. Paul spent several years in the wilderness being taught of the LORD. Moses spent 40 years in the wilderness before he started his calling, and then he was stuck 40 additional years in the wilderness with a rebellious nation!
Why do I think I would be different? Time spent in the wilderness is not a waste in God's eyes. His desire is that we know and fully trust Him. We have nothing to be ashamed of in regard to our success or failure in man's estimation. How much do we know God? How intimate have we become with Him?
At times the wilderness can be a dark and scary place. Isaiah 50:10 speaks of this and encourages us. " Those among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon His God." He will keep us in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him.
Our confidence in the coming days of turmoil is an assurance that His word is as true as the sun rising after the night. He promises us that He is the LORD; for they shall not be ashamed that wait for Me. " ( Isaiah 49:23)
" For the LORD God will help me;
therefore shall I not be confounded;
therefore have I set my face like a flint,
and I know that I shall not be ashamed."
Isaiah 50:3)
My song of the weekend is ~ MY HOPE IS BUILT ON NOTHING LESS!~
* The third verse of this hymn is special this evening. Several hours ago we had a violent storm pass through our area. I looked out of our door and watched the 60 - 100 ft. trees dance in the wind from the ground up; like tall grass being blown around! Quite an awesome sight to behold. I was reminded that God says He has His way in a storm. I take Him at His word! I prayed while watching out of the doors and windows of our home that we would be protected. As I finished the prayer a large tree broke off almost at ground level and fell AWAY for our house and vehicles parked in the driveway. Another large limb fell harmelessly in between two bird feeders and our home! Another large tree fell just outside of the fenced in area for our dogs!
Truly, as the song says " His oath, His covenant, His blood Support me in the orwhelming flood, In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil..."
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
His oath, His covenant, His blood
Support me in the whelming flood;
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my hope and stay.
When He shall come with trumpet sound
O may I then in Him be found;
Dressed in His righteousness alone,,
Faultless to stand before the throne.
CHORUS~
ON CHRIST THE SOLID ROCK I STAND;
ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND,
ALL OTHER GROUND IS SINKING SAND.
And you shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all of your heart! (Jeremiah 29:13) The LORD is good to those that wait for Him; to the soul that seeks Him. (Lamentations 3:25)
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
OUR PASSAGE-NOT PORTION
This troubled world is not our home-it is but a passage way to an eternal place of rest prepared for us by GOD. During our passage through planet earth, there are many of whom the world was not, and is not worthy, These are the people of faith, a peculiar people seperated by God unto Himself.
Hebrews 11:38 speaks of times past of brothers and sisters of the faith who wondered in deserts, wondered in mountains, and who lived in dens and caves of the earth. Children of God living in such conditions? How can this be? I've been told I am blessed as a Believer! God will meet my every need? The Apostle Paul said he was satisfied with food and a place of shelter. In his passage on earth Paul said he learned to be content with much, and with little; with blessing and with what appeared to be failure by the world's standards. The world is not worthy of people who do not live for and worship its temporary blessings.
There are times when God blesses nations. Believers naturally share in those blessing's because they live in that nation. But blessings do not control their heart or spirit. There are times when God judges nations. He raises them up; He casts them aside as dust. To everything there is a season; this is a season of judgment for America.
Where do I fit into this equasion during my passage on earth? As things fall around me I am greatly encouraged by the writings of the Prophets. These men of old are not seperate from Jesus or something other than Jesus; they are a revelation OF Jesus before His coming. Christ Himself said that He is the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. Not one jot or tittle will cease to be fulfilled of their writings.
As Israel in the past, nation's today are in the judgment phase from God. His righteousness requires that he punish sin, arrogance, and unbelief. He can do nothing else; if He did, He would not be God! He cannot be untrue to Himself! What should I do? What should be my mindset it this season of judgment? My mindset should never change; either during seasons of blessing or judgment.
The Prophet Micah admonishes followers of God to arise and depart; for this is not our rest; the land is polluted; it shall destroy you, even with sore destruction (MICAH 2:10). As Believers in Messiah we must not put our stock and hope in worldly possessions and wealth; if we do it will burn our spirit and soul like cancer and rust as it evaporates before our eyes.
The Bible Commentator Matthew Henry speaks from the late 1700's on the words of the Prophet Micah -
"We may apply this to our state in this present world;
it is polluted; there is a great deal of corruption in the world, through lust.
We should arise and depart out of it, keep at a distance from the corruption that is in it and keep ourselves unspotted from it. "
"It is not our rest;
it was never intended to be so,
it was designed to be our passage,
not our portion.
Our inn,
not our home,
here we have no continuing city
let us arise and depart."
"Let us sit loose to it and seek a continuing city above."
If this admonition was given in the late 1700's, how much more does it apply to us in 2008?
This world is not our home. Like Abraham, we look for a city whose Builder and Maker is God.
The Father's and Mother's of faith, those given special mention in Hebrews 11, sought for a country, a place to dwell, that was not made with the hands of man. This dwelling place, an eternal city, never passes away. It is a heavenly place prepared for us by God!
As in past ages, we must desire a better country, that is, an heavenly city; where God is not ashamed to be called our God; for He has prepared for us a city! A place of dwelling where we will be His people and He will be our God. Living in unity and peace; where the Lamb is the light!
If need be, may we, like they, die in faith; perhaps not having received the promises, but having seen them, afar off, and be persuaded of them, and embrace them, and confess that we are but strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13).
If there is something in believing and living this type of faith that is bothersome, we must cast it away! If something on this planet has part of our heart, identify what it is and lose it! God is first and foremost in every area of our life. The end of all things is upon us. His Kingdom comes, His will will be done! As His children we must be pure, unattatched, and clean from the lusts and attractions of the world.
1st John 2 15-17 cannot make this fact any plainer. It says- " LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM."
"FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD,
THE LUST OF THE FLESH,
AND THE LUST OF THE EYES,
AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE,
IS NOT OF THE FATHER BUT IS OF THE WORLD.
AND THE WORLD PASSES AWAY AND THE LUST THEREOF;
BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF GOD ABIDETH FOREVER."
I want to abide forever!
Not in the land of our passage,
but in the land of our Portion!
Hebrews 11:38 speaks of times past of brothers and sisters of the faith who wondered in deserts, wondered in mountains, and who lived in dens and caves of the earth. Children of God living in such conditions? How can this be? I've been told I am blessed as a Believer! God will meet my every need? The Apostle Paul said he was satisfied with food and a place of shelter. In his passage on earth Paul said he learned to be content with much, and with little; with blessing and with what appeared to be failure by the world's standards. The world is not worthy of people who do not live for and worship its temporary blessings.
There are times when God blesses nations. Believers naturally share in those blessing's because they live in that nation. But blessings do not control their heart or spirit. There are times when God judges nations. He raises them up; He casts them aside as dust. To everything there is a season; this is a season of judgment for America.
Where do I fit into this equasion during my passage on earth? As things fall around me I am greatly encouraged by the writings of the Prophets. These men of old are not seperate from Jesus or something other than Jesus; they are a revelation OF Jesus before His coming. Christ Himself said that He is the fulfilment of the Law and Prophets. Not one jot or tittle will cease to be fulfilled of their writings.
As Israel in the past, nation's today are in the judgment phase from God. His righteousness requires that he punish sin, arrogance, and unbelief. He can do nothing else; if He did, He would not be God! He cannot be untrue to Himself! What should I do? What should be my mindset it this season of judgment? My mindset should never change; either during seasons of blessing or judgment.
The Prophet Micah admonishes followers of God to arise and depart; for this is not our rest; the land is polluted; it shall destroy you, even with sore destruction (MICAH 2:10). As Believers in Messiah we must not put our stock and hope in worldly possessions and wealth; if we do it will burn our spirit and soul like cancer and rust as it evaporates before our eyes.
The Bible Commentator Matthew Henry speaks from the late 1700's on the words of the Prophet Micah -
"We may apply this to our state in this present world;
it is polluted; there is a great deal of corruption in the world, through lust.
We should arise and depart out of it, keep at a distance from the corruption that is in it and keep ourselves unspotted from it. "
"It is not our rest;
it was never intended to be so,
it was designed to be our passage,
not our portion.
Our inn,
not our home,
here we have no continuing city
let us arise and depart."
"Let us sit loose to it and seek a continuing city above."
If this admonition was given in the late 1700's, how much more does it apply to us in 2008?
This world is not our home. Like Abraham, we look for a city whose Builder and Maker is God.
The Father's and Mother's of faith, those given special mention in Hebrews 11, sought for a country, a place to dwell, that was not made with the hands of man. This dwelling place, an eternal city, never passes away. It is a heavenly place prepared for us by God!
As in past ages, we must desire a better country, that is, an heavenly city; where God is not ashamed to be called our God; for He has prepared for us a city! A place of dwelling where we will be His people and He will be our God. Living in unity and peace; where the Lamb is the light!
If need be, may we, like they, die in faith; perhaps not having received the promises, but having seen them, afar off, and be persuaded of them, and embrace them, and confess that we are but strangers and pilgrims on the earth (Hebrews 11:13).
If there is something in believing and living this type of faith that is bothersome, we must cast it away! If something on this planet has part of our heart, identify what it is and lose it! God is first and foremost in every area of our life. The end of all things is upon us. His Kingdom comes, His will will be done! As His children we must be pure, unattatched, and clean from the lusts and attractions of the world.
1st John 2 15-17 cannot make this fact any plainer. It says- " LOVE NOT THE WORLD, NEITHER THE THINGS THAT ARE IN THE WORLD. IF ANY MAN LOVE THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM."
"FOR ALL THAT IS IN THE WORLD,
THE LUST OF THE FLESH,
AND THE LUST OF THE EYES,
AND THE PRIDE OF LIFE,
IS NOT OF THE FATHER BUT IS OF THE WORLD.
AND THE WORLD PASSES AWAY AND THE LUST THEREOF;
BUT HE THAT DOETH THE WILL OF GOD ABIDETH FOREVER."
I want to abide forever!
Not in the land of our passage,
but in the land of our Portion!
Saturday, June 14, 2008
GOD FORGIVES!
Days are upon us when enemies of those given wholeheartedly to God may be our own circle of friends. The Prophets speak of a time when father turns against son, and daughter against mother. I have a strong sense as things deteriorate in our nation with the economy, social moors, crime, debt and joblessness, the love of many may grow cold; as fortold by Christ. As sin and iniquity increases, those who love God begin to tire of the struggle. Many will fear they will fall and slip away; some will, hopefully just for a season. As Children of God we must retain our sanity and recognize the days in which we live.
Since my last post, to my knowledge, I have not sinned in any great measure. By the grace of God there has only been the usual difficulties and headaches of everyday life as an American citizen in the midst of recession and trouble. But in my spirit I feel that days are fast approaching when there will be temptations and such an increase in iniquity in our society that I need to convince myself and others of the true nature of our Father that is in Heaven.
If in a moment of weakness, or anger, or great temptation we should sin, we must remember the nature of our Heavenly Father. The Book of MICAH, Chapter 7, speaks of a season when the LORD becomes indignate at sin and of course, punishment for sin ensues. But after we bear the indignation for our sin against Him, whether it be unbelief, praylessness, or return to an old sin of the flesh, God Himself will plead our cause and will bring us to His light and we will again behold His righteousness (vs 9).
NEVER LET the enemy convince that we have sinned beyond measure and forgiveness. This is a trick as old as Adam and Eve; do not fall for it, especially now as we approach the conclusion of the ages.
We must remember - WHO IS A GOD LIKE UNTO OUR GOD? He pardons iniquity, passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage, He does NOT retain His anger forever because He delights in mercy! (Micah 7:18)
As we continually seek His face and favor, as we plough through our daily routines of which He is fully aware and He is right there with us, our enemies will lick the dust like a serpent and move out of their holes like worms of the earth; they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of US! THEIR HERITAGE IS FEAR! Do not fall for the lies of the enemies of our Father. The battle is really against those who follow Him.
WHAT IS OUR HERITAGE? Verse 18-20 says there is no God likened unto our God; He pardons iniquity, passes by transgressions, does not retain or keep His anger forever because He delights in mercy! OUR HERITAGE IS VICTORY AND FORGIVENESS!
He will turn again!
He will have compassion upon us!
He will subdue our iniquities!
He will cast our sin into the depths of the sea!
He will perform truth in us!
He has sworn as such to the fathers from the days of old!
Rejoice! I say Rejoice! We are on the winning side!
Yeild as He daily works His graces in us. It is not an easy process, but it serves His purposes.
Know and be confident that we are a forgiven people; do not believe the lies of the enemy or of those the enemy uses to get to us. Be confident in HIM.
Micah 7:8 encourages us that when we fall, we shall arise. The enemy need not rejoice, and if the enemy does rejoice it will be shortlived for when we sit in darkness the LORD shall be a light unto us. Shame will cover their face as they realize that we are a protected people, the apple of His eye.
Unto Him who is able to keep us from falling ( we may slip but not fall all of the way!)
and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding JOY! He is able. Not by our strength, not by our power, but by His Spirit, saith the LORD.
To the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now (in 2008) and forever! AMEN.
Since my last post, to my knowledge, I have not sinned in any great measure. By the grace of God there has only been the usual difficulties and headaches of everyday life as an American citizen in the midst of recession and trouble. But in my spirit I feel that days are fast approaching when there will be temptations and such an increase in iniquity in our society that I need to convince myself and others of the true nature of our Father that is in Heaven.
If in a moment of weakness, or anger, or great temptation we should sin, we must remember the nature of our Heavenly Father. The Book of MICAH, Chapter 7, speaks of a season when the LORD becomes indignate at sin and of course, punishment for sin ensues. But after we bear the indignation for our sin against Him, whether it be unbelief, praylessness, or return to an old sin of the flesh, God Himself will plead our cause and will bring us to His light and we will again behold His righteousness (vs 9).
NEVER LET the enemy convince that we have sinned beyond measure and forgiveness. This is a trick as old as Adam and Eve; do not fall for it, especially now as we approach the conclusion of the ages.
We must remember - WHO IS A GOD LIKE UNTO OUR GOD? He pardons iniquity, passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage, He does NOT retain His anger forever because He delights in mercy! (Micah 7:18)
As we continually seek His face and favor, as we plough through our daily routines of which He is fully aware and He is right there with us, our enemies will lick the dust like a serpent and move out of their holes like worms of the earth; they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of US! THEIR HERITAGE IS FEAR! Do not fall for the lies of the enemies of our Father. The battle is really against those who follow Him.
WHAT IS OUR HERITAGE? Verse 18-20 says there is no God likened unto our God; He pardons iniquity, passes by transgressions, does not retain or keep His anger forever because He delights in mercy! OUR HERITAGE IS VICTORY AND FORGIVENESS!
He will turn again!
He will have compassion upon us!
He will subdue our iniquities!
He will cast our sin into the depths of the sea!
He will perform truth in us!
He has sworn as such to the fathers from the days of old!
Rejoice! I say Rejoice! We are on the winning side!
Yeild as He daily works His graces in us. It is not an easy process, but it serves His purposes.
Know and be confident that we are a forgiven people; do not believe the lies of the enemy or of those the enemy uses to get to us. Be confident in HIM.
Micah 7:8 encourages us that when we fall, we shall arise. The enemy need not rejoice, and if the enemy does rejoice it will be shortlived for when we sit in darkness the LORD shall be a light unto us. Shame will cover their face as they realize that we are a protected people, the apple of His eye.
Unto Him who is able to keep us from falling ( we may slip but not fall all of the way!)
and to present us faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding JOY! He is able. Not by our strength, not by our power, but by His Spirit, saith the LORD.
To the only wise God, our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now (in 2008) and forever! AMEN.
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