In the Book of Exodus God established the priesthood though Moses. He instructs Moses to gather Aaron, his sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. He told Moses to make holy garments for glory and for beauty for these men.
The purpose was that they "may minister unto Me in the priests office."
A priests function and the word "minister" means to wait upon; to attend to.
The Bible says that Israel was established to be a nation of priests and kings, established, determined, and appointed so by God.
To wait upon, to serve God.
I have no problem going to God when I am need. I have no hestitation asking Him for His favor, His blessing and for answers to my requests. But to fulfil the function of ministering to Him? Everyone has needs, health issues, requests, and desires we take to Him continually. And we should. There is no One on earth who can do what He can do. But do I minister to Him?
I cannot imagine being in His place with possibly 6 billion people petitioning Him for answers to our prayers. Who ministers to Him? Who waits on Him; not waits upon Him for answers, but actually waits upon Him like a servant?
I believe we wait upon Him when we obey His words by our lifestyle, by our intercession on behalf of others, when we present Him as the only One and true God who created us to bring praise and glory to His Name. A Name describes who a person is and He has declared that He is the Great I AM. He is all in all.
We minister to Him when we just sit and thank Him for who He is; without any requests, although we usually have them, but to just take time each day and dwell upon Him and who He is, what He is to us, what He has done for us in the past and what He has promised to those who finish the race successfully.
Thank Him for the power and ability to run the race, for being available for us to praise and thank and worship. After all, He is all in all. He us our purpose, He is our life, He is our high tower and a Rock in which we can hide in these last of the last days.
He has promised that we are in the palm of His hand, and none can snatch us out of that place. Thank Him for that awesome thought!
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)
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
A NEW DAY
Everything that is, everything that has been, and everything that will be in the future are from God. When disaster strikes, when prosperity appears, when questions arise we have an Advocate with the Father, the man Jesus Christ. He is all, and in all.
During the seasons of judgment for disobedience our Heavenly Father offers a way of escape. That way is a sincere, heart changing return to His principles, His will and His law which is written upon the hearts of those who know Him.
During Israel's disobedience He created the mighty armies that arose against them to punish them. During their seasons of obedience He also defeated anything that arose against Israel. This principle will never change because He, and His ways do not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. There is no shadow of turning with Him. Unlike us, He does not wake up one morning in a foul mood and gripe, groan and readily rebuke anyone that comes across His path! He is described as a God of compassion, mercy and great forgiveness when true repentance occurs.
If necessary, He will create the chariot and the horse, the army and their power to oppose anything that rises up against Him, or anything that threatens His workings in us. Humankind has a tendecy to go its own way. When we realize our mistake(s), after a season of chastizement, which is often needed, His tender mercies are poured forth like an ocean. He will rebuke the enemies of our soul and declare that we are forgiven because we are in His Son. Even the forces that have arisen up to oppose us will have to admit that it is only He that can possibly give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert places. He gives drink to His people because we are His. He has set us aside as His special treasure among all the the worldly systems, beliefs, and forces that oppose Him as the only One and True God.
He does this not because of our righteousness; never! He does this to show forth His praise, His power, His soverienty over the affairs of men. We must not grow weary in this process. We must always remember who is God! In His great mercy He promises to blot our our transgressions and to not remember our sins. Our fathers have sinned, or priests have sinned, we have sinned; yet He willingly forgives. Such mercy!
He almost begs us to present our case before Him and defend our actions. He pleads for us to reason with Him, that we may somehow justify our actions. In the end, His will breaks forth as the rushing of mighty waters that have been restrained. He will pour water on those who are thirsty. He has brought us forth from the womb and we are never forgotten by Him; no matter how we feel at any given time. He is always there.
We will declare the praises of God and will be called by His Name. One shall say, "I am the LORD'S " another shall call themselves by the name of Jacob, another shall carve the LORD into everything that they do. The God of Israel is our God for He is the first and the last. He is the LORD of Hosts (armies). Only He knows the things that are coming. He has appointed the times and the seasons of the nations and of individuals. No one can change what He has set forth.
He admonishes those of us who declare that He is our God, and only Him, to have no fear; do not be afraid. We are His witnesses in this dark, lost and troubled world. The passages of Scripture from Isaiah confim these principles:
ISAIAH 43:13-28 and 44:1-8
" Yea, before the day was, I am He;
and here is none that can deliver out of My hand:
I will work, and who will change it?"
"Thus saith the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel;
for your sake I have sent unto Babylon (the world),
and have brought down all of their nobles, and the Chaldeans
whose cry is in the ships."
" I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King"
"Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters;
Which bringeth forth the chariot and the horse, the army and the power;
they shall lay down together, they shall not rise:
They are extinct, they are quenched like a candle wick."
"Remember ye not the former things,
neither the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing;
NOW IT SHALL SPRING FORTH (my caps)
shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness;
and rivers in the desert."
"The beast of the field shall honor Me,
the dragons and the owls:
because I give waters in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen."
"This people I have formed for Myself;
they shall show forth My praise.
But they have not called upon Me, O Jacob;
but thou hast been weary of Me, O Israel."
"Thou hast not brought Me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings,
neither hast thou honored Me with your sacrifices.
I have not caused you to serve with an offering,
nor wearied you with incense."
"Thou hast brought Me no sweet cane with money,
neither hast thou filled Me with the fat of thy sacrifices;
but thou hast made Me to serve with thy sins,
thou hast wearied Me with your iniquities."
" I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for My own sake,
and will not remember your sins.
Put Me in rememberance;
let us plead together:
declare thou, that thou mayest be justified."
"Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against Me.
Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sancturary,
and have given Jacob to the curse,
and Israel to reproaches."
"Yet now hear, O Jacob, My servant:
and Israel, whom I have chosen:
Thus saith the LORD that made thee,
and formed thee from the womb,
which will help thee:
Fear not, O Jacob, My servant;
and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen."
"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty,
and floods upon the dry ground:
I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed,
and My blessing upon thy offspring."
"And they shall spring up as among the grass,
as willows by the water courses.
One shall say, I am the LORD'S,
and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob;
and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD,
and surname himself by the name of Israel."
"Thus saith the LORD,
the King of Israel,
and His Redeemer,
the LORD of Hosts;
I am the First,
and I am the Last;
and beside Me there is no God."
"And who as I, shall call, and shall declare it,
and set it in order for Me,
since I appointed the ancient people?
and the things that are coming, and shall come,
let them show unto them."
"Fear ye not, neither be afraid;
have not I told you from that time,
and have I not declared it?
Ye are even My witnesses.
Is there a God beside Me?
yea, there is no God,
I know not any."
Our Father rules over all. We are in His hands and no one, or nothing can seperate us from His love. Fear not! He is with us! Be not dismayed, He is our God!
During the seasons of judgment for disobedience our Heavenly Father offers a way of escape. That way is a sincere, heart changing return to His principles, His will and His law which is written upon the hearts of those who know Him.
During Israel's disobedience He created the mighty armies that arose against them to punish them. During their seasons of obedience He also defeated anything that arose against Israel. This principle will never change because He, and His ways do not change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. There is no shadow of turning with Him. Unlike us, He does not wake up one morning in a foul mood and gripe, groan and readily rebuke anyone that comes across His path! He is described as a God of compassion, mercy and great forgiveness when true repentance occurs.
If necessary, He will create the chariot and the horse, the army and their power to oppose anything that rises up against Him, or anything that threatens His workings in us. Humankind has a tendecy to go its own way. When we realize our mistake(s), after a season of chastizement, which is often needed, His tender mercies are poured forth like an ocean. He will rebuke the enemies of our soul and declare that we are forgiven because we are in His Son. Even the forces that have arisen up to oppose us will have to admit that it is only He that can possibly give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert places. He gives drink to His people because we are His. He has set us aside as His special treasure among all the the worldly systems, beliefs, and forces that oppose Him as the only One and True God.
He does this not because of our righteousness; never! He does this to show forth His praise, His power, His soverienty over the affairs of men. We must not grow weary in this process. We must always remember who is God! In His great mercy He promises to blot our our transgressions and to not remember our sins. Our fathers have sinned, or priests have sinned, we have sinned; yet He willingly forgives. Such mercy!
He almost begs us to present our case before Him and defend our actions. He pleads for us to reason with Him, that we may somehow justify our actions. In the end, His will breaks forth as the rushing of mighty waters that have been restrained. He will pour water on those who are thirsty. He has brought us forth from the womb and we are never forgotten by Him; no matter how we feel at any given time. He is always there.
We will declare the praises of God and will be called by His Name. One shall say, "I am the LORD'S " another shall call themselves by the name of Jacob, another shall carve the LORD into everything that they do. The God of Israel is our God for He is the first and the last. He is the LORD of Hosts (armies). Only He knows the things that are coming. He has appointed the times and the seasons of the nations and of individuals. No one can change what He has set forth.
He admonishes those of us who declare that He is our God, and only Him, to have no fear; do not be afraid. We are His witnesses in this dark, lost and troubled world. The passages of Scripture from Isaiah confim these principles:
ISAIAH 43:13-28 and 44:1-8
" Yea, before the day was, I am He;
and here is none that can deliver out of My hand:
I will work, and who will change it?"
"Thus saith the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel;
for your sake I have sent unto Babylon (the world),
and have brought down all of their nobles, and the Chaldeans
whose cry is in the ships."
" I am the LORD, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King"
"Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters;
Which bringeth forth the chariot and the horse, the army and the power;
they shall lay down together, they shall not rise:
They are extinct, they are quenched like a candle wick."
"Remember ye not the former things,
neither the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing;
NOW IT SHALL SPRING FORTH (my caps)
shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness;
and rivers in the desert."
"The beast of the field shall honor Me,
the dragons and the owls:
because I give waters in the wilderness,
and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My people, My chosen."
"This people I have formed for Myself;
they shall show forth My praise.
But they have not called upon Me, O Jacob;
but thou hast been weary of Me, O Israel."
"Thou hast not brought Me the small cattle of thy burnt offerings,
neither hast thou honored Me with your sacrifices.
I have not caused you to serve with an offering,
nor wearied you with incense."
"Thou hast brought Me no sweet cane with money,
neither hast thou filled Me with the fat of thy sacrifices;
but thou hast made Me to serve with thy sins,
thou hast wearied Me with your iniquities."
" I, even I, am He that blotteth out thy transgressions for My own sake,
and will not remember your sins.
Put Me in rememberance;
let us plead together:
declare thou, that thou mayest be justified."
"Thy first father hath sinned, and thy teachers have transgressed against Me.
Therefore I have profaned the princes of the sancturary,
and have given Jacob to the curse,
and Israel to reproaches."
"Yet now hear, O Jacob, My servant:
and Israel, whom I have chosen:
Thus saith the LORD that made thee,
and formed thee from the womb,
which will help thee:
Fear not, O Jacob, My servant;
and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen."
"For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty,
and floods upon the dry ground:
I will pour My Spirit upon thy seed,
and My blessing upon thy offspring."
"And they shall spring up as among the grass,
as willows by the water courses.
One shall say, I am the LORD'S,
and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob;
and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD,
and surname himself by the name of Israel."
"Thus saith the LORD,
the King of Israel,
and His Redeemer,
the LORD of Hosts;
I am the First,
and I am the Last;
and beside Me there is no God."
"And who as I, shall call, and shall declare it,
and set it in order for Me,
since I appointed the ancient people?
and the things that are coming, and shall come,
let them show unto them."
"Fear ye not, neither be afraid;
have not I told you from that time,
and have I not declared it?
Ye are even My witnesses.
Is there a God beside Me?
yea, there is no God,
I know not any."
Our Father rules over all. We are in His hands and no one, or nothing can seperate us from His love. Fear not! He is with us! Be not dismayed, He is our God!
Monday, October 27, 2008
SEA & BIRDS!
My wife and I took a short vacation to the Outer Banks of North Carolina this past weekend. We stayed in a beach front hotel. The weather was not summer like; maybe because it is almost November! Two distinct thoughts occured during those two days.
There was a storm off shore. The waves were reaching 7 to 10 feet in height. It ocean was troubled and angry. I was reminded of a verse in the book of Job when God confronts Job and his three "comforters." Job and his friends thought they had things pretty well figured out regarding the workings and ways of God; as have I during times of confidence and strong faith. I have even at times told God how He could, or worse yet, should do something! As I watched the violent waves I realized how this was a perfect example of the majesty and power of God, even when it is restrained. At the end of his grevious trial, God ask Job and his friends if they were there when He created the mighty oceans and set bars, or limits to how far they could go. These four men spoke as if they knew every working of God and had explainations for them all.
God put them in thier place in short order by His probing and revealing questions to them. Just as the mighty ocean, in all of its anger is restrained, so the enemy of our soul is also restrained by our Father. Our trials can go so far, and no farther. God has set a limit to this also.
As I was standing on the balcony of the hotel around sunrise yesterday morning, with the wind blowing around 30 miles per hour, I saw huge sea birds moving up the shore line. What was amazing is that in this powerful wind, they were not even flapping or moving their wings! They were riding the currents, and it looked like they were enjoying themselves.
A gentle thought came to me that I should be like those birds. I heard a tender soft voice in my spirit telling me to watch the birds. I felt that as long as I stay in the current of the Spirit of God through prayer, reading His word and living in a way pleasing to Him, I can withstand any strong storm that comes my way.
The storms that have come upon our nation recently will surely intensify. But, as long as we remember that God has set a limit to how far the violent and stormy waves can come upon our shores. He will always give us the ability to navigate and successfully ride the stormy winds as long as we stay in Him. What we are facing as individuals and as a nation are not a summer day at the beach full of relaxation and leisure. But, no matter the gales that blow upon us, we have great confidence that we can, and will, mount up on wings as eagles. He who has promised is Faithful and True.
His children will not beg for bread. We can be happy and satisfied with shelter, food and clothing. We have to remember that this is more than the majority of the world has ever had. The LORD makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters.
There was a storm off shore. The waves were reaching 7 to 10 feet in height. It ocean was troubled and angry. I was reminded of a verse in the book of Job when God confronts Job and his three "comforters." Job and his friends thought they had things pretty well figured out regarding the workings and ways of God; as have I during times of confidence and strong faith. I have even at times told God how He could, or worse yet, should do something! As I watched the violent waves I realized how this was a perfect example of the majesty and power of God, even when it is restrained. At the end of his grevious trial, God ask Job and his friends if they were there when He created the mighty oceans and set bars, or limits to how far they could go. These four men spoke as if they knew every working of God and had explainations for them all.
God put them in thier place in short order by His probing and revealing questions to them. Just as the mighty ocean, in all of its anger is restrained, so the enemy of our soul is also restrained by our Father. Our trials can go so far, and no farther. God has set a limit to this also.
As I was standing on the balcony of the hotel around sunrise yesterday morning, with the wind blowing around 30 miles per hour, I saw huge sea birds moving up the shore line. What was amazing is that in this powerful wind, they were not even flapping or moving their wings! They were riding the currents, and it looked like they were enjoying themselves.
A gentle thought came to me that I should be like those birds. I heard a tender soft voice in my spirit telling me to watch the birds. I felt that as long as I stay in the current of the Spirit of God through prayer, reading His word and living in a way pleasing to Him, I can withstand any strong storm that comes my way.
The storms that have come upon our nation recently will surely intensify. But, as long as we remember that God has set a limit to how far the violent and stormy waves can come upon our shores. He will always give us the ability to navigate and successfully ride the stormy winds as long as we stay in Him. What we are facing as individuals and as a nation are not a summer day at the beach full of relaxation and leisure. But, no matter the gales that blow upon us, we have great confidence that we can, and will, mount up on wings as eagles. He who has promised is Faithful and True.
His children will not beg for bread. We can be happy and satisfied with shelter, food and clothing. We have to remember that this is more than the majority of the world has ever had. The LORD makes a way in the sea, and a path in the mighty waters.
Friday, October 17, 2008
PRECIOUS PROMISES
Jesus is our High Priest. We have an advocate with the Father. The promises in the whole Bible belong to those who acknowledge His position, His sacrifice, His holiness and His position in the eternal heaven of heavens. This is a day by day lifestyle; not only once upon salvation and baptism. It is a way of life for us.
I was reading this morning from the Book of Deuteronomy in Chapter 26:3,18,19 of the position we as a designated nation of priests (intercessors), one new person in Christ Jesus. The veil of the temple was torn asunder, from top to bottom (from heaven to earth) when He paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. His sacrifice reverberated throughout the entire universe. Things changed for all of eternity.
The verses in Deuteronomy say that we shall go to the Priest who is in office at that time (for us this is Christ) and say to Him, I declare this day to the LORD my God that I have entered the Land which the LORD sworeth to our fathers to give us. This is a land of milk and honey. Although living in a sinful world, surrounded by the influences of the enemy, spiritually we are residents of a land of milk and honey. While living with and for Him, we are seperate and holy unto God.
The verses continue to declare that we are to be, and we are, His people, a treasured possession to Him and He has promised us as we keep all of His commandments. The most important of these being to love the LORD our God with all of our heart, soul and mind. If we do this, all other things will fall into place.
He promises that He will set us high above all nations, and He made them all, to be a praise, for fame and for honor. He says we will be a consecrated (set apart) people to the LORD our God. He has declared and it is so.
Hebrews 10:19-22 declares unequivocally tht we have confidence to enter into the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which He inagurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh. Since we have such a great High Priest over the entire house of God (all of creation; the universe included) if we draw near unto Him with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience our bodies washed with pure water (a daily, hourly process that never stops while here on this polluted planet), LET US HOLD FAST the confession of our hope without WAVERING, for He who promised is faithful.
I cannot imagine being a High Priest, who went into the Holy of Holies once a year into the very presence of God. What an awesome, fearful thought. If he were to have any stain, sin or if he did not enter in the proper manner, he was a dead man! But now, through Christ, we can boldly enter into the presence of the Father to make our petitions known. And, most important of all, we have an Advocate sitting at His right hand; a position of authority. May our petition be to be more like Him, to fulfill the His admonition and promise that we are His treasured possession and that we keep all of His commandments. He will truly set us in a high place in the heavenlies (which is where all of the action is occuring, after all) and that we will be high above the distress, sin and worry here on earth. He has made us for His praise, His fame, His honor as we continue to consecrate (set ourselves apart) to the LORD our God.
I am reminded of song I learned as a child in Vacation Bible School. How important it is for us today:
"Every promise in the Book is mine;
Every chapter, every verse, every line"
Let us continue to encourage one another to love and perform good deeds in His name. Draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.
I was reading this morning from the Book of Deuteronomy in Chapter 26:3,18,19 of the position we as a designated nation of priests (intercessors), one new person in Christ Jesus. The veil of the temple was torn asunder, from top to bottom (from heaven to earth) when He paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sin. His sacrifice reverberated throughout the entire universe. Things changed for all of eternity.
The verses in Deuteronomy say that we shall go to the Priest who is in office at that time (for us this is Christ) and say to Him, I declare this day to the LORD my God that I have entered the Land which the LORD sworeth to our fathers to give us. This is a land of milk and honey. Although living in a sinful world, surrounded by the influences of the enemy, spiritually we are residents of a land of milk and honey. While living with and for Him, we are seperate and holy unto God.
The verses continue to declare that we are to be, and we are, His people, a treasured possession to Him and He has promised us as we keep all of His commandments. The most important of these being to love the LORD our God with all of our heart, soul and mind. If we do this, all other things will fall into place.
He promises that He will set us high above all nations, and He made them all, to be a praise, for fame and for honor. He says we will be a consecrated (set apart) people to the LORD our God. He has declared and it is so.
Hebrews 10:19-22 declares unequivocally tht we have confidence to enter into the Holy Place by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way which He inagurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh. Since we have such a great High Priest over the entire house of God (all of creation; the universe included) if we draw near unto Him with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience our bodies washed with pure water (a daily, hourly process that never stops while here on this polluted planet), LET US HOLD FAST the confession of our hope without WAVERING, for He who promised is faithful.
I cannot imagine being a High Priest, who went into the Holy of Holies once a year into the very presence of God. What an awesome, fearful thought. If he were to have any stain, sin or if he did not enter in the proper manner, he was a dead man! But now, through Christ, we can boldly enter into the presence of the Father to make our petitions known. And, most important of all, we have an Advocate sitting at His right hand; a position of authority. May our petition be to be more like Him, to fulfill the His admonition and promise that we are His treasured possession and that we keep all of His commandments. He will truly set us in a high place in the heavenlies (which is where all of the action is occuring, after all) and that we will be high above the distress, sin and worry here on earth. He has made us for His praise, His fame, His honor as we continue to consecrate (set ourselves apart) to the LORD our God.
I am reminded of song I learned as a child in Vacation Bible School. How important it is for us today:
"Every promise in the Book is mine;
Every chapter, every verse, every line"
Let us continue to encourage one another to love and perform good deeds in His name. Draw near to Him, He will draw near to us.
Monday, October 13, 2008
TODAY IS THE TIME
We live in a dirty world. We are surrounded by dirty, sinful things. We need daily prayer and repentance of actions, thoughts and words. As one Brother has said, we are baptized once when we become Believers, but we still need to shower daily! Our spiritual shower is the washing of our spirit with the Word and through prayer.
Today I was drawn to Psalm 32:5-8. King David says:
" I acknowledge my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide:
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD
and You forgave the guilt of my sin."
A dose of daily confession for sins, thoughts, actions should be my practice, immediately after these things occur. If they come to mind before I turn in for the evening, or as I am falling to sleep, they should be repented of immediately. Our time here is short. A day is coming when God said let those who are holy, remain holy; and let those who are unholy remain unholy still.
Right now we live in a marvelous day of grace. This day will draw to a close. We cannot continue to treat eternal things lightly in these last of days.
David continues to say to let everyone who is Godly pray to Him in a time when God may be found. The inference here is that there is coming a time when He cannot be found; it will be too late. It is too late when the flood of great waters and adversity hit. If we stay in prayer continually the flood will not devestate us. The waters will not overflow us. The time when it is too late is when one has not prayed, repented, or has not been close to God for a long period of time. When the great waters of adversity come there is no time to prepare; all we can do is panic and react.
There can be great peace in adversity; at times that is all we have. It is easily manageable if we were just talking to God this morning! We are confident that He is right here. Then, we can confidently say, as King David said, "Thou art my hiding place, Thou doest preserve me from trouble. Thou doest surround me with songs of deliverance!"
What is important in my interpretation of this verse and the importance of staying close to God, right beside Him, is the way He teaches and instructs us. In verse 9-11 of the same Chapter in Psalms, God admonishes that we " not be like the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings (garments-part of their regular attire) are bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near you."
During the flood the sorrows of the wicked are many. But for those who trust in the LORD lovingkindness will surround them. David ends this song with assurance and encouragement for us to "be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you His upright ones. And shout for joy all you who are upright in heart."
We cannot take spending time with God lightly; as if He will always be there. There is inference in the Bible that He may not be at our every beck and call when we desire. We need to establish and confirm our relationship with Him on a daily basis. Isaiah 55:6 says,"Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near."
This concept is further confirmed in Jeremiah 29:13,14, "And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with ALL OF YOUR HEART." This requires more than a casual relationship. It takes our all.
There is a day coming when He may not be available for those who have not spent quality time searching for Him, praying to Him, thanking and rejoicing in who He is.
Amos 7:7-9 says -
(7) Thus He shewed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. (8) And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: (9) And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
What an awesome, awful thought!
My reading of Psalm 32 today reminded me to continue to "pray to Him in a time when He may be found." Spend time with Him to establish a relationship, to build a friendship, to learn to know His voice; because when the great floods of waters come, it will be to late.
I do not want to be swept away. I want to be confident that I know He is still here with me; I want to have the confidence and faith He is right here; because I was just speaking with HIM!!
Today I was drawn to Psalm 32:5-8. King David says:
" I acknowledge my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I did not hide:
I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD
and You forgave the guilt of my sin."
A dose of daily confession for sins, thoughts, actions should be my practice, immediately after these things occur. If they come to mind before I turn in for the evening, or as I am falling to sleep, they should be repented of immediately. Our time here is short. A day is coming when God said let those who are holy, remain holy; and let those who are unholy remain unholy still.
Right now we live in a marvelous day of grace. This day will draw to a close. We cannot continue to treat eternal things lightly in these last of days.
David continues to say to let everyone who is Godly pray to Him in a time when God may be found. The inference here is that there is coming a time when He cannot be found; it will be too late. It is too late when the flood of great waters and adversity hit. If we stay in prayer continually the flood will not devestate us. The waters will not overflow us. The time when it is too late is when one has not prayed, repented, or has not been close to God for a long period of time. When the great waters of adversity come there is no time to prepare; all we can do is panic and react.
There can be great peace in adversity; at times that is all we have. It is easily manageable if we were just talking to God this morning! We are confident that He is right here. Then, we can confidently say, as King David said, "Thou art my hiding place, Thou doest preserve me from trouble. Thou doest surround me with songs of deliverance!"
What is important in my interpretation of this verse and the importance of staying close to God, right beside Him, is the way He teaches and instructs us. In verse 9-11 of the same Chapter in Psalms, God admonishes that we " not be like the horse or as the mule which have no understanding, whose trappings (garments-part of their regular attire) are bit and bridle to hold them in check, otherwise they will not come near you."
During the flood the sorrows of the wicked are many. But for those who trust in the LORD lovingkindness will surround them. David ends this song with assurance and encouragement for us to "be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you His upright ones. And shout for joy all you who are upright in heart."
We cannot take spending time with God lightly; as if He will always be there. There is inference in the Bible that He may not be at our every beck and call when we desire. We need to establish and confirm our relationship with Him on a daily basis. Isaiah 55:6 says,"Seek ye the LORD while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near."
This concept is further confirmed in Jeremiah 29:13,14, "And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with ALL OF YOUR HEART." This requires more than a casual relationship. It takes our all.
There is a day coming when He may not be available for those who have not spent quality time searching for Him, praying to Him, thanking and rejoicing in who He is.
Amos 7:7-9 says -
(7) Thus He shewed me: and, behold, the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumbline, with a plumbline in his hand. (8) And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumbline. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumbline in the midst of my people Israel: I will not again pass by them any more: (9) And the high places of Isaac shall be desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste; and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.
What an awesome, awful thought!
My reading of Psalm 32 today reminded me to continue to "pray to Him in a time when He may be found." Spend time with Him to establish a relationship, to build a friendship, to learn to know His voice; because when the great floods of waters come, it will be to late.
I do not want to be swept away. I want to be confident that I know He is still here with me; I want to have the confidence and faith He is right here; because I was just speaking with HIM!!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
WHO AM I?
Today I have been considering the plight of Job as recorded in Job 40. I do not think that any man other than the Messiah Himself has a record of more suffering than Job. I can identify with his attempts to justify himself before his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. I can also identify with Job's desire to present His case before God Himself. He said as much in his pleas to his friends.
In his suffering he said that his desire was to appear before the Almighty to justify himself. He said that he would "wear his righteousness as a crown" and "appear as a prince before Him." In Chapter 23 he boldly proclaims "Oh that I knew where I might find Him! That I might come even to His seat."
I remember dozens of times when I was ready, and I felt able to present my argument for something I wanted, a prayer I wanted answered, not soon, but immediately from God. I wanted the answer right now, and a lot of it. I have been absolutely convinced that I was in the right and deserved my answer. I was even telling God how I wanted Him to answer my request! After reading just one chapter of Job I repent of my stupidity. Where did I get the idea that I could make demands of God? Was it something I read, something I was taught in church, or did it come from my imaturity? I feel it was a lot of all of these things.
God suddenly appears before Job! He instructs Job to stand up like a man so He can demand of him answers in the same manner in which Job had demanded answers from Him. This is not exactly what Job had in mind! Imagine, Job was eaten up with boils, he had to be covered with dry blood from scratching with sores over his entire body. He used broken pottery shards from the ash heap on which he was living to scratch the boils.
I feel that the encounter from my present perspective comes down to this; Should God receive instruction from me? God ask Job just as much-should God receive instruction from man? I tend to forget, He is the Potter, I am the clay! Can the ax contend with He who wields it?
Job had no problem justifying himself before his friends in argument. Perhaps he knew, and perhaps he was more righteous than they; evidently he was because Satan picked out Job in particular to set himself against. But, when God appears, Job is dumbfounded. He immediately covered his mouth and said he was no more than a vain,vile creature before God. He said he was nothing, less than nothing, worse than nothing in His Presence. What a change of heart after meeting the Almighty.
I have demanded and desired an audience with God in times of stress for seemingly unanswered or delayed prayer requests or circumstances. I sense what Job was thinking; just to see God briefly, at least then, " I would fill my mouth with arguements and know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me." Like Job, if God were to answer this demand I would be awestruck, silent and realize my foolishness in thinking I was justified in any way before Him. I am ashamed at such thoughts.
I can adequately contend with friends and usually do not yeild if I feel I am just in a matter. I usually argue my thoughts successfully and like Job, stress my opinion violently. I stand my ground. But, when God appears! What a change of attitude. Job grew immediately silent, submissive, and humble before the Almighty.
God asks Job, "do you have an arm like I do, can you thunder with a voice like Me?" can you do the things that I do? Go ahead, Job, deck yourself with majesty and excellency, array yourself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad, through out the entire earth, or universe for that matter, your wrath against everything that is proud and then abase these things. In other words, who do you think you are to question My ways, My motives, My will? God asks him "if you can disannul My judgment, or reverse My decisions, will this make you righteous if I am condemned? Job, who are you to condemn Me?
This is what I do when I question God. If I do not agree with His timing, I am worse than Job. Consider, Job did not have the New Testament. When taken in context with Job's trials, I have the promises of Jesus Himself and the witness of the Holy Spirit that His words are true. I have heard countless, hundreds of sermons expounding on the promises of God to me as a Believer. Job had none of this. And I still pray and try to justify myself before God?
Job did not have God Himself come down, born of a little Jewish virgin, making Himself manifest for all to see. I have the precious promises of Christ that He would be with me always, even to the end of the world; and yet I doubt God and question His ways? How brazen of me.
How thoughtless and selfish of me.
God has promised me that "lo, He is with me always." I interpret this this way, LOW, He is with me always. If I set myself out of the equasion, if I stay low and humble, He will hear my requests. I am to enter into His presence with praise and thanksgiving; not demands. He alone is the Potter, I am the clay. From dust I came and to dust I will return. The love and humility of our Father is beyond comprehension. He has tolerated my demands and patiently awaits for me to find the correct path to praying His way.
God is in the process of shattering our demand for instant gratification and immediate answers to our questions of Him and demands. He does not manage a universal spiritual fast food drive through window for His children. He says those who WAIT UPON the LORD shall renew their strength. Lord teach me to wait! He promises He will be found if we search for Him with all of our heart. He is a life giving Sprit, a quickening Spirit. We will need every bit of this that we can get in the coming days.
He has promised to make His abode with us. As we yeild more and more of ourselves, He increases in proportion to our yielding. By myself, like Job, I am vile and vain. I cannot justify myself or my actions in the Presence of the Almighty. I lay my hands upon my mouth and repent of proud, rash statements I have made in the past.
Precious promises He has given. If we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt us in due time. We are to walk humbly before God; after reading of Job's ordeal in a new light, I repent of all demanding prayers I have bombarded heaven with. We can approach the throne with boldness, with assurance that He hears, he knows and that He will answer our prayers. This boldness is not in an arrogance, as some do, but an assurance of who He is and who we are through Messiah.
I am thankful that He has chosen us as His children. I praise Him for who He is. Thus, I enter into His courts with thanksgiving and praise.
In his suffering he said that his desire was to appear before the Almighty to justify himself. He said that he would "wear his righteousness as a crown" and "appear as a prince before Him." In Chapter 23 he boldly proclaims "Oh that I knew where I might find Him! That I might come even to His seat."
I remember dozens of times when I was ready, and I felt able to present my argument for something I wanted, a prayer I wanted answered, not soon, but immediately from God. I wanted the answer right now, and a lot of it. I have been absolutely convinced that I was in the right and deserved my answer. I was even telling God how I wanted Him to answer my request! After reading just one chapter of Job I repent of my stupidity. Where did I get the idea that I could make demands of God? Was it something I read, something I was taught in church, or did it come from my imaturity? I feel it was a lot of all of these things.
God suddenly appears before Job! He instructs Job to stand up like a man so He can demand of him answers in the same manner in which Job had demanded answers from Him. This is not exactly what Job had in mind! Imagine, Job was eaten up with boils, he had to be covered with dry blood from scratching with sores over his entire body. He used broken pottery shards from the ash heap on which he was living to scratch the boils.
I feel that the encounter from my present perspective comes down to this; Should God receive instruction from me? God ask Job just as much-should God receive instruction from man? I tend to forget, He is the Potter, I am the clay! Can the ax contend with He who wields it?
Job had no problem justifying himself before his friends in argument. Perhaps he knew, and perhaps he was more righteous than they; evidently he was because Satan picked out Job in particular to set himself against. But, when God appears, Job is dumbfounded. He immediately covered his mouth and said he was no more than a vain,vile creature before God. He said he was nothing, less than nothing, worse than nothing in His Presence. What a change of heart after meeting the Almighty.
I have demanded and desired an audience with God in times of stress for seemingly unanswered or delayed prayer requests or circumstances. I sense what Job was thinking; just to see God briefly, at least then, " I would fill my mouth with arguements and know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say to me." Like Job, if God were to answer this demand I would be awestruck, silent and realize my foolishness in thinking I was justified in any way before Him. I am ashamed at such thoughts.
I can adequately contend with friends and usually do not yeild if I feel I am just in a matter. I usually argue my thoughts successfully and like Job, stress my opinion violently. I stand my ground. But, when God appears! What a change of attitude. Job grew immediately silent, submissive, and humble before the Almighty.
God asks Job, "do you have an arm like I do, can you thunder with a voice like Me?" can you do the things that I do? Go ahead, Job, deck yourself with majesty and excellency, array yourself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad, through out the entire earth, or universe for that matter, your wrath against everything that is proud and then abase these things. In other words, who do you think you are to question My ways, My motives, My will? God asks him "if you can disannul My judgment, or reverse My decisions, will this make you righteous if I am condemned? Job, who are you to condemn Me?
This is what I do when I question God. If I do not agree with His timing, I am worse than Job. Consider, Job did not have the New Testament. When taken in context with Job's trials, I have the promises of Jesus Himself and the witness of the Holy Spirit that His words are true. I have heard countless, hundreds of sermons expounding on the promises of God to me as a Believer. Job had none of this. And I still pray and try to justify myself before God?
Job did not have God Himself come down, born of a little Jewish virgin, making Himself manifest for all to see. I have the precious promises of Christ that He would be with me always, even to the end of the world; and yet I doubt God and question His ways? How brazen of me.
How thoughtless and selfish of me.
God has promised me that "lo, He is with me always." I interpret this this way, LOW, He is with me always. If I set myself out of the equasion, if I stay low and humble, He will hear my requests. I am to enter into His presence with praise and thanksgiving; not demands. He alone is the Potter, I am the clay. From dust I came and to dust I will return. The love and humility of our Father is beyond comprehension. He has tolerated my demands and patiently awaits for me to find the correct path to praying His way.
God is in the process of shattering our demand for instant gratification and immediate answers to our questions of Him and demands. He does not manage a universal spiritual fast food drive through window for His children. He says those who WAIT UPON the LORD shall renew their strength. Lord teach me to wait! He promises He will be found if we search for Him with all of our heart. He is a life giving Sprit, a quickening Spirit. We will need every bit of this that we can get in the coming days.
He has promised to make His abode with us. As we yeild more and more of ourselves, He increases in proportion to our yielding. By myself, like Job, I am vile and vain. I cannot justify myself or my actions in the Presence of the Almighty. I lay my hands upon my mouth and repent of proud, rash statements I have made in the past.
Precious promises He has given. If we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt us in due time. We are to walk humbly before God; after reading of Job's ordeal in a new light, I repent of all demanding prayers I have bombarded heaven with. We can approach the throne with boldness, with assurance that He hears, he knows and that He will answer our prayers. This boldness is not in an arrogance, as some do, but an assurance of who He is and who we are through Messiah.
I am thankful that He has chosen us as His children. I praise Him for who He is. Thus, I enter into His courts with thanksgiving and praise.
ANTI CHRIST AND HIS SYSTEM
I have read dozens of web sites of persons, prophets, ministries; doctrinal statements and denominational thesis regarding this man, or system called Antichrist.
Most ask or predict who the Antichrist is, from which country or region he comes, and when he may come to power. These are truly issues that are spoken of in the Bible; especially in the Book of Daniel and Revelation. Christ Himself alluded to this man by saying "you have rejected Me but another will come that you will accept."
As Believers we know with certainty a world monentary system will arise where no one can buy or sell unless they pay allegience to this system by receiving a mark on their forehead or hand. The Bible speaks of such a system.
My main concern at present is not who this man of perdition is, but it is in the energy being used to point out who this man is, where he comes from, and when and how he comes to power. Jesus said these things must be. This has to happen before He returns. If this is so, why do Believers resist the rise of this man of perdition? If this must happen before Messiah returns, should we not be anxiously awaiting Antichrist's stepping onto the world scene! Just food for thought; do not be offended.
Look at this thought in this context; If I were a Bride awaiting my Groom, I would do everything possible, watch every sign of His coming, and made sure I was spotless, clean, pure and that my garments were spotless. I would want to be something He would desire when He came to get me. If this one thing, the Antichrist system had to arise before He came for me, I would be praying that it would hurry up and happen; would I not?
The fact that so many are fighting the rise of the Antichrist, perhaps, is because they are NOT READY for the Bridegroom? Are they comfortable the way things are? If the Groom is coming now, that means I have to clean up my act and prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually for the union. But, if He were to delay His coming, I have more time to sit on my lees and just dream of the day; I have to do nothing right now, right?
Instead of preparing for the coming of the Groom, we would rather fight the Antichrist and his system that is being established. What a waste of energy and resources. One world government, our sovereignty is being negotiated away, the system will become one with the world system. SO WHAT! What does that have to do with me? I am a citizen of another Kingdom, the Kingdom of God Almighty.
Proverbs 21:1 says that "Just as the water is turned into irrigation ditches, so the LORD directs the kings thoughts. He turns then wherever He wants him to..."
World leaders of the G8 are meeting today in Washington, D.C. They will reach a decision God knew they would reach even before they met! It is all under His control. God influences leaders decisions to meet HIS timetable. If recent history is needed for confirmation, consider Hitler's rash decision to invade Russia while he was tied down with Britain and the possible entry of the USA into the war. Even his generals were aghast at this decision; but Germany invaded anyway. This one event led to the defeat of the Nazi defeat. God put it into Hitler's heart to invade Russia.
Has God put into the heart of our President to invade both Afghanistan and Iraq at the same time? It appears so. We are spending tens of billions of dollars monthly, and blood and turmoil for our nation in the process. We have truly become the tail, and not the head of nations. We are borrowers, not lenders. This is of God. Read the book of Deuteronomy chapters 28 and 29 for a Biblical perspective of blessings for obedience and curses, yes curses, for disobedience. It is right there in black and white.
God has said that He will put a hook into the jaw of the nation of the north country, I believe as do others that this is Russia, to invade Israel. Russia will be cut to pieces.
He rules in the heavens. He controls events here on earth. I do not want to waste the little precious time left trying to figure out who is who in this final chapter of human history as we have known it. I want to spend the time left drawing closer to my Father; getting more intimate with Him, pleasing Him, adoring Him for who He is. He said that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. This is of the utmost importance in these day of turmoil.
There is no prize in Heaven for the one who figured out who the Antichrist is. There will be chatisement for those who wasted so much time trying to figure it out, though. Why did we spend so much time on someone who is going to be cast into the lake of fire with Satan, for eternity? The Bible says that when this thing is all over, we will look on the one who caused so much trouble on this earth, Satan, and be amazed that we were so worried, so distressed, so tormented by such a being. It is almost as if we, in our new bodies, will look upon him with distain and unbelief that someone like him could do such a thing.
God said emphatically that if we rebuke Satan, he will flee from us. FLEE FROM US! I am not going to spend as much time concentrating on the poor soul that allows Satan to inhabit his body but for a short 7 years. When this disparing one does arise on the world scene, should there not be rejoicing among the Saints of the Most High because we know without a doubt that we are finally going home to be with our Groom?
It's time to comb our hair, shampoo and shower, clean up our wedding garments, keep them pressed and ready, fill up our vessels will Holy Spirit oil and prepare to take a short trip! Our Groom is on His way! Lift up your heads, our redemption is near.
I want Him to be beaming when He sees us! In the blink of an eye, we are with our Beloved!
Most ask or predict who the Antichrist is, from which country or region he comes, and when he may come to power. These are truly issues that are spoken of in the Bible; especially in the Book of Daniel and Revelation. Christ Himself alluded to this man by saying "you have rejected Me but another will come that you will accept."
As Believers we know with certainty a world monentary system will arise where no one can buy or sell unless they pay allegience to this system by receiving a mark on their forehead or hand. The Bible speaks of such a system.
My main concern at present is not who this man of perdition is, but it is in the energy being used to point out who this man is, where he comes from, and when and how he comes to power. Jesus said these things must be. This has to happen before He returns. If this is so, why do Believers resist the rise of this man of perdition? If this must happen before Messiah returns, should we not be anxiously awaiting Antichrist's stepping onto the world scene! Just food for thought; do not be offended.
Look at this thought in this context; If I were a Bride awaiting my Groom, I would do everything possible, watch every sign of His coming, and made sure I was spotless, clean, pure and that my garments were spotless. I would want to be something He would desire when He came to get me. If this one thing, the Antichrist system had to arise before He came for me, I would be praying that it would hurry up and happen; would I not?
The fact that so many are fighting the rise of the Antichrist, perhaps, is because they are NOT READY for the Bridegroom? Are they comfortable the way things are? If the Groom is coming now, that means I have to clean up my act and prepare mentally, physically, and spiritually for the union. But, if He were to delay His coming, I have more time to sit on my lees and just dream of the day; I have to do nothing right now, right?
Instead of preparing for the coming of the Groom, we would rather fight the Antichrist and his system that is being established. What a waste of energy and resources. One world government, our sovereignty is being negotiated away, the system will become one with the world system. SO WHAT! What does that have to do with me? I am a citizen of another Kingdom, the Kingdom of God Almighty.
Proverbs 21:1 says that "Just as the water is turned into irrigation ditches, so the LORD directs the kings thoughts. He turns then wherever He wants him to..."
World leaders of the G8 are meeting today in Washington, D.C. They will reach a decision God knew they would reach even before they met! It is all under His control. God influences leaders decisions to meet HIS timetable. If recent history is needed for confirmation, consider Hitler's rash decision to invade Russia while he was tied down with Britain and the possible entry of the USA into the war. Even his generals were aghast at this decision; but Germany invaded anyway. This one event led to the defeat of the Nazi defeat. God put it into Hitler's heart to invade Russia.
Has God put into the heart of our President to invade both Afghanistan and Iraq at the same time? It appears so. We are spending tens of billions of dollars monthly, and blood and turmoil for our nation in the process. We have truly become the tail, and not the head of nations. We are borrowers, not lenders. This is of God. Read the book of Deuteronomy chapters 28 and 29 for a Biblical perspective of blessings for obedience and curses, yes curses, for disobedience. It is right there in black and white.
God has said that He will put a hook into the jaw of the nation of the north country, I believe as do others that this is Russia, to invade Israel. Russia will be cut to pieces.
He rules in the heavens. He controls events here on earth. I do not want to waste the little precious time left trying to figure out who is who in this final chapter of human history as we have known it. I want to spend the time left drawing closer to my Father; getting more intimate with Him, pleasing Him, adoring Him for who He is. He said that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us. This is of the utmost importance in these day of turmoil.
There is no prize in Heaven for the one who figured out who the Antichrist is. There will be chatisement for those who wasted so much time trying to figure it out, though. Why did we spend so much time on someone who is going to be cast into the lake of fire with Satan, for eternity? The Bible says that when this thing is all over, we will look on the one who caused so much trouble on this earth, Satan, and be amazed that we were so worried, so distressed, so tormented by such a being. It is almost as if we, in our new bodies, will look upon him with distain and unbelief that someone like him could do such a thing.
God said emphatically that if we rebuke Satan, he will flee from us. FLEE FROM US! I am not going to spend as much time concentrating on the poor soul that allows Satan to inhabit his body but for a short 7 years. When this disparing one does arise on the world scene, should there not be rejoicing among the Saints of the Most High because we know without a doubt that we are finally going home to be with our Groom?
It's time to comb our hair, shampoo and shower, clean up our wedding garments, keep them pressed and ready, fill up our vessels will Holy Spirit oil and prepare to take a short trip! Our Groom is on His way! Lift up your heads, our redemption is near.
I want Him to be beaming when He sees us! In the blink of an eye, we are with our Beloved!
Friday, October 10, 2008
GREAT COMFORT
"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower."
(Psalm 18:2)
King David covered all of the bases in this one verse! God is no respector of persons, He treats wealthy and poor, healthy or ill, jobless or unemployed, homeowner or renter the same. He is God, He does not change. What He has established from the beginning of time remains today and will remain in the eternal. We can take great comfort in this. There is no shadow of turning with our Father!
How can David confidently boast that God is all of the things he mentions in verse 2? Did he just sit down one morning and put to pen whatever happened to enter his mind? NO!
David, like each of us have days, weeks, or even seasons when we need a:
* ROCK TO STAND UPON
* A FORTRESS IN WHICH TO HIDE
* A GOD WE CAN CALL OUR VERY OWN
* STRENGTH FOR THE DAY OR SEASON
* SOMEONE IN WHOM WE CAN TRUST
* A BUCKLER, SOMEONE TO HOLD US TOGETHER
* SOMEONE STRONG IN OUR SALVATION AND ASSURANCE OF THAT
* A HIGH TOWER IN WHICH TO ESCAPE
God is all of these things. David knew this because he needed and experienced the deliverance, the shelter, the salvation of the Almighty. We are to hang tight, trusting in Him until we can proclaim, as King David does in verse 6 of Chapter 18 " In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears."
No matter our current issues, no matter the darkness and hopelessness whether it regard an unanswered prayers, lost loved ones, economic issues, or a calling that seems to be on hold, HE HEARS! Verse 11 says He makes darkness His secret place; His pavilion round about Him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
In gross darkness, He is there. He can be found there. He has never left, nor will He ever if we trust in Him. There are lessons to be learned in this darkness. As a person's skills are enhanced when we lose one or two of our faculties, I believe He tends to put us into situations where it is just me, and Him. One on one, as it were.
The foundations of the earth shake at His presence. The hills melt when He appears out of His temple. He will draw us out of the many waters that try to encompase us, He will send from above and make it happen. He will bring us into a large place and deliver us because He delights in His children! He will lighten our candle ( our spirits,our witness) we will see through the darkness, run through the troop of difficulties, and our feet will be like deer feet; jumping over the hills and valleys, through Him.
Our Beloved waits for us. He wants to teach us to war successfully through Him. He will enlarge our steps and our feet will not slip. He will gird us with strength and subdue those who arise up against us. He will give us the necks of our enemies so that we might destroy them; enemies of doubt, fear, unbelief, unanswered prayers, and any and everything that opposes Him living His life through us.
As we walk through this strange land in which He has placed us, we can confidently say with King David:
"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness:
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness."
(Psalm 17:15)
His banner over us is LOVE!
(Psalm 18:2)
King David covered all of the bases in this one verse! God is no respector of persons, He treats wealthy and poor, healthy or ill, jobless or unemployed, homeowner or renter the same. He is God, He does not change. What He has established from the beginning of time remains today and will remain in the eternal. We can take great comfort in this. There is no shadow of turning with our Father!
How can David confidently boast that God is all of the things he mentions in verse 2? Did he just sit down one morning and put to pen whatever happened to enter his mind? NO!
David, like each of us have days, weeks, or even seasons when we need a:
* ROCK TO STAND UPON
* A FORTRESS IN WHICH TO HIDE
* A GOD WE CAN CALL OUR VERY OWN
* STRENGTH FOR THE DAY OR SEASON
* SOMEONE IN WHOM WE CAN TRUST
* A BUCKLER, SOMEONE TO HOLD US TOGETHER
* SOMEONE STRONG IN OUR SALVATION AND ASSURANCE OF THAT
* A HIGH TOWER IN WHICH TO ESCAPE
God is all of these things. David knew this because he needed and experienced the deliverance, the shelter, the salvation of the Almighty. We are to hang tight, trusting in Him until we can proclaim, as King David does in verse 6 of Chapter 18 " In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears."
No matter our current issues, no matter the darkness and hopelessness whether it regard an unanswered prayers, lost loved ones, economic issues, or a calling that seems to be on hold, HE HEARS! Verse 11 says He makes darkness His secret place; His pavilion round about Him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies.
In gross darkness, He is there. He can be found there. He has never left, nor will He ever if we trust in Him. There are lessons to be learned in this darkness. As a person's skills are enhanced when we lose one or two of our faculties, I believe He tends to put us into situations where it is just me, and Him. One on one, as it were.
The foundations of the earth shake at His presence. The hills melt when He appears out of His temple. He will draw us out of the many waters that try to encompase us, He will send from above and make it happen. He will bring us into a large place and deliver us because He delights in His children! He will lighten our candle ( our spirits,our witness) we will see through the darkness, run through the troop of difficulties, and our feet will be like deer feet; jumping over the hills and valleys, through Him.
Our Beloved waits for us. He wants to teach us to war successfully through Him. He will enlarge our steps and our feet will not slip. He will gird us with strength and subdue those who arise up against us. He will give us the necks of our enemies so that we might destroy them; enemies of doubt, fear, unbelief, unanswered prayers, and any and everything that opposes Him living His life through us.
As we walk through this strange land in which He has placed us, we can confidently say with King David:
"As for me, I will behold Thy face in righteousness:
I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with Thy likeness."
(Psalm 17:15)
His banner over us is LOVE!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
FEAR NOT!
" Fear not, for I AM is with you. Be not dismayed, for He is our God. He will strengthen us; He will help us; He will uphold us with the right hand of His righteousness.". (Isaiah 41:10).
In these times of turmoil He is aware of our situation; not in a general sense, but in a very personal, intimate sense. He is, after all and above all, our Father. He is leading this nation in a way it has not experienced since the Great Depression and WWI and WWII. Believers and Children of the Most High are going for the ride. Our confidence is in Him! Not the US Government. He has declared war on all that has resisted Him over the recent decades; kicking Him our of our school system, not allowing His basic, moral, all encompassing Ten Commandments to be displayed in the public square. Now, to add insult to injury, US textbooks that our children are learning from say that Jesus was a Palestinian! Dividing His Land is now established policy.
All nations before Him are as nothing. But His children are everything. He will not allow the Bride of His Son Jesus to fall so as to never rise again. During this time of national and worldwide crisis, there is calm beside His throne. He has declared the end of all things and the way it would happen before the earth was even created!
Who has measured the waters (oceans, seas, underground steams) in the hallow of His hand? Who measured out the heavens with the span of His hand? Who weighted the dust of planet earth and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills on a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD and counseled Him or taught Him? To whom will we liken our Father?
(Isaiah 40).
It is our Father who sits in the heavens and upon the circle of the earth. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. As we look into the heavens we can rest assured, in total faith, that He gives power to the faint of heart. To those who have no strength He increases might. Even when the youth who are full of vigor and strength grow weary of the struggle here on earth; He suddenly arises upon our spirits and gives strength, vigor, victory and praise. If we wait upon the LORD, He will renew our strength. We will once again mount up with wings like eagles. We will walk and not grow weary. We shall run and not grow faint.
Teach me LORD to wait upon you!
Beleivers are being made into sharp threashing instruments that have teeth! Through our faith we will threash through the mountains that have fallen upon us and beat them small as dust. The hills will turn into chaff and be blown away in the whirlwind coming upon the entire world.
In the coming wilderness, He will open rivers in the high places and fountains in the middle of our valleys. The wilderness will become a pool of water and the dry ground will become a land of springs of water. He will plant in this wilderness trees and the desert will become fruitful.
Why does He do things like this? He gives the answer in verse 20 of Chapter 41~
"So that they might see,
and know,
and consider,
and understand together,
that the hand of the LORD hath done this,
and the Holy One of Israel hath created it!"
We have been called to be His witnesses. A holy nation seperated from the world system- Totally different from it. Through the events we are about to suffer, He will arise on our behalf so others will see. The faith, calmness, love of God and praise coming from our lips will be a witness, our witness, to the lost and dying. He is not willing that any should perish; but that ALL should come to eternal life in Him.
If we are called to be priests and kings, then our duty is to intercede on behalf of our neighbors and those we know. May God send them to our doors in these times of turmoil and uncertainty and may His Spirit be upon us continually so we can, through our yeilding to Him lead our friends, coworkers, and neighbors to Him.
The events unfolding before our eyes serve several purposes from an eternal perspective. They are His judgments for our sins and through this judgment, many will come to know Him, through us. There will be no place else to go for comfort and peace. Jesus said, His peace He gives us; not the peace the world offers, but His peace. No One was more tormented that our Saviour. Yet, He speaks of peace! Our well of everlasting peace is staying in the Presence of our Father. We are eternal beings. Our trials and tribulations are but for a short season. One day soon we will be in His eternal Presence forevermore.
In His Presence is fullness of joy! Look up; our redemption is near!
In these times of turmoil He is aware of our situation; not in a general sense, but in a very personal, intimate sense. He is, after all and above all, our Father. He is leading this nation in a way it has not experienced since the Great Depression and WWI and WWII. Believers and Children of the Most High are going for the ride. Our confidence is in Him! Not the US Government. He has declared war on all that has resisted Him over the recent decades; kicking Him our of our school system, not allowing His basic, moral, all encompassing Ten Commandments to be displayed in the public square. Now, to add insult to injury, US textbooks that our children are learning from say that Jesus was a Palestinian! Dividing His Land is now established policy.
All nations before Him are as nothing. But His children are everything. He will not allow the Bride of His Son Jesus to fall so as to never rise again. During this time of national and worldwide crisis, there is calm beside His throne. He has declared the end of all things and the way it would happen before the earth was even created!
Who has measured the waters (oceans, seas, underground steams) in the hallow of His hand? Who measured out the heavens with the span of His hand? Who weighted the dust of planet earth and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills on a balance? Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD and counseled Him or taught Him? To whom will we liken our Father?
(Isaiah 40).
It is our Father who sits in the heavens and upon the circle of the earth. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. As we look into the heavens we can rest assured, in total faith, that He gives power to the faint of heart. To those who have no strength He increases might. Even when the youth who are full of vigor and strength grow weary of the struggle here on earth; He suddenly arises upon our spirits and gives strength, vigor, victory and praise. If we wait upon the LORD, He will renew our strength. We will once again mount up with wings like eagles. We will walk and not grow weary. We shall run and not grow faint.
Teach me LORD to wait upon you!
Beleivers are being made into sharp threashing instruments that have teeth! Through our faith we will threash through the mountains that have fallen upon us and beat them small as dust. The hills will turn into chaff and be blown away in the whirlwind coming upon the entire world.
In the coming wilderness, He will open rivers in the high places and fountains in the middle of our valleys. The wilderness will become a pool of water and the dry ground will become a land of springs of water. He will plant in this wilderness trees and the desert will become fruitful.
Why does He do things like this? He gives the answer in verse 20 of Chapter 41~
"So that they might see,
and know,
and consider,
and understand together,
that the hand of the LORD hath done this,
and the Holy One of Israel hath created it!"
We have been called to be His witnesses. A holy nation seperated from the world system- Totally different from it. Through the events we are about to suffer, He will arise on our behalf so others will see. The faith, calmness, love of God and praise coming from our lips will be a witness, our witness, to the lost and dying. He is not willing that any should perish; but that ALL should come to eternal life in Him.
If we are called to be priests and kings, then our duty is to intercede on behalf of our neighbors and those we know. May God send them to our doors in these times of turmoil and uncertainty and may His Spirit be upon us continually so we can, through our yeilding to Him lead our friends, coworkers, and neighbors to Him.
The events unfolding before our eyes serve several purposes from an eternal perspective. They are His judgments for our sins and through this judgment, many will come to know Him, through us. There will be no place else to go for comfort and peace. Jesus said, His peace He gives us; not the peace the world offers, but His peace. No One was more tormented that our Saviour. Yet, He speaks of peace! Our well of everlasting peace is staying in the Presence of our Father. We are eternal beings. Our trials and tribulations are but for a short season. One day soon we will be in His eternal Presence forevermore.
In His Presence is fullness of joy! Look up; our redemption is near!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
GLORY OF KEDAR
I was given a Scripture exactly one year ago this month. It is underlined in my Bible and I have kept going back to it. I have a personal reason to hold onto this passage; and I thought it was just for me, from God.
I now am confident that it is for all Believers. It concerns the glory of Kedar evaporating like smoke. The passage is in Isaiah Chapter 21:16: " For thus hath the LORD said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail; and the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it."
The description of the word Kedar is darkness, a curse or to morn in sackcloth. Kedar was a son of Ishmael; the eternal enemy of Israel since the days of promise given by God. The seperation took place between the holy and unholy, the Godly mindset and character and the ungodly, angry, violent mindset of mankind. Given our present situation regarding the economic judgments that have just started in America, this verse is a mirror of our sins as a nation.
In the chambers of finance around the nation, devices have been used to trick millions of families into loans they could not afford and now it is payday. Dark secret sentences in contracts, with the hopes that all would work out as housing values continued to soar, have turned ordinary citizens into slaves at present, and possibly bankruptcy and homelessness in the near future. Our greed, our desire to get something from nothing has led us over the abyss.
In the same Chapter in Isaiah 21:2,3,and 4, I cry with the Prophet at what is happening. " A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing therof have I made to cease. Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath He turned into fear unto me."
As I watch the economic news my heart pants and I am fearful. The night of my pleasure, the free wheeling, spending, project oriented side of me has, not slowly ground to a halt, but has been suddenly violently shaken. It is like hitting a brick wall at 120 miles an hour!
Last year, in September 2007, the verse speaking of the glory of Kedar falling within a year, I took to mean that I would be delivered from personal debt burdens. I now see the verse in new light. The glory of the entire Capitalist system we have forced on nations of the world has begun to collapse. I was listening the other evening on a National Public Radio program that economists from other nations where their governments have capitalized companies, gas and fuel concerns, banks and such, are laughing at the US economic system we have tried to push on their governments.
The dark system of greed, abundance, wealth and prosperity has fallen on its face. Our system has been exposed for what it is, bankrupt. The holders of wealth, stocks and bonds are not sleeping well of late. We are crying, as Isaiah did in Chapter 21:9,10, "And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen,. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods He hath broken unto the ground. O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you."
The corn on my floor, the threshings of my work in the natural are truly laying on my threshing floor. All scents of Babylon in my life, finance, and thought life are being exposed and destroyed before my eyes. Only what is of, and for God will remain. He truly sits as a Refiner of gold and silver. He sits at the controls and adjusts the heat as needed!
I strongly feel in my spirit that the reason we are being judged in such severity is the stand our nation has taken on Israel. We have forced her to surrender land, His Land, and He has said that those who burden themselves with Jerusalem, His City, will be cut to pieces. Our economy is a perfect example. In one day, this past Monday, investors, bankers, mutual funds and companies lost 1.2 trillion dollars! The Dow Jones lost 777 points in one day. Tuesday it recovered 400 points and it was touted as a major rally! Everything will return to normal as soon as the Recovery Plan is passed by Congress. Such foolishness, such arrogance.
Jerusalem is now on the table in the secret, dark rooms of Kedar, the US Department of State. Here is what God says of Jerusalem~
Psalm 48
" Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God (Jerusalem)
in the mountain of His holiness.
Beautiful for situation,
the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion,
on the sides of the north,
the city of the Great King. "
" God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
For, lo, the kings were assembled,
they passed by together.
They saw it, and so they marvelled;
they were troubled and hasted away. "
" Fear took hold upon them there,
and pain,
as of a woman in travail.
Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of Host,
in the city of our God.
God will establish it forever. " Selah.
" We have thought of Thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of Thy temple.
According to Thy Name, O God,
so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth;
Thy right hand is full of righteousness. "
" Let Mount Zion rejoice,
let the daughters of Judah be glad,
because of Thy judgments. "
" Walk about Zion, and go round about her:
tell the towers thereof.
Mark ye well her bulwarks,
consider her palaces;
that ye may tell it to the generation following. "
" For this God is our God forever and ever:
He will be our guide even unto death. "
Better that America had never heard of Israel or Jerusalem when this verse is taken into context. It is like someone who hears a salvation message and ignores it. It would be better for that person on the Day of Judgment if they had never heard, than to hear and reject.
We have touched the apple of God's eye. We are dividing His land. We are being punished. God does not have an American flag on His desk! We are just a nation, like all other nations. If we do not change course quickly and repent of our actions we will end up like a Third world nation; full of poverty, disease, hunger and homelessness. We are but dust on the scales.
Israel will survive. God has determined!
I now am confident that it is for all Believers. It concerns the glory of Kedar evaporating like smoke. The passage is in Isaiah Chapter 21:16: " For thus hath the LORD said unto me, Within a year, according to the years of a hireling, and all the glory of Kedar shall fail; and the residue of the number of archers, the mighty men of the children of Kedar shall be diminished: for the LORD God of Israel hath spoken it."
The description of the word Kedar is darkness, a curse or to morn in sackcloth. Kedar was a son of Ishmael; the eternal enemy of Israel since the days of promise given by God. The seperation took place between the holy and unholy, the Godly mindset and character and the ungodly, angry, violent mindset of mankind. Given our present situation regarding the economic judgments that have just started in America, this verse is a mirror of our sins as a nation.
In the chambers of finance around the nation, devices have been used to trick millions of families into loans they could not afford and now it is payday. Dark secret sentences in contracts, with the hopes that all would work out as housing values continued to soar, have turned ordinary citizens into slaves at present, and possibly bankruptcy and homelessness in the near future. Our greed, our desire to get something from nothing has led us over the abyss.
In the same Chapter in Isaiah 21:2,3,and 4, I cry with the Prophet at what is happening. " A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing therof have I made to cease. Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it. My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath He turned into fear unto me."
As I watch the economic news my heart pants and I am fearful. The night of my pleasure, the free wheeling, spending, project oriented side of me has, not slowly ground to a halt, but has been suddenly violently shaken. It is like hitting a brick wall at 120 miles an hour!
Last year, in September 2007, the verse speaking of the glory of Kedar falling within a year, I took to mean that I would be delivered from personal debt burdens. I now see the verse in new light. The glory of the entire Capitalist system we have forced on nations of the world has begun to collapse. I was listening the other evening on a National Public Radio program that economists from other nations where their governments have capitalized companies, gas and fuel concerns, banks and such, are laughing at the US economic system we have tried to push on their governments.
The dark system of greed, abundance, wealth and prosperity has fallen on its face. Our system has been exposed for what it is, bankrupt. The holders of wealth, stocks and bonds are not sleeping well of late. We are crying, as Isaiah did in Chapter 21:9,10, "And, behold, here cometh a chariot of men, with a couple of horsemen,. And he answered and said, Babylon is fallen, is fallen; and all the graven images of her gods He hath broken unto the ground. O my threshing, and the corn of my floor: that which I have heard of the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, have I declared unto you."
The corn on my floor, the threshings of my work in the natural are truly laying on my threshing floor. All scents of Babylon in my life, finance, and thought life are being exposed and destroyed before my eyes. Only what is of, and for God will remain. He truly sits as a Refiner of gold and silver. He sits at the controls and adjusts the heat as needed!
I strongly feel in my spirit that the reason we are being judged in such severity is the stand our nation has taken on Israel. We have forced her to surrender land, His Land, and He has said that those who burden themselves with Jerusalem, His City, will be cut to pieces. Our economy is a perfect example. In one day, this past Monday, investors, bankers, mutual funds and companies lost 1.2 trillion dollars! The Dow Jones lost 777 points in one day. Tuesday it recovered 400 points and it was touted as a major rally! Everything will return to normal as soon as the Recovery Plan is passed by Congress. Such foolishness, such arrogance.
Jerusalem is now on the table in the secret, dark rooms of Kedar, the US Department of State. Here is what God says of Jerusalem~
Psalm 48
" Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God (Jerusalem)
in the mountain of His holiness.
Beautiful for situation,
the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion,
on the sides of the north,
the city of the Great King. "
" God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
For, lo, the kings were assembled,
they passed by together.
They saw it, and so they marvelled;
they were troubled and hasted away. "
" Fear took hold upon them there,
and pain,
as of a woman in travail.
Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of Host,
in the city of our God.
God will establish it forever. " Selah.
" We have thought of Thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of Thy temple.
According to Thy Name, O God,
so is Thy praise unto the ends of the earth;
Thy right hand is full of righteousness. "
" Let Mount Zion rejoice,
let the daughters of Judah be glad,
because of Thy judgments. "
" Walk about Zion, and go round about her:
tell the towers thereof.
Mark ye well her bulwarks,
consider her palaces;
that ye may tell it to the generation following. "
" For this God is our God forever and ever:
He will be our guide even unto death. "
Better that America had never heard of Israel or Jerusalem when this verse is taken into context. It is like someone who hears a salvation message and ignores it. It would be better for that person on the Day of Judgment if they had never heard, than to hear and reject.
We have touched the apple of God's eye. We are dividing His land. We are being punished. God does not have an American flag on His desk! We are just a nation, like all other nations. If we do not change course quickly and repent of our actions we will end up like a Third world nation; full of poverty, disease, hunger and homelessness. We are but dust on the scales.
Israel will survive. God has determined!
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