Philippians 4: 6-7
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
When we worry, we're not trusting God to be in control. Or we're not trusting Him to be Good. We're taking things into our own, feeble hands, instead of letting His strong hands hold us.
Instead, we are to talk to God about it. Talk to God about everything. Don't keep anything from Him, just let it all out. He can take it, even when we vent all our anger and rage on Him. He is God, we are not. We can trust Him to be God in everything in our lives. He is concerned for us, for every detail of our being and living.
When we remember all the good He has already done for us, and for His people in times past, then we will know that He will continue to be Himself, He will be faithful to His every Promise, and He wants the very best for us, to grow our character into the sterling character of Christ.
Then, when we do trust Him fully, then we won't have a worry in the world. We will know that He "has this" in His hand. Then our hearts and minds will rest in Him, peacefully rest in His Sovereign control over every aspect of our lives, and release all the stress that our worry inflicted on us.
Praise God for His Greatness, His Goodness, and His immeasurable Love for each one of us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
To Be A Blessing To The Nations
Jeremiah 4: 1-2
"O Israel," says the Lord, "if you wanted to return to Me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. Then when you swear by My Name, saying, 'As surely as the Lord lives,' you could do so with truth, justice and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the Nations of the World, and all people would come and praise My Name."
This was God's intention for choosing Israel out of all the other Nations. He gave this people His Laws for them to demonstrate to the World how good life can be when it is lived according to His rules.
But Israel never did fully implement the whole body of Laws for long. Not long enough to really get into their minds and hearts how good God is, and how good His statutes are for regulating their thinking processes and daily lives. Their whole history shows them constantly being drawn away from God's Laws by all the false gods and idols of the peoples around them.
And now, in these days today, God has placed a veil over their hearts (II Corinthians 3:15), as He deals with His Church. But even today, when individuals of Israel's tribes realize Jesus is their Messiah and turn to Him, they become members of His church, His bride, also.
And today, we don't "see" those idols and false gods in our midst, but they are still there! We just call them by different names. Instead of Molech we call it abortion. Instead of Baalim and Ashtaroth we give them Saints' and Angels' names. We call the "Queen of Heaven" by the name of Jesus' mother, and call her the Mother of God. We call on Baal of Peor and say that we have sexual freedom to commit fornication.
We put our trust in our own ability to earn money, when it is God Who gives us this ability (Deuteronomy 8:18). We tend to believe Satan's lie to Eve, when he told her that she could be able to make her own decisions without bothering God, that she could be her own god; and we are smart, we are able to make all our own decisions. But our thoughts and choices are not God's thoughts or choices for us, and we find ourselves in trouble with trials and sorrows as a result of our own decisions and life-styles.
The World will always be susceptible to the enemy's deceits, but God's Church should know better. I pray that God would continue to wake up His own people to see how this world is drawing us all down into the paths that lead to death; and make sure they're on the right path, that narrow road that leads to Life. And live our lives as lights in the darkness of this world system, to show them that God is good, and His ways are the right ways for all of us.
And any Nation that chooses to turn to our Creator and Lord to learn His ways and follow His path--that Nation can be the one to be the "city on a hill that cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14), to shine His light into the World, and be a blessing to them all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
"O Israel," says the Lord, "if you wanted to return to Me, you could. You could throw away your detestable idols and stray away no more. Then when you swear by My Name, saying, 'As surely as the Lord lives,' you could do so with truth, justice and righteousness. Then you would be a blessing to the Nations of the World, and all people would come and praise My Name."
This was God's intention for choosing Israel out of all the other Nations. He gave this people His Laws for them to demonstrate to the World how good life can be when it is lived according to His rules.
But Israel never did fully implement the whole body of Laws for long. Not long enough to really get into their minds and hearts how good God is, and how good His statutes are for regulating their thinking processes and daily lives. Their whole history shows them constantly being drawn away from God's Laws by all the false gods and idols of the peoples around them.
And now, in these days today, God has placed a veil over their hearts (II Corinthians 3:15), as He deals with His Church. But even today, when individuals of Israel's tribes realize Jesus is their Messiah and turn to Him, they become members of His church, His bride, also.
And today, we don't "see" those idols and false gods in our midst, but they are still there! We just call them by different names. Instead of Molech we call it abortion. Instead of Baalim and Ashtaroth we give them Saints' and Angels' names. We call the "Queen of Heaven" by the name of Jesus' mother, and call her the Mother of God. We call on Baal of Peor and say that we have sexual freedom to commit fornication.
We put our trust in our own ability to earn money, when it is God Who gives us this ability (Deuteronomy 8:18). We tend to believe Satan's lie to Eve, when he told her that she could be able to make her own decisions without bothering God, that she could be her own god; and we are smart, we are able to make all our own decisions. But our thoughts and choices are not God's thoughts or choices for us, and we find ourselves in trouble with trials and sorrows as a result of our own decisions and life-styles.
The World will always be susceptible to the enemy's deceits, but God's Church should know better. I pray that God would continue to wake up His own people to see how this world is drawing us all down into the paths that lead to death; and make sure they're on the right path, that narrow road that leads to Life. And live our lives as lights in the darkness of this world system, to show them that God is good, and His ways are the right ways for all of us.
And any Nation that chooses to turn to our Creator and Lord to learn His ways and follow His path--that Nation can be the one to be the "city on a hill that cannot be hid" (Matthew 5:14), to shine His light into the World, and be a blessing to them all.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Do You Know What You Want?
James 1: 5-7
If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.
We don't need to be afraid of God. He loves us and wants to give us everything we need and want, He just wants us to ask.
But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer,
Do you really believe that God wants to give you what you're asking for? Do you really think God will give it to you?
for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
That's when we don't even know what we want, or if we doubt that God may not approve, or want to be that good to us; or we change our minds and think we want this, but then decide we really want that.
People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.
God will not accommodate Himself to our every whim. We need to make up our minds about what is important and assign priorities to the different things we need in life. Then when we're settled in what we really want, that's when we can come to God in prayer asking for what it is we want. Then we can know He will answer and grant our petition. Only then.
The World has gotten hold of this Faith Principle. They call it the "Law of Attraction." They say to ask "the Universe" for what you want. And since God built this World on a Faith Principle so we could have faith in Him, even when they don't acknowledge Him, their unwavering "faith" does seem to sometimes bring them what they ask for. But what will it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his own soul? Or what can he give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37).
How much better it is to know the Giver of all good things, and have Him welcome us into His inner circle. We can have full confidence in Him to grant us every good thing we ask for. And knowing Him, we can enjoy His presence with us now, and live with Him in His glory forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to do--ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.
We don't need to be afraid of God. He loves us and wants to give us everything we need and want, He just wants us to ask.
But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer,
Do you really believe that God wants to give you what you're asking for? Do you really think God will give it to you?
for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
That's when we don't even know what we want, or if we doubt that God may not approve, or want to be that good to us; or we change our minds and think we want this, but then decide we really want that.
People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.
God will not accommodate Himself to our every whim. We need to make up our minds about what is important and assign priorities to the different things we need in life. Then when we're settled in what we really want, that's when we can come to God in prayer asking for what it is we want. Then we can know He will answer and grant our petition. Only then.
The World has gotten hold of this Faith Principle. They call it the "Law of Attraction." They say to ask "the Universe" for what you want. And since God built this World on a Faith Principle so we could have faith in Him, even when they don't acknowledge Him, their unwavering "faith" does seem to sometimes bring them what they ask for. But what will it profit a man to gain the whole world, but lose his own soul? Or what can he give in exchange for his soul? (Mark 8:36-37).
How much better it is to know the Giver of all good things, and have Him welcome us into His inner circle. We can have full confidence in Him to grant us every good thing we ask for. And knowing Him, we can enjoy His presence with us now, and live with Him in His glory forever.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, May 1, 2017
Whom Have I In Heaven?
Isaiah 65: 25
The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. But the snakes will eat by the dust (by swishing their tongues, like they do today). In these days no one will be hurt or destroyed on My holy Mountain (where He rules, His Kingdom). I the Lord, have spoken!
Psalm 73: 25-26
Whom have I in Heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on Earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
O my Father, Whom have I in Heaven but You? I desire You more than anything in this World. My finances may fail, my good health may depart, and I may never find another partner and remain alone; but You, my God, remain the strength of my heart. In You, Father, I am equal to and ready for anything You may send my way, because You infuse Your strength into me.
I long for Your Appearing, my Lord, and Your glorious reign in Your Kingdom on this very Earth, when no one will be hurt or destroyed under Your rule. You are mine forever!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
The wolf and the lamb will feed together. The lion will eat hay like a cow. But the snakes will eat by the dust (by swishing their tongues, like they do today). In these days no one will be hurt or destroyed on My holy Mountain (where He rules, His Kingdom). I the Lord, have spoken!
Psalm 73: 25-26
Whom have I in Heaven but You? I desire You more than anything on Earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
O my Father, Whom have I in Heaven but You? I desire You more than anything in this World. My finances may fail, my good health may depart, and I may never find another partner and remain alone; but You, my God, remain the strength of my heart. In You, Father, I am equal to and ready for anything You may send my way, because You infuse Your strength into me.
I long for Your Appearing, my Lord, and Your glorious reign in Your Kingdom on this very Earth, when no one will be hurt or destroyed under Your rule. You are mine forever!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Both To Will And To Do
Philippians 2: 13-15
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
When God's Holy Spirit is living in our spirits, then He will do the work in our thinking processes and feelings to both want to do God's will and also give us the ability to do whatever it is.
Do everything without arguing or complaining, so that no one can criticize you.
Don't do anything with an attitude that someone else can find fault with.
Live clean, innocent lives as children of God,
We can live a clean life, even if we're not innocent; but we can be pure (I've heard the term, "secondary virginity"), modeling our Parent as His children.
shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Twisted and perverted people live in the darkness of this World, where God's light needs to shine. We are the bright lights He wants to use to expose all the wickedness in our midst, showing those who are caught up in this bondage the much better way of living, the way God has outlined for us in His Word. Only His ways will bring to us the freedom, peace and joy of the Lord He wants for all of us.
It is up to us to show them God's way of living, to draw them and lead them back to God. The more winsome we can be in our right living, the more attractive we show our Lord to be, in His great love for all of us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.
When God's Holy Spirit is living in our spirits, then He will do the work in our thinking processes and feelings to both want to do God's will and also give us the ability to do whatever it is.
Do everything without arguing or complaining, so that no one can criticize you.
Don't do anything with an attitude that someone else can find fault with.
Live clean, innocent lives as children of God,
We can live a clean life, even if we're not innocent; but we can be pure (I've heard the term, "secondary virginity"), modeling our Parent as His children.
shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
Twisted and perverted people live in the darkness of this World, where God's light needs to shine. We are the bright lights He wants to use to expose all the wickedness in our midst, showing those who are caught up in this bondage the much better way of living, the way God has outlined for us in His Word. Only His ways will bring to us the freedom, peace and joy of the Lord He wants for all of us.
It is up to us to show them God's way of living, to draw them and lead them back to God. The more winsome we can be in our right living, the more attractive we show our Lord to be, in His great love for all of us.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, April 29, 2017
Is Your Strength Too Small?
Proverbs 24:10
If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.
So what are we to do? James tells us:
James 1:2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
So what is this "joy" that we are to have when we face trouble? It can only be the "joy of the Lord" that He gives us that transcends all circumstances. It is the Joy of the Lord that gives us strength. This strength carries us through whatever trial we are facing, and enables us to avail ourselves of the help He provides to get through it, instead of succumbing to it. That's how our endurance grows, and our characters become more like Jesus' perfect character; we are to become more like Jesus, and this is one way we do that.
This is not easy--nothing worth having is easy. But we don't have to do it on our own. On our own we fail every time. But when we lean on Jesus, when we get into His yoke with Him, He pulls with us and the load seems light. That's how we face each problem in life successfully.
God wants us to be successful in life, overcoming all the trials, troubles and sorrows this World throws at us. That's why He invites us to walk with Him, think the way He thinks, and live our lives according to His ways. Then He will intervene and intercede for us, successfully growing our characters little by little, day by day.
May each of us determine in our own hearts to seek His ways, obey His rules, and love Him more each day.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
If you fail under pressure, your strength is too small.
So what are we to do? James tells us:
James 1:2-4
Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
So what is this "joy" that we are to have when we face trouble? It can only be the "joy of the Lord" that He gives us that transcends all circumstances. It is the Joy of the Lord that gives us strength. This strength carries us through whatever trial we are facing, and enables us to avail ourselves of the help He provides to get through it, instead of succumbing to it. That's how our endurance grows, and our characters become more like Jesus' perfect character; we are to become more like Jesus, and this is one way we do that.
This is not easy--nothing worth having is easy. But we don't have to do it on our own. On our own we fail every time. But when we lean on Jesus, when we get into His yoke with Him, He pulls with us and the load seems light. That's how we face each problem in life successfully.
God wants us to be successful in life, overcoming all the trials, troubles and sorrows this World throws at us. That's why He invites us to walk with Him, think the way He thinks, and live our lives according to His ways. Then He will intervene and intercede for us, successfully growing our characters little by little, day by day.
May each of us determine in our own hearts to seek His ways, obey His rules, and love Him more each day.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Friday, April 28, 2017
James, The Lord's Brother
Paul writes in Galatians 1:19 that The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord's brother.
Yet, James says of himself, in James 1:1, This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
James grew up as the younger brother of Jesus, the first son of Joseph and Mary. We know there were three other brothers, Joseph (also called Joses), Simon, and Judas (Jude). They also had sisters, we don't know how many, but they are "all His sisters." (See Matthew 13:55-56 and Mark 6:3. The Greek is very precise; if they were His cousins a different word would have been used here.)
Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him before His death and Resurrection. At one point during His public ministry, they concluded that He must be "out of His mind" and went to take Him home. I deal with this event on my April 6, 2017 blog entry, "Jesus' Brothers And Sisters And Mother."
But then on Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day, the angel at the tomb told the women to go tell His disciples to keep the appointment He made with them in Galilee. Then when Jesus meets them on the way, He tells them to also tell His brothers to go to the meeting, too. Evidently they did, because James became the Church Leader (Pastor) in Jerusalem and wrote his epistle, and Judas gave us his letter, the Epistle of Jude.
Can you imagine having a big Brother who never did anything wrong? You would get in trouble for things, but He never did. How frustrating! No wonder they thought He was losing His mind when He started to teach the crowds that He was God's Son, and did outrageous stuff called miracles!
But then, seeing Him alive in Galilee after He was publicly Crucified to death only days earlier, convinced them that Jesus really was Who He said He was all along. They realized that He died in their place, as their personal sacrifice recorded in Leviticus chapter one, the perfect Lamb of God Whose Blood doesn't just cover, but takes away sins. Eyewitness proof is what they had, and they gave us their witness, so that we can believe and fully put our trust in Him, too.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Yet, James says of himself, in James 1:1, This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
James grew up as the younger brother of Jesus, the first son of Joseph and Mary. We know there were three other brothers, Joseph (also called Joses), Simon, and Judas (Jude). They also had sisters, we don't know how many, but they are "all His sisters." (See Matthew 13:55-56 and Mark 6:3. The Greek is very precise; if they were His cousins a different word would have been used here.)
Jesus' brothers did not believe in Him before His death and Resurrection. At one point during His public ministry, they concluded that He must be "out of His mind" and went to take Him home. I deal with this event on my April 6, 2017 blog entry, "Jesus' Brothers And Sisters And Mother."
But then on Easter Sunday, Resurrection Day, the angel at the tomb told the women to go tell His disciples to keep the appointment He made with them in Galilee. Then when Jesus meets them on the way, He tells them to also tell His brothers to go to the meeting, too. Evidently they did, because James became the Church Leader (Pastor) in Jerusalem and wrote his epistle, and Judas gave us his letter, the Epistle of Jude.
Can you imagine having a big Brother who never did anything wrong? You would get in trouble for things, but He never did. How frustrating! No wonder they thought He was losing His mind when He started to teach the crowds that He was God's Son, and did outrageous stuff called miracles!
But then, seeing Him alive in Galilee after He was publicly Crucified to death only days earlier, convinced them that Jesus really was Who He said He was all along. They realized that He died in their place, as their personal sacrifice recorded in Leviticus chapter one, the perfect Lamb of God Whose Blood doesn't just cover, but takes away sins. Eyewitness proof is what they had, and they gave us their witness, so that we can believe and fully put our trust in Him, too.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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