Don't
Stop
04-10-15
Mark
4:26-27 (NASB) 26 And He was saying, "The kingdom of God is like
a man who casts seed upon the soil;
27
and he goes to bed at night and gets up by
day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.
A brief thought this evening. You never know who is listening or watching do
you? My grandson came up from Georgia this week. It was a short visit, however
we were able to get together at the house and cookout. He had to go back that
very night due to the weather threat and whatnot. So, it was a couple of hours
of catching up on what been going on since we last saw him. We had dinner and
sat around and just chewed the fat,(or in Aaron's case the deer meat) for a
couple of hours, then just as quickly time for him to go rolled around.
Shelley and I rode him back down to his grandparents. On the way we talked
hastily about soccer,school, music and whatnot. Just touching all the bases as
time permitted. Somewhere down the road my grandson turned around and remarked
"oh yeah, I read your blog. It's pretty good." Well, I was taken aback.
Surprised is a better word. Trust me....I had no inkling that my 16 year old
grandson, who lives in Atlanta, would ever take the time to read his out of
touch grandfather's weekly blog. But, so he did.
As I sat in the back seat listening to"Avenged Sevenfold"...is that right
Jeremy? God spoke those words to me. "You never know." We never know when that
insignificant something that we attempt to do for God actually might see the
light of day.Someone might take the time to read or listen, and it might be
"pretty good." That's the nature of serving God. It is not in our great oratory
or our wonderful cause. It is not in our sacrifice. As a matter of fact it isn't
in ANYTHING that we do is it? No, no. Look at the above verse again.
Mark
4:26-27 (NASB) 26 And He was saying, "The kingdom of God is like
a man who casts seed upon the soil;
27
and he goes to bed at night and gets up by
day, and the seed sprouts and grows—how, he himself does not know.
All we are to do is sow the seed. Plant it. The rest is out of our hands.
More than that, it is beyond our ability. We don't know how or when or with whom
God will choose to work. Our responsibility is to plant and leave the rest up to
God.
1
Corinthians 3:6 (NASB) 6
I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth.
What you and I do for God may to us and the world appear shallow and
lifeless. But, if we are laboring for the Lord, you can bet your last dollar
that He has a purpose for it. It may seem light and insignificant to all around.
But, in the eternal regions it carries a certain amount of weight. And no matter
how small it seems, if it is of and for God, it will not return void. Don't
stop. You never know who is listening.
Psalm
18:49 (NASB) 49
Therefore I will give thanks to You among the nations, O LORD, And I will
sing praises to Your name.
God Bless
Friday, April 10, 2015
Friday, April 3, 2015
Be
Reconciled !
04-03-15
Matthew 5:24 (NASB) 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
I am not a devotional person. I have never read a devotional in my life. That being said, a couple of weeks ago I purchased my first devotional and will read it through for a year. So, here I am this morning, reading the devotional for the day. It was good and I closed it up and started to move on. Next thing I knew I had knocked the book off the table. So I bent down to pick it up and noticed it was turned to a page in January. I had not read that part of the book as I had not purchased the book until March. I glanced at the page and noticed in big black words the title"Be Reconciled!" It caught my attention and I read the entire daily devotion. It spoke mightily to my heart. In about an hour and a half, we will usher in as a memorial, the day that the greatest act of reconciliation in human history began to unfold. Passover is my favorite Jewish Holiday. The feast is dripping with symbolism and typology. To watch or read a Passover service just blows my mind because of the way Jesus is presented and yet He remains hidden to the Jewish nation as a whole by and large. At any rate, this devotional hit the mark for me today. As I thought about the price that my Lord and King paid on this day some 2000 + years ago for my RECONCILIATION! I will reprint(or type lol) that article verbatim here today. I hope that this daily devotional ministers to you as much as it did to me.It is from the "Experiencing God Day By Day" devotional, dated January 17.
Be Reconciled!
It is useless to give offerings to God while you are at enmity with your brother.Jesus said that His followers should be reconciled with anyone who has something against them. The world seeks reconciliation on limited terms.Christians are to be reconciled, whatever it takes.
You say, "But you don't know how deeply he hurt me! It's unreasonable to ask me to restore our relationship." Or," I tried but she would not be appeased." Jesus did not include an exception clause for our reconciliation. If the person is an enemy, Jesus said to love him(Matt.5:44) If he persecutes you, you are to pray for him(v.44) If she publicly humiliates you, you are not to retaliate(v.39) If someone takes advantage of you, you are to give even more than he asks(v41) The world preaches"Assert yourself." Jesus taught, "Deny yourself." The world warns that you will be constantly exploited. Jesus' concern was not that His disciples be treated fairly but that they show unconditional love to others regardless of how they are treated. Men spat upon Jesus and nailed Him to a cross. His response was our model: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing"(Luke 23:34)
If there were ever a command that is constantly disobeyed,it is this mandate to be reconciled.We comfort ourselves with the thought, "God Knows that I tried to make things right, but my enemy refused." God's Word does not say "Try to be reconciled," but "Be reconciled." Is there someone with whom you need to make peace? Then do what God tells you to do.
God Bless
Matthew 5:24 (NASB) 24 leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
I am not a devotional person. I have never read a devotional in my life. That being said, a couple of weeks ago I purchased my first devotional and will read it through for a year. So, here I am this morning, reading the devotional for the day. It was good and I closed it up and started to move on. Next thing I knew I had knocked the book off the table. So I bent down to pick it up and noticed it was turned to a page in January. I had not read that part of the book as I had not purchased the book until March. I glanced at the page and noticed in big black words the title"Be Reconciled!" It caught my attention and I read the entire daily devotion. It spoke mightily to my heart. In about an hour and a half, we will usher in as a memorial, the day that the greatest act of reconciliation in human history began to unfold. Passover is my favorite Jewish Holiday. The feast is dripping with symbolism and typology. To watch or read a Passover service just blows my mind because of the way Jesus is presented and yet He remains hidden to the Jewish nation as a whole by and large. At any rate, this devotional hit the mark for me today. As I thought about the price that my Lord and King paid on this day some 2000 + years ago for my RECONCILIATION! I will reprint(or type lol) that article verbatim here today. I hope that this daily devotional ministers to you as much as it did to me.It is from the "Experiencing God Day By Day" devotional, dated January 17.
Be Reconciled!
It is useless to give offerings to God while you are at enmity with your brother.Jesus said that His followers should be reconciled with anyone who has something against them. The world seeks reconciliation on limited terms.Christians are to be reconciled, whatever it takes.
You say, "But you don't know how deeply he hurt me! It's unreasonable to ask me to restore our relationship." Or," I tried but she would not be appeased." Jesus did not include an exception clause for our reconciliation. If the person is an enemy, Jesus said to love him(Matt.5:44) If he persecutes you, you are to pray for him(v.44) If she publicly humiliates you, you are not to retaliate(v.39) If someone takes advantage of you, you are to give even more than he asks(v41) The world preaches"Assert yourself." Jesus taught, "Deny yourself." The world warns that you will be constantly exploited. Jesus' concern was not that His disciples be treated fairly but that they show unconditional love to others regardless of how they are treated. Men spat upon Jesus and nailed Him to a cross. His response was our model: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing"(Luke 23:34)
If there were ever a command that is constantly disobeyed,it is this mandate to be reconciled.We comfort ourselves with the thought, "God Knows that I tried to make things right, but my enemy refused." God's Word does not say "Try to be reconciled," but "Be reconciled." Is there someone with whom you need to make peace? Then do what God tells you to do.
God Bless
Friday, March 20, 2015
If You
Can?
03-20-15
Mark 9:23 (NASB) 23 And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes."
I'll start by giving a shout out to my son Adrian and his lovely wife Xuan on the birth of their daughter yesterday. She was 7lb. 6oz. and I would tell you her name but the last time I talked to Adrian she didn't have one yet!! Oh well, when I hear I'll pass it on. Baby Jenkins for now will have to do.(smile) I just thank God all is well. The small details (such as names!) can wait. (smile again)
Ever have someone or something try to steal your joy or bring you down? Yeah, I thought so. It happens all the time doesn't it? As I was reading early this morning when I got home from work, I came across this passage. I looked at the reply of Jesus and started trying to figure out His mood when He said "If you can?" Some translations use a question mark(?) and some use an exclamation point(!)
Looking at that I asked myself "Was Jesus being sarcastic? Was He speaking from anger? Was He frustrated with the doubt expressed in the question?" Or maybe He was responding to an effort to steal His focus and joy. I don't know for sure, maybe it was a mixture of all of them. But, one thing for sure, it was just another effort, intentional or no, to how do we say it today?...pull Jesus off point.
Look at the bigger picture for a moment. Jesus had just been the focus of a "major moment" in His ministry hadn't He. What's that you say Ronnie? Jesus had just "come down from the mountain".
LITERALLY!! The Lord had just taken His closet confidants, His inner circle up on a mountain and had shared His true glory with them. He was transfigured before them. They saw the God in the man. If that wasn't enough, a booming voice from out of nowhere came and proclaimed that Jesus was indeed God's Son. Do you think that He was having a "mountain top" experience? Read the whole ninth chapter to get the perspective.
So, He's coming down off the mountain, spies out a large crowd arguing about something, and joins in. You know the story.. the disciples are unable to cast an unclean spirit out of a son and apparently Jesus is frustrated or irritated or something.
Mark 9:19 (NASB) 19 And He *answered them and *said, "O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!"
There's those question marks and exclamation points again. He then asks the father of the afflicted boy how long it has been going on, and, in the middle of the father's response comes the "if You can." And here is the point of my message. Jesus response. I've got this picture in my mind. See if you can relate.
"If I can?! Listen brother, I just came off this mountain where I was literally changed into my heavenly glory in front of and for the benefit of my closest friends. Not only that, my guys here heard a voice coming down from above. From God..... oh yeah He's my FATHER!! He does anything that I ask Him. Now, you're going to ask me" 'If I can??!!'"
It had to be a jolt didn't it? Well, maybe not, after all Jesus WAS and IS God. But, just between you, me and the fence post, I believe it was a jolt. A reality check. The Son of God was subject to all the "stuff" that we have to deal with. Well, it's the same with us isn't it?
You know how it goes don't you? God does a great work in your life. You have a close encounter with God at church. You get an unexpected financial blessing. A wayward child is drawn back home. A physical healing. An impossible situation made possible. The list goes on and on. It is God being God. You are rejoicing and praising God and all of a sudden here come the boo birds.
A negative reaction or statement and the battle inside you is joined. The object being to pull you off point. To get your eyes and your heart off God.It's the age old battle. God does great things for us and the devil tries to cast doubt in our hearts. It can be very easy to lose sight of just who God is and just how much power He possesses. We, much like the father in the text, can harbor doubt and fear in our heart if we allow all the negative to grab hold of us. We end up short changing ourselves by asking God to help us "if He can."
I read that God never comforts us in our doubt. He expects and demands faith.
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Yes, it is a battle to stay positive. It is a struggle to not let others pull you down. Whether intentional or not, people will steal your focus and your joy if you are not vigilant.The Bible warns us of this.
Proverbs 4:23 (NASB) 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
Was Jesus irritated or frustrated? I believe that He was. BUT, He never let it sway Him.It never interfered with His mission. He kept right on going. We get hurt, we get misunderstood, we get frustrated. It's a part of being human. The prescription for all the negative that daily surrounds us is to keep your head down and your eyes straight ahead.
Hebrews 12:2 (NASB) 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
It's not if you can, it's like the wise sage Bob the Builder says "Yes He Can!!"
Psalm 77:1 (NASB) 1
My voice rises to God, and I will cry aloud;
My voice rises to God, and He will hear
me.
God Bless
Mark 9:23 (NASB) 23 And Jesus said to him, " 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes."
I'll start by giving a shout out to my son Adrian and his lovely wife Xuan on the birth of their daughter yesterday. She was 7lb. 6oz. and I would tell you her name but the last time I talked to Adrian she didn't have one yet!! Oh well, when I hear I'll pass it on. Baby Jenkins for now will have to do.(smile) I just thank God all is well. The small details (such as names!) can wait. (smile again)
Ever have someone or something try to steal your joy or bring you down? Yeah, I thought so. It happens all the time doesn't it? As I was reading early this morning when I got home from work, I came across this passage. I looked at the reply of Jesus and started trying to figure out His mood when He said "If you can?" Some translations use a question mark(?) and some use an exclamation point(!)
Looking at that I asked myself "Was Jesus being sarcastic? Was He speaking from anger? Was He frustrated with the doubt expressed in the question?" Or maybe He was responding to an effort to steal His focus and joy. I don't know for sure, maybe it was a mixture of all of them. But, one thing for sure, it was just another effort, intentional or no, to how do we say it today?...pull Jesus off point.
Look at the bigger picture for a moment. Jesus had just been the focus of a "major moment" in His ministry hadn't He. What's that you say Ronnie? Jesus had just "come down from the mountain".
LITERALLY!! The Lord had just taken His closet confidants, His inner circle up on a mountain and had shared His true glory with them. He was transfigured before them. They saw the God in the man. If that wasn't enough, a booming voice from out of nowhere came and proclaimed that Jesus was indeed God's Son. Do you think that He was having a "mountain top" experience? Read the whole ninth chapter to get the perspective.
So, He's coming down off the mountain, spies out a large crowd arguing about something, and joins in. You know the story.. the disciples are unable to cast an unclean spirit out of a son and apparently Jesus is frustrated or irritated or something.
Mark 9:19 (NASB) 19 And He *answered them and *said, "O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!"
There's those question marks and exclamation points again. He then asks the father of the afflicted boy how long it has been going on, and, in the middle of the father's response comes the "if You can." And here is the point of my message. Jesus response. I've got this picture in my mind. See if you can relate.
"If I can?! Listen brother, I just came off this mountain where I was literally changed into my heavenly glory in front of and for the benefit of my closest friends. Not only that, my guys here heard a voice coming down from above. From God..... oh yeah He's my FATHER!! He does anything that I ask Him. Now, you're going to ask me" 'If I can??!!'"
It had to be a jolt didn't it? Well, maybe not, after all Jesus WAS and IS God. But, just between you, me and the fence post, I believe it was a jolt. A reality check. The Son of God was subject to all the "stuff" that we have to deal with. Well, it's the same with us isn't it?
You know how it goes don't you? God does a great work in your life. You have a close encounter with God at church. You get an unexpected financial blessing. A wayward child is drawn back home. A physical healing. An impossible situation made possible. The list goes on and on. It is God being God. You are rejoicing and praising God and all of a sudden here come the boo birds.
A negative reaction or statement and the battle inside you is joined. The object being to pull you off point. To get your eyes and your heart off God.It's the age old battle. God does great things for us and the devil tries to cast doubt in our hearts. It can be very easy to lose sight of just who God is and just how much power He possesses. We, much like the father in the text, can harbor doubt and fear in our heart if we allow all the negative to grab hold of us. We end up short changing ourselves by asking God to help us "if He can."
I read that God never comforts us in our doubt. He expects and demands faith.
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB) 6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Yes, it is a battle to stay positive. It is a struggle to not let others pull you down. Whether intentional or not, people will steal your focus and your joy if you are not vigilant.The Bible warns us of this.
Proverbs 4:23 (NASB) 23 Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.
Was Jesus irritated or frustrated? I believe that He was. BUT, He never let it sway Him.It never interfered with His mission. He kept right on going. We get hurt, we get misunderstood, we get frustrated. It's a part of being human. The prescription for all the negative that daily surrounds us is to keep your head down and your eyes straight ahead.
Hebrews 12:2 (NASB) 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
It's not if you can, it's like the wise sage Bob the Builder says "Yes He Can!!"
Psalm 77:1 (NASB) 1
God Bless
Friday, March 13, 2015
In One
Ear.....
03-13-15
Proverbs 13:1 (NASB) 1 A wise son accepts his father's discipline, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
I like the KJV a little better on this one.
Proverbs 13:1 (KJV) 1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
When I read this verse today, the Holy Spirit quickened me to use it as a text for my message. When I went to the Strong's however, to look up the meanings of some words, I was surprised at what I found.That word 'discipline' is used in a negative context in this verse. It means to chastise or correct. But, I felt the Spirit gave me a different perspective today. One of guidance or instruction. At any rate, being the stickler for context that I am, I felt it necessary to mention the negative connotation of the verse. Maybe that doesn't amount to much, but these days to me, it is everything when reading or writing about the Word of God. Whew!! Now that has been taken care of, I will endeavor to relate what the Spirit of the Lord spoke to my heart.
Do you sometimes feel that there is something more out there for you? Something that God has planned for you? An unfulfilled destiny? Or perhaps a new assignment or direction? You can't put your finger on it, but you sense it is out there. There is a restlessness in your spirit. Not really a feeling of frustration, just a residing restlessness. You feelin' me here?
For me lately it has been a sense that time is slipping away. Now to be sure, I realize that my age with it's changing perspective plays into that. But, quite frankly, time IS slipping away and I don't want to miss something. The flip side of that coin, as I am now reminded is the fact that Abraham was 75(that's SEVENTY FIVE years old before God started really dealing with him) So, it ain't over til' it's over...right ?? PTL.
Well, I have felt just that way recently, and when I read that verse in Proverbs today, the Lord mildly jolted me on the inside. Look at a different way of saying this.
Proverbs 13:1 (GW) 1 A wise son listens to his father's discipline, but a mocker does not listen to reprimands.
It was the "listen" that hit me. My Bible says "hears." "A wise son hears....." You see many times these feelings of restlessness of being "antsy" are nothing more than our flesh. Maybe we are bored. Maybe it is a desire of our flesh that is a passing fancy. Look back one chapter and you will see that the Bible speaks of worthless pursuits or fantasies.
Proverbs 12:11 (NASB) 11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
But, there is the distinct possibility that these gut feelings are God wanting to move us in a new area or dimension in our lives. He wants to do a "new thing" with or in us. In order to discern, to "figure out" whether or not it is God trying to guide us, we have to train our ears and hearts to listen and hear Him.
In the service back in the day, my brother-in-law, as far as I know, had one job and one job only. He listened. He spent a year learning a new language and was shipped off to a distant land to LISTEN. That was ALL he did. He was a listening post. That's what the Lord spoke to my heart today.
Many times we are restless, anxious, antsy(fill in the blank) or maybe even fearful about what's next. Maybe, just maybe, it is because we have not become a listening post. No, no I didn't say we were being disobedient, nope. Just due to all the distractions, gotta do this, gotta go there, we haven't taken the time to still ourselves and listen to what God has in mind for us. If we do, there may be an answer behind one of those doors.
Or maybe we have heard God speaking and we are hesitant to act upon His Word. (Yes, sadly I am a charter member of that club) I read this a few days ago. "You will always be one step of obedience away from the next truth God wants you to learn about Him." Look again, "A WISE(caps mine) son hears..."
Not only sons,but daughters too.
Brothers and sisters, unless we become listening posts to hear God, we may miss out on some thrilling, amazing blessings that He wants to drop on our heads. Amen?? AMEN!!
Psalm 73:24 (NASB) 24 With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.
God Bless
Proverbs 13:1 (NASB) 1 A wise son accepts his father's discipline, But a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
I like the KJV a little better on this one.
Proverbs 13:1 (KJV) 1 A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.
When I read this verse today, the Holy Spirit quickened me to use it as a text for my message. When I went to the Strong's however, to look up the meanings of some words, I was surprised at what I found.That word 'discipline' is used in a negative context in this verse. It means to chastise or correct. But, I felt the Spirit gave me a different perspective today. One of guidance or instruction. At any rate, being the stickler for context that I am, I felt it necessary to mention the negative connotation of the verse. Maybe that doesn't amount to much, but these days to me, it is everything when reading or writing about the Word of God. Whew!! Now that has been taken care of, I will endeavor to relate what the Spirit of the Lord spoke to my heart.
Do you sometimes feel that there is something more out there for you? Something that God has planned for you? An unfulfilled destiny? Or perhaps a new assignment or direction? You can't put your finger on it, but you sense it is out there. There is a restlessness in your spirit. Not really a feeling of frustration, just a residing restlessness. You feelin' me here?
For me lately it has been a sense that time is slipping away. Now to be sure, I realize that my age with it's changing perspective plays into that. But, quite frankly, time IS slipping away and I don't want to miss something. The flip side of that coin, as I am now reminded is the fact that Abraham was 75(that's SEVENTY FIVE years old before God started really dealing with him) So, it ain't over til' it's over...right ?? PTL.
Well, I have felt just that way recently, and when I read that verse in Proverbs today, the Lord mildly jolted me on the inside. Look at a different way of saying this.
Proverbs 13:1 (GW) 1 A wise son listens to his father's discipline, but a mocker does not listen to reprimands.
It was the "listen" that hit me. My Bible says "hears." "A wise son hears....." You see many times these feelings of restlessness of being "antsy" are nothing more than our flesh. Maybe we are bored. Maybe it is a desire of our flesh that is a passing fancy. Look back one chapter and you will see that the Bible speaks of worthless pursuits or fantasies.
Proverbs 12:11 (NASB) 11 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who pursues worthless things lacks sense.
But, there is the distinct possibility that these gut feelings are God wanting to move us in a new area or dimension in our lives. He wants to do a "new thing" with or in us. In order to discern, to "figure out" whether or not it is God trying to guide us, we have to train our ears and hearts to listen and hear Him.
In the service back in the day, my brother-in-law, as far as I know, had one job and one job only. He listened. He spent a year learning a new language and was shipped off to a distant land to LISTEN. That was ALL he did. He was a listening post. That's what the Lord spoke to my heart today.
Many times we are restless, anxious, antsy(fill in the blank) or maybe even fearful about what's next. Maybe, just maybe, it is because we have not become a listening post. No, no I didn't say we were being disobedient, nope. Just due to all the distractions, gotta do this, gotta go there, we haven't taken the time to still ourselves and listen to what God has in mind for us. If we do, there may be an answer behind one of those doors.
Or maybe we have heard God speaking and we are hesitant to act upon His Word. (Yes, sadly I am a charter member of that club) I read this a few days ago. "You will always be one step of obedience away from the next truth God wants you to learn about Him." Look again, "A WISE(caps mine) son hears..."
Not only sons,but daughters too.
Brothers and sisters, unless we become listening posts to hear God, we may miss out on some thrilling, amazing blessings that He wants to drop on our heads. Amen?? AMEN!!
Psalm 73:24 (NASB) 24 With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.
God Bless
Friday, March 6, 2015
What's The Buzz?
03-06-17
Matthew 4:12 (NASB) 12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee;
From a time long ago. Remember that song from Jesus Christ Superstar? Well, I've got a different type of buzz going on today. Literally, as I write these words I have a "buzz" going on in my ears. It evolves from a buzz like a sea shell into a high pitched ringing. A common malady known to many as Tinnitus. I would not even suffer it this space or your time except for the fact that God used it as an object lesson this week for yours truly.
It seems lately, at least for me, that the Lord is trying to get me alone. You know what I'm talking about? It's been that way for several weeks now. It is as if He wants me to withdraw as best I can and spend some time with Him and Him alone, away from the madding crowd. Ever feel like that? Get away from all the voices around me that compete for my ear.
Now, where was I?...oh yeah, anyway about this buzzing. I was at the 29th birthday party of a relative this Sunday past and this buzzing was driving me crazy! Let me describe it for you. I was in the middle of Bill Jr.'s(my brother-in-law) living room, seated on the couch next to Bill Sr.(my father-in-law) attempting to carry on a conversation. All around me were people talking and laughing and whatnot. The crazy thing was the voices and the laughter were being AMPLIFIED to the degree that I could not hear what Bill Sr. was saying.
I could hear Kathy Roper(my sister-in-law) talking and laughing with Lauren Lawson(my...?? what are you to me Lauren?) about all sorts of stuff. Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE'S conversation was magnified in my ears. I would look at Bill Sr., sitting not 12 inches from me and quizzically answer "What? Huh? Did you say something?" And he was sitting right next to me!! I finally apologized and told Bill that there was something going on in my ears and I could not hear him. It was weird.
Well, not at that precise point, but, a couple days later, the Lord reminded me of that little episode and quietly spoke to my heart. He pointed me to all the voices that were trying to burglarize my time with Him. That's the way it goes isn't it? Circumstances, demands of this life etc., are many times amplified to a fever pitch in our heads. Voices, some out of sincere concern, others, nothing more than catcalls from the cheap seats, conspire to grab your attention away from what God would say to you.
It was the same way for the Son of God wasn't it? I grabbed a couple of verses from memory to illustrate my point.
Mark 1:35 (NASB) 35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
Luke 5:16 (NASB) 16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
He would "often slip away" and get alone with God. Although, the Bible seems to be silent, I would bet my last dollar that Jesus faced circumstances, demands and voices that endeavored to tear Him away from His alone time with His Father. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to "often slip away"... then should we not do the same?
Brothers and sisters, I have said this before and I will say it again. There are dark, very dark storm clouds on the spiritual horizon. Not for this country alone, but, for the entire world. The 'voices', both good and bad are amplified in our world of today. We need to find God for OURSELVES. The buzz, if we entertain it, can be deafening.
Psalm 91:9-10 (NASB) 9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.
God Bless
Matthew 4:12 (NASB) 12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been taken into custody, He withdrew into Galilee;
From a time long ago. Remember that song from Jesus Christ Superstar? Well, I've got a different type of buzz going on today. Literally, as I write these words I have a "buzz" going on in my ears. It evolves from a buzz like a sea shell into a high pitched ringing. A common malady known to many as Tinnitus. I would not even suffer it this space or your time except for the fact that God used it as an object lesson this week for yours truly.
It seems lately, at least for me, that the Lord is trying to get me alone. You know what I'm talking about? It's been that way for several weeks now. It is as if He wants me to withdraw as best I can and spend some time with Him and Him alone, away from the madding crowd. Ever feel like that? Get away from all the voices around me that compete for my ear.
Now, where was I?...oh yeah, anyway about this buzzing. I was at the 29th birthday party of a relative this Sunday past and this buzzing was driving me crazy! Let me describe it for you. I was in the middle of Bill Jr.'s(my brother-in-law) living room, seated on the couch next to Bill Sr.(my father-in-law) attempting to carry on a conversation. All around me were people talking and laughing and whatnot. The crazy thing was the voices and the laughter were being AMPLIFIED to the degree that I could not hear what Bill Sr. was saying.
I could hear Kathy Roper(my sister-in-law) talking and laughing with Lauren Lawson(my...?? what are you to me Lauren?) about all sorts of stuff. Everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE'S conversation was magnified in my ears. I would look at Bill Sr., sitting not 12 inches from me and quizzically answer "What? Huh? Did you say something?" And he was sitting right next to me!! I finally apologized and told Bill that there was something going on in my ears and I could not hear him. It was weird.
Well, not at that precise point, but, a couple days later, the Lord reminded me of that little episode and quietly spoke to my heart. He pointed me to all the voices that were trying to burglarize my time with Him. That's the way it goes isn't it? Circumstances, demands of this life etc., are many times amplified to a fever pitch in our heads. Voices, some out of sincere concern, others, nothing more than catcalls from the cheap seats, conspire to grab your attention away from what God would say to you.
It was the same way for the Son of God wasn't it? I grabbed a couple of verses from memory to illustrate my point.
Mark 1:35 (NASB) 35 In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.
Luke 5:16 (NASB) 16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
He would "often slip away" and get alone with God. Although, the Bible seems to be silent, I would bet my last dollar that Jesus faced circumstances, demands and voices that endeavored to tear Him away from His alone time with His Father. If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to "often slip away"... then should we not do the same?
Brothers and sisters, I have said this before and I will say it again. There are dark, very dark storm clouds on the spiritual horizon. Not for this country alone, but, for the entire world. The 'voices', both good and bad are amplified in our world of today. We need to find God for OURSELVES. The buzz, if we entertain it, can be deafening.
Psalm 91:9-10 (NASB) 9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place.
10 No evil will befall you, Nor will any plague come near your tent.
God Bless
Friday, February 27, 2015
An Old
Friend
02-27-15
Proverbs 27:10 (NASB) 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
Just a short thought today. The Lord took my mother(Memaw) home a couple of weeks ago. Her passing was so very peaceful and for that, I am grateful to God. I mention my mother because over the past three years she had become my friend. For most of my life she was my mother. You know how that goes. Mom calls every now and then to check on her little boy. Tell him what he's doing right and wrong !! (smile) Scold him for not calling or stopping by. Sound familiar? Maybe, maybe not. But, for me that was the way it had always been. She was Memaw to me.She did her thing and I did mine. Close, but not really intimate.
Well, that changed for me while I stayed with her. Oh no, we didn't have some heavy spiritual relationship, no, not at all. And we butted heads from time to time. But, she became my friend. We developed an "easiness" with each other that had been missing for all my life. We shared some good talks on many different occasions. Mostly about the same things over and over. (Turkey and the end times certainly comes to mind!) You had to be there to understand. But, my point is that we developed a relationship over a relatively short time; and it was a good thing. And now that she is gone I am most appreciative of the time I had to get to know Memaw better. I say that to say this.
Pay attention to the first part of that scripture. It's an independent statement and stands alone. Also, it speaks to an old friend. Not necessarily in years but in time spent. I am reminded of the Don Henley song "New York Minute."
"....if you find somebody to love in this world You better hang on tooth and nail..."
People come and go in our lives.But occasionally one strolls by who is a keeper. You know, a kindred spirit. One that will stick by you through thick and thin.One who has your interests at heart.It takes time to really know who those people are.It takes time to pass that litmus test. They aren't perfect, but neither are we! Ya feelin' me here on this one? But, if they have been by your side for a while, don't throw them away just because they sometimes rub you the wrong way. I'll stop preaching.
In this ball of confusion we call life, we all need somebody. God has designed it that way. It's a microwave culture and we are tempted to discard anything that doesn't supply immediate gratification. Or if those who surround you aren't profitable, get rid of them. If that were the case, we would all be islands standing alone. Listen, brothers and sisters, if you have someone who is truly on your side, take heed once more to the above scripture.
Proverbs 27:10 (NASB) 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
Mark these words. The day is coming that a true friend is going to be difficult, nigh impossible to find.
Hang on tooth and nail.
Proverbs 17:17 (NASB) 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
God Bless
Proverbs 27:10 (NASB) 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
Just a short thought today. The Lord took my mother(Memaw) home a couple of weeks ago. Her passing was so very peaceful and for that, I am grateful to God. I mention my mother because over the past three years she had become my friend. For most of my life she was my mother. You know how that goes. Mom calls every now and then to check on her little boy. Tell him what he's doing right and wrong !! (smile) Scold him for not calling or stopping by. Sound familiar? Maybe, maybe not. But, for me that was the way it had always been. She was Memaw to me.She did her thing and I did mine. Close, but not really intimate.
Well, that changed for me while I stayed with her. Oh no, we didn't have some heavy spiritual relationship, no, not at all. And we butted heads from time to time. But, she became my friend. We developed an "easiness" with each other that had been missing for all my life. We shared some good talks on many different occasions. Mostly about the same things over and over. (Turkey and the end times certainly comes to mind!) You had to be there to understand. But, my point is that we developed a relationship over a relatively short time; and it was a good thing. And now that she is gone I am most appreciative of the time I had to get to know Memaw better. I say that to say this.
Pay attention to the first part of that scripture. It's an independent statement and stands alone. Also, it speaks to an old friend. Not necessarily in years but in time spent. I am reminded of the Don Henley song "New York Minute."
"....if you find somebody to love in this world You better hang on tooth and nail..."
People come and go in our lives.But occasionally one strolls by who is a keeper. You know, a kindred spirit. One that will stick by you through thick and thin.One who has your interests at heart.It takes time to really know who those people are.It takes time to pass that litmus test. They aren't perfect, but neither are we! Ya feelin' me here on this one? But, if they have been by your side for a while, don't throw them away just because they sometimes rub you the wrong way. I'll stop preaching.
In this ball of confusion we call life, we all need somebody. God has designed it that way. It's a microwave culture and we are tempted to discard anything that doesn't supply immediate gratification. Or if those who surround you aren't profitable, get rid of them. If that were the case, we would all be islands standing alone. Listen, brothers and sisters, if you have someone who is truly on your side, take heed once more to the above scripture.
Proverbs 27:10 (NASB) 10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father's friend, And do not go to your brother's house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother far away.
Mark these words. The day is coming that a true friend is going to be difficult, nigh impossible to find.
Hang on tooth and nail.
Proverbs 17:17 (NASB) 17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
God Bless
Saturday, February 7, 2015
Quid est Veritas?
02-07-15
John 18:37-38 (NASB) 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
38 Pilate *said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, "I find no guilt in Him.
What is truth? That question is as compelling today as it was in Pilate's time don't you think? It begs and pleads for an answer. Some time ago, years actually,I was listening to the radio while delivering the mail. It was a talk show host, a household name then and now. I was surprised, actually shocked to find out that he considered himself an entertainer first and a journalist second. As I let this sink in I decided then and there, that very day, that I would never listen to him again. And I never have.
We live in an age today where entertainers pass themselves off as journalists. Not just individuals, but entire media outlets are committed to ratings as opposite the truth. Truth, or at the very least, common objectivity has given way to sensationalism and ideology, all for the sake of the advertising dollar. Choose your media outlet. Television, radio, internet they are all poisoned. I don't know whether or not it is possible to find the TRUTH about anything anymore. Then I was reminded. I had a scripture thought come to mind today.A thought that I thought, most relevant.
Hebrews 12:26-27 (KJV) 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Do you feel it? There is a shaking going on isn't there? Ideals and values we thought once unassailable are under relentless assault. Precepts precious to our hearts are undergoing revision. Things that we were taught in school might not have actually happened the way we were taught. It's unfortunate and saddening but nevertheless seemingly true. But now, it has taken on a new brashness. These days there is no attempt to hide the deception and editing that occurs. It is shameless and has tainted virtually everything we see and read. It's all ENTERTAINMENT AND.....
NEWSFLASH!! It's all by design. Come on Ronnie, you really believe that? Let me say emphatically, YES I DO. There is a shaking going on and everything that can be shaken, will be. Folks, anything coming from the heart and mind of man...from the highest philosophy to the most brazen journalism is basically and essentially flawed. It is offered, no matter if from the purest motivations, from a sin nature. It is not now, nor will it ever be TRUTH. Pilate's question has but one answer. There is but one truth. One foundation. One rock. One anchor for the soul.
John 14:6 (NASB) 6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes the Father but through Me.
My ailing mother called me over today and took hold of my hand. With difficulty she mouthed very softly "I am ready to go." The first thing that crossed my mind was that she was ready to retire and go to the bedroom. So, I told her to wait a minute and I would get her medicine and wheel her into her bed. She shook her head and whispered, "no, I am ready to go to Heaven." I just smiled and said "O.K. whenever Jesus is ready, He will come and get you." We held hands and soon the moment was over. I mention that here to say this. My 95 year old ailing mother has no illusions about who and what the truth is. She doesn't need CNN, FOX or anyone else to tell her what is truth. She KNOWS without a doubt the answer to the age old question. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 23:4 (NASB) 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
God Bless
John 18:37-38 (NASB) 37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, "So You are a king?" Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
38 Pilate *said to Him, "What is truth?" And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and *said to them, "I find no guilt in Him.
What is truth? That question is as compelling today as it was in Pilate's time don't you think? It begs and pleads for an answer. Some time ago, years actually,I was listening to the radio while delivering the mail. It was a talk show host, a household name then and now. I was surprised, actually shocked to find out that he considered himself an entertainer first and a journalist second. As I let this sink in I decided then and there, that very day, that I would never listen to him again. And I never have.
We live in an age today where entertainers pass themselves off as journalists. Not just individuals, but entire media outlets are committed to ratings as opposite the truth. Truth, or at the very least, common objectivity has given way to sensationalism and ideology, all for the sake of the advertising dollar. Choose your media outlet. Television, radio, internet they are all poisoned. I don't know whether or not it is possible to find the TRUTH about anything anymore. Then I was reminded. I had a scripture thought come to mind today.A thought that I thought, most relevant.
Hebrews 12:26-27 (KJV) 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
Do you feel it? There is a shaking going on isn't there? Ideals and values we thought once unassailable are under relentless assault. Precepts precious to our hearts are undergoing revision. Things that we were taught in school might not have actually happened the way we were taught. It's unfortunate and saddening but nevertheless seemingly true. But now, it has taken on a new brashness. These days there is no attempt to hide the deception and editing that occurs. It is shameless and has tainted virtually everything we see and read. It's all ENTERTAINMENT AND.....
NEWSFLASH!! It's all by design. Come on Ronnie, you really believe that? Let me say emphatically, YES I DO. There is a shaking going on and everything that can be shaken, will be. Folks, anything coming from the heart and mind of man...from the highest philosophy to the most brazen journalism is basically and essentially flawed. It is offered, no matter if from the purest motivations, from a sin nature. It is not now, nor will it ever be TRUTH. Pilate's question has but one answer. There is but one truth. One foundation. One rock. One anchor for the soul.
John 14:6 (NASB) 6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes the Father but through Me.
My ailing mother called me over today and took hold of my hand. With difficulty she mouthed very softly "I am ready to go." The first thing that crossed my mind was that she was ready to retire and go to the bedroom. So, I told her to wait a minute and I would get her medicine and wheel her into her bed. She shook her head and whispered, "no, I am ready to go to Heaven." I just smiled and said "O.K. whenever Jesus is ready, He will come and get you." We held hands and soon the moment was over. I mention that here to say this. My 95 year old ailing mother has no illusions about who and what the truth is. She doesn't need CNN, FOX or anyone else to tell her what is truth. She KNOWS without a doubt the answer to the age old question. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 23:4 (NASB) 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
God Bless
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