Don't Get Left Behind 10-17-14
No, I have not seen the Nicholas Cage movie, I will wait until it
comes out on Redbox. However, I thought it would be interesting to see what the
Bible had to say about it, since it may soon become a reality. Amen? Say about
what Ronnie? Oh, I'm sorry. Why, the Rapture of course. No, that word is not in
the Bible, but, the Greek and Latin rendition of the English word is. In order
to get a good look at the "catching away," a few verses must be looked at. The
first is in the Book of John.
1 " Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe
also in Me. 2 In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not
so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and
receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.
4 And you know the way where I am going."
John 14:1-4
(NASB)
John
14-17 concerns itself with a transitional period in the ministry of the Lord
Jesus. To begin, it describes a transition of His ministry as a prophet into the
ministry of High Priest. Also, it speaks of a change from Law to Grace. All that
Jesus had taught up until this point was seasoned with a perspective from the
Mosaic Law. Until His death on the Cross, He was still subject to the demands of
the Mosaic Covenant. Understand that while Jesus was in a mortal body,He could
not operate in the function of a priest, because He was of the tribe of Judah
and that would have violated the Law concerning the Levitical Priesthood. So,
the first act that Jesus performed as a priest was to offer His Blood on the
altar at Calvary. Speaking in the upper room of things to come, Jesus told the
Disciples that He was going away, but at some time in the future, He would
return for them. Not only them, but for all the saints. This is important for us
in this study because He says that He is going to take the saints to that place
that He is preparing for them. In His Father's House. This first promise is to
prepare a place. The second is to return for the believers to take them where He
is. This is not speaking of a return to Earth. He is coming to take the saints
to Heaven in preparation for a literal, physical return to the earth. Here is
a passage that speaks to the method of that return.
15 For
this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain
until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.
16 For
the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of
the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will
rise first. 17 Then
we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds
to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thess
4:14-17 (NASB)
This passage is apparently answering a question that the church in
Thessalonica had concerning believers who had died. The concern of the church
was not one of whether there would be a catching away, but one of whether their
dead relatives would benefit from the Rapture or would have to wait in the grave
until some future time. Were those that had already died going to be taken to
that place that Jesus had prepared for them? Here's a couple more for
thought.
34 " Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighted down
with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not
come on you suddenly like a trap; 35 for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all
the earth. 36 But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have
strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand
before the Son of Man."
Luke
21:34-36 (NASB)
Two phrases in this passage are germaine. Starting with"....for it will come
upon all those who dwell on the earth..." In this passage Jesus is speaking of
"that day." The Day of the Lord that the Old Testament prophets spoke so often
of is in view here. The Great Tribulation is another word for it. The structure
and wording leave no doubt that ALL who dwell upon the earth will have to endure
that day. There is no out for those who dwell upon the earth. But, then in verse
36 the Lord speaks of PREVAILING TO ESCAPE (caps mine) If you dwell upon the
earth at "that day" then you will go through all that will come upon the earth.
But, "keep alert...praying.....to escape all these things...about to take
place...." In order to escape, one must be a believer. The way of escape is to
"stand before the Son of Man" in that place that He has prepared.
There are many more passages dealing with this subject, but, for the sake of
time and space I will look at just six more.......just kidding. One more begs
our attention for a decent grasp of the subject matter.
9 For
they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and
how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10 and
to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is
Jesus, who rescues us from the wrath to come.
1 Thess
1:8-10 (NASB)
It's all about that one word wrath. That word is the same word used
in Revelation about God's wrath in the Great Tribulation and in Romans 1 about His
general wrath against sin. Same word. In this verse, it is speaking of a future
wrath, the wrath "to come."
Because of this it cannot be speaking about God's wrath against sin as in Romans 1 for that is a
present reality.Neither can it be pointing to the wrath of Hell or the Lake of
Fire. The reason being that this was being written to a church of believers who
were waiting for the Lord's return.(vs.10) These believers, like the believers
of today have already been delivered from hell and eternal torment by our Lord's
shed blood on the cross of Calvary. Now, with all that settled, look at the last
few words. Who rescues us from the wrath to come. Only one period of God's wrath
remains. The wrath that will be poured out on the earth during the Day of the
Lord or the Great Tribuluation. Having been delivered from the wrath of Eternal
Damnation we have yet to be caught away and rescued from the future wrath of
that great and glorious Day of he Lord.
But, there is yet another matter to be taken up with this catching away we
label the rapture.
Folks, it isn't a matter of whether or not we are going to be caught
away....no,no...the great unanswered question is whether we, you and I are ready
for His appearing. Look around you, can it be far off? Surely it is nearer now
than it was when we were growing up. Let us take a minute and make sure that we
are ready.He's coming...ready or not.
11
Worship the Lord with reverence
And
rejoice with trembling. 12
Do homage to the Son, that He not become angry, and you perish in the
way, For
His wrath may soon be kindled. How
blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
Psalms
2:11-12 (NASB)
God Bless
Friday, October 17, 2014
Saturday, October 11, 2014
How Should We Then Live 10-11-14
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Phil 3:17 (NASB)
Memaw (my mother) enjoys going to church when she feels up to it. The pastor at her church has been doing a study on the book of Revelation for the past few weeks. They have progressed to the ninth chapter and a couple of weeks ago his exegesis of the beginning of that chapter intrigued me.
2 He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit.
Rev 9:1-2 (NASB)
He stated that while this smoke should be taken literally in its time frame, many scholars also speak of a symbolic meaning for this smoke; that being it represented a wave of deception and false doctrine that would come upon the earth leading up to and during those perilous times. Hmmm..You don't have to look far today to see the various doctrines being set forth in the Christian church. We are even being beguiled into tolerance and acceptance of a false religion, all for the sake of peace. With all that to go on, I set about thinking on the above verse in Phillipians. Here it is again.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Phil 3:17 (NASB)
Read the third chapter and you discover that Paul is warning the Philippians about deception and false doctrine in his day. He then exhorts them to follow him and his example and to observe those who walk according to his pattern. The NIV says to"keep your eyes on those who live as we do." In order to escape the lure of another gospel Paul instructs the church to join with those who LIVE as we do. I asked myself this question. What was Paul's example? What was the pattern or model of life that Paul was talking about? Was it preaching? No. Was it giving? I don't think so. Was it suffering? That's closer, but not really. I couldn't really put a finger on it until my eyes fell on something a few verses later.
3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Phil 4:3 (NASB)
".....who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel...." You see Paul's example..his lifestyle, was one of struggle.
That word struggle means "to contend with an adversary or opposing force," "to advance with violent effort."
You see Paul was not always in the clutches of suffering. He had some good days too. As a matter of fact he said that he had learned contentment in good times as well as bad. But, it seems that the one attribute that marked his life was struggle. He was all the time contending with the adversary. His mindset was one of advancing the Gospel. This world was not his home. His citizenship was in heaven. He warned against joining ourselves with those whose direction and focus was set on things of this world. Even calling them "enemies of the cross." Rather he said to "observe" those who lived like he did; not only observe but join with. To yolk ourselves with those of like mind, who contend and struggle with the adversary for the cause of the Gospel.
You see folks your life may not look like much to the systems of this world. You may not be the "success" or "walking in the victorious life." Heck you may not look like much at all when measured by the standards of this world. Maybe your finances are a little on the short side. Maybe your kids aren't exactly where you would like them to be. It's possible that your life isn't "Leave it to Beaver." You know "honey I'm home!" You feelin me here? Maybe you are in a pitched battle with the enemy and adversary of your soul. Is it possible that you and yours are in a STRUGGLE. Could it be that you are CONTENDING for every inch of ground."Yeah,Ronnie that's exactly how it is." Well DON'T FRET!! You are in good company. As a matter of fact you are the kind that God is looking for. You are a kindred spirit with the writer of much of the New Testament, and one to be observed and sought out by others of like mind. Take heart brother and sister. Keep the faith. Amen.
12 O God, do not be far from me; O my God, hasten to my help! 13 Let those who are adversaries of my soul be ashamed and consumed;
Psalms 71:12-13 (NASB)
God Bless
.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Phil 3:17 (NASB)
Memaw (my mother) enjoys going to church when she feels up to it. The pastor at her church has been doing a study on the book of Revelation for the past few weeks. They have progressed to the ninth chapter and a couple of weeks ago his exegesis of the beginning of that chapter intrigued me.
2 He opened the bottomless pit, and smoke went up out of the pit, like the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by the smoke of the pit.
Rev 9:1-2 (NASB)
He stated that while this smoke should be taken literally in its time frame, many scholars also speak of a symbolic meaning for this smoke; that being it represented a wave of deception and false doctrine that would come upon the earth leading up to and during those perilous times. Hmmm..You don't have to look far today to see the various doctrines being set forth in the Christian church. We are even being beguiled into tolerance and acceptance of a false religion, all for the sake of peace. With all that to go on, I set about thinking on the above verse in Phillipians. Here it is again.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
Phil 3:17 (NASB)
Read the third chapter and you discover that Paul is warning the Philippians about deception and false doctrine in his day. He then exhorts them to follow him and his example and to observe those who walk according to his pattern. The NIV says to"keep your eyes on those who live as we do." In order to escape the lure of another gospel Paul instructs the church to join with those who LIVE as we do. I asked myself this question. What was Paul's example? What was the pattern or model of life that Paul was talking about? Was it preaching? No. Was it giving? I don't think so. Was it suffering? That's closer, but not really. I couldn't really put a finger on it until my eyes fell on something a few verses later.
3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Phil 4:3 (NASB)
".....who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel...." You see Paul's example..his lifestyle, was one of struggle.
That word struggle means "to contend with an adversary or opposing force," "to advance with violent effort."
You see Paul was not always in the clutches of suffering. He had some good days too. As a matter of fact he said that he had learned contentment in good times as well as bad. But, it seems that the one attribute that marked his life was struggle. He was all the time contending with the adversary. His mindset was one of advancing the Gospel. This world was not his home. His citizenship was in heaven. He warned against joining ourselves with those whose direction and focus was set on things of this world. Even calling them "enemies of the cross." Rather he said to "observe" those who lived like he did; not only observe but join with. To yolk ourselves with those of like mind, who contend and struggle with the adversary for the cause of the Gospel.
You see folks your life may not look like much to the systems of this world. You may not be the "success" or "walking in the victorious life." Heck you may not look like much at all when measured by the standards of this world. Maybe your finances are a little on the short side. Maybe your kids aren't exactly where you would like them to be. It's possible that your life isn't "Leave it to Beaver." You know "honey I'm home!" You feelin me here? Maybe you are in a pitched battle with the enemy and adversary of your soul. Is it possible that you and yours are in a STRUGGLE. Could it be that you are CONTENDING for every inch of ground."Yeah,Ronnie that's exactly how it is." Well DON'T FRET!! You are in good company. As a matter of fact you are the kind that God is looking for. You are a kindred spirit with the writer of much of the New Testament, and one to be observed and sought out by others of like mind. Take heart brother and sister. Keep the faith. Amen.
12 O God, do not be far from me; O my God, hasten to my help! 13 Let those who are adversaries of my soul be ashamed and consumed;
Psalms 71:12-13 (NASB)
God Bless
.
Saturday, October 4, 2014
A Game Of Inches 10-4-14
4 "Behold, as for the proud one,
His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.
Hab 2:4 (NASB)
This is a football Saturday up here in K-Town. Earlier, I watched our beloved Vols lose one they probably should have won. Now, in the other games that I am watching, that worn out cliche that is the title of this message is,once again, being proven true. Dropped passes off the fingertips, missed first downs by "just inches," a bobble here, a slip there. Played on 100 yard field, in gargantuan stadiums, running up and down the field of play, the victor and the vanquished being determined literally by a few inches here and there. It reminded me of a Christian cliche from years ago. Remember this one? "The most difficult twelve inches to traverse in this life is the twelve inches between your head and your heart." We read God's truth in His Word about how we should live, but, many times it's a disconnect isn't it? Or how often is there a circumstance staring smack down the barrel at us, daring us to believe God at His Word. The Lord speaking to our hearts, "Do it this way," or even better, "Leave it alone and let Me take care of it." Our sense of reason and responsibility screaming at us that it can't be right. We hear in our spirits the all too familiar,"Did God REALLY say that Ronnie?"We tell ourselves that we haven't heard God right. We begin to replay and rethink His Words in our hearts. We put our hands to a situation in a feeble attempt to fix something that only God has the fix for. Consequently, many times we talk or reason or "fix" ourselves right out of the blessing that God had in store for us. Has that happened to you? It certainly has to me.
How should we then live? The nickel answer? By faith of course. (smile)
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. 7
Heb 11:6-7 (NASB)
Only one problem. It's just not that simple is it?
As my good buddy is apt to say,"It's minor surgery when it's you, but, it's MAJOR surgery when it's me!" There's only one way that I know to make that twelve inch journey from your head to your heart. Keep at it.... Keep at it.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:16-17 (NASB)
You have to hear the word. You must hear God's written Word. Over and over again. Then over and over again. Until that promise that you are reading about and hearing about in your head becomes a real thing in your heart. But then, you must hear from THE WORD. THE LIVING WORD. We must get alone with God. We must pour our heart out to Him and ask Him for grace to believe Him and His Word. Your head isn't going to like it. Your flesh is going to holler. But, if we will keep seeking. If we can keep trusting HIM instead of ourselves, we can make that twelve inch journey from the head to the heart. Then we will understand that faith, like football is a game of inches.
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.
Psalms 119:89-90 (NASB)
God Bless
4 "Behold, as for the proud one,
His soul is not right within him; But the righteous will live by his faith.
Hab 2:4 (NASB)
This is a football Saturday up here in K-Town. Earlier, I watched our beloved Vols lose one they probably should have won. Now, in the other games that I am watching, that worn out cliche that is the title of this message is,once again, being proven true. Dropped passes off the fingertips, missed first downs by "just inches," a bobble here, a slip there. Played on 100 yard field, in gargantuan stadiums, running up and down the field of play, the victor and the vanquished being determined literally by a few inches here and there. It reminded me of a Christian cliche from years ago. Remember this one? "The most difficult twelve inches to traverse in this life is the twelve inches between your head and your heart." We read God's truth in His Word about how we should live, but, many times it's a disconnect isn't it? Or how often is there a circumstance staring smack down the barrel at us, daring us to believe God at His Word. The Lord speaking to our hearts, "Do it this way," or even better, "Leave it alone and let Me take care of it." Our sense of reason and responsibility screaming at us that it can't be right. We hear in our spirits the all too familiar,"Did God REALLY say that Ronnie?"We tell ourselves that we haven't heard God right. We begin to replay and rethink His Words in our hearts. We put our hands to a situation in a feeble attempt to fix something that only God has the fix for. Consequently, many times we talk or reason or "fix" ourselves right out of the blessing that God had in store for us. Has that happened to you? It certainly has to me.
How should we then live? The nickel answer? By faith of course. (smile)
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. 7
Heb 11:6-7 (NASB)
Only one problem. It's just not that simple is it?
As my good buddy is apt to say,"It's minor surgery when it's you, but, it's MAJOR surgery when it's me!" There's only one way that I know to make that twelve inch journey from your head to your heart. Keep at it.... Keep at it.
17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Romans 10:16-17 (NASB)
You have to hear the word. You must hear God's written Word. Over and over again. Then over and over again. Until that promise that you are reading about and hearing about in your head becomes a real thing in your heart. But then, you must hear from THE WORD. THE LIVING WORD. We must get alone with God. We must pour our heart out to Him and ask Him for grace to believe Him and His Word. Your head isn't going to like it. Your flesh is going to holler. But, if we will keep seeking. If we can keep trusting HIM instead of ourselves, we can make that twelve inch journey from the head to the heart. Then we will understand that faith, like football is a game of inches.
89 Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations; You established the earth, and it stands.
Psalms 119:89-90 (NASB)
God Bless
Friday, September 26, 2014
These
Dreams
09-26-14
Joshua 14:6-12
(NASB) 6 Then the sons of
Judah drew near to Joshua in Gilgal, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the
Kenizzite said to him, "You know the word which the LORD spoke to Moses the man of God
concerning you and me in Kadesh-barnea.
Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart.
8 "Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully.
9 "So Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.'
10 "Now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today.
11 "I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.
12 "Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken."
Now, here's Joshua's buddy Caleb. He's been faithfully following the Lord for FORTY FIVE years! We don't hear too much about Caleb in the Scriptures do we? A few passing references here and there. Not nearly as much as his friend and contemporary Joshua. He strikes me as a grunt. A soldier,much like me and possibly you. What do you think? He'd been quietly serving the Lord for all those years, holding that dream close to his vest. I suspect that many times in the pitch of battle while conquering the Promised Land, Caleb wondered whether he would even live to see his dream fulfilled. I expect that there were many nights spent under the stars that his dream seemed nothing more to him than a foolish PIPE DREAM. I wonder if Caleb ever shared his dream with others, only to be told that it was stupid, or it was never going to come to pass. "Caleb you're no Joshua and you're certainly no Moses. I doubt if God is bothered with your DAYDREAMS." I wonder if Caleb ever heard that. Maybe he even spoke those words to himself. But then, his time came. God looked down from Heaven and decided it was time to give Caleb what he had been promised. Caleb's bucket list. Ya feelin' me here?
You ever feel like that? You know. You've been marching and following orders the best you can for some time now. Just a rank and file striper trying to do what you have been told to do,waiting for your time. Or possibly circumstances and the difficulties of this life have buried those dreams that once were yours, under responsibility, tragedy or the like. These dreams are fading now to a very dim light on an even dimmer shore. But, hold on. Wait a minute. Get this.
Psalm 126:1-3 (NASB) 1
When the LORD brought back the captive ones of
Zion, We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.
You see we, at times feel like that we have been taken captive don't we? Circumstances have tried to chain us down and the enemy has tried to steal our joy and hope. But, God is mindful of our plight and desires to give us our mountain. Not only that He is more than able to change our circumstances. But, in His timing not ours.
Jeremiah 32:27 (NASB) 27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
Listen, Brothers and Sisters the Lord God Almighty is mindful of you and yours. Whether you are a General or a Private in His army, He wants to do good for you. He wants to give you a field commission. It's His good pleasure to give you of His Kingdom. So, dust off those dreams. Dig up that bucket list. Like Caleb, keep holding on, keep following Him,and one day, you too will be like those who dream.
Psalm 71:18 (NASB) 18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.
God Bless
I am not a dreamer. I rarely wake up in the morning with vivid
images of night visions. Now, to be sure, I have in the past had some crazy,
scary, funny, etc., dreams, but, they are the rare exception rather than the
rule. I also, am not a visionary. God has never placed a grand vision of
accomplishment or whatnot in my heart. I never had this inner drive to achieve
or overachieve as probably would be the case with me. As a matter of fact, I was
reflecting this week past about the fact that God has put only one overriding
command in my heart these past 40 or so years. Just one. Now,there have
been many, many divergences crossing my path that He has counseled and guided me
through. A lot of minor details, small tasks that I have been charged with. But,
I know of only one "ministry" that I am completely sure that God has assigned
me in my entire life. And, to this day, I try to execute and stay faithful to
that duty that I believe God has entrusted me with. I don't even write this
weekly message because I believe God has "called" me to do it. I write it simple
because I enjoy it. In the Kingdom of God, I am a grunt. An enlisted soldier
with marching orders, or as is the case with me,order in the singular. My
apologies for all the personal history, but, I wanted to convey to you my
mindset. Maybe you can relate. All that being said,I was walking the parking lot
last night at work, waiting for my truck to be loaded while talking to the Lord
about my message for today. As I walked and waited, this song floated across my
mind. You remember don't you?"These Dreams" by Heart. Pretty good band back in
the day. When that song came to mind, I revisited a dream I had and still have.
More of a strong desire, a bucket list if you will, than a dream. But, take a
look at this story.
Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart.
8 "Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the LORD my God fully.
9 "So Moses swore on that day, saying, 'Surely the land on which your foot has trodden will be an inheritance to you and to your children forever, because you have followed the LORD my God fully.'
10 "Now behold, the LORD has let me live, just as He spoke, these forty-five years, from the time that the LORD spoke this word to Moses, when Israel walked in the wilderness; and now behold, I am eighty-five years old today.
11 "I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in.
12 "Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken."
Now, here's Joshua's buddy Caleb. He's been faithfully following the Lord for FORTY FIVE years! We don't hear too much about Caleb in the Scriptures do we? A few passing references here and there. Not nearly as much as his friend and contemporary Joshua. He strikes me as a grunt. A soldier,much like me and possibly you. What do you think? He'd been quietly serving the Lord for all those years, holding that dream close to his vest. I suspect that many times in the pitch of battle while conquering the Promised Land, Caleb wondered whether he would even live to see his dream fulfilled. I expect that there were many nights spent under the stars that his dream seemed nothing more to him than a foolish PIPE DREAM. I wonder if Caleb ever shared his dream with others, only to be told that it was stupid, or it was never going to come to pass. "Caleb you're no Joshua and you're certainly no Moses. I doubt if God is bothered with your DAYDREAMS." I wonder if Caleb ever heard that. Maybe he even spoke those words to himself. But then, his time came. God looked down from Heaven and decided it was time to give Caleb what he had been promised. Caleb's bucket list. Ya feelin' me here?
You ever feel like that? You know. You've been marching and following orders the best you can for some time now. Just a rank and file striper trying to do what you have been told to do,waiting for your time. Or possibly circumstances and the difficulties of this life have buried those dreams that once were yours, under responsibility, tragedy or the like. These dreams are fading now to a very dim light on an even dimmer shore. But, hold on. Wait a minute. Get this.
Psalm 126:1-3 (NASB) 1
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
3 The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad.
You see we, at times feel like that we have been taken captive don't we? Circumstances have tried to chain us down and the enemy has tried to steal our joy and hope. But, God is mindful of our plight and desires to give us our mountain. Not only that He is more than able to change our circumstances. But, in His timing not ours.
Jeremiah 32:27 (NASB) 27 "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?"
Listen, Brothers and Sisters the Lord God Almighty is mindful of you and yours. Whether you are a General or a Private in His army, He wants to do good for you. He wants to give you a field commission. It's His good pleasure to give you of His Kingdom. So, dust off those dreams. Dig up that bucket list. Like Caleb, keep holding on, keep following Him,and one day, you too will be like those who dream.
Psalm 71:18 (NASB) 18 And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.
God Bless
Friday, September 19, 2014
I Was THAT
Close
09-19-14
Galatians 5:15 (NASB) 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Galatians 5:26 (NASB) 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
The title to my message is taken from Little Stevie Van Zandt's retelling of Al Pacino's lament in the Godfather.(I watch way too many gangster movies) Michael Corleone, reflecting on his life as a gangster said that he was "that close" to getting out of the life of crime but at the last minute they "reeled him back in." Let me share an anecdote from this week past that spawned this message. I watched a short video this week, a hip hop(?) video I suppose. I don't know if it was Christian or not
but I enjoyed it. It was entitled "The world is coming to an end" The artist was grieving over the state of our world and one of the lyrics went like this.
"Race is an issue and so is religion. Your God doesn't exist, my God does and He is all loving.And if you disagree with me....I'll kill you. Or even worse.....ARGUE YOU TO DEATH."(Caps mine)
With that background allow me to move on. I was tempted this week. I was THAT close to joining in a discussion this week on Facebook. You know don't you? You hit the comment link and put in your two cents worth. You with me? I've never done it before, but this time after viewing some comments, I was chomping at the bit. I was going to jump in to what had now devolved into a vicious and even ravenous argument about certain people and doctrines. Why I didn't, I don't know. But, I delayed my invasion, got called away by something that Memaw needed and never got into the pitch of battle. A couple hours later, I sat down again in front of my now black computer screen, and for some reason I opened my Bible and began reading in Galatians. As I came across the 5th chapter, the Holy Spirit highlighted the above two verses; especially that phrase ..."challenging one another..." Hmmm.. challenging one another. That described my motive to a tee. I wanted to challenge someone on Facebook and prove I was right and they were wrong. Ya feelin' me here?
We, many times under a banner of love, publicly shred some ministry or worse, some human being because of something they said or did that we don't agree with. I witnessed this, this past week, and was very nearly a party to it on Facebook. Maybe that person did say something not quite right. Or maybe they espoused a doctrine or belief that isn't quite according to Hoyle or more to the point, according to us. Maybe so. But, if we aren't very careful, we can be caught up in it and argue each other to death. I was that close this week, but got reeled back in.
Let me throw something in here. The Apostle Paul's public confrontations were usually with Judaizers,not believers. (see Acts 15:1 for an example) It normally was with those who were negating the sufficiency of God's grace through Jesus' shed blood by adding to the message of the Gospel, most often by requiring some form of work, namely circumcision or the observance of ritual feasts and days. That being said, my point is simply this. Rarely, if ever, did Paul correct or criticize believers in public. He kept it "in house" rather than splattering their supposed misdeed all over the social and print media. Paul's rebuke was face to face, as with Peter, or in the form of letters, as with the New Testament churches that he planted. 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.
That 'anyone' in the original Greek means.......anyone. New convert, pew sitter, tithe payer, deacon, preacher, ministry leader, ANYONE. "Restore........ in a spirit of gentleness....."
As I mused over this, this week, I thought of all the times that I have let my rear end override my mouth. Of all the times that I was right and they were wrong. At least in my own mind! Oh yeah, I got my two cents worth ...and it didn't change a thing. It only resulted in feelings of regret on my part and created a wall between me and the unwitting victim of my verbal assault. It happens to all of us at one time or another. But, we will save ourselves a lot of grief, not to mention a possible chastising from the Lord, if we just keep our mouths shut,pray about it, and let God deal with it. Amen?
Psalm 133:1 (NASB) 1
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
God Bless
Galatians 5:15 (NASB) 15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
Galatians 5:26 (NASB) 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
The title to my message is taken from Little Stevie Van Zandt's retelling of Al Pacino's lament in the Godfather.(I watch way too many gangster movies) Michael Corleone, reflecting on his life as a gangster said that he was "that close" to getting out of the life of crime but at the last minute they "reeled him back in." Let me share an anecdote from this week past that spawned this message. I watched a short video this week, a hip hop(?) video I suppose. I don't know if it was Christian or not
but I enjoyed it. It was entitled "The world is coming to an end" The artist was grieving over the state of our world and one of the lyrics went like this.
"Race is an issue and so is religion. Your God doesn't exist, my God does and He is all loving.And if you disagree with me....I'll kill you. Or even worse.....ARGUE YOU TO DEATH."(Caps mine)
With that background allow me to move on. I was tempted this week. I was THAT close to joining in a discussion this week on Facebook. You know don't you? You hit the comment link and put in your two cents worth. You with me? I've never done it before, but this time after viewing some comments, I was chomping at the bit. I was going to jump in to what had now devolved into a vicious and even ravenous argument about certain people and doctrines. Why I didn't, I don't know. But, I delayed my invasion, got called away by something that Memaw needed and never got into the pitch of battle. A couple hours later, I sat down again in front of my now black computer screen, and for some reason I opened my Bible and began reading in Galatians. As I came across the 5th chapter, the Holy Spirit highlighted the above two verses; especially that phrase ..."challenging one another..." Hmmm.. challenging one another. That described my motive to a tee. I wanted to challenge someone on Facebook and prove I was right and they were wrong. Ya feelin' me here?
We, many times under a banner of love, publicly shred some ministry or worse, some human being because of something they said or did that we don't agree with. I witnessed this, this past week, and was very nearly a party to it on Facebook. Maybe that person did say something not quite right. Or maybe they espoused a doctrine or belief that isn't quite according to Hoyle or more to the point, according to us. Maybe so. But, if we aren't very careful, we can be caught up in it and argue each other to death. I was that close this week, but got reeled back in.
Let me throw something in here. The Apostle Paul's public confrontations were usually with Judaizers,not believers. (see Acts 15:1 for an example) It normally was with those who were negating the sufficiency of God's grace through Jesus' shed blood by adding to the message of the Gospel, most often by requiring some form of work, namely circumcision or the observance of ritual feasts and days. That being said, my point is simply this. Rarely, if ever, did Paul correct or criticize believers in public. He kept it "in house" rather than splattering their supposed misdeed all over the social and print media. Paul's rebuke was face to face, as with Peter, or in the form of letters, as with the New Testament churches that he planted. 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.
That 'anyone' in the original Greek means.......anyone. New convert, pew sitter, tithe payer, deacon, preacher, ministry leader, ANYONE. "Restore........ in a spirit of gentleness....."
As I mused over this, this week, I thought of all the times that I have let my rear end override my mouth. Of all the times that I was right and they were wrong. At least in my own mind! Oh yeah, I got my two cents worth ...and it didn't change a thing. It only resulted in feelings of regret on my part and created a wall between me and the unwitting victim of my verbal assault. It happens to all of us at one time or another. But, we will save ourselves a lot of grief, not to mention a possible chastising from the Lord, if we just keep our mouths shut,pray about it, and let God deal with it. Amen?
Psalm 133:1 (NASB) 1
God Bless
Friday, September 12, 2014
Suddenly!
09-12-14
Zechariah 3:1-4 (NASB) 1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
2 The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel.
4 He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him." Again he said to him, "See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes."
I am going to share with you today a moment in time from yesterday as I sat out on the back deck. I say a moment because it felt like that. It happened suddenly, thus the title of the message. Maybe you can relate because it has happened to you. If it hasn't, don't worry, it will. I often go out on the deck here at Memaw's, and lately it has developed into somewhat of a routine. The deck affords me some solitude and alone time. I often take that time to pray and be alone with God; also to soak up some rays for my pitifully pale body! smile. So yesterday, shortly after I woke up, caffeine in hand, I shuffled outside, sat down, and began to pray. I will try to not be too personal here.I was praying for healing for some loved ones. Not a physical but a spiritual healing.I believed they had been wounded by past hurts and were still bleeding. No great revelation here, just something I felt in my heart for them. Here's where, for me, it gets interesting. All of a sudden I had all sorts of conflicting thoughts enter my head. It didn't seem like a distraction, but periods of my past were literally being rolled before my eyes. Now that isn't too odd except some of it was stuff that I hadn't thought or even considered in years. It had to do with the people I was praying for....and it was all BAD,.... and it was all TRUE. A movie newsreel if you will( remember those at the movies when you were a kid?) of all the mistakes and missteps I had made with these folks. Sitting there watching, I was forced to admit in my heart that indeed this was all true. It upset me to the point that I began to cry.You see I was praying for God to heal a wound that I HAD INFLICTED. I was the cause. I bore the lion's share if not ALL the guilt for their demise. It wasn't what I had done, it was what I had caused. You feelin' me here? I mean this stuff went way, way back. Small detailed type stuff that I had forgotten about decades ago. I am serious, literally decades had passed since some of this stuff had taken place. I was being accused. I was being STRONGLY accused. If not before God, certainly in my own heart and mind. The wounds that these people were enduring were, in large part, of my doing.
It was precisely at this moment that the above verse came into my heart. I pictured Joshua standing before the Lord in filthy rags. I rose up and went in the house to find the passage of Scripture. When I found it I pulled out a commentary to see what it had to say. Nothing really jumped out at me except that word "suddenly." It seems that in the original after the word 'and' the word suddenly is implied. Joshua was standing before God and suddenly Satan began to accuse him before the Lord. It felt like that was exactly what had happened to me. I read on and found out that filthy is not an accurate description of Joshua's garments. In the Hebrew he was clothed with human waste."Filthy" doesn't do it justice. In spite of all that, when God rebuked Satan for the accusation(God did the rebuking, not Joshua. that's for another time however) He called him "a brand plucked from the fire," meaning "one
who is still useful and not to be consumed or destroyed." He said all that before He cleaned Joshua up.
As I thought on these things the content of my message took form. Hear me out and I will try and put into words what was in my heart. People(that includes this writer I suppose) are the frailest of all the creation don't you think? We try and add to God's grace and mercy by requiring others to "do" acts of righteousness to appease God. We take away from God's grace and mercy by failing to truly receive His forgiveness into our hearts. But, from what I can glean from Joshua is the fact that he did NOTHING. He didn't "do" something and he didn't "not do" something. All he did was stand before the Lord; and God Almighty did all the cleaning up. He didn't try and defend himself before Satan's accusations. Why? Because though the text doesn't say, they were probably true! He just stood there in his filth and let God do all the rebuking. Not only did God clean Joshua up, but He promised him that if he followed Him and walked in His ways, He would make him a priest in the future house of Israel. Brothers and sisters we have all made mistakes. We have all inflicted wounds on others that we regret and wish that we could undo. And it is the enemy's job to remind us of all our failings and sins; and to use those memories to accuse us to ourselves. That's what he does. If you, like me sometimes struggle with the fact that you have hurt and wounded someone in the past, remember this. God has forgiven and forgotten. He will heal those we have hurt and He will heal us.That's what He does.God is sovereign. His plan for our lives and our loved one's lives will not be frustrated...in spite of all we do and say!smile God's still got plans for you and yours. He has a future for us. And whether the enemy's accusations are spot on or not, the Lord Jesus dealt with them at the cross. He didn't die in vain. He rose again and He's got us in the palm of His hand. Us AND those we love. Amen? AMEN!!
Psalm 130:1-4 (NASB) 1
Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD.
2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.
3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.
God Bless
Zechariah 3:1-4 (NASB) 1 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to accuse him.
2 The LORD said to Satan, "The LORD rebuke you, Satan! Indeed, the LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?"
3 Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments and standing before the angel.
4 He spoke and said to those who were standing before him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him." Again he said to him, "See, I have taken your iniquity away from you and will clothe you with festal robes."
I am going to share with you today a moment in time from yesterday as I sat out on the back deck. I say a moment because it felt like that. It happened suddenly, thus the title of the message. Maybe you can relate because it has happened to you. If it hasn't, don't worry, it will. I often go out on the deck here at Memaw's, and lately it has developed into somewhat of a routine. The deck affords me some solitude and alone time. I often take that time to pray and be alone with God; also to soak up some rays for my pitifully pale body! smile. So yesterday, shortly after I woke up, caffeine in hand, I shuffled outside, sat down, and began to pray. I will try to not be too personal here.I was praying for healing for some loved ones. Not a physical but a spiritual healing.I believed they had been wounded by past hurts and were still bleeding. No great revelation here, just something I felt in my heart for them. Here's where, for me, it gets interesting. All of a sudden I had all sorts of conflicting thoughts enter my head. It didn't seem like a distraction, but periods of my past were literally being rolled before my eyes. Now that isn't too odd except some of it was stuff that I hadn't thought or even considered in years. It had to do with the people I was praying for....and it was all BAD,.... and it was all TRUE. A movie newsreel if you will( remember those at the movies when you were a kid?) of all the mistakes and missteps I had made with these folks. Sitting there watching, I was forced to admit in my heart that indeed this was all true. It upset me to the point that I began to cry.You see I was praying for God to heal a wound that I HAD INFLICTED. I was the cause. I bore the lion's share if not ALL the guilt for their demise. It wasn't what I had done, it was what I had caused. You feelin' me here? I mean this stuff went way, way back. Small detailed type stuff that I had forgotten about decades ago. I am serious, literally decades had passed since some of this stuff had taken place. I was being accused. I was being STRONGLY accused. If not before God, certainly in my own heart and mind. The wounds that these people were enduring were, in large part, of my doing.
It was precisely at this moment that the above verse came into my heart. I pictured Joshua standing before the Lord in filthy rags. I rose up and went in the house to find the passage of Scripture. When I found it I pulled out a commentary to see what it had to say. Nothing really jumped out at me except that word "suddenly." It seems that in the original after the word 'and' the word suddenly is implied. Joshua was standing before God and suddenly Satan began to accuse him before the Lord. It felt like that was exactly what had happened to me. I read on and found out that filthy is not an accurate description of Joshua's garments. In the Hebrew he was clothed with human waste."Filthy" doesn't do it justice. In spite of all that, when God rebuked Satan for the accusation(God did the rebuking, not Joshua. that's for another time however) He called him "a brand plucked from the fire," meaning "one
who is still useful and not to be consumed or destroyed." He said all that before He cleaned Joshua up.
As I thought on these things the content of my message took form. Hear me out and I will try and put into words what was in my heart. People(that includes this writer I suppose) are the frailest of all the creation don't you think? We try and add to God's grace and mercy by requiring others to "do" acts of righteousness to appease God. We take away from God's grace and mercy by failing to truly receive His forgiveness into our hearts. But, from what I can glean from Joshua is the fact that he did NOTHING. He didn't "do" something and he didn't "not do" something. All he did was stand before the Lord; and God Almighty did all the cleaning up. He didn't try and defend himself before Satan's accusations. Why? Because though the text doesn't say, they were probably true! He just stood there in his filth and let God do all the rebuking. Not only did God clean Joshua up, but He promised him that if he followed Him and walked in His ways, He would make him a priest in the future house of Israel. Brothers and sisters we have all made mistakes. We have all inflicted wounds on others that we regret and wish that we could undo. And it is the enemy's job to remind us of all our failings and sins; and to use those memories to accuse us to ourselves. That's what he does. If you, like me sometimes struggle with the fact that you have hurt and wounded someone in the past, remember this. God has forgiven and forgotten. He will heal those we have hurt and He will heal us.That's what He does.God is sovereign. His plan for our lives and our loved one's lives will not be frustrated...in spite of all we do and say!smile God's still got plans for you and yours. He has a future for us. And whether the enemy's accusations are spot on or not, the Lord Jesus dealt with them at the cross. He didn't die in vain. He rose again and He's got us in the palm of His hand. Us AND those we love. Amen? AMEN!!
Psalm 130:1-4 (NASB) 1
2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.
3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?
4 But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.
God Bless
Friday, September 5, 2014
Never Give
Up
09-05-14
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NASB) 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God.
This scripture is actually an admonition of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. He was scolding the church for being arrogant towards each other. Everybody thought that they were "all that." I've got a little different but still valid perspective on it today. Something that I personally hold on to if you will.
You know the story don't you? Well, I will today recount it for you. In an address to the Harrow School in Britain on October 29, 1941, Winston Churchill, in what is now a famous speech said the following. The relevant part of the speech has become a part of famous quotation books everywhere. "...Never give in. Never,never, never,never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense.Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." This quote came to mind this week as I read the above scripture. You know, God doesn't do or look at things the way we down here do, does He? Whenever I read that passage above, I am always reminded of a few people that are very close to me.
This is a passage of scripture that speaks personally to me. A few years ago the Lord used this scripture to encourage me to never give up on people(myself included), even when the circumstances were screaming the opposite. Sometimes it is difficult to keep on believing the best about people. It is HARD to keep a positive outlook when they are "out there" and walking that thin line on the edge of that cliff. You hearin' me here? You know how it goes. People start raising an eyebrow at that kid of yours and their shenanigans. It doesn't have to be a kid, but, it is, more often than not.They start talking,.. you try to turn a deaf ear, but, all you can do is silently agree. Or they don't say a thing and that silence is even more deafening. And after a while you start believing all the negative about them. It becomes all the more difficult to "see" them as saved, sanctified.....you know don't you.
Or to make things down home and personal the person that is on that thin line, the person that is peering over the edge of the cliff, the one who is "out there" may be YOU! Oh yeah it can happen to any of us. We don't have to be "sinning" to fall victim to the enemy's snares. No, no. It can be a job failure or even a job loss. It might take the form of failing to live up to other's and sometimes your expectations of your potential. It might be a sickness. There are as many circumstances as there are stars to give you a sense of hopelessness. Capisce? However,......HOWEVER that is NOT the way GOD looks at it. BUT GOD.
The world may have given up on that kid. The world may have given up on you. YOU may have given up on you. Other people may have turned their back and given up on them. They have thrown you out with yesterday's newspaper.BUT,that's where God shines isn't it? Look at this. God has chosen what?
The foolish things, the weak things, the base things, the despised things... to do what?? To shame the wise, to shame the strong, to nullify all of those who had thrown you on the trash heap. To SHUT UP all the boo birds in the cheap seats. Yes, it is hard to hang in there. As a matter of fact, we can't hang in there, UNLESS we grab hold of God and suck His grace and strength into our veins. Allow His perspective to become our own. As it was told me many years ago. God gets a big kick out of pulling someone out of the ditch, cleaning them up, and making something out of them. That is what He does best. Amen??Amen!! Never give up.
Psalm 56:8-9 (NASB) 8 You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me.
God Bless
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 (NASB) 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble;
27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong,
28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are,
29 so that no man may boast before God.
This scripture is actually an admonition of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church. He was scolding the church for being arrogant towards each other. Everybody thought that they were "all that." I've got a little different but still valid perspective on it today. Something that I personally hold on to if you will.
You know the story don't you? Well, I will today recount it for you. In an address to the Harrow School in Britain on October 29, 1941, Winston Churchill, in what is now a famous speech said the following. The relevant part of the speech has become a part of famous quotation books everywhere. "...Never give in. Never,never, never,never--in nothing, great or small, large or petty--never give in, except to convictions of honor and good sense.Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." This quote came to mind this week as I read the above scripture. You know, God doesn't do or look at things the way we down here do, does He? Whenever I read that passage above, I am always reminded of a few people that are very close to me.
This is a passage of scripture that speaks personally to me. A few years ago the Lord used this scripture to encourage me to never give up on people(myself included), even when the circumstances were screaming the opposite. Sometimes it is difficult to keep on believing the best about people. It is HARD to keep a positive outlook when they are "out there" and walking that thin line on the edge of that cliff. You hearin' me here? You know how it goes. People start raising an eyebrow at that kid of yours and their shenanigans. It doesn't have to be a kid, but, it is, more often than not.They start talking,.. you try to turn a deaf ear, but, all you can do is silently agree. Or they don't say a thing and that silence is even more deafening. And after a while you start believing all the negative about them. It becomes all the more difficult to "see" them as saved, sanctified.....you know don't you.
Or to make things down home and personal the person that is on that thin line, the person that is peering over the edge of the cliff, the one who is "out there" may be YOU! Oh yeah it can happen to any of us. We don't have to be "sinning" to fall victim to the enemy's snares. No, no. It can be a job failure or even a job loss. It might take the form of failing to live up to other's and sometimes your expectations of your potential. It might be a sickness. There are as many circumstances as there are stars to give you a sense of hopelessness. Capisce? However,......HOWEVER that is NOT the way GOD looks at it. BUT GOD.
The world may have given up on that kid. The world may have given up on you. YOU may have given up on you. Other people may have turned their back and given up on them. They have thrown you out with yesterday's newspaper.BUT,that's where God shines isn't it? Look at this. God has chosen what?
The foolish things, the weak things, the base things, the despised things... to do what?? To shame the wise, to shame the strong, to nullify all of those who had thrown you on the trash heap. To SHUT UP all the boo birds in the cheap seats. Yes, it is hard to hang in there. As a matter of fact, we can't hang in there, UNLESS we grab hold of God and suck His grace and strength into our veins. Allow His perspective to become our own. As it was told me many years ago. God gets a big kick out of pulling someone out of the ditch, cleaning them up, and making something out of them. That is what He does best. Amen??Amen!! Never give up.
Psalm 56:8-9 (NASB) 8 You have taken account of my wanderings; Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?
9 Then my enemies will turn back in the day when I call; This I know, that God is for me.
God Bless
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