'But those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint' ~ (Isaiah 40:31)
This morning as I had just finished praying with my husband, over a matter of God's provision, this 'word' came to me.
I felt the Lord impressing on me, an image of him standing behind a closed door, longing to come through, longing to comfort, heal and help, but he was hindered. He knew about the impending 'need', long before we did. He was waiting expectantly, but when it happened, he couldn't get through...and why???
He couldn't come through, because the door of our hearts was not opened in prayer, to invite him in, to recieve from him. The scriptures tell us:
'I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will
find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you.' Luke 11: 19
In the East - "The oriental house was fitted with heavy doors which were bolted and locked with
wooden keys too large to be carried about, so that even a member of the
household could not secure entrance until in response to his knock or call the
door should be opened by someone within. At night the delay would be increased
by the difficulty of arousing the inmates sleeping within the inner chambers. To
persons familiar with such experiences, the words of Jesus concerning a higher
entrance, "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (Matthew 7:7 and Luke 12:36) would have a unique force
not easy for us to appreciate." (Russell Benjamin Miller)
Are you asleep or awake to supernatural provision? Are you going through this life, walking in your 'flesh', relying on self to provide all things and solve all your problems? Well thats what you are doing as a christian, if you don't run to God in prayer..you are trying to do it all yourself. You tie the hands of God, you keep the door closed on him...you depreive yourself of a blessing.
Its so vital that we include and call upon God in all matters of our life, and especially seek him first when we get 'bad news'...of a financial woe etc. Too often christians do everything else but seek God when a crisis comes. They phone a friend, they let themselves carry the burden, become sullen and depression creeps in. Instead, throw off the shackle, don't give the enemy a foothold, don't let the 'care' penetrate through the peace and joy that surrounds you. Act and believe that your problem is actually only a little thing, not an mountain to be climbed. It's a speck of dust in the hands of the amighty, our majestic Lord and provider. He hungers for our love, he seeks and desires an expectant heart..he has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. (Jeremiah 29:11)
I know and believe it saddens the Father if we don't trust in him, if we don't run to him first with our cares and worries.
I always say to people, just keep on doing the work he has provided for you, keep being a good steward with your finances, no matter how little you have, there will be something you can share with others. Have an expectant and trusting heart that God is always with you and will provide for you. See your won attitude and outlook change and wait for the peace to flood in :)
Be blessed and be a blessings -
Linda - Follower of the Way
I hope you will play this beautifull song, ' Holding onto you' by Grace Williams. It's truly annointed music of the finest quality, direct from heaven...soak in it, sit quietly, play it over several times, and meditate on the words in it...draw near to the heart of Father....hold onto him...hunger for his love..its freely there for you..available always...run into his arms.
It is the LORD your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his
commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.
Over the last month or so, I've been slowly reading through the book of Genesis. As I read the close of this book in Chapter 50 and began Exodus, a common and obvious theme stood out to me, that of 'Fear God and keep his Commandments'. This theme runs throughout the whole bible.
God has a divine agenda for each of our lives, he has plans to prosper us and not to harm us. Sadly and so often we thwart or interfere with the plans of God, by trying to intervene, and 'help' or alter the course slightly. We become impatient, as was the case with Abraham and Sarah, when God promised Sarah would bear a child in her old age. Sarah grew impatient, not believing that God could bring fourth an heir when she was well past child bearing years and took matters into her own hands. She decided that the heir would need to come through her maid servant instead. God of course kept his promise and meanhwile Sarah had to bear the brunt of her own actions and the problems it created. God was simply doing it in his own time and Sarah learnt lessons along the way.
Impatience is a terrible thing...we are so bad at 'waiting upon the Lord', thinking perhaps he hasn't heard us. He always hears us !!!, we need to get this into our hearts. He always answers, in his time, in his way, and for our good. Many times not what we ask for, but in hind sight, we are greatfull and relieved.
Oftentimes we can fear man, more than we fear the Lord. But every time thoughout scripture, I read that those who wait on God, who walk in his ways, obey his commandments and reamin faithful to him, (as in the case of Joseph, son of Jacob) are blessed. Jospeh always sought the Lord, always remained faithful, didn't hold grudges, didn't seek revenge, but instead forgave all his brothers did to him, and even blessed them and provided them with Land and a good life, because of his own prosperity and favour in the eyes of God and Pharoah, king of Egypt. Jospeh had a tender heart for the ways of God, he was merciful and forgave. Mercy and forgiveness are two virtues sadly lacking in our world today and in the hearts of many christians.
To fear God and keep his commandments at all times, is not easy, but also not optional, even when lifes circumstances or our own choices throw us off course. God's ways are not our ways and he knows what the outcome will be if we stray from his divine plan. He puts his laws in place to protect us.
As I finished off Genesis and began the first chapters of Exodus, the legacy of the Patriarchs stands out. The Israelites are said to be 'fruitful and multiplying greatly', they have become 'exceedingly numerous', to the point that the land of Egypt is full of them. God's hand is upon them, and the Egyptians came to dread them. They worked them hard and used them ruthlessly (Exodus 1:14). The new king of Egypt hatched a plan to decrease the population of the Israelites, by asking the midwives to kill every Israelite baby boy that wass born. The midvives however 'feared GOD', and did not do what the king of Egypt asked them to do, instead they let the baby boys live.
Then the king of Egypt summoned them and asked them why they had done this. The midwives were wise and answered, that the Israelite woman were so vigourous in childbirth, that they had already delivered their own children, before they arrived, so therefore it was not possible to carry out the kings command.
Because of their obedience to Yahweh and fear of him, God was kind to the midwives and blessed them, by giving them famlies of their own, and consequently the Israelites became even more numerous.
What can we learn from all this?
Well how it speaks to me, is simply this, 'God is an all knowing, all powerful, all seeing God' and nothing escapes his attention. If people work to feather their own nest, disobey the laws of God and trample over anyone else in the process, eventually the day will come when they will reap the consequences of their actions, either in this life or the next.
We are not to fear man and what he can do to us, we are to fear the Lord and keep his commandments. In the lives of all believers, we will be tested, people will let us down, we'll also let people down. However, if we continually walk in the promises of God, repent of any of our own sin, and seek forgiveness, God will always honour that, forgive and restore us and his favour will once again return to our lives. Its really over to us to do our best and obey him, keep our eyes, hearts and minds fixed on him and continue on the narrow path, that leads to life.
2 John 1:6
And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard
from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.
Psalm 16:11
'You
have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your
presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.'
Deuteronomy 10:20
Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in
his name.
Blessings to anyone who reads this,
Follower of the Way (of Christ).
11Like a partridge that hatches eggs it did not lay
is the man who gains riches by unjust means.
When his life is half gone, they will desert him,
and in the end he will prove to be a fool.
Here's a commentary on Jeremiah 17:9, which I enjoyed: Gills expository:
Jeremiah 17:9
who can know it? angels do not, Satan cannot; only the spirit of a man can know the things of a man within him; though the natural man does not know the plague of his own heart; the Pharisee and perfectionist do not, or they would not say they were without sin; such rant arises from the ignorance of their own hearts; only a spiritual man knows his own heart, the plague of it, the deceitfulness and wickedness in it; and he does not know it all; God only knows it fully.
He who puts confidence in man, shall be like the heath in a desert, a naked tree, a sorry shrub, the product of barren ground, useless and worthless. Those who trust to their own righteousness and strength, and think they can do without Christ, make flesh their arm, and their souls cannot prosper in graces or comforts. Those who make God their Hope, shall flourish like a tree always green, whose leaf does not wither. They shall be fixed in peace and satisfaction of mind; they shall not be anxious in a year of drought. Those who make God their Hope, have enough in him to make up the want of all creature-comforts. They shall not cease from yielding fruit in holiness and good works.
The heart, the conscience of man, in his corrupt and fallen state, is deceitful above all things. It calls evil good, and good evil; and cries peace to those to whom it does not belong. Herein the heart is desperately wicked; it is deadly, it is desperate. The case is bad indeed, if the conscience, which should set right the errors of other faculties, is a leader in the delusion. We cannot know our own hearts, nor what they will do in an hour of temptation. Who can understand his errors? Much less can we know the hearts of others, or depend upon them.
He that believes God's testimony in this matter, and learns to watch his own heart, will find this is a correct, though a sad picture, and learns many lessons to direct his conduct. But much in our own hearts and in the hearts of others, will remain unknown. Yet whatever wickedness there is in the heart, God sees it. Men may be imposed upon, but God cannot be deceived. He that gets riches, and not by right, though he may make them his hope, never shall have joy of them. This shows what vexation it is to a worldly man at death, that he must leave his riches behind; but though the wealth will not follow to another world, guilt will, and everlasting torment. The rich man takes pains to get an estate, and sits brooding upon it, but never has any satisfaction in it; by sinful courses it comes to nothing. Let us be wise in time; what we get, let us get it honestly; and what we have, use it charitably, that we may be wise for eternity.
As I was reading Acts this morning, Peter and John had just been through the trial to answer the accusations of the council of religious leaders, over their healing of a blind man. They were beginning to experience some of the persecution that Jesus faced constantly.
What I see is no matter how hard pressed they were, because they had strong faith, stood firm on the word of God and were filled with the Holy Spirit, they were able to stand their ground and defend the truth with clarity and boldness.
Acts 4:8-11 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers and elders of our people, are we being questioned today because we’ve done a good deed for a crippled man? Do you want to know how he was healed? 10 Let me clearly state to all of you and to all the people of Israel that he was healed by the powerful name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the man you crucified but whom God raised from the dead. 11 For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says,
‘The stone that you builders rejected, has now become the cornerstone. 12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:29-35 (NLT)
29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness.
At no time do I see them walking in their own strength. I see their utter dependence on the power of God to give them courage and the supernatural ability to heal in his name.
The Believers Share Their Possessions 32 All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had. 33 The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all.34 There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them 35 and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
And now there is unity. The people are one in mind, in mission and purpose. LOVE rules, God’s glory has pre-eminence, they are all walking boldly in their faith, living it, breathing it, speaking it , keeping it simple !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and then seeing the results
I believe we can all pray verse 29 b and verse 30:
V 29b - "Give us O Lord, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.30 “Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” We don't need to worry about how we will do it, GOD WILL DO IT !!!!!!!! We just need to get out of the way, let God clear out our junk, slay whatever hinders to let God's spirit have rule and reign in our lives and bodies.
We need a faith like Peter and John, and an utter dependence and desire for God's power and precense. Then we have prepared a place for him to flow though each of us, an open channel for his power to bring total healing, salvation, life, and hope to others.
God Bless anyone who reads this. FOTW
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
~ CONTENTMENT ~
"Cheerfulness and contentment are great beautifiers, and are famous preservers of good looks." - Charles Dickens
Philipians 4: 12-13 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
1 Timothy 6: 6-8 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
Whether you have little or you have a lot, the secret to contentment is
depending on God's provision and strength, not your own.
Paul reminds us that contentment doesn’t happen overnight. It’s something that we learn. As our relationship with God develops over time and through experiences, we learn to trust God more and ourselves less. Paul knew that Christ would give him the strength to persevere in whatever situation he encountered (v.13).
No matter what you’re facing today, through prayer you can receive the strength to be content.
The world is filled with so much good That brings us joy and pleasure, But true fulfillment only comes When Christ we love and treasure.
(Anon)
We find contentment at the same place we find salvation—in Christ.
I read this today, as I was doing a little word study on the word ‘WORD’.. sounds like a tongue twister. Some people read the Old Testament and they see a vengeful God. I see a God desiring closeness, oneness and fellowship. This is how it spoke to me. I see myself and I see others in this piece of scripture.
A Plague of Hail
13 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand before Pharaoh. Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. 14 If you don’t, I will send more plagues on you and your officials and your people. Then you will know that there is no one like me in all the earth.
15 By now I could have lifted my hand and struck you and your people with a plague to wipe you off the face of the earth.
16 But I have spared you for a purpose—to show you my power and to spread my fame throughout the earth.
17 But you still lord it over my people and refuse to let them go.
18 So tomorrow at this time I will send a hailstorm more devastating than any in all the history of Egypt.
19 Quick! Order your livestock and servants to come in from the fields to find shelter. Any person or animal left outside will die when the hail falls.’”
20 Some of Pharaoh’s officials were afraid because of what the LORD had said. They quickly brought their servants and livestock in from the fields.
21 But those who paid no attention to the word of the LORD left theirs out in the open.
22 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Lift your hand toward the sky so hail may fall on the people, the livestock, and all the plants throughout the land of Egypt.”
23 So Moses lifted his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning flashed toward the earth. The LORD sent a tremendous hailstorm against all the land of Egypt.
24 Never in all the history of Egypt had there been a storm like that, with such devastating hail and continuous lightning.
25 It left all of Egypt in ruins. The hail struck down everything in the open field—people, animals, and plants alike. Even the trees were destroyed.
26 The only place without hail was the region of Goshen, where the people of Israel lived.
27 Then Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron. “This time I have sinned,” he confessed. “The LORD is the righteous one, and my people and I are wrong.
28 Please beg the LORD to end this terrifying thunder and hail. We’ve had enough. I will let you go; you don’t need to stay any longer.”
29 “All right,” Moses replied. “As soon as I leave the city, I will lift my hands and pray to the LORD. Then the thunder and hail will stop, and you will know that the earth belongs to the LORD. 30 But I know that you and your officials still do not fear the LORD God.”
31 (All the flax and barley were ruined by the hail, because the barley had formed heads and the flax was budding.
32 But the wheat and the emmer wheat were spared, because they had not yet sprouted from the ground.)
33 So Moses left Pharaoh’s court and went out of the city. When he lifted his hands to the LORD, the thunder and hail stopped, and the downpour ceased.
34 But when Pharaoh saw that the rain, hail, and thunder had stopped, he and his officials sinned again, and Pharaoh again became stubborn.
35 Because his heart was hard, Pharaoh refused to let the people leave, just as the LORD had predicted through Moses.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I know this is directed at Pharoah, at the way he was persecuting Yahwh's people, but all scripture still continues to speak into our lives again and again. Why is this? Because human nature in and off itself desn't change, cultures, circustances etc may do, but the problems that face today are the same. Our ruler can be our own hearts and minds...the things that we allow to drag us from the sanctuary...the things that take our eyes of Jesus, the things that stop us desiring and worshipping him, depending on him.
When we face difficulties in life, as believers we are meant to seek the Lord, to plead to him, and invite him into the situation. We should lean on him and our prayers never cease. Oh how he delights in this communion with us…in the softening of our hearts.
But often Christians don't turn to God, instead we get angry, and retreat back tp the ways of the flesh in handling the problem. But experience has taught me, that getting ugly or trying to get even, does not fix anthing. It just causes even more stress and anxiety.
Even those who do seek the Lord in the storm, too often when its passed, return to self-reliance. The very thing God doesn’t want. We coose to descend to the lower regions…to ‘self’ sufficiency, to the way of our minds, ego’s and the flesh…the land where there is no peace. Verse 21 'But those who paid no attention to the word of the LORD left theirs out in the open'
We leave ourselves, our lives and our families out in the open, when we turn from the ways of God and seek the ways of the world, when we turn to its ways for solace and comfort.
Struggles and hurts, with always be with us, but the way we face them, the way we choose to walk daily doesn’t need to change. We can go from strength to strength in our struggles…and grow in our depth of intimacy with God. ‘We can know peace in the storm and the drought’...and will prgress in spiritual maturity.
God has so much for us….but we need to want it, and desire him and his ways above all things, to worship him alone, to surround our ear and eye gates with the things of God and not this world.
He had spared us again. If only we would stay in that closeness with him, that communion, that place of safety, holiness and fellowship.
Whats preventing you from giving your all for God and remaining consistent. Who is your Pharoah? Whats keeping you bound and imprisoned?
Psalm 119: 98-109
Oh, how I love your instructions!
I think about them all day long.
98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are my constant guide.
99 Yes, I have more insight than my teachers,
for I am always thinking of your laws.
100 I am even wiser than my elders,
for I have kept your commandments.
101 I have refused to walk on any evil path,
so that I may remain obedient to your word.
102 I haven’t turned away from your regulations,
for you have taught me well.
103 How sweet your words taste to me;
they are sweeter than honey.
104 Your commandments give me understanding;
no wonder I hate every false way of life.
105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.
106 I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again:
I will obey your righteous regulations.
107 I have suffered much, O LORD;
restore my life again as you promised.
108 LORD, accept my offering of praise,
and teach me your regulations.
109 My life constantly hangs in the balance,
but I will not stop obeying your instructions.
Peace to anyone who reads this.
Linda - Follower of the WAY
