Sunday, October 22, 2017

Chain Breaker

John‬ ‭14:6‬ ‭- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

I won’t do this too often! But I got frustrated posting a blog from my iPad tonight and am too tired to use the computer!

A man in our church is in a troubled marriage, has two or three little girls, and he was not doing well this past week. He asked our church for prayer. And he made the decision to get baptized this morning. It was another one of several recent wonderful baptisms. God is seeking and saving the lost. Praise Him!

This I suspect was partly why what I’m sharing below transpired. New to me...and I like it.

               https://youtu.be/JGYjKR69M6U

               https://youtu.be/B9aHzUZT96k


Psalm‬ ‭107:8-11,13-15‬ ‭-
**Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!**
For He satisfies the longing soul, and fills the hungry soul with goodness. Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons—because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High...
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces.
**Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!**
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Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Eat Them Words!

Jeremiah‬ ‭1:6-9‬ ‭- Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speakDo not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you,” says the LORD. Then the LORD put forth His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me: “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.”

We are not fully equipped in our own strength or abilities to share Christ but through the power of the Holy Spirit. We are equipped by knowing God’s Word, by ingesting it so we know it. God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).

There very well could come a time when believers in the Lord Jesus Christ could be persecuted for standing firm in their belief of Him, for taking a stand on the firm foundation of the absolute truth of God’s Word, including those things the world says are offensive and which 
issues, by their standards, should be tolerated. It can be hard to stand on the truth without caving under pressure...and looking like the bad guy.

There are great promises in His Word. Promises of good--and destruction. You either believe His Word--or you don’t. No one gets to sit on the fence and believe what they want. Either/or, right/wrong,  yes/no, life/death. The one side of the issues are what believers are accused of being offensive about. But if we eat them words of truth we will gain the power to continue to speak in and stand firm on that truth. 

I think about how many people of the Bible faced prison or death for their belief in Jesus. They could have saved their lives by denouncing Him. They gained their strength by the power of God. They knew, and walked with, the Word who was made flesh! Where does each of us stand? Do we know the Word, both written and the Man? 

Like I last posted, the Word can be both sweet and bitter. (Revelation 10:8-11) Sweet to those who believe the words and bitter to those who reject it. 

Psalm‬ ‭119:103-104‬ ‭- How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through Your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Salty, Sweet, Bitter

2Timothy‬ ‭3:16-17‬ ‭- All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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In prayer this morning I thanked God for His perfect and timeless Word. It brought thoughts of other things related!

As the Bible states, the Word is truth (John 17:17). The words within this Book are God's very words spoken through men by His Spirit for each of us. These words inspire, teach, exalt, transform, excite, prophesy and encourage. They can also convict, condemn...and hopefully by this bring about new life if taken in and absorbed by the reader. 

I thought about how I can read some days and get excited because I see just where scripture is speaking of the days we live in. The words that were written thousands of years ago. Timeless words from a timeless God. Nothing surprises me anymore. Disturbs me, but doesn't surprise.

I thought about how the words I read today may not have the same meaning the next time. I may see something new or deeper. There's always an expectation of new understanding, going deeper with God. 

I thought about the life-giving words. The promises. When there are hurting people, whether they think of themselves as hurting or not, all around the world, God's Word could bring them comfort. 

I thought about how one who does not accept these words rejects God (John 12:48). That's a pretty strong statement coming from Jesus. Missing out on something so extraordinary. God Himself gave us these words. GOD! The Almighty. Our Creator. Our Savior. 

I made oatmeal for breakfast this morning. I forgot to add salt; it was awful! After I sprinkled a little in, it enhanced the flavor. Because I was still writing this blog, I thought about salt and God's Word. (Naturally!) It's a very wonderful saltiness! It's been seasoned just right. It's why it is exciting to read, it is palatable!



We are told to taste and see that the Word is good (Psalm 34:8). Salt acts as a preservative...so does the Word of God. It is also likened to honey (Psalm 119:103). Salty and sweet. It can be bitter, too. Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter ‭‭(Revelation‬ ‭10:10‬). The bitterness, sadness, destruction comes when we see the results of those not following God, rejecting Him...and His Word...which is there for us to learn from

There are prophetic words in the Bible. They were for the people then and for us today. Some words were good, some not. They are in this Book for us to understand life in general, what was, is and will be. We are dead (what was) until we receive God's precious gift (what is) of life. That extends to eternal life (what is to be). 

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. ‭‭(Psalm‬ ‭119:105‬)  I'm not the greatest for memorizing but God certainly has put into my spirit words I needed to remember. As I write these blogs His Word pops into my head. I believe He/it gives me inspiration. 

So...don't know why this popped into my head...
Moses killed a man - Jonah disobeyed and tried to run from God - David lusted after another man's wife and had him killed that he could have her - Gideon was skeptical and reluctant - Paul started out hating and persecuting Christians, then became a strong advocate for Christ -The disciples were not perfect - and Judas delivered Jesus into captors' hands that led to His crucifixion (though it was God's plan, as was the 
result of each of these amazing men). 

I add this I guess to say it shows that those God chose for important roles throughout the Bible were flawed. And there are many others besides these few. So are we all. It's through the Bible we find the stories of these people. It's an encouragement. Though imperfect, most of them knew God, served Him and came to grips with their sin, by God's hand, and their hearts changed and repentance took place. 
      ***We can learn a lot, even identify with some of the people.***

People, listen. Our salvation is not something to be taken lightly. It has life and death consequences. That's all I'm going to say. If you've read any of my blogs you will note an underlying theme. God's Word is truth. It is full. It is sweet like honey, seasoned as with salt, and can be bitter at times. Kind of like life...yet God's Word brings a real life. 

Psalm 119:1,9,11,17,25‬ ‭- Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD! How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Deal bountifully with Your servant, that I may live and keep Your word. My soul clings to the dust; revive me according to Your word.

Friday, October 6, 2017

In YAH is Everlasting Strength

Isaiah 26:3-4 - You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength.

This is one of my favorite scriptures. We can't always rely on man for strength. Man fails. But God...never fails for those who are focused on the Lord. 

This may not be fully understood without the Spirit of God's help. That only comes with a relationship with Him, meaning that trust in Him. 

I'll tell you, I would not want to be living apart from the Lord in these days. I see what's transpiring, am saddened by it all, and am thankful I have the Lord's peace and strength. I know, my life is not falling apart in front of me. But I guarantee it can some day. Trusting God now, praying for His peace beforehand. It's all I can do. Will I become anxious? Maybe so. It's our human nature. But when we cry out to God, then His strength should kick in. 

He tells us that His Spirit will remind us of His Word. Oh, those promises that He will never leave nor forsake those who wait upon Him, trust in Him. And...worship Him in good times and bad because He is worthy of all praise, honor and glory, no matter what. 

That's all I have to say...except, do you have confidence in an unseen God? Can you have faith in that which is unseen? Do you know His presence? Do you know His promises? It's never too late to know for sure. He is always available to receive your request to for Him to enter into your life, fill you with His Spirit and bring you truth from His Word, and knowledge too. 


His promises are true. (2Corinthians 1:20)

John‬ ‭14:27,26 - Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. ...the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.