Monday, June 30, 2008
UNITY & the absence of DISUNITY
The absence of disunity is not necessarily unity. God has showed me that unity is more than intellectually agreeing about theology. It is living together and sharing and caring and bearing and really knowing each other.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
MANNA FOR THOUGHT
How do you prepare yourself for God doing something in your lifetime that neither you nor your fathers have known?
How do you remain open?
"It's never been done before."
"Well, I've never seen or heard of anything like that happening!"
How do you have faith?
In the past God has done things that were not understood, so the people of the day did not receive or accept it....rather, they rejected it...even rejecting the Messiah—the very one they earnestly sought! (see Rom 10-11)
In Habakkuk 1:5 is says:
Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.
Throughout history, God has interacted with his people in these ways:
In 1 Corinthians 2:8-10 is says:
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him: — BUT GOD HAS REVEALED IT TO US BY HIS SPIRIT. (How can I not encourage you to read the whole first 2 chapters of
1 Corinthians and look at it in light of this topic)
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known.
Deut 8:3
He lead you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble you and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.
Deut 8:16
How do we keep an open spirit for God to do something new—like manna?
or water from a hard rock?
or parting the Red Sea?
or healing the sick?
or raising the dead? EZEKIEL 37
or supplying us with the $13,000 we need in just a few days or weeks?
How do we have faith, keep our mind open and still be wise and not just open to the tricks and deception of the devil on the prowl for someone to devour?
I've been seeing the need lately to pray for God to give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that understands and turns to him...then he'll heal...Matt. 13:15b
I am so blessed for how much I've seen and heard and have understood.
Luke 10:23-24
Let him who boasts, boast in this, that he knows and understands God. (Jer 9:24, 1 Cor 1:31)
How many times during times of intense trials do we NOT understand God—this is why in James 1 after speaking of the work of trials in our life—it says to ask for wisdom.
EYES TO NOT SEE, EARS TO NOT HEAR
There are those who have been blinded by Satan, "with veils covering their hearts," (2 Cor 3:15)
or those with darkened understanding (Eph. 4:17-19)
Why?
There was ignorance in them because their hearts were hard. They had lost sensitivity to God's Spirit and "hardly have ears to hear."
Also, of the spiritual leaders of the day....
God allowed them to continue to have eyes that could not see
Romans chapters 10-11
"God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day."
(O GOD, DON'T LET THIS BE TRUE OF ME!) Rom 11:8
And David says:
"May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."
For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own... Rom 10:2
(This speaks of religious pride — having pride in what you think you know and the knowledge of God you have attained.)
What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain....Rom 11:7
Read Matthew 11:14-19
Jesus said to the religious leaders, "And if you are willing to accept it, he [John] is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear. — look at a few verses later—> For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say, 'He has a demon.'
I never used to understand these verses 16-19, now, I think I'm understanding them a little more.
Read Proverbs 2
(I think this shows us the way to have a right heart in earnestly seeking God and preparing ourselves for God to show us something that neither we nor our fathers have seen):
My son if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and IF YOU LOOK FOR IT AS FOR SILVER AND SEARCH FOR IT AS FOR HIDDEN TREASURE, THEN you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
How do you remain open?
"It's never been done before."
"Well, I've never seen or heard of anything like that happening!"
How do you have faith?
In the past God has done things that were not understood, so the people of the day did not receive or accept it....rather, they rejected it...even rejecting the Messiah—the very one they earnestly sought! (see Rom 10-11)
In Habakkuk 1:5 is says:
Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.
Throughout history, God has interacted with his people in these ways:
In 1 Corinthians 2:8-10 is says:
None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him: — BUT GOD HAS REVEALED IT TO US BY HIS SPIRIT. (How can I not encourage you to read the whole first 2 chapters of
1 Corinthians and look at it in light of this topic)
He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known.
Deut 8:3
He lead you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble you and to test you so that in the end it might go well with you.
Deut 8:16
How do we keep an open spirit for God to do something new—like manna?
or water from a hard rock?
or parting the Red Sea?
or healing the sick?
or raising the dead? EZEKIEL 37
or supplying us with the $13,000 we need in just a few days or weeks?
How do we have faith, keep our mind open and still be wise and not just open to the tricks and deception of the devil on the prowl for someone to devour?
I've been seeing the need lately to pray for God to give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart that understands and turns to him...then he'll heal...Matt. 13:15b
I am so blessed for how much I've seen and heard and have understood.
Luke 10:23-24
Let him who boasts, boast in this, that he knows and understands God. (Jer 9:24, 1 Cor 1:31)
How many times during times of intense trials do we NOT understand God—this is why in James 1 after speaking of the work of trials in our life—it says to ask for wisdom.
EYES TO NOT SEE, EARS TO NOT HEAR
There are those who have been blinded by Satan, "with veils covering their hearts," (2 Cor 3:15)
or those with darkened understanding (Eph. 4:17-19)
Why?
There was ignorance in them because their hearts were hard. They had lost sensitivity to God's Spirit and "hardly have ears to hear."
Also, of the spiritual leaders of the day....
God allowed them to continue to have eyes that could not see
Romans chapters 10-11
"God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes so that they could not see and ears so that they could not hear, to this very day."
(O GOD, DON'T LET THIS BE TRUE OF ME!) Rom 11:8
And David says:
"May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."
For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own... Rom 10:2
(This speaks of religious pride — having pride in what you think you know and the knowledge of God you have attained.)
What Israel sought so earnestly it did not obtain....Rom 11:7
Read Matthew 11:14-19
Jesus said to the religious leaders, "And if you are willing to accept it, he [John] is the Elijah who was to come. He who has ears, let him hear. — look at a few verses later—> For John came neither eating nor drinking and they say, 'He has a demon.'
I never used to understand these verses 16-19, now, I think I'm understanding them a little more.
Read Proverbs 2
(I think this shows us the way to have a right heart in earnestly seeking God and preparing ourselves for God to show us something that neither we nor our fathers have seen):
My son if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and IF YOU LOOK FOR IT AS FOR SILVER AND SEARCH FOR IT AS FOR HIDDEN TREASURE, THEN you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.
Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
OUR TROUBLES ARE ACCOMPLISHING SOMETHING
I hear them sing it on IHOP all the time:
Our light and momentary afflictions are working for us an eternal weight of glory.
This morning in the shower, scriptures poured over me like water.
Our troubles are achieving something. These troubles are not just getting in the way of where I'm headed. I'm getting something from these troubles.
Truly our troubles are perplexing. We can begin to wonder where God is during it all...and if he is really faithful to his word?
In the Psalms, David, when considering these things said, I will not concern myself with matters too wonderful for me:
My heart is not proud, O Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I don not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forever more. (Ps 131)
Interestingly, Ps 132 begins with:
O Lord, remember David and all the troubles he endured.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me...too lofty for me to attain. (Ps 139)
A NIGHT & A DAY IN THE SEA
I've been contemplating the scriptures that talk about Paul being in the sea for a day and a half. Interestingly, TBS was showing Cast Away (with Tom Hanks). One scene showed him mounting up high with huge, 10-story-high waves. The camera zoomed out. Nothing. No one. Paul spent a night and a day in the sea. Tom Hanks had a raft (and a paddle)... Can you imagine: totally dark, wet, floating, tossed about by the waves, can't see—
Some have suggested that unless we have opened a door to the enemy, these types of hardships won't happen.
Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world."
God said, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you."
So, in conclusion, I see Paul, wet and floating in a dark sea with Jesus.
Where can I flee from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
We are hard pressed...but not crushed.
We are perplexed...but not in despair because, we're not abandoned.
I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak....
Two things I have heard God say very clearly to me:
My ability to provide for you is greater than his ability to steal.
My ability to heal you is greater than his ability to hurt you.
One thing you have spoken, two things I have heard:
That you O God are strong and you O Lord are loving.
I said, God I know that you are able.
I just could use some reassurance that you are willing.
(Immediately, in my thoughts, I saw Jesus on the cross).
I said, "OK Lord. I hear you." You didn't even spare your Son for me....but gave him up freely for me.
WE'RE GETTING SOMETHING FROM OUR TROUBLES.
"IT'S GONNA BE WORTH IT....."
Our light and momentary afflictions are working for us an eternal weight of glory.
This morning in the shower, scriptures poured over me like water.
Our troubles are achieving something. These troubles are not just getting in the way of where I'm headed. I'm getting something from these troubles.
Truly our troubles are perplexing. We can begin to wonder where God is during it all...and if he is really faithful to his word?
In the Psalms, David, when considering these things said, I will not concern myself with matters too wonderful for me:
My heart is not proud, O Lord,
my eyes are not haughty;
I don not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
O Israel, put your hope in the Lord
both now and forever more. (Ps 131)
Interestingly, Ps 132 begins with:
O Lord, remember David and all the troubles he endured.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me...too lofty for me to attain. (Ps 139)
A NIGHT & A DAY IN THE SEA
I've been contemplating the scriptures that talk about Paul being in the sea for a day and a half. Interestingly, TBS was showing Cast Away (with Tom Hanks). One scene showed him mounting up high with huge, 10-story-high waves. The camera zoomed out. Nothing. No one. Paul spent a night and a day in the sea. Tom Hanks had a raft (and a paddle)... Can you imagine: totally dark, wet, floating, tossed about by the waves, can't see—
Some have suggested that unless we have opened a door to the enemy, these types of hardships won't happen.
Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world."
God said, "Never will I leave you. Never will I forsake you."
So, in conclusion, I see Paul, wet and floating in a dark sea with Jesus.
Where can I flee from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
We are hard pressed...but not crushed.
We are perplexed...but not in despair because, we're not abandoned.
I believed; therefore I have spoken." With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak....
Two things I have heard God say very clearly to me:
My ability to provide for you is greater than his ability to steal.
My ability to heal you is greater than his ability to hurt you.
One thing you have spoken, two things I have heard:
That you O God are strong and you O Lord are loving.
I said, God I know that you are able.
I just could use some reassurance that you are willing.
(Immediately, in my thoughts, I saw Jesus on the cross).
I said, "OK Lord. I hear you." You didn't even spare your Son for me....but gave him up freely for me.
WE'RE GETTING SOMETHING FROM OUR TROUBLES.
"IT'S GONNA BE WORTH IT....."
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
THE TRUTH IS TRUE!
NO LIE COMES FROM THE TRUTH! NO LIE IS EVER TRUE!
You may say, "Well isn't that obvious?"
Not necessarily.
There is a lie that I have personally heard that sounds something like this: "Your weakness is stronger than God's strength. You've messed up before, but he's out of patience and his grace has run out."
The Bible says exactly the opposite. It doesn't just say, "God's strength is bigger than my weakness," it exaggerates the point by saying, "...the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength," and, "...the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom...But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
(Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-29)
Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
You don't have to be perfect before you come to Jesus. Jesus is the one who cleans up our lives. "But when the kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. he saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, who he poured on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7) "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, wihout blemish and free from accusation—." (Colossians 1:22)
I have found that you don't have to be perfect before you come to Jesus. But you do need to come to Jesus, if you are going to get cleaned up beyond your own ability.
GOD IS BIGGER THAN ME!
King Solomon said to God, the highest heavens cannot contain you, "How much less this temple that I have made for you." I am very comforted to know that God is much bigger than my imagination of who he is. At times it is frustrating because I don't understand why he does the things he does—or why he doesn't do the things he doesn't do. But when I am weak and tired and don't know what direction to turn, it is nice to know there is a God who is beyond me—beyond my imagination, beyond my strength.
Since the highest heavens cannot contain God, how much less this little blog post. God's word says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Ask God to teach you who he is.
Not necessarily.
There is a lie that I have personally heard that sounds something like this: "Your weakness is stronger than God's strength. You've messed up before, but he's out of patience and his grace has run out."
The Bible says exactly the opposite. It doesn't just say, "God's strength is bigger than my weakness," it exaggerates the point by saying, "...the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength," and, "...the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom...But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of this world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him."
(Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-29)
Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
You don't have to be perfect before you come to Jesus. Jesus is the one who cleans up our lives. "But when the kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. he saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, who he poured on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." (Titus 3:4-7) "Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, wihout blemish and free from accusation—." (Colossians 1:22)
I have found that you don't have to be perfect before you come to Jesus. But you do need to come to Jesus, if you are going to get cleaned up beyond your own ability.
GOD IS BIGGER THAN ME!
King Solomon said to God, the highest heavens cannot contain you, "How much less this temple that I have made for you." I am very comforted to know that God is much bigger than my imagination of who he is. At times it is frustrating because I don't understand why he does the things he does—or why he doesn't do the things he doesn't do. But when I am weak and tired and don't know what direction to turn, it is nice to know there is a God who is beyond me—beyond my imagination, beyond my strength.
Since the highest heavens cannot contain God, how much less this little blog post. God's word says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Ask God to teach you who he is.
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