Remember
03-28-14
Let me share something that happened to me this week. You may or may not
agree with my conclusions because I didn't for a long time. At any rate let me
try and paint a picture of what happened to me this week. For some reason,
I read an article on the medicated state of our nation this week. I have read
many, many articles on this subject and don't know why I read this one. It
stated what I had read many, many times hence. We, the United States are the
most depressed nation in the world. As a result, we also are the most highly
medicated nation in the world. I passed it off as old news and went on.
Well, yesterday while sitting at the dining room table I felt a wave of
depression come over me. I could FEEL it. Now listen..I have absolutely no
reason to be depressed. I have a nice roof over my head. I am in good health. I
have enough, no, MORE than enough to eat(gotta lose some lbs. though lol) I have
a job and a car. Are you feelin' me here? But, nonetheless I got hit with a
wave of depression and before I knew it I was bemoaning my life. Life all of a
sudden was passing me by. God wasn't pleased with me. Don't ask me why, He just
wasn't. I was at the end of the road. This was it. Get used to it Ronnie, this
is all there is. Any desires or aspirations that I had were over. Folks, it was
sudden, out of nowhere and it hit me like a tsunami. Let me say this again with
emphasis. I could FEEL it washing over me. This is not the first time that this
has happened to me, but this was as strong as I could remember. Now, it has
taken me years to come to the following conclusion. I believe that it was a
spiritual attack. Understand that for years I didn't buy that. Depression might
be caused by this or that but it wasn't spiritual warfare per se. Yesterday
changed my mind. I had experienced these attacks before, but this was the
strongest by far. From nowhere and for no reason. In the past I have passed it
off as having a pity party, feeling sorry for myself, whatever...but, not this
time. I said all of that to say this.
While I was under assault from this attack, a word came into my spirit.
Remember. That was the word. Remember. Nothing else, just that word. Bear with
me. I am doing one of those Bible reading plans.You know...read the Bible in a
year, read the New Testament in 30 days..there are a million of them. (I'm doing
a chronological one) I'm off track(smile) I'm hearing this word remember in my
spirit and I turn to a passage that I had read recently.
Psalm
77:11-12 (NASB) 11 I
shall remember the deeds of the LORD; Surely I will
remember Your wonders of old.
12 I will meditate on all Your work And muse on Your deeds.
Well, I went to the dictionary and found the meanings of those words
remember and meditate. Here's what I found.
Remember- to mark, to recall to mind by effort, to TREASURE
Meditate- to ponder or revolve in the mind. to speak or talk with oneself
Well, that's what I did. And it WAS an effort! Something, my mind, my flesh,
I dunno but something did NOT want me to do that. That being said, I began to
remember the works and wonders that God had done in my life. I spoke them in my
head. I tried to recreate the circumstances in my mind's eye. Here's a little
more on that word meditate, it implies that we should actually talk out loud to
ourselves about those things that God has done. I remember being taught that
about prayer. Let your ears hear what your mouth is saying. Amen? Lo and behold,
after a while those feelings of hopelessness and despair started to fade away.
The ship was righted again.Now, I understand if you are saying to yourself " Oh
brother, Ronnie had finally gone over the cliff and is in freefall." O.K. I get
that. But, and just call me crazy, loonie or whatever,.. it worked for me
yesterday! Listen brothers and sisters, I am not marginalizing depression and
it's effects. No, no, it is very real and can be debilitating. I still remember
spending a whole night and day in bed, so depressed I could barely move. I
just never made the spiritual connection. I always thought the cause and effect
was something different. You know the Bible speaks about treasuring those works
of God. I believe that I will begin to write them down. To make a book of
remembrance of all the good things that God has done for me. You know, something
to pull out and read when I need a spiritual boost. Well, that was my day, how
was yours? At the least, I hope this small testimony has and will prove
beneficial to you at some time.
Be encouraged child of God. REMEMBER He has your back!! He's got this. Amen?
AMEN!!
Philippians 4:8
(NASB) 8 Finally, brethren,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and
if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Psalm
105:5 (NASB) 5 Remember
His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments
uttered by His mouth,
Friday, March 28, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
Bodies In
Motion 03-21-14
Well, all eyes in Knoxville are on the television screen this P.M. as our beloved Vols take to the court in the current version of March Madness. Even my ninety something mother has the game on in her bedroom and I can hear the play by play from here. I was reminded of the above title this week while I was thinking about the demise of my exercise regimen. I had been faithfully going to the gym 5-6 days a week for a few months;but, about a month ago external forces pulled me out of my routine and now I am just sitting around every night watching T.V. or whatever. How the mighty have fallen! A couple of nights ago I could physically feel the effects of my lethargy. Bloated, no energy. That's when I heard the above phrase on a commercial. During my travels this week, I discovered that the bodies in motion thing was actually a law of physics. They call it Newton's Law Of Motion. You remember don't you? All those intensely interesting Physics classes in high school? Bodies in motion tend to stay in motion, while bodies at rest tend to stay at rest. Ahhh...what fond memories!Didn't you just love Physics? lol. It just occurred to me that you may have been one of those who actually DID love Physics. My deepest apologies for my unwarranted sarcasm. (smile)
You know something.....? There is some spiritual truth to be gleaned from those laws of motion. Look at this.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NASB) 6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
I like the KJV a little better here.
2 Timothy 1:6 (KJV) 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
You know we all have been gifted by God in different areas. Go read Romans 12 and see what your gifting is. We have been given these special qualities to carry out those tasks that God sets before us. At any rate, we, for any number of reasons, get pulled "off task." We get out of our routine just like my exercise program. We can become lethargic. You remember the old saying "use it or lose it?" That has a lot of truth in it doesn't it? If we don't "exercise" those gifts we have been given they will atrophy from non-use. When I read the above verse I sometimes wonder about Timothy. Look at that verse. Paul is exhorting his pupil to kindle afresh the gift; to be put in remembrance. I wonder if Timothy had hit a wall in his spiritual walk. If he had lost some of his zeal for some reason. Maybe job pressures or poor health possibly. I don't know but I wonder. At any rate, in those laws of motion there is a reason that a body in motion comes to rest. It is something called friction which produces resistance. It is an external force which works against the body's forward motion. That's much like what happens to us isn't it? Rest assured that you and I are not going to be allowed to just march through this life doing God's work worry free and without resistance. No, it is going to come from all quarters and if allowed to build up, it will stop us in our tracks. The enemy, circumstances, in-laws, outlaws. Whatever! And sometimes we have to stir ourselves back in the game. That word stir means "to arouse." It's not about us being in rebellion or backsliding, no no. It's akin to getting your blood flowing again. You have to smack yourself upside the head, rise up and ask God for His grace to keep on keeping on. Amen? The Apostle Peter had a similar admonition to his disciples.
2 Peter 1:12-13 (NASB) 12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.
13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,
He was exhorting his readers to stir themselves by remembrance of the things that they had been taught up there in the previous verses and begin to operate in them once more. Whether by fatigue or resistance we are all subject to being knocked off course. If you are feeling a little bloated just shake yourself and roll back in the game. Or to put it in today's Falcon vernacular..RISE UP!!
Psalm 105:5 (NASB) 5 Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,
REMEMBER HIS WONDERS.
God Bless
Well, all eyes in Knoxville are on the television screen this P.M. as our beloved Vols take to the court in the current version of March Madness. Even my ninety something mother has the game on in her bedroom and I can hear the play by play from here. I was reminded of the above title this week while I was thinking about the demise of my exercise regimen. I had been faithfully going to the gym 5-6 days a week for a few months;but, about a month ago external forces pulled me out of my routine and now I am just sitting around every night watching T.V. or whatever. How the mighty have fallen! A couple of nights ago I could physically feel the effects of my lethargy. Bloated, no energy. That's when I heard the above phrase on a commercial. During my travels this week, I discovered that the bodies in motion thing was actually a law of physics. They call it Newton's Law Of Motion. You remember don't you? All those intensely interesting Physics classes in high school? Bodies in motion tend to stay in motion, while bodies at rest tend to stay at rest. Ahhh...what fond memories!Didn't you just love Physics? lol. It just occurred to me that you may have been one of those who actually DID love Physics. My deepest apologies for my unwarranted sarcasm. (smile)
You know something.....? There is some spiritual truth to be gleaned from those laws of motion. Look at this.
2 Timothy 1:6 (NASB) 6 For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
I like the KJV a little better here.
2 Timothy 1:6 (KJV) 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
You know we all have been gifted by God in different areas. Go read Romans 12 and see what your gifting is. We have been given these special qualities to carry out those tasks that God sets before us. At any rate, we, for any number of reasons, get pulled "off task." We get out of our routine just like my exercise program. We can become lethargic. You remember the old saying "use it or lose it?" That has a lot of truth in it doesn't it? If we don't "exercise" those gifts we have been given they will atrophy from non-use. When I read the above verse I sometimes wonder about Timothy. Look at that verse. Paul is exhorting his pupil to kindle afresh the gift; to be put in remembrance. I wonder if Timothy had hit a wall in his spiritual walk. If he had lost some of his zeal for some reason. Maybe job pressures or poor health possibly. I don't know but I wonder. At any rate, in those laws of motion there is a reason that a body in motion comes to rest. It is something called friction which produces resistance. It is an external force which works against the body's forward motion. That's much like what happens to us isn't it? Rest assured that you and I are not going to be allowed to just march through this life doing God's work worry free and without resistance. No, it is going to come from all quarters and if allowed to build up, it will stop us in our tracks. The enemy, circumstances, in-laws, outlaws. Whatever! And sometimes we have to stir ourselves back in the game. That word stir means "to arouse." It's not about us being in rebellion or backsliding, no no. It's akin to getting your blood flowing again. You have to smack yourself upside the head, rise up and ask God for His grace to keep on keeping on. Amen? The Apostle Peter had a similar admonition to his disciples.
2 Peter 1:12-13 (NASB) 12 Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.
13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder,
He was exhorting his readers to stir themselves by remembrance of the things that they had been taught up there in the previous verses and begin to operate in them once more. Whether by fatigue or resistance we are all subject to being knocked off course. If you are feeling a little bloated just shake yourself and roll back in the game. Or to put it in today's Falcon vernacular..RISE UP!!
Psalm 105:5 (NASB) 5 Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments uttered by His mouth,
REMEMBER HIS WONDERS.
God Bless
Friday, March 14, 2014
Happy
03-14-14
Psalm 146:5 (KJV) 5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
I had a different message lined up for today but changed it midstream. A few weeks ago I was at the workout gym and while walking on the treadmill I heard this song. I had no idea who the artist was and couldn't even make out the lyrics; but, the song was great. Great beat and melody and that kind of stuff. Well, I went on about my business and the song would play in my head from time to time. A couple days ago I just happened to be watching T.V. and a car commercial came on and lo and behold the song was playing very dimly in the background. So, I went to work that very night and asked a guy who has teenager kids if he could find the name of the song. Well, last night he came in and informed me that his youngest daughter knew the commercial and the song. It was a song by a man named Pharrell Williams and the name of the song was "The Happy Song." I Googled it and watched the video and found out that the song was written for a movie (Despicable Me 2, I think) and it had been nominated for an Oscar but had not won. But, the crazy thing about this song was that it has gone viral on YouTube. It seems that people from all over the world are making videos about being happy and sending them into a website. (24hoursofhappy.com) It's mostly kids(the video from Munich, Germany is my favorite) and they are dancing, breakdancing, doing backflips, riding bikes and motorscooters....on and on. It's really cool. Go watch it. It will put a smile on your face.
Ahhh...that elusive butterfly called happiness. We spend untold amounts of time,energy and most of all money trying to capture it. Only problem is once we think we have it, it somehow escapes our grasp and we are off in a vain attempt to net it again. It's a never ending game of catch and release. The reason being, that happiness is based on external circumstances; and those circumstances are in a constant state of flux. Happiness isn't necessarily due to our choices either. I know people who live in difficult circumstances that are not of their making. They did not choose, no,no. They were dealt the hand they have. In many cases they had NO choice. Life thrust their circumstances upon them. The Bible says the serpent strikes without enchantment. I said all that to say this. GO GRAB YOU SOME HAPPINESS TODAY! Listen, your problems can wait for another day. They aren't going anywhere. Take a day off and lighten your load. Now, I don't recommend that you go try and do a 360 on a bike! Neither do I subscribe going out in the front yard and doing backflips or breakdancing. You feelin' me? But, if you can do those things, by all means knock yourself out. I'll find my happiness on the porch with all the other pups. Amen?
Listen brothers and sisters, we can dwell on the newspeak on the tele. We can speculate on the course of our world. Ukraine, Middle East, Global Warming, Terrorism, the decline of America, on and on and on and on and on.....OR we can take a week, a day, an hour to think on God and His goodness. We can meditate on the above verse until we realize that God is OUR(yours and mine) HELPER. He is the King of ALL the Universe, the Sovereign Lord, and CONTROLS ALL THINGS. Go do something that you enjoy. Dance, sing, walk the dog, whatever.. just let those problems and burdens float up in the sky. It will be a medicine to your bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (KJV) 22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Just do it. It might just make you HAPPY!
Psalm 18:29-33 (KJV) 29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
God Bless
Psalm 146:5 (KJV) 5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
I had a different message lined up for today but changed it midstream. A few weeks ago I was at the workout gym and while walking on the treadmill I heard this song. I had no idea who the artist was and couldn't even make out the lyrics; but, the song was great. Great beat and melody and that kind of stuff. Well, I went on about my business and the song would play in my head from time to time. A couple days ago I just happened to be watching T.V. and a car commercial came on and lo and behold the song was playing very dimly in the background. So, I went to work that very night and asked a guy who has teenager kids if he could find the name of the song. Well, last night he came in and informed me that his youngest daughter knew the commercial and the song. It was a song by a man named Pharrell Williams and the name of the song was "The Happy Song." I Googled it and watched the video and found out that the song was written for a movie (Despicable Me 2, I think) and it had been nominated for an Oscar but had not won. But, the crazy thing about this song was that it has gone viral on YouTube. It seems that people from all over the world are making videos about being happy and sending them into a website. (24hoursofhappy.com) It's mostly kids(the video from Munich, Germany is my favorite) and they are dancing, breakdancing, doing backflips, riding bikes and motorscooters....on and on. It's really cool. Go watch it. It will put a smile on your face.
Ahhh...that elusive butterfly called happiness. We spend untold amounts of time,energy and most of all money trying to capture it. Only problem is once we think we have it, it somehow escapes our grasp and we are off in a vain attempt to net it again. It's a never ending game of catch and release. The reason being, that happiness is based on external circumstances; and those circumstances are in a constant state of flux. Happiness isn't necessarily due to our choices either. I know people who live in difficult circumstances that are not of their making. They did not choose, no,no. They were dealt the hand they have. In many cases they had NO choice. Life thrust their circumstances upon them. The Bible says the serpent strikes without enchantment. I said all that to say this. GO GRAB YOU SOME HAPPINESS TODAY! Listen, your problems can wait for another day. They aren't going anywhere. Take a day off and lighten your load. Now, I don't recommend that you go try and do a 360 on a bike! Neither do I subscribe going out in the front yard and doing backflips or breakdancing. You feelin' me? But, if you can do those things, by all means knock yourself out. I'll find my happiness on the porch with all the other pups. Amen?
Listen brothers and sisters, we can dwell on the newspeak on the tele. We can speculate on the course of our world. Ukraine, Middle East, Global Warming, Terrorism, the decline of America, on and on and on and on and on.....OR we can take a week, a day, an hour to think on God and His goodness. We can meditate on the above verse until we realize that God is OUR(yours and mine) HELPER. He is the King of ALL the Universe, the Sovereign Lord, and CONTROLS ALL THINGS. Go do something that you enjoy. Dance, sing, walk the dog, whatever.. just let those problems and burdens float up in the sky. It will be a medicine to your bones.
Proverbs 17:22 (KJV) 22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Just do it. It might just make you HAPPY!
Psalm 18:29-33 (KJV) 29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.
30 As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him.
31 For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect.
33 He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places.
God Bless
Friday, March 7, 2014
All Who Take Up The Sword.... 03-07-14
Take a close look at what is happening in the Ukraine these days. This is a precursor(whether immediate or distant I can't say) to the 38th and 39th chapters of Ezekiel. At some future date Russia is going to invade Israel for the purposes of booty, political or material, it matters not. It is there, on the mountains of Israel, where Russia as a world force will fill their cup of iniquity and meet their demise. Go read it. It appears that today's world response is also much like what will happen in the future. A lot of talk with no real action. This response today however remains to be played out. There is still some faint hope that the world will stand up to Russia. It remains to be seen. That being said.
Matthew 26:52 (NASB) 52 Then Jesus *said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
That's pretty forthright. If we continue to wield a sword whether literally by violence or spiritually we are going to perish by the same. I am reminded of a prominent local pastor who many years ago was given what he described as a "sword of judgment" to execute against another prominent pastor by exposing some wrongdoing that the latter was involved in. I remember that man saying from the pulpit that he refused to wield it and threw it down. That's what the enemy will many times lay in our path isn't it? A sword of judgment. Oh, we don't have to go on television and expose wrongdoing; no, no, we, if we are not careful, can brandish that sword by nourishing a critical and faultfinding spirit within ourselves can't we? Once we begin to feed that beast, it won't be long before we"take it public" by exposing it before our friends and family. You know.. that word that none of us ever engage in..what's it called? Oh yeah I remember...gossip. Of course you understand that I NEVER engage in that kind of thing. (as immediately my nose grows considerably longer! smile) Jesus knew all about that tendency in us and spoke to it.
Matthew 7:3-4 (NASB) 3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
Allow me a platform here for a sec please. There are many verses in the Bible about personal righteousness and holiness. Many speak to the disciplining and even the crucifixion of the flesh and it's fleshly desires. BUT, some things remain unspoken here. First we can't accomplish one whit of that righteousness without the power of the Holy Spirit residing and working within us. Any righteousness outside of the Spirit's enablement is not righteousness, it's self righteousness. So, why do we insist on holding others to a standard that we ourselves are unable to attain to? Secondly, most, if not all the scriptures referred to above deal with our personal walk and our personal relationship with God. It's a little different when we are dealing with our brothers and sisters.
2 Corinthians 5:19 (NASB) 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Paul wrote this to believers in the Corinthian church. What he says here is this, the sin problem has been dealt with. All we need do is be reconciled through and by Jesus. Now here it is.
".....He has committed to US"(caps mine) not only Paul but US, that's you and me,"the word of reconciliation" Not the word of judgment, nor even the word of righteousness,but the word of reconciliation. Look at this.
Galatians 6:1 (NASB) 1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Key point here. "......restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself..."
Let me get real with you for a minute. If I fall in a pit because of sin I don't need ANYONE to tell me that I have sinned and have fallen. I ALREADY KNOW THAT!! I don't need to be convinced that I have sinned, I fully agree. I don't need scripture. I don't need someone who is just as inclined to sin as I am telling me about righteousness and holiness. No, No. What I need is someone GENTLY to throw me a lifeline. I need someone in love to help me and minister the word of reconciliation. How? By pointing my spiritual compass back squarely in the direction of my Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. Please don't kill me with the sword of judgment and self righteousness. Take me by the hand and lead me back to the Cross of Calvary. When I am overwhelmed with circumstances or sin LEAD ME GENTLY. Where? Here.
Psalm 61:2 (NASB) 2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
To the Rock that is higher than I. It's by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ALONE THAT I AM MADE RIGHTEOUS. Not by MY conduct, not by MY behavior, not by MY repentance but by HIS righteousness alone.
Psalm 56:1 (NASB) 1
Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me;
Fighting all day long he oppresses me.
God Bless
Take a close look at what is happening in the Ukraine these days. This is a precursor(whether immediate or distant I can't say) to the 38th and 39th chapters of Ezekiel. At some future date Russia is going to invade Israel for the purposes of booty, political or material, it matters not. It is there, on the mountains of Israel, where Russia as a world force will fill their cup of iniquity and meet their demise. Go read it. It appears that today's world response is also much like what will happen in the future. A lot of talk with no real action. This response today however remains to be played out. There is still some faint hope that the world will stand up to Russia. It remains to be seen. That being said.
Matthew 26:52 (NASB) 52 Then Jesus *said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword.
That's pretty forthright. If we continue to wield a sword whether literally by violence or spiritually we are going to perish by the same. I am reminded of a prominent local pastor who many years ago was given what he described as a "sword of judgment" to execute against another prominent pastor by exposing some wrongdoing that the latter was involved in. I remember that man saying from the pulpit that he refused to wield it and threw it down. That's what the enemy will many times lay in our path isn't it? A sword of judgment. Oh, we don't have to go on television and expose wrongdoing; no, no, we, if we are not careful, can brandish that sword by nourishing a critical and faultfinding spirit within ourselves can't we? Once we begin to feed that beast, it won't be long before we"take it public" by exposing it before our friends and family. You know.. that word that none of us ever engage in..what's it called? Oh yeah I remember...gossip. Of course you understand that I NEVER engage in that kind of thing. (as immediately my nose grows considerably longer! smile) Jesus knew all about that tendency in us and spoke to it.
Matthew 7:3-4 (NASB) 3 "Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
4 "Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye?
Allow me a platform here for a sec please. There are many verses in the Bible about personal righteousness and holiness. Many speak to the disciplining and even the crucifixion of the flesh and it's fleshly desires. BUT, some things remain unspoken here. First we can't accomplish one whit of that righteousness without the power of the Holy Spirit residing and working within us. Any righteousness outside of the Spirit's enablement is not righteousness, it's self righteousness. So, why do we insist on holding others to a standard that we ourselves are unable to attain to? Secondly, most, if not all the scriptures referred to above deal with our personal walk and our personal relationship with God. It's a little different when we are dealing with our brothers and sisters.
2 Corinthians 5:19 (NASB) 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Paul wrote this to believers in the Corinthian church. What he says here is this, the sin problem has been dealt with. All we need do is be reconciled through and by Jesus. Now here it is.
".....He has committed to US"(caps mine) not only Paul but US, that's you and me,"the word of reconciliation" Not the word of judgment, nor even the word of righteousness,but the word of reconciliation. Look at this.
Galatians 6:1 (NASB) 1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
Key point here. "......restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself..."
Let me get real with you for a minute. If I fall in a pit because of sin I don't need ANYONE to tell me that I have sinned and have fallen. I ALREADY KNOW THAT!! I don't need to be convinced that I have sinned, I fully agree. I don't need scripture. I don't need someone who is just as inclined to sin as I am telling me about righteousness and holiness. No, No. What I need is someone GENTLY to throw me a lifeline. I need someone in love to help me and minister the word of reconciliation. How? By pointing my spiritual compass back squarely in the direction of my Lord and Savior JESUS CHRIST. Please don't kill me with the sword of judgment and self righteousness. Take me by the hand and lead me back to the Cross of Calvary. When I am overwhelmed with circumstances or sin LEAD ME GENTLY. Where? Here.
Psalm 61:2 (NASB) 2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
To the Rock that is higher than I. It's by HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ALONE THAT I AM MADE RIGHTEOUS. Not by MY conduct, not by MY behavior, not by MY repentance but by HIS righteousness alone.
Psalm 56:1 (NASB) 1
God Bless
Friday, February 28, 2014
Hurry The Sun's Coming Up! 02-28-14
...
Genesis 32:26 (NASB) 26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." But he said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
Let me tell you about a brief footnote in my week that birthed this message. I believe it was this Monday past and I was sitting at the dining room table praying. While praying, I happened to glance at the coffee pot in front of me, noticing that it needed washing out and prepared for tomorrow. After a couple of minutes more, the need to clean the pot got the best of me; I stopped praying to take the pot and used grounds to the sink and cleaned them both. As I was cleaning said pot this passage in Genesis stuck in my head. Then I started thinking that if some important person like the President or even the Mayor...heck it could even have been my boss at work; if they had been at my table talking to me, would I have interrupted the conversation to clean the coffee pot. Yet, here I was in the presence of God Almighty and didn't give it a second thought. The above verse and the word distraction came to mind. I wrote the incident down in a notebook because I didn't want to forget it.
According to Merriam Webster, distract means )1a. to turn aside:divert, b. to draw or direct (as one's attention) to a different object or in a different direction at the same time.
Listen, it doesn't take a rocket man to understand that we live in a world chock full of distractions. Technology attracts and demands our time and attention to the point that some, in the medical community, are saying is at physically unhealthy levels. I don't want to admit to you the time that I spend on the phone, tablet, computer etc., lol (<part of the new language that we have created to communicate on the above mentioned "devices." I still don't know it all) Add to that the everyday responsibilities and you're getting the picture aren't you? WE CAN'T BE STILL! There is always something to do. Or something that just can't wait like cleaning the coffee pot! We have become so adept at juggling the many requirements made on us that they have a name for it. Multitasking. And companies will pay handsomely for folks that excel at it.
But, there is an old cliche that is blunt and relevant to the message, "If we are too busy for God, then we are too busy!" Now look at that verse in Genesis. You know people down through time have had some unkind things to say about ol' Jacob. But, he got it right this time. Get the picture. Jacob has wrestled all night long and neither had prevailed. Then the angel, or maybe it was God, told Jacob to let him go. Why? Because the dawn was breaking. The sun was coming up. A new day was breaking. New demands, new tasks, new responsibilities. You see it was a test. God wanted to see how serious Jacob was. "Jacob, you've wrestled all night, you're tired, the wife and kids are waking up and they need breakfast. The sheep and goats have to be pastured and watered. You have things that NEED taking care of. Responsibilities that DEMAND your immediate attention Let's call it a day and I'll see you next time." Was Jacob going to pursue God or was he going to clean the coffee pot? You gettin' my drift here? The responsibilities were valid. They truly NEEDED to be attended to. But, somehow Jacob was able to lay them aside and resist the distraction to attend to them. Look at his response.
" I will not let you go unless you bless me." Read the whole story. Jacob was in crisis mode. He NEEDED God's blessing. Esau was waiting around the corner and Jacob feared for his life.
Sometimes we have to steel our minds and hearts. In this crazy, mile a minute world we have to carve out some time for God. Sometimes it is a wrestling match and at others it is a bloody street fight. The devil and his world system is devised to keep us from getting a hold on God. That is ALL he does. he wants to destroy your relationship with God, he wants to steal your time with Him, and he wants to kill you in the process. Kill, steal and destroy. That's his m.o. Listen folks, all that you see around you; all the different 'demanders' of your time and energy, EVERYTHING that is in this world and EVERYTHING this world has to offer is going to pass away. In a flash it's all going to be gone. The meetings, the clubs, the jobs, the responsibilities are going POOF. All that will remain is those times that we chose to spend with God. No more coffee pots.
Matthew 24:35 (NASB) 35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Let's quit allowing the dirty coffee pots in our lives to steal the blessings that God has in store for us.
Amen??Amen!! Spend some time with Him.
Psalm 46:10 (NASB) 10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
God Bless
...
Genesis 32:26 (NASB) 26 Then he said, "Let me go, for the dawn is breaking." But he said, "I will not let you go unless you bless me."
Let me tell you about a brief footnote in my week that birthed this message. I believe it was this Monday past and I was sitting at the dining room table praying. While praying, I happened to glance at the coffee pot in front of me, noticing that it needed washing out and prepared for tomorrow. After a couple of minutes more, the need to clean the pot got the best of me; I stopped praying to take the pot and used grounds to the sink and cleaned them both. As I was cleaning said pot this passage in Genesis stuck in my head. Then I started thinking that if some important person like the President or even the Mayor...heck it could even have been my boss at work; if they had been at my table talking to me, would I have interrupted the conversation to clean the coffee pot. Yet, here I was in the presence of God Almighty and didn't give it a second thought. The above verse and the word distraction came to mind. I wrote the incident down in a notebook because I didn't want to forget it.
According to Merriam Webster, distract means )1a. to turn aside:divert, b. to draw or direct (as one's attention) to a different object or in a different direction at the same time.
Listen, it doesn't take a rocket man to understand that we live in a world chock full of distractions. Technology attracts and demands our time and attention to the point that some, in the medical community, are saying is at physically unhealthy levels. I don't want to admit to you the time that I spend on the phone, tablet, computer etc., lol (<part of the new language that we have created to communicate on the above mentioned "devices." I still don't know it all) Add to that the everyday responsibilities and you're getting the picture aren't you? WE CAN'T BE STILL! There is always something to do. Or something that just can't wait like cleaning the coffee pot! We have become so adept at juggling the many requirements made on us that they have a name for it. Multitasking. And companies will pay handsomely for folks that excel at it.
But, there is an old cliche that is blunt and relevant to the message, "If we are too busy for God, then we are too busy!" Now look at that verse in Genesis. You know people down through time have had some unkind things to say about ol' Jacob. But, he got it right this time. Get the picture. Jacob has wrestled all night long and neither had prevailed. Then the angel, or maybe it was God, told Jacob to let him go. Why? Because the dawn was breaking. The sun was coming up. A new day was breaking. New demands, new tasks, new responsibilities. You see it was a test. God wanted to see how serious Jacob was. "Jacob, you've wrestled all night, you're tired, the wife and kids are waking up and they need breakfast. The sheep and goats have to be pastured and watered. You have things that NEED taking care of. Responsibilities that DEMAND your immediate attention Let's call it a day and I'll see you next time." Was Jacob going to pursue God or was he going to clean the coffee pot? You gettin' my drift here? The responsibilities were valid. They truly NEEDED to be attended to. But, somehow Jacob was able to lay them aside and resist the distraction to attend to them. Look at his response.
" I will not let you go unless you bless me." Read the whole story. Jacob was in crisis mode. He NEEDED God's blessing. Esau was waiting around the corner and Jacob feared for his life.
Sometimes we have to steel our minds and hearts. In this crazy, mile a minute world we have to carve out some time for God. Sometimes it is a wrestling match and at others it is a bloody street fight. The devil and his world system is devised to keep us from getting a hold on God. That is ALL he does. he wants to destroy your relationship with God, he wants to steal your time with Him, and he wants to kill you in the process. Kill, steal and destroy. That's his m.o. Listen folks, all that you see around you; all the different 'demanders' of your time and energy, EVERYTHING that is in this world and EVERYTHING this world has to offer is going to pass away. In a flash it's all going to be gone. The meetings, the clubs, the jobs, the responsibilities are going POOF. All that will remain is those times that we chose to spend with God. No more coffee pots.
Matthew 24:35 (NASB) 35 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.
Let's quit allowing the dirty coffee pots in our lives to steal the blessings that God has in store for us.
Amen??Amen!! Spend some time with Him.
Psalm 46:10 (NASB) 10 "Cease striving and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
God Bless
Friday, February 21, 2014
Impact
02-21-14
Mark 12:41-44 (NASB) 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums.
42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
Greetings from Tennessee the SECOND craziest state for crazy weather! Only our compatriots from down south in Georgia can lay claim to crazier. We had 60-70 mph winds with tornado warnings last night in FEBRUARY! For crying out loud, what is going on here??? Oh well, we made it through none the worse for the wear and now are enjoying a balmy 60 with brilliant sunshine. Go figure. hehe.
Let me ask you something. Has the enemy ever tried to plant seeds of doubt in your mind and spirit? Has he ever told you that your life hasn't amounted to much? You know..that song and dance about your lack of accomplishment and lack of IMPACT when it comes to the things of God? Has he ever reminded you that you really haven't done that much ? HE HAS???!!!WHEW!!Thank the Lord. I thought that I was the only one who hadn't done anything for the Kingdom of God. What a relief to know that there are others out there like me. I capped that word impact because that was the word that the devil threw at me yesterday as I mused about what I would write on. BUT, as I was being bomber about my lack of impact, the Lord God quietly spoke that scripture to my heart. Then He spoke a slightly different perspective to me. The perspective of the poor widow.
Have you ever wondered how that widow felt? Think about it for a moment. Take yourself back and get a mental picture. Here we are in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover and man it is buzzing. People from all over Israel have converged on the city; and, not only that, this man Jesus has arrived to the cries of Hosanna. Many are calling Him the Messiah. At any rate Jesus, while at the temple sits down and observes the folks as they put their money in. The Bible then says "many rich people were putting in large sums." Then here comes this poor widow. Imagine walking down that aisle with all those people around. Rich people at that, all dropping a lot of cash in the plate. But, that's not all. Jesus is sitting there OBSERVING how much is being put in. I can imagine that after a couple of minutes a crowd has gathered and they are OBSERVING along with Jesus. I wonder how that widow felt as she walked down that aisle. Or proceeded to the depository or whatever. I wonder if she was wishing that she had chosen a different time to bring her offering. I wonder if she was tempted to put it off to another time. I can bet that the devil was sitting right on her shoulder mocking her faithfulness and demeaning her meager offering in her mind. I wonder if she was questioning in her mind the IMPACT that her offering would have on the Kingdom.
BUT, then something happened.The Bible says that Jesus did something. He called His disciples over. And here is my point today. The Bible makes no mention of anyone taking notice of this widow. No fuss was made either positive or negative concerning her offering. It made no impact on anyone, EXCEPT JESUS! It certainly impacted Him!! So much so, that He CALLED His disciples over. To add to that,Jesus then said that she had given more than all the other contributors. Hmmm...I wonder how that sat with the money men of the church.? Listen, brothers and sisters and this goes for yours truly also, I'm preaching to myself here.
You may not be on Christian television. You may not have your own private jet taking you all over the world preaching the Gospel. You may not minister to a congregation of thousands every week. Your impact may not be lauded and splashed over the media outlets. BUT, as I was taught many, many years ago, the real heroes of the Kingdom of God are the "poor widows" of this world. It's the folks who give of their time to help troubled youth. It's the people who support the ministries that God has placed them in. No fanfare, just quietly going about their business. It's the people standing in faith through unbelievable adversity that inspire others. These are the REAL heroes of God's Kingdom. These are the IMPACTERS. Keep walking child of God. God has and still is taking notice. The actions and service that have long since become second nature to you, are making a sure impact on those around you. Only in eternity will we know. Keep the faith. He's coming back and His reward is with Him. Remember that widow's mite and her heart to please God so impacted the Lord of Glory that a remembrance was made. Her act was recorded for all time in the Word of God. Pretty heady company huh?
Psalm 75:2 (NASB) 2 "When I select an appointed time, It is I who judge with equity.
God Bless
Mark 12:41-44 (NASB) 41 And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums.
42 A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent.
43 Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury;
44 for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."
Greetings from Tennessee the SECOND craziest state for crazy weather! Only our compatriots from down south in Georgia can lay claim to crazier. We had 60-70 mph winds with tornado warnings last night in FEBRUARY! For crying out loud, what is going on here??? Oh well, we made it through none the worse for the wear and now are enjoying a balmy 60 with brilliant sunshine. Go figure. hehe.
Let me ask you something. Has the enemy ever tried to plant seeds of doubt in your mind and spirit? Has he ever told you that your life hasn't amounted to much? You know..that song and dance about your lack of accomplishment and lack of IMPACT when it comes to the things of God? Has he ever reminded you that you really haven't done that much ? HE HAS???!!!WHEW!!Thank the Lord. I thought that I was the only one who hadn't done anything for the Kingdom of God. What a relief to know that there are others out there like me. I capped that word impact because that was the word that the devil threw at me yesterday as I mused about what I would write on. BUT, as I was being bomber about my lack of impact, the Lord God quietly spoke that scripture to my heart. Then He spoke a slightly different perspective to me. The perspective of the poor widow.
Have you ever wondered how that widow felt? Think about it for a moment. Take yourself back and get a mental picture. Here we are in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover and man it is buzzing. People from all over Israel have converged on the city; and, not only that, this man Jesus has arrived to the cries of Hosanna. Many are calling Him the Messiah. At any rate Jesus, while at the temple sits down and observes the folks as they put their money in. The Bible then says "many rich people were putting in large sums." Then here comes this poor widow. Imagine walking down that aisle with all those people around. Rich people at that, all dropping a lot of cash in the plate. But, that's not all. Jesus is sitting there OBSERVING how much is being put in. I can imagine that after a couple of minutes a crowd has gathered and they are OBSERVING along with Jesus. I wonder how that widow felt as she walked down that aisle. Or proceeded to the depository or whatever. I wonder if she was wishing that she had chosen a different time to bring her offering. I wonder if she was tempted to put it off to another time. I can bet that the devil was sitting right on her shoulder mocking her faithfulness and demeaning her meager offering in her mind. I wonder if she was questioning in her mind the IMPACT that her offering would have on the Kingdom.
BUT, then something happened.The Bible says that Jesus did something. He called His disciples over. And here is my point today. The Bible makes no mention of anyone taking notice of this widow. No fuss was made either positive or negative concerning her offering. It made no impact on anyone, EXCEPT JESUS! It certainly impacted Him!! So much so, that He CALLED His disciples over. To add to that,Jesus then said that she had given more than all the other contributors. Hmmm...I wonder how that sat with the money men of the church.? Listen, brothers and sisters and this goes for yours truly also, I'm preaching to myself here.
You may not be on Christian television. You may not have your own private jet taking you all over the world preaching the Gospel. You may not minister to a congregation of thousands every week. Your impact may not be lauded and splashed over the media outlets. BUT, as I was taught many, many years ago, the real heroes of the Kingdom of God are the "poor widows" of this world. It's the folks who give of their time to help troubled youth. It's the people who support the ministries that God has placed them in. No fanfare, just quietly going about their business. It's the people standing in faith through unbelievable adversity that inspire others. These are the REAL heroes of God's Kingdom. These are the IMPACTERS. Keep walking child of God. God has and still is taking notice. The actions and service that have long since become second nature to you, are making a sure impact on those around you. Only in eternity will we know. Keep the faith. He's coming back and His reward is with Him. Remember that widow's mite and her heart to please God so impacted the Lord of Glory that a remembrance was made. Her act was recorded for all time in the Word of God. Pretty heady company huh?
Psalm 75:2 (NASB) 2 "When I select an appointed time, It is I who judge with equity.
God Bless
Friday, February 14, 2014
Pray For The Peace Of Jerusalem
2-14-14
Psalm 122:6 (NASB) 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you.
Happy Valentine's Day! Lot's of scripture today. Reading the headlines recently and as always Israel was in the news. This verse floated across my mind today, so I thought I would share some thoughts and scriptures on the subject. We, as readers of God's Word, are instructed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, with a promise for those who love her,both individually and nationally. It seems that the nation of Israel has been put on the back burner in God's timetable. Paul speaks to this in the book of Romans. In the midst of his treatise on justification by faith, he suddenly stops and devotes three chapters to his brethren Israel.(chap. 9-11) Reading those chapters you will find out that because of Israel's rejection of their Messiah, Jesus, they have been hardened. They as a nation have been blinded to the fact that Jesus is their Messiah. But, they have not been discarded. God throughout history has maintained a believing remnant.
Isaiah 37:31-32 (NASB) 31 "The surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward.
32 "For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion survivors. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."'
God has always provided for Himself a remnant. From the 7000 that did not bow to Baal and throughout history, that remnant has survived. Joshua and Caleb, the various judges and prophets all the way down to the Christian Church (the very first church was Jewish). The Messianic Movement is today, God's believing remnant. Through their darkest hour during WW2, the unbelievable persecution served to bring about the re-establishment of the Nation of Israel. All down through history they have managed to survive and even thrive in the most difficult of environments. Even though they have and still do reject Jesus, God has not forgotten about them and has a definite plan for them.
Jeremiah 23:6-8 (NASB) 6 "In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness.'
7 "Therefore behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when they will no longer say, 'As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt,'
8 but, 'As the LORD lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I had driven them.' Then they will live on their own soil."
This scripture Jeremiah 16:15 (NASB) 15 but, 'As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.' For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.
These scriptures have been partially fulfilled and are awaiting complete fulfillment in the not too distant future.God is not through with Israel and all the world would do well for themselves to remember that. The Bible minces no words to those who hate Israel and the Jewish people.
Isaiah 17:13-14 (NASB) 13 The nations rumble on like the rumbling of many waters, But He will rebuke them and they will flee far away, And be chased like chaff in the mountains before the wind, Or like whirling dust before a gale.
14 At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are no more. Such will be the portion of those who plunder us And the lot of those who pillage us.
Isaiah 8:9-10 (NASB) 9 "Be broken, O peoples, and be shattered; And give ear, all remote places of the earth. Gird yourselves, yet be shattered; Gird yourselves, yet be shattered.
10 "Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; State a proposal, but it will not stand, For God is with us."
All those who gird themselves against Israel; all those who devise plans to plunder and pillage....Beware! Look at the last words in vs. 10. "....For God is with us." That translates IMMANUEL, one of he names we ascribe to the The Lord Jesus Christ.
So, even though Israel languishes in unbelief today God still providentially protects them and is bringing about a day of total restoration in belief. A couple of verses that we as Christians use all the time are actually promises that God has made to Israel for their future.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NASB) 11 ~'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
12 ~'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 ~'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 ~'I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'
Jeremiah 31:33 (NASB) 33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
You see this New Covenant that we have as Christians is actually meant for Israel in the Kingdom. We as Gentiles and the Church are partakers only because of the Blood of Jesus the Christ.
Ephesians 2:12-13 (NASB) 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
I have written all of this to illustrate one very simple idea. Look at the first word in the above scripture
REMEMBER. It will serve the world and this country IN PARTICULAR to remember God's affection for His people Israel and to PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM.Amen. I believe.
Psalm 59:5 (NASB) 5 You, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be gracious to any who are treacherous in iniquity. Selah.
God Bless
Psalm 122:6 (NASB) 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you.
Happy Valentine's Day! Lot's of scripture today. Reading the headlines recently and as always Israel was in the news. This verse floated across my mind today, so I thought I would share some thoughts and scriptures on the subject. We, as readers of God's Word, are instructed to pray for the peace of Jerusalem, with a promise for those who love her,both individually and nationally. It seems that the nation of Israel has been put on the back burner in God's timetable. Paul speaks to this in the book of Romans. In the midst of his treatise on justification by faith, he suddenly stops and devotes three chapters to his brethren Israel.(chap. 9-11) Reading those chapters you will find out that because of Israel's rejection of their Messiah, Jesus, they have been hardened. They as a nation have been blinded to the fact that Jesus is their Messiah. But, they have not been discarded. God throughout history has maintained a believing remnant.
Isaiah 37:31-32 (NASB) 31 "The surviving remnant of the house of Judah will again take root downward and bear fruit upward.
32 "For out of Jerusalem will go forth a remnant and out of Mount Zion survivors. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."'
God has always provided for Himself a remnant. From the 7000 that did not bow to Baal and throughout history, that remnant has survived. Joshua and Caleb, the various judges and prophets all the way down to the Christian Church (the very first church was Jewish). The Messianic Movement is today, God's believing remnant. Through their darkest hour during WW2, the unbelievable persecution served to bring about the re-establishment of the Nation of Israel. All down through history they have managed to survive and even thrive in the most difficult of environments. Even though they have and still do reject Jesus, God has not forgotten about them and has a definite plan for them.
Jeremiah 23:6-8 (NASB) 6 "In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell securely; And this is His name by which He will be called, 'The LORD our righteousness.'
7 "Therefore behold, the days are coming," declares the LORD, "when they will no longer say, 'As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt,'
8 but, 'As the LORD lives, who brought up and led back the descendants of the household of Israel from the north land and from all the countries where I had driven them.' Then they will live on their own soil."
This scripture Jeremiah 16:15 (NASB) 15 but, 'As the LORD lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them.' For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers.
These scriptures have been partially fulfilled and are awaiting complete fulfillment in the not too distant future.God is not through with Israel and all the world would do well for themselves to remember that. The Bible minces no words to those who hate Israel and the Jewish people.
Isaiah 17:13-14 (NASB) 13 The nations rumble on like the rumbling of many waters, But He will rebuke them and they will flee far away, And be chased like chaff in the mountains before the wind, Or like whirling dust before a gale.
14 At evening time, behold, there is terror! Before morning they are no more. Such will be the portion of those who plunder us And the lot of those who pillage us.
Isaiah 8:9-10 (NASB) 9 "Be broken, O peoples, and be shattered; And give ear, all remote places of the earth. Gird yourselves, yet be shattered; Gird yourselves, yet be shattered.
10 "Devise a plan, but it will be thwarted; State a proposal, but it will not stand, For God is with us."
All those who gird themselves against Israel; all those who devise plans to plunder and pillage....Beware! Look at the last words in vs. 10. "....For God is with us." That translates IMMANUEL, one of he names we ascribe to the The Lord Jesus Christ.
So, even though Israel languishes in unbelief today God still providentially protects them and is bringing about a day of total restoration in belief. A couple of verses that we as Christians use all the time are actually promises that God has made to Israel for their future.
Jeremiah 29:11-14 (NASB) 11 ~'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.
12 ~'Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.
13 ~'You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.
14 ~'I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will restore your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you,' declares the LORD, 'and I will bring you back to the place from where I sent you into exile.'
Jeremiah 31:33 (NASB) 33 "But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days," declares the LORD, "I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.
You see this New Covenant that we have as Christians is actually meant for Israel in the Kingdom. We as Gentiles and the Church are partakers only because of the Blood of Jesus the Christ.
Ephesians 2:12-13 (NASB) 12 remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.
13 But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.
I have written all of this to illustrate one very simple idea. Look at the first word in the above scripture
REMEMBER. It will serve the world and this country IN PARTICULAR to remember God's affection for His people Israel and to PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM.Amen. I believe.
Psalm 59:5 (NASB) 5 You, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, Awake to punish all the nations; Do not be gracious to any who are treacherous in iniquity. Selah.
God Bless
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