RANDOM RAMBLINGS 33

It’s Saturday morning. It’s going to be another hot day … close to 100. Geez I hate the heat. It should be a relaxing day spent in air conditioning. I am heading out to Wall Stadium to see stock car racing on the only 1/4 mile paved oval in New Jersey tonight. It should be toasty out there.

                Not sure why this just crept into my mind, but I was just wondering what I can do to be a better person for Christ? Living life without a purpose is bland and meaningless. Living for Christ is what I chose to do 33 years ago, but I lose sight of all that is truly important in life at times. I am striving to be all that I can be, yet life gets smack dab in the middle of where I am going. I am hard on myself, there’s no denying that, but I just don’t know how to act sometimes. I need to focus on that which is truly important a little bit more and not on what I want to do all the time. I feel like I am doing alright for the Lord, but I always feel like I could be doing more. I’m probably right. We all could be. I need to set my sights on what God wants for me. He is my sole provider and sustainer. Without God in my life I shudder to think of where I would be, but I have a sneaking suspicion it wouldn’t be pretty. Know what I mean? 

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

OUR INCOMPARABLE GOD

Psalm 138:1 “I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; before the ‘gods’ I will sing your praise.”

            David regularly praises God throughout the Psalms. Here he makes the point that he praises God rather than any of the gods the surrounding nations have set up for themselves. They are idols and David knows this. He knows that these so called gods are powerless to do anything to aid those who have placed their faith and trust in them. Is there anything that we place our faith and trust in other than God Himself? I know television can be a sort of idol because of how we tend to glue ourselves to the screen to watch that which fills our minds with ungodly tripe*. Anything that replaces God in our lives or pushes Him to the side regularly could be considered an idol. 

            Nothing on this earth can do for us what God can do. Nothing can provide true wisdom and guidance the way God can. We can speak to or with God anytime of the day or night, any day of the year. We never get a busy signal or have to leave a voice mail with God. Our hearts need to recognize the truth that is found in scripture, but reading scripture is the only way to do so. We get so easily entangled in the chores of each day. It happens to us all. Only God can give us relief, only God can provide the breath of fresh air that we need. Truly, God is the only one in our lives who deserves all our praise. Nothing on this earth compares to Him.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

* something poor, worthless, or offensive

NOTE: My statement regarding TV is not meant to be a broad sweeping condemnation. Frankly speaking, there are some very educational and interesting shows on TV. I have found shows on Discovery, The History Channel and the like to be very good. You can learn a lot from them. So not all TV could be considered idol worship. I do believe though that many people get into the bad habit of flipping on the tellie and watching whatever happens to be on. I have fallen victim to this quite a bit so I know from whence I speak.

OUR TIMELESS GOD

2 Peter 3:7-9 “By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

           God is never late. Time is irrelevant to Him. He doesn’t need a watch to see what time it is. He simply does that which He does and it’s the perfect time for it to be done. It is simply how it works in God’s economy. All the promises He has stated in scripture will come to pass … in His perfect time. Those who wreak havoc on this earth, laugh at the notion of God and seem hell bent on making lives miserable shall pay. A Lake of Fire awaits all those ungodly who torment those all around them. God is not slow in bringing His judgment. We may think it is way overdue, but God is giving each individual in His creation every opportunity to repent. Once the curtain comes down, it comes down for good and all is lost for those who have denied Christ. So God remains patient, not wanting to see anyone miss their chance at redemption.

            Believers can rejoice in the fact that God was patient with them and can pray for the ungodly of the world. God can move upon the heart of any man. There is nothing in scripture that states any one person is beyond His reach. So He patiently waits. God also patiently waits while we stumble through our life lessons. What if He had not shown us the same patience He is showing the ungodly? We deserve it no more than they do, but that is what grace is all about … unmerited or undeserved favor. God’s timing is impeccable. He is always right. His will for individuals is flawless. We need to praise God for His grace, mercy and seemingly unlimited patience with us all. Indeed, may His name be praised forever.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

HOW OFTEN DO WE FORGIVE?

Matthew 18:21-22 Young's Literal Translation (YLT) “Then Peter having come near to him, said, `Sir, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him -- till seven times?' Jesus saith to him, `I do not say to thee till seven times, but till seventy times seven.’”

           

            Symbolism plays a big role in the Bible. Here we see Peter asking a simple question regarding forgiveness.Jesus’ answer is direct, yet seems preposterous at the same time; 490 times. I would hate to think of how many times God has forgiven me. Surely it must surpass 500 times; yet He still forgives and loves. I’m sure Peter thought 7 times was a lot, but Jesus blew the disciples doors off with His answer. It is hard to imagine that an individual would commit the same exact sin 490 times, so while there may be some repeat offenses, I think we can assume that forgiveness is being given for various sins. The offender must ask for forgiveness, yet even if they do not, we should treat them with kindness anyway. That isn’t something that's easy to do, especially when malicious intent is involved. It may help to remember how often Christ forgave us in the light and magnitude of our own sin.

            Believers can take solace in the above two scriptures, because it means that there is no end to the forgiveness of God. You see, while Peter’s number represents a point to which forgiveness would be withheld, Christ’s number represents no end to forgiveness. That doesn’t give us a license to act out and do as we please. God is forgiving us in an effort to reform us so that we improve our behavior as we attempt to be His ambassador on this earth. Forgiveness comes with a price; consequences are tied to our actions. Forgiveness allows us to see the error of our ways and reform.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

SEEKING THE THINGS OF GOD

Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

            King David is seeking the instruction and guidance of the Lord. His relationship with His God is strong, in spite of his failings. We all have failings; none of us is perfect. Once we realize and accept that we can begin to let God do His work in us. Just like David, we need to ask and ask often for God to reveal His truths to us. It comes from the reading of His word and praying. It comes from cultivating a spiritual awareness of His Holy Spirit’s leading. We can do it, but it doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time. Frankly, it takes your whole life.

            Acknowledging God as his Savior, David shows the reader that he knows where his salvation comes from. There is nowhere else in scripture that would say or even indicate that David found salvation in anything or anyone else. God is the saving factor. Christ’s death purchased our souls, redeeming us from hell. God desires to be our all in all.

            David shows in these two verses that his reliance is on God and not himself. He derives hope from the truth God lays out before him. We too can find hope in His guidance and instruction. We allow ourselves to become so easily entangled in that which would bind us, rather than shrug ourselves loose and stand tall in the truth of God. Life as a Christian is rewarding and filled with joy, yet our enemy tells us otherwise. It is in truly getting to know God intimately that we experience all the blessings His has for us.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

NO PLACE TO HIDE

Jeremiah 23:24 “Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”

            Folks do things that are wrong all the time. They think they are so cunning, that they have actually gotten away with something. All the while they are acting out in full view of God, whether they happen to believe that or not. Christians can take comfort in the fact that there are no places that He does not see us; non-Christians cannot. There is no place on this planet that is hidden from Him. Like a home designer who knows every nook and cranny of a house his drew up, so God knows even the most remote place in His creation. If a Christian has a misstep, there is a need to own up to it, seek forgiveness and move on. God knows all about it, so denying it, acting as if it never happened, is fruitless. Take solace in the fact that God is patient. This isn’t a single elimination reality show; God wants us to succeed, to thrive and be at peace.

            Since God is omnipresent, there is literally no place that He is not. His spirit can be found everywhere. The self-absorbed man sees nothing but themselves and what they are doing; the spiritual man can see God’s presence all around him. Take the time to marvel at the creation of God.

Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

            God always has our best interests at heart. Seek His will for your life and not your own.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

RANDOM RAMBLINGS 32

poser 1.one who pretends to be someone they’re not; 2. someone who tries to fit in but with exaggeration *
            Have you ever people watched before. I used to do it in college at the mall because I didn’t have two nickels to rub together and it was something to do. You can see some interesting looking people doing that. Some look normal by your own definition of normal and some look different. Some are what I would refer to as posers. They are trying so hard to present themselves as something they probably are not by the way that they dress, speak, act and walk. You see it in malls, on boardwalks at the shore, just about anywhere. I wonder what their situations are. I wonder what they do for a living. I wonder why they feel they have to be a poser. I wonder if they know God.

            Speaking of God, the other day I had someone ask me if I considered myself religious or spiritual? I said I wasn’t religious; that my belief was relational, that I had a relationship with God. She didn’t pursue it any further, but I shall. Having a relationship with someone is so much more intimate than just believing in them. I have spent the last 33 years of my life attempting to cultivate a relationship with Almighty God. I have good days and bad days, productive days and days that are not productive at all. All the while God has decided to love me. It was a decision He put into play before I was ever born. Being a God who doesn’t play favorites, He feels the same way about you. Did you know that? Perhaps all those folks who are trying so hard to fit in might like to slide into a comfortable relationship with the One who made them. Perhaps someday I will have the opportunity to tell them.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

* definition thanks to www.urbandictionary.com



NOTHING TO FEAR

Psalm 121:1-2 “I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord,, the Maker of heaven and earth.”

Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

            No matter where we are, as true believers we can count on our Heavenly Father being right there with us. We have absolutely nothing to fear if we put our trust in Him and Him alone. Notice that that is a conditional statement; if we put our trust in Him and Him alone. On our own we have plenty to fear; the fear of making a misstep is daunting and can make us anxious. But if we place our complete faith and trust in our Heavenly Father, we can relax and know that things will work out. They may not always work out just as we would like, but they will work out for our best because that is the way God works. He takes care of us if we let Him. If we go off on our own, He still watches over us as a father watches over his child who is learning to ride a bike without training wheels for the first time. He is there if they fall and so is God if we take a tumble.

            There are lessons to be learned in our daily lives as we walk with Christ. It is my belief that God either causes or allows all things for His specific purposes. His children are taught many times in this manner with the understanding that whatever happens is for our best and His glory. The Lord is our redeemer, however, He is also our friend. He guides us and picks us up when we fall. He seeks to instruct us; teaching us how to better live this life we have been given.

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

A PROMISE FROM GOD

Psalm 91:14-16 “Because they love me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue them; I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name. They will call on me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation. ”

            When the Creator of the universe says something of this nature, we can count on it. When we love someone we seek to please them. So it stands to reason that if we love our Heavenly Father, we are going to strive to live for Him to the best of our God given abilities. As a result, He is going to move heaven and earth to make sure we are safe and secure. We should take great comfort in that and in what is said in the verses above. It doesn’t mean calamity won’t come our way, it means that if we are living for God He will protect us. God uses very specific action words to describe how he will take care of us. Words like rescue, protect, call on, deliver, honor, satisfy. No matter what situation should befall us, God is there and will do as He has promised. That’s how we should view these verses, as a promise.

            ac•knowl•edge verb 1: to recognize the rights, authority, or status of

            If we acknowledge God for all that He truly is, than we will have the appropriate awe and reverence towards Him and His statutes. We will learn all we can about Him through His word and we will live according to the instructions He has laid out for us therein. God loves us with an everlasting love that is unconditional and shall never change or diminish over time. Love of this kind  cannot be found anywhere else this side of heaven and it is free for the asking. No matter what we’ve ever done in our lives, know this, we are not defined by our mistakes. God loves us for who we are, not who we should be.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

LOOKING IN THE WRONG PLACES

Mark 8:36 “What good is it for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul?”

            The world tantalizes with wealth, glitz, glamour and fame. People become slaves to fashion and live paycheck to paycheck chasing that next big event or technological advancement. Their attention is kept focused on anything and everything that promises satisfaction, fun and popularity. The devil is an expert at deceit. Those trifles* dangled in front of them are nothing more than a mirage that shall disappear when you need them the most. Christ asks a very poignant** question to those following him: what good is it to gain everything and yet have nothing and what good is it to lose your very soul in the process. The time spent chasing after temporal things would have been better spent seeking eternity, for it is in the things that shall not pass away that true satisfaction is found.

            The world scoffs at Christians. ‘Look at all you are missing’, they say. ‘Only the weak minded need Jesus’, they say, ‘he’s nothing more than a crutch.’ They don’t understand. Perhaps they never will. Christians find hope and peace and true freedom in their relationship with God. It has nothing to do with religion; it is a personal relationship. So while the world chases after the unattainable, we shall continue to seek God and gain far more in the process than those in the world shall ever possess.

Philippians 4:23 “ The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

* something of little value, substance, or importance

** designed to make an impression; to the point

DIVINE MERCY

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.”

grace noun 1a: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification; b: a virtue coming from God; c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace; 2a: approval, favor, mercy, pardon.

            There is nothing we could ever do to save ourselves. We can’t work our way into heaven with good deeds. We can’t buy our way into heaven. We can’t beg or plead. There is one way to get into God’s heaven and it is by His grace. We simply ask for it by recognizing our lowly state and seeking forgiveness for our deeds which have flown in the face of His precepts. Just as an alcoholic must confess that he has a problem and needs help, so must we confess that we are sinners in need of redemption. It requires faith; specifically, the faith of a child. Children have such innocence. Just as they trust their earthly fathers and mothers, so are we to trust our heavenly Father, who loves us without hesitation or reservation. His unmerited favor, His mercy, come in the form of the bloody, beaten, broken body of His only Son, Jesus Christ.

            To truly grasp the significance of our redemption, we must look to the cross. It is a bloody, gruesome sight. There is nothing appealing about it, yet our gaze must fall upon that horrifying scene to truly begin to understand what God’s grace entails. He paid our sin debt with His own blood. Someone had to do it. He required a blood sacrifice to wipe out sin. He knew no one else was able to pay the debt in full except His own Son. He set it up that way. It was preordained from the beginning of time. It had to take place that way. So understand that the greatest gift ever given came to us by way of blood, pain and separation; for Christ had to be separated from His Father for a brief time. He didn’t have to be coerced into going all the way to the cross on Golgotha’s hill, He did it willingly for us all. Embrace the cross and you will find grace. I doubt we will ever fully comprehend how great the Father’s love truly is for us. There is nothing this side of heaven to compare it to. Rest in His grace and mercy and find peace.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

FRIENDS

Philippians 1:3 “I thank my God every time I remember you.”

friend noun 1a: one attached to another by affection or esteem; 2a: one that is not hostile

            Although the Apostle Paul is saying this to the church at Philippi, I would like to generalize this scripture to make a point about our own brothers and sisters in the faith; those throughout our lives with whom we have been our friends and a wonderful blessing to us through thick and thin. There are those individuals, perhaps family members, perhaps friends or church members, who have meant a lot to our spiritual growth in this life. Some are in our lives for only a short while, a single chapter in our lives, then are gone. They are a true friend to us and we thank God every time they come to mind. They are encouraging, empathetic, kind, helpful … they are living examples of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. There is a mutual love and respect for one another. No judgment or condemnation comes from their lips. They are understanding and supportive, no matter what we have gotten ourselves into. That is a true brother or sister in Christ; that is a true friend. They don’t condone misdeeds in any way, however, seek to be instructive rather than combative, so as not to drive us away. A relationship has been forged which cannot be severed by age or distance.

            We all have someone, perhaps more than one, who falls into that category. God has blessed us with a true friend and someone we need to thank God for regularly. They are stabilizers; they help add structure to our lives. God knows what we need and provides these people in our lives to help lighten our burdens as we walk through this valley of tears called life. May God be praised for His wisdom and compassion, for without it, our struggles this side of heaven would be much greater. Hopefully we are that type of friend to someone.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

RANDOM RAMBLINGS 31

            Ever wonder what it would be like if we got whatever we wanted whenever we wanted it? What a chaotic mess that would be. The impulsive person inside of us would want all sorts of things that we would rarely, if ever, use. Our needs would get lost in the midst of a sea of desires. It’s a good thing God knows our needs better than we do, because if not our world would be a lot more cluttered than it already is.

            God watches out for us. He takes care of us. How do people live this life without the forgiveness and subsequent hope that God provides? I don’t know the answer to that; all I know is that I appreciate from the bottom of my heart what God has done for me. So I weigh that which I think I might want with that which I know I need and decide appropriately. I look at the pros and cons of acquiring my want and take the time to seek the wisdom of God (most of the time). Those things that I wanted but truly didn’t need end up gathering dust and taking up space; those things that I truly needed are consumed and then reacquired. God knows what He’s doing. It’s not all about us, but about God.

            There are so many times that we make poor decisions based on faulty information or frivolous desires. Almighty God has a solution for that; simply give our lives over to Him lock, stock and barrel. Seek His face daily and find out what His perfect will is for your life. As a result of doing that you will more than likely become refocused and redirected back onto that narrow path that leads to your eternal home.

            Isaiah 55:6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.”

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

THE MONEY TRAP

Proverbs 23:4-5 “Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

          Wealth is a deceptive thing. One day it is there, the next day it is gone. People who amass fortunes see it slip away by way of lawsuits or poor investments. It seems as though everyone wants a piece of the proverbial money pie. ‘If I could just hit it big I would have it made’, says the person playing the lottery. While there is nothing wrong with attaining wealth in and of itself, making it our sole goal in life is dangerous for then we are placing all our faith and trust in our own abilities and in the money we have acquired.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

          The pursuit of wealth is a full time endeavor. Once a person gets sucked in they are hooked, believing that the answer to every problem is more money. While it can solve a certain set of problems that require money, it cannot purchase forgiveness and it cannot buy them peace. Money is emotionless and cannot provide a way to heaven. One cannot hope to achieve anything of eternal value with money. They may receive the accolades of this world, but at what cost? It is in the acquiring and the use of money that the key lies. If we acquire wealth honestly, do not seek it to the exclusion of all else and use it for the glory of God in a humble manner, then we have achieved something. However, it takes a special individual to accomplish that, one who is well grounded in scripture and has a heart solely after God. We cannot serve two masters and if we are a slave to our money, then it is our master. Don’t be duped into thinking you can control money, because in the end, it controls you. Anything that is truly important in this life is tied to God.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

FINDING PEACE

Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

          Here in Philippians, the Apostle Paul not only tells us not to be anxious, but tells us how to acquire the peace that surpasses all understanding. Every time we encounter a difficult set of circumstances we are to pray. It is a good practice to praise and thank Him for who He is and who we are because of what Christ has done for us first. If we are praising and thanking God we aren’t worrying. It is very human to worry, but we don’t have to. The peace that God gives us flows through us and cannot be comprehended by mortal man; it is a supernatural phenomenon. It isn’t conjured up by us, but rather administered to us by the Holy Spirit. In our busy, crazy, chaotic world where we run to and fro, it would be nice to have a little peace. Well it is there for the asking, but we must believe. We all know what faith is: believing in the unseen as if it can be seen; believing in things that are not as if they are. If our trust is in Almighty God, faith isn’t that much of a reach. It was required to believe in God to begin with.

          Rest your mind. “But I don’t have time.” Rest your mind. “I am too busy for that.” Rest – your – mind. It isn’t easy to relax at times., but frankly, if we have time to worry we have time to rest. We get so wound up at times that resting any part of our anatomy is near impossible, but if we seek God and ask Him to fill us with His peace He will do it. We take on too much. We don’t know how to say ‘no’. We create un-peaceful situations for ourselves at times. Take a deep breath and focus on Christ. Nothing is impossible for Almighty God; NO thing. Let His Spirit flow throughout you and you shall be at peace in the midst of any storm. God loves you; without hesitation, without conditions, without regrets.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

NOTHING ESCAPES HIS GAZE

Luke 12:4-7 “‘I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’”

          Here we see several things in play. First off, Jesus refers to those listening as his friends. Secondly, He says to fear him who can throw a body into hell. Thirdly, He reveals the intimacy with which our Heavenly Father knows each of us. I would certainly want to be counted as a friend to Jesus. Being His enemy on the last day would be a fearsome thing for the Lake of Fire awaits those foolish enough to turn away from God. To fear God means to treat Him with reverence and awe rather than being scared of Him. Otherwise, why would He tell us not to be afraid two verses later.

          I would like to spend the most time on the last verse of our text: the very hairs of your head are all numbered. For those who wonder if God truly cares about the minutia* of our lives, understand this, there is nothing that escapes His gaze. Since I realize that those who are bald may feel slighted, let me take the liberty to restate this truth: God knows us so well that He has every cell in our bodies counted. Our earthly parents know us so well that they know our likes and dislikes, our habits and our tendencies while we were under their care growing up. Why would God, who created us in the first place, be any different. We can rest assured that our lives, when given over to God, are well taken care of. Even when it seems as though the train has run off the tracks, God is still in complete control and will provide assistance to us at the perfect moment in time that will be for our greatest benefit and to His greatest glory.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

* minor details

DON'T BE A RUDDERLESS SHIP

Psalm 19:14 “May (the) words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

          As true believers in a dark and unbelieving world, it can be difficult to say and do that which is pleasing to our Lord. We encounter stresses that tend to wear us down and cause us to lose sight of our ultimate goal, which is to honor God with our thoughts, words and deeds. It’s a common malady. We get so caught up in our daily routines that we forget that which is of paramount importance. I often think to myself sadly, what if God forgot about me for even one day? My words slip away from me and I meditate on nothing. Fortunately, God is gracious and patient with us all. He truly is our rock and our redeemer. Without Almighty God to guide us and teach us by His Holy Spirit, we would be like a rudderless ship, directionless, floundering in an open sea of regret.

          A day without the word of God on our lips and their meditation in our hearts is a day without focus. Praying, listening and hearing from the Holy Spirit, partaking of even one verse of scripture to feed our weary souls that thirst for the living water it provides helps give us direction. Ask the Lord to speak to our hearts each day and to use us; we get so easily entangled with the events of the day if we don’t. Discipline; we need to learn to discipline our minds. Submission; we need submit to His leading. I am certainly not exempt from these issues. We are in this together. God is ready, willing and more than able to guide us through the treacherous waters of life, but we need to ask for His help. Once we take the time to realize He truly is in complete control, perhaps then we will learn to make our words and meditations honor Him. It is a learning process that is acquired through deliberate effort. God loves us without condition and without hesitation. Allow that love to determine your words and actions this day.

WALK WITH THE KING AND BE A BLESSING!!

DO YOU SEE HIM?

Psalm 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God; …”

          In all the hustle and bustle of each day God stands. We don’t notice Him because He is not in the hustle and bustle. We veer around Him and never even see Him standing in our midst. God is not in the chaos, but rather in the stillness. We see Him when we take the time to quiet ourselves. We feel Him when we sit by the ocean and soak in the sights and sounds of the incoming waves. We sense His presence in the woods or by a babbling brook. We know Him by spending time with Him. It is not in talking to Him that we experience His true nature, but rather in the listening. Talking comes easily to most, but listening and actually hearing something or someone is an acquired skill for us.

          We play our music loud, our TV’s blare away and conversations with others go on and on and all the while God is there. The Creator of the Universe is quietly observing, patiently waiting for us to notice Him. It is not when we are ‘vegging out’ or ‘chilling’ that we find God, for it takes a conscience effort to see, hear and feel Him. When we take the time, when we literally seize time by the throat and slow down even for a few moments, and make a concerted effort to experience God that we will know He truly is the great and awesome I AM THAT I AM, the Almighty Jehovah God. He is our provider and sustainer. He wishes to meet with us regularly because He loves us and desires our company. He doesn’t need it, but rather desires it. What an incredible thought!

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

RANDOM RAMBLINGS 30

            Sitting on the back porch in the cool of the morning sipping on my coffee, I quietly look at the scene around me; trees rustling in the breeze, birds chirping and flitting about, a lone butterfly fluttering from tree to shrub to tree. The blue skies are dotted with clouds. It promises to be a very nice day. As I sit, I ponder God’s creation; those things that are natural and those that are manmade.  How must things have looked even 100 years ago, untouched by humanity.  In the name of progress we tore down only to build up again … monuments to our intellect and know how. However, in that moment all is serene. They say silence is golden and that is very true. I enjoy sitting on the porch soaking in the silence. It seems to clear my head and firm my resolve to do great things for God. I thanked Him for all the things in my life that have helped mold my character. I wouldn’t be who I am without the gracious hand of God moving upon me. His forgiveness and mercy are undeserved, yet appreciated, for I know that without God’s redemptive act in my life I would be lost. I reflect on the scene around me once again and find peace in the quiet. It promises to be a very nice day.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

JOY IN CALAMITY

Habakkuk 3:17-18 “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

          Habakkuk is praying to Jehovah God in the third chapter as he sees Him trample his enemies underfoot. Habakkuk is awestruck by the power displayed and the vengeance brought against his enemies. In the end of the prayer Habakkuk is resolute as he states that no matter what may happen to him, he will rejoice in the Lord. Habakkuk sees the ferocious way that God repays evil done against His children and recognizes that only God can deliver him from his calamity. He humbly acknowledges that God is the one who is over all and shall provide for and sustain him.

          If we were in the same situation, how would we act? No food, no job, no money to pay bills … what is going on? God was mindful of Habakkuk and He is mindful of us as well. We are not in danger of anything other than the discomfort of having our routine disrupted. Habakkuk, being a prophet, was targeted and in danger of death from enemies that rose up against the people of God continually throughout the Old Testament. In all three chapters of Habakkuk, the overriding theme is that the just shall live by faith. It is faith that leads to trust and as believers we need to know we can trust God. It is a conscious decision we must make; do we trust God or not? If we do then we should understand that nothing is impossible for God and His timing rarely syncs up to ours. The perfect job is coming your way; financial relief is coming as well. Your prayers shall be answered. Seek His will for your life and then praise God from whom all blessings flow.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

TIME

Psalm 90:4 “A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by … “

          Time; it seems like such a precious commodity to us. We rush to and fro as if our lives depended on it. We travel on our highways as if we are in death race, darting from lane to lane. Where is everyone going in such a hurry? We live as if someone has placed an hour glass in front of us and our time is running out. It is the opposite with Almighty God. Apparently, according to the Psalmist, time means nothing to God; a thousand years goes by like nothing. When we compare our own longevity to a thousand years it is like a single drop of water in the ocean. When each day is like a thousand years patience is required. Perhaps this is why God is so patient with His creation, because He knows He has as much time as is necessary to accomplish His will for each of us. He is the creator of time so He can do as He pleases without fear of time running out for He determines when the clock stops.

          Of course, just because God controls time, this in no way means that we should be careless with the time that has been given us. Once a single minute has past it is gone; irretrievable. Our time spent each day should be thoughtfully laid out. We should make the best use of our time so as not to waste it frivolously. Matthew 6:34 tells us not to worry about tomorrow … live in the present; deal with today. Tomorrow will come soon enough so slow down. Enjoy the life God has given us. That’s right; whether we believe it or not, God gave us the time we have each day. How will we spend it? We can’t horde it like some material possession. As stated, once it’s gone, it’s gone. What have we done for Christ today? Have we blessed another or lived only to bless ourselves? Stop looking at your watch and relax; take a deep breath and live … for God.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!

LOVE IS A VERB

Ephesians 3:16-19 … I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

          The love of Christ is deeper than the deepest ocean and wider than the sky; it is infinite, in that it is never ending. No matter how hard we try we could never comprehend God’s deep, abiding love for us. There is nothing on this earth that compares to it. Love was defined two thousand years ago when Christ willingly allowed Himself to be nailed to a wooden cross meant for criminals. Love is defined when we read that God loved us first. (1 John 4:19) Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were still sinners, apart from God, Christ died for us. This is how God demonstrated His great, enduring, endless love for us.

          Talk is cheap. A person can say anything, but it is in the doing where truth resides. Don’t tell me that you love me, show me. That is what Christ did. In today’s vernacular He put His money where His mouth is. The word love shows up nearly seven hundred times in the Bible. It is of paramount importance to us as human beings. We should strive to exhibit the qualities listed in 1st Corinthians with the help of the Holy Spirit. On our own we can never measure up, but with the Spirit working in us, we can achieve anything for the Lord. Love is the essence of who God is. If we are to be like Christ in our daily lives, we must learn to actively love. Love by our actions, not just by our words. Don’t tell someone you love them, show them.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

TRUE WISDOM

Proverbs 1:5  ... let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance …

wise adj 1a: marked by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgment; b: exercising or showing sound judgment.

dis•cern•ing adj 1: showing insight and understanding.

          In the introduction to Proverbs, Solomon speaks of the beginning of wisdom being reverence and awe for Almighty God. Two verses up from that is this verse which tells us that a man with keen discernment and insight can add to their learning and receive guidance from the proverbs God has passed on through David’s son. Verse 7 concludes by saying that fools despise wisdom and instruction; that could be because they have deluded themselves into believing they know all there is to know. A truly wise man is one who is open to constructive criticism and is not afraid to learn something new.

          In Ecclesiastes, Solomon chases after folly and in the end comes to the stark realization that everything is merely a chasing after the wind and therefore unattainable. He understood all over again what he already knew in his heart, that nothing supersedes Almighty God. It is sad when an individual rejects wise counsel. In the end it reveals their ignorance and arrogance. As true believers, we are told to heed the wisdom freely offered in Proverbs and in fact, throughout the Holy scriptures. The true folly is in ignoring such wisdom for it comes directly from our Heavenly Father to us.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

BECOMING FINE TUNED

1 Chronicles 29:10-12 “David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, ‘Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.’”

          The Lord God is over all things. Here is David claiming just that. David knew his God and God knew David. He was considered the apple of God’s eye (Psalm 17:7-9) and a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). David was flawed just like you and I, yet those things could still be said of him. God is over all for He has made all things. The beauty that surrounds us is witness to His creativity. We too are beautiful. We were made in His image and are unique in that not one of us is the same. Even identical twins have differences. Everything that we have is because of God. Anything that has a true value is from Him. If we are a true believer then our soul is His and our spirit can be attuned to Him.

          It's a shame that we become too busy to fine tune our spirit relationship with our Heavenly Father, yet He patiently waits for us to get our collective acts together. We should recognize and not ignore who our freedom comes from and who our savior truly is. It would take a monumental effort to secure a meeting with the President of the United States, but we can meet with the Creator of the entire universe any time of the day or night. Its’ really up to us how close we choose to get to Him. God is waiting for us to make time for Him. What would our lives be like if He hadn’t made time for us?

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!

Random Ramblings 29

Sometimes You scare me by what You cause me to see
And I'm afraid of knowing who I am
Although You've changed me there's still a whole lot of old wineskin And to open up would destroy the me I'm afraid to show
One part of me doesn't want to grow
But I'm tired of this lingering winter
Tired of ground so hard and cold
Plow Your way through, I'm asking You to, Jesus
Lord, You're my only hope

Without You . . . I can't face myself

My pride wants me to hide inside myself
But I love You Lord, I don't want our love put on the shelf
I'm tired of fighting to be who I am
Jesus, make me what You want me to be
Because of You I desire reality
A love for You is what I'm dying to receive
Though I hate what I am I understand what You've promised me
You've promised me freedom in the truth
But I can only face myself when I've faced You
An' I'll be ready to face myself when I face You.

The Struggle, Colors, Resurrection Band (Light Records, 1991 Lexicon Music)

What's Your Motivation?

Proverbs 21:2 “People may think all their ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

          Drawing on one’s own resources leads us to feel that we are self-sufficient. While we may not feel invincible, we feel pretty good about ourselves and believe that we are right on with our assessment of a given situation. When the dust settles on the day, it is our heart’s motivation that truly matters. You see, it matters little what we accomplish in this life if our heart’s motivation is self-centered. God looks at the heart of a man. He knows the what and the why of the things we do. The why is far more important to Him than the what. What motivates us in this life? Is it worldly success? Is it personal fame or notoriety? These things are temporal and shall pass away. Only that which is done for Christ will last.

          Some folks are concerned about leaving a legacy. What will people say about them after they are gone? Did they make a difference? As believers we should want to make a difference for Christ. Our lives are mundane and lifeless without the fulfillment of exhibiting the mercy and grace of God to those around us. It is what we were born to do. Things may not always turn out as we would like them to, but if our heart’s motivation is on the mark, then God will bless our efforts. He wants to use us to share the gift of redemption to a lost and dying world who thinks they have their act altogether. God wishes to impart knowledge to us for His glory. Be still and get your motivation lined up with His.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!