We've Made Our
Choice 06-24-16
Psalm 31:5 (ESV) 5 Into your hand I
commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful
God
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You know,I have sang that song on many,
many, many occasions in church. It was a favorite in the church I attended for
most of my adult life. I have seen and been a recipient of countless moves of
the Holy Spirit invoked while singing this song. It was just one of those songs
that God used to stir the people.
The title today and the song was inspired
by a group of people across the pond in Britain. You know.......;I'm sure by now
you have heard of the "Brexit" vote yesterday. The folks in the U.K. voted to
leave the European Union. They made a choice. It went against conventional
wisdom from virtually every front. These folks voted to leave, knowing that it
would probably mean some painful readjusting both economic and political in
their lives. Indeed, if one reads the commentaries and opinions being offered
the day after, one must come to the conclusion that this choice is in conflict
with the wisdom of this world; and the world is responding. Voicing it's
disapproval through stock market turmoil and political uncertainty the world
over. However, those folks unmoved and unintimidated by the conventional wisdom
of their day, MADE THEIR CHOICE.
Which by the way dear Christian brother
and sister,brings me to my point. If you have asked the Lord Jesus Christ to be
your Savior. If you count yourself as one of the Blood Bought and trust The Lord
Jesus to see you safely through, then you, dear Child Of God, HAVE MADE A CHOICE
haven't you? Indeed you have Praise The Almighty God!!
Now that choice may have cost you some
pain in this life. Maybe you have been battered around in this world. Maybe your
hull is scarred and beat up. Maybe you have been mocked and made fun of by the
wisdom of this world.Indeed, there are some in this world that are suffering
physical persecution and martyrdom for the choice they have made.
But.........
BUT........there's coming a day. There's
coming a day when the wisdom and systems of this world are going to be shown for
exactly what they are in God's eyes........foolishness.
1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV) 25 For the
foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than
men.
1 Corinthians 1:21 (ESV) 21 For since, in
the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God
through the folly of what we preach to save those who
believe.
This old world looks pretty dark right
now. But, as the song says, God has a people and they're never going to be
vanquished. A CHURCH TRIUMPHANT. That battered and beat up ship is going to
carry you safely home one of these days. We, as the sheep of His pasture, have
committed our spirits into the hands of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel.
Hold on Child Of God, the best is yet to come.The church is alive and well
brothers and sisters!
If you have never made Jesus Christ your
Lord and Savior, DO IT NOW. MAKE THAT CHOICE! HE'S COMING BACK!!
Revelation 1:8 (ESV) 8 “I am the Alpha
and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the
Almighty.”
Revelation 22:20 (ESV) 20 He who
testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming
soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
For we've settled the question,we've made
our choice.
Psalm 25:12 (ESV) 12 Who is the man
who fears the LORD? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.
God Bless
Friday, June 24, 2016
Saturday, June 18, 2016
War Of
Words 06-18-16
2 Chronicles 20:15 (ESV) 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
I was talking with a friend at work this week about being drafted. We live today in the era of the professional military. However, back in the old school days we were drafted, conscripted is a better word,into Uncle Sam's war machine. Your number came up and off you went.Some of us, like the author chose to join a service when my number came up; but, it was all the same, compulsory military service. Anyway, when my friend spoke of being drafted my ears perked up.
He explained to me that a battle had been joined in personal life. He had not asked for, nor had he sought this battle. It was a set of circumstances that he had not signed up for,but the enemy had spied him out anyway. He was compelled in his gut to do something. He told me he felt like he had been drafted. That ever happened to you? I would venture that we all have been "drafted" at one time or another in our lives.Our conversation this week past set me to thinking; and a couple of passages came to mind while my buddy spoke of the "war of words" swirling around these circumstances.
You know how it goes don't you? Stuff happens, opinions form and before we know it we have a fight on our hands. We see it on Facebook all the time. Back and forth, back and forth, with each post becoming more malicious and vindictive. In the end nothing is resolved, relationships are damaged or outright destroyed and the truth is buried under an avalanche of words.However, to his eternal credit, Jehosaphat took a different tack didn't he? Look at this.
The Bible speaks about a great multitude that came against Jehoshaphat FOR BATTLE. He wasn't looking for it, it just showed up. Jehoshaphat was drafted!
It also says that Jehoshaphat was afraid. But, and here it is, look at the war of words Jehoshaphat waged.He didn't rattle a sword. He didn't send a messenger(the Facebook of his day)with threats and accusations, no, no. What did he do?
2 Chronicles 20:3 (ESV) 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
You see Jehoshaphat refused to put his hand on it.He stilled himself and decided to let God be the judge. He set his face to seek the Lord. He prayed, fasted and let God choose. What was God's response? Look at this.
2 Chronicles 20:17 (ESV) 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”
"......stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord......"
Brothers and sisters, many times life will draft us to fight a battle not of our choosing. Our flesh will scream at us to retaliate against the attacks of the enemy in our power. To take it upon ourselves to defend our position. I know from past experience.Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel did have to "go out against them" but he Lord did the fighting. And herein lieth the lesson. We rarely, if ever have all the facts and NEVER have all the truth. GOD ALMIGHTY IS THE ONLY TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS JUDGE. We are best served if we take it to the Lord and stand firm, hold our position, and let the Lord do as he sees fit.
Sometimes His decision may perplex us but rest assured His decision is righteous, and we must trust Him to do the right thing. If the war of words that we wage is waged in our prayer closet, then we may be absolutely certain that we will see the salvation of the Lord no matter what. Amen? AMEN!!
Psalm 31:1-2 (ESV) 1
In you, O
LORD, do I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame; in
your righteousness deliver me!
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!
God Bless
.
2 Chronicles 20:15 (ESV) 15 And he said, “Listen, all Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem and King Jehoshaphat: Thus says the LORD to you, ‘Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde, for the battle is not yours but God’s.
I was talking with a friend at work this week about being drafted. We live today in the era of the professional military. However, back in the old school days we were drafted, conscripted is a better word,into Uncle Sam's war machine. Your number came up and off you went.Some of us, like the author chose to join a service when my number came up; but, it was all the same, compulsory military service. Anyway, when my friend spoke of being drafted my ears perked up.
He explained to me that a battle had been joined in personal life. He had not asked for, nor had he sought this battle. It was a set of circumstances that he had not signed up for,but the enemy had spied him out anyway. He was compelled in his gut to do something. He told me he felt like he had been drafted. That ever happened to you? I would venture that we all have been "drafted" at one time or another in our lives.Our conversation this week past set me to thinking; and a couple of passages came to mind while my buddy spoke of the "war of words" swirling around these circumstances.
You know how it goes don't you? Stuff happens, opinions form and before we know it we have a fight on our hands. We see it on Facebook all the time. Back and forth, back and forth, with each post becoming more malicious and vindictive. In the end nothing is resolved, relationships are damaged or outright destroyed and the truth is buried under an avalanche of words.However, to his eternal credit, Jehosaphat took a different tack didn't he? Look at this.
The Bible speaks about a great multitude that came against Jehoshaphat FOR BATTLE. He wasn't looking for it, it just showed up. Jehoshaphat was drafted!
It also says that Jehoshaphat was afraid. But, and here it is, look at the war of words Jehoshaphat waged.He didn't rattle a sword. He didn't send a messenger(the Facebook of his day)with threats and accusations, no, no. What did he do?
2 Chronicles 20:3 (ESV) 3 Then Jehoshaphat was afraid and set his face to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
You see Jehoshaphat refused to put his hand on it.He stilled himself and decided to let God be the judge. He set his face to seek the Lord. He prayed, fasted and let God choose. What was God's response? Look at this.
2 Chronicles 20:17 (ESV) 17 You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed. Tomorrow go out against them, and the LORD will be with you.”
"......stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord......"
Brothers and sisters, many times life will draft us to fight a battle not of our choosing. Our flesh will scream at us to retaliate against the attacks of the enemy in our power. To take it upon ourselves to defend our position. I know from past experience.Jehoshaphat and the children of Israel did have to "go out against them" but he Lord did the fighting. And herein lieth the lesson. We rarely, if ever have all the facts and NEVER have all the truth. GOD ALMIGHTY IS THE ONLY TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS JUDGE. We are best served if we take it to the Lord and stand firm, hold our position, and let the Lord do as he sees fit.
Sometimes His decision may perplex us but rest assured His decision is righteous, and we must trust Him to do the right thing. If the war of words that we wage is waged in our prayer closet, then we may be absolutely certain that we will see the salvation of the Lord no matter what. Amen? AMEN!!
Psalm 31:1-2 (ESV) 1
2 Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!
God Bless
.
Friday, June 10, 2016
Urgent Need
Urgent
Need 06-10-16
Titus 3:14 (ESV) 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
A thought.
Oftentimes these days I wander off in my mind (getting older smile). Let's see, where was I? Oh yes, I remember now. I wander off in my mind and wonder about the plight of those Christians suffering such persecution in the Middle East and many other parts of the world. I remember seeing a picture a couple of years ago of a small girl laying dead on a floor in Iraq. I remember the anger and frustration I felt which litreally brought me to tears while gazing on that child. I remember wishing that I could somehow and in someway avenge that child of the horror and abuse she suffered. I also remember the Lord putting that verse in my heart that vengeance was His and He would indeed make things right in His time and in His way. I had such compassion for that child.
That being said, I read a book many, many years ago, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Some folks like him, some don't. I fall into the like category. At any rate, one of the points in the book concerned a "strategy" of the devil in dealing with God's elect. You and me. It went like this. The enemy doesn't care about our compassion and desire to help those in the world. Nope. He will gladly encourage us to feel all the compassion and love for those in THE world. What he doesn't want is for us to be compassionate and kind to those whom reside in OUR world. It's O.K. to love someone in Iraq just don't love that person sitting on your living room couch.
Understand that the most "urgent needs" are living in your home. They are sharing your bed. They live next door or down the street. They are the folk you and I see everyday.I remember while my mother was still living, the Lord spoke to my heart one day. I was thinking about "doing" something for the Lord. You know how that goes. I can't even remember what it was. Anyway, He spoke gently to my heart and said I need look no further than the next bedroom to "see clearly" my vision and ministry for the Lord.
God's work many times is staring us dead in the face. We just miss it because we aren't looking in the right places.
Psalm 89:11 (ESV) 11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
God Bless
Titus 3:14 (ESV) 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
A thought.
Oftentimes these days I wander off in my mind (getting older smile). Let's see, where was I? Oh yes, I remember now. I wander off in my mind and wonder about the plight of those Christians suffering such persecution in the Middle East and many other parts of the world. I remember seeing a picture a couple of years ago of a small girl laying dead on a floor in Iraq. I remember the anger and frustration I felt which litreally brought me to tears while gazing on that child. I remember wishing that I could somehow and in someway avenge that child of the horror and abuse she suffered. I also remember the Lord putting that verse in my heart that vengeance was His and He would indeed make things right in His time and in His way. I had such compassion for that child.
That being said, I read a book many, many years ago, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. Some folks like him, some don't. I fall into the like category. At any rate, one of the points in the book concerned a "strategy" of the devil in dealing with God's elect. You and me. It went like this. The enemy doesn't care about our compassion and desire to help those in the world. Nope. He will gladly encourage us to feel all the compassion and love for those in THE world. What he doesn't want is for us to be compassionate and kind to those whom reside in OUR world. It's O.K. to love someone in Iraq just don't love that person sitting on your living room couch.
Understand that the most "urgent needs" are living in your home. They are sharing your bed. They live next door or down the street. They are the folk you and I see everyday.I remember while my mother was still living, the Lord spoke to my heart one day. I was thinking about "doing" something for the Lord. You know how that goes. I can't even remember what it was. Anyway, He spoke gently to my heart and said I need look no further than the next bedroom to "see clearly" my vision and ministry for the Lord.
God's work many times is staring us dead in the face. We just miss it because we aren't looking in the right places.
Psalm 89:11 (ESV) 11 The heavens are yours; the earth also is yours; the world and all that is in it, you have founded them.
God Bless
Friday, June 3, 2016
Rescued
Rescued
06-03-16
2 Timothy 4:18 (ESV) 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Short and sweet this week.
Have you ever been rescued? I literally have. And more than likely the quick actions of my rescuer probably spared my life. At any rate, as I thought about that verse today a picture from June 5, 1989(I researched the date) came sharply into focus in my mind's eye. It was from Tianamen Square in China. Do you remember? A solitary man with two shopping bags in his hand, walked out and stood in front of a moving column of tanks, in a protest against the military crackdown on a student protest. A brief,but very intense standoff ensued and then it was over. The man has never been identified, nor has his safety and well being been determined. He is known simply known as Tank Man. It's worth a watch.
Now, the wisdom of his actions may be debated by some but that is moot isn't it? For a brief moment, this brave man was not controlled by fear, or the consequences of his actions. For those brief minutes this man was moved by his convictions. He resisted evil with selfless determination.
Sometimes in this life, we ae confronted with evil aren't we. It may be a head on, face to face confrontation; but, more than likely it appears very subtly and steathily. But, one thing is for sure, it originates from the enemy of our souls and it's intent is our devastation. Paul, however made a bold proclamation didn't he? He asserted that THE LORD would rescue us from EVERY EVIL DEED, and bring us safely home. When and how God chooses to deliver us is not the issue is it? Our final outcome rests in God's hands; and, he has promised those who name the name of Jesus a safe landing.
Our responsibility is to trust in the Lord, yield to His leading as best we can, and stand by our CONVICTIONS. IS THAT RIGHT OR NOT? You see God has made clear how we are to resist the evil that pursues us and our loved ones. Go read Ephesians 6.
After having taken up the WHOLE armor of God, having prayed and spent time alone with God being strengthened and encouraged by Him, then and only then are we ready to stand.
Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Look at the next two words in vs.14. "Stand therefore.........."
That word therefore means "Because of or for this reason"
Brothers and sisters, if we will seek God and His wisdom, for that reason we can stand against the evil onslaughts in the power of our convictions. Our rescue is promised.
Psalm 40:13-14 (ESV) 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
God Bless
2 Timothy 4:18 (ESV) 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Short and sweet this week.
Have you ever been rescued? I literally have. And more than likely the quick actions of my rescuer probably spared my life. At any rate, as I thought about that verse today a picture from June 5, 1989(I researched the date) came sharply into focus in my mind's eye. It was from Tianamen Square in China. Do you remember? A solitary man with two shopping bags in his hand, walked out and stood in front of a moving column of tanks, in a protest against the military crackdown on a student protest. A brief,but very intense standoff ensued and then it was over. The man has never been identified, nor has his safety and well being been determined. He is known simply known as Tank Man. It's worth a watch.
Now, the wisdom of his actions may be debated by some but that is moot isn't it? For a brief moment, this brave man was not controlled by fear, or the consequences of his actions. For those brief minutes this man was moved by his convictions. He resisted evil with selfless determination.
Sometimes in this life, we ae confronted with evil aren't we. It may be a head on, face to face confrontation; but, more than likely it appears very subtly and steathily. But, one thing is for sure, it originates from the enemy of our souls and it's intent is our devastation. Paul, however made a bold proclamation didn't he? He asserted that THE LORD would rescue us from EVERY EVIL DEED, and bring us safely home. When and how God chooses to deliver us is not the issue is it? Our final outcome rests in God's hands; and, he has promised those who name the name of Jesus a safe landing.
Our responsibility is to trust in the Lord, yield to His leading as best we can, and stand by our CONVICTIONS. IS THAT RIGHT OR NOT? You see God has made clear how we are to resist the evil that pursues us and our loved ones. Go read Ephesians 6.
After having taken up the WHOLE armor of God, having prayed and spent time alone with God being strengthened and encouraged by Him, then and only then are we ready to stand.
Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Look at the next two words in vs.14. "Stand therefore.........."
That word therefore means "Because of or for this reason"
Brothers and sisters, if we will seek God and His wisdom, for that reason we can stand against the evil onslaughts in the power of our convictions. Our rescue is promised.
Psalm 40:13-14 (ESV) 13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me! O LORD, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt!
God Bless
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