Does God Challenge You? 5

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EXPECTATIONS

Recently others and myself were challenged again when God sent Pastor Onesmus from Kenya Africa to our little church in the hill country.

Sunday, the day of Onesmus' arrival I received this word….

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on our own understanding.  Seek his will in all you do, and he will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6

Yes… I know I have read this many times… I got it… but did I really get it? Did I really take it to heart the way I should have? 

Ever come with expectation to something? How about a movie, a destination, a new purchased item, a project, a new member of the family?

We set high expectations and low expectations.  We even set expectations of unbelief. We write them down with our invisible pens as if we are authors of our days and when these expectations are broken we are usually either discouraged or pleasantly surprised.

But then again there are other times when they are just… challenged.

I think expectations can be good but expectations we set up in our mind about how God works verses the complexity of how God really works can be hard hurtles to cross over at times….  Especially when God does the unexpected.   

Again…. If you think you have figured out how God works… watch out!!!

  

Expectations need to be on God and God alone.... not your own preconceived notions of what may or may not happen. 

EXPECTATION MEET THE UNEXPECTED

I am not certain what my expectation was... I knew there was going to be some "unconventional" happenings with Onesmus' visit but I was challenged by what God had Him do.

Some of the things seemed down right cruel and rude and MORE unconventional then I expected. 

Onesmus, hands COVERED in olive oil, began to do as directed by the Spirit, the congregation – some who came all the way from Arizona, Houston and Austin, prayed.

Onesmus would not just speak to the ailments but he would have the sick themselves speak to the ailments.  In his Kenyan accent he would say, “Cancer go back to your father!”  Deafness go back to your father! Confusion go back to your father!”  He would refer to the sickness as the devil.   “Devil go!”  He would have the people repeat after Him…

He would do all kinds of unorthodox things such as blowing on people, spitting in one person’s eyes, pouring olive oil in a person’s ears and then pouring water on their back, rubbing his hands on their body, and some would scream in terrible pain…. 

Yet when these seemingly cruel, rude and strange things were over- people were healed of their ailments, sicknesses, solicitations and oppressions.  And they had smiles on their faces...  What smiles?  How could this be?  What just happened? 

For the Battle is Not Yours, But God's Pt. 10

THE NEXT MORNING while King Jehoshaphat took his army through the wilderness of Tekoa to valley where God said the mighty army would be, the king suddenly stops the people.  2 Chronicles 20:20

It is as if the king senses some burden in the air amongst the people and he says, “Listen to me, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Believe in the LORD your God, and you will be able to stand firm.  Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.”

NOISE.
I have found that noise doesn’t necessary have to make a sound to be noise.

Even though the people are recorded as saying nothing, the king sensed the wrong “noise” in the people by the way they acted.   They weren’t acting as people who had victory but people of burdened.  The deafening quiet was obviously something that the king needed to address.

I remember coming back from a retreat with some students once.  They had a great time enjoying the speakers and worship time but the next time we met the concerns of the world and life had crept in and taken over.  The concerns of life bullied, pushed, persuaded and selfishly boosted their way into these students' life until they overtook what God could had used to build them up in the Lord.  The excitement and joy had been let out of of them like a balloon deflated of it's air.   The Lord showed me, it was just another way the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.   You get something good from Lord and the enemy wants to quickly steal, kill and destroy it so you won't glorify the LORD and all his goodness.  I personally was heart broken but the Lord showed me this was no different then what Moses experienced with the people in the wilderness.   Where gratefulness of being saved from Egypt turned to ungratefulness and complaining not long after.

There is a song sung by Enya, called "May it be".  One of the lyrics is: "May it be when darkness falls, your heart will be true."

When darkness falls does our heart remain true knowing God's love for us or do we allow it to falter to the pressures of life?  May God give us the strength in our heart, mind and soul to not allows us to falter.  

The people in 2 Chronicles 20:13 had just been told the day before by the Spirit of the LORD “Don’t be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”  They were to march out and stand still and watch the LORD’S victory.  For the Lord was with them!

BUT the way they were acting it seemed that they had received a very different message.  They had forgotten what God had told them or at least become double-minded.

Had they started off in faith but now as they ventured through the wilderness were they just following the pack? -So to speak.  When we venture through the wilderness of life do we start off in faith and then just begin to follow the pack -uncertain of things in life because we have forgotten about God's love for us?

Can you imagine not having an email program without a junk mail folder?

If we aren’t carefully our minds can become like an email program without a junk mail sorter.   Where we allow junk mail to pile up in our “inbox” and when our hearts come to read the mail they are unable do so quickly and efficiently because of all the junk mail taking up space in our inbox.

Had they allowed junk mail to pile up in their “inbox”?  Are we selective in what we fill our minds up with?

Imagine being a college student for a minute.   God has put a message for you on a bulletin board in your dorm room - for you to see, remember and meditate on throughout your day. This bulletin board is important! It reminds you of all the things that need to be remembered but somehow the bulletin board slips outside of your room and into the hallway where it becomes a "community" bulletin board.  Students, pizza joints, bands, pubs, campus clubs and so on quickly post their messages on your bulletin board until the whole thing is covered and plastered with pieces of paper.

Your bulletin board that God has put his message on can hardly be seen in the midst of confusion and the puzzlement of papers.

Life brings lots of NOISE and it can overwhelm us like those pieces of paper on that bulletin board, quickly covering up and hiding the message God wants us to remember. 

"God Loves you and the battle is not yours, but God's."

How often do we come home and our minds are filled with the noises of the day?

Lots of junk mail happening internally, lots of things that leave a person with unrest, lots of things that can bring psychological strains not just affecting the mind but the rest of the body as well.

Then add external noise to the internal noise and they might as well be kryptonite to spiritual superman.  If we aren’t able to get away from all that kryptonite thinking then we will suffer BUT when we find some quiet time to be with the Lord- we can find rest and focus for our souls.  The junk mail is thrown into the trash where it belongs and the bulletin board of our life is cleaned off and put back into our room where it belongs with only God’s postings.

These soldiers I am sure had a lot of noise in the minds and hearts.  They were thinking about their families, their possessions, their homes, their animals, their crops, the immense army etc.... IT was probably so noticeable on their facial expressions and in their body language that the king could not help but observed it.  The noise of their silent poor condition compelled the king to address it.   
   
King Jehoshaphat had to reposted God’s message to the people.  He had cleaned off their bulletin board- so to speak – but he knew had he had to do something more to keep the people’s bulletin board uncluttered. So he, the king, spoke to the leaders.

After consulting with them he appointed some singers to walk ahead of the army, singing “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!” 2 Chronicles 20:21

THE POWER OF A SONG.
Ever wake up singing a song? I don't know if it God singing a song over us as we are about to wake or the Holy Spirit encouraging us with a song that he lovingly places in our head to remind us of God's love.  Perhaps it is both.

"The LORD you God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.  He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
 
“But as for me, I will sing about your power.  I will shout with joy each morning because of your unfailing love.  For you have been my refuge, a place of safety in the day of distress.  O my Strength, to you I sing praises, for you, O God, are my refuge, the God who shows me unfailing love.”  Psalm 59:16-17

Songs of praise…

Songs of worship…

Songs of admiration…

Songs of focus….

Whatever you may call them, sung in all sincerity, truth, and Spirit has this supernatural ability to diminish and stop the internal noises that aim or tend to tear down and undermine ones faith.  

There is power in a song to God, why do you think there are so many of them in the bible?

Song is like prayer.  When we HONOR God with not just our lips but with our heart -spiritual strength and nourishment flows into our lives.  We can be in despair, anxious, fearful, hurt, dry, overwhelmed, discouraged, dejected, frustrated...  we can be looking for direction, understanding, encouragement, strength, peace, patience,  softening of your heart... and when we humbly turn to God and speak to the LORD, we honor HIM and HE blesses us.  He gives us what we need as our Heavenly Father.  (Like that tree in the background of the video, prayer to God encourages foliage and fruit and replaces our bareness.)

Ever felt his Spirit come over you and surround you in your time of need restoring and comforting you?

“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.  God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted….”  Matthew 5:3-4

I remember being heart broken as I sought the Lord one night.  I had turned on some Christian music and began to sing along with it and as I did something unexpectedly happened - I saw a vision of Jesus.  He was standing in a tree and when I saw his smile shining upon me all the brokenness was instantly healed and I began to laugh with joy.

These words have come to mind:

“May the LORD bless you and protect you. May the LORD smile on you and be gracious to you.  May the LORD show you his favor and give you his peace.”  Numbers 6:24-26

A WORD THAT CHANGES A MOMENT.
I don’t think it was by chance the king had the singers sing, “Give thanks to the LORD; his faithful love endures forever!” 2 Chronicles 20:21

Think about when you are listening to praise and worship music… and a song comes on, that directly touches your heart and speaks into your situation.  The praise and worship leader has picked a song that touches your heart.  You know somehow and some way that this song didn’t get played by chance. 

Think about ministers on the airwaves who speak a word that touches your heart and speaks to your situation. You know somehow and some way this word didn’t come on by chance.

Think about when you are at church and the pastor gives a sermon on what you just needed to hear.

God knew exactly where you were going to be at that moment and knew exactly what you needed to hear to be encouraged in his love at that moment.

God is love and he's about showing and giving his love.  He wants his chosen creation (All human beings) to come and know him... in Word , Spirit and Truth

But the reality of God's love is not possible unless we give God our lives.... where not religion tells us the importance of Jesus in our lives but the Holy Spirit.  The word of God will turn from words of black and white to words of greater and deeper meaning.  They will finally make sense.  We will have a changed heart toward things we formally had a biased or prejudice about particularly the bible, christian music, church, prayer, and so on.   A "new" insight and understanding will emerge in us.  One thing that will need to remain constant- our faith from start to finish will need to guided, watered, feed and encouraged in God's love in times of peace and times of battle.  

 The WORD then says:

“At the moment they began to sing and praise, the LORD caused the armies of the Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.” 2 Chronicles 20:22

The mighty army made up of three armies turned on each other and “when the army of Judah arrived at the lookout point in the wilderness, there were dead bodies lying on the ground for as far as they could see.  Not at single one of the enemy had escaped.” 2 Chronicles 20:24

Sometimes I am a little dense and it takes me a day or two- but ever notice the things God does for us to help the day go by smoothly?  We ask and put our trust in him to make provision for us but unless we are really paying attention the reality of that provision doesn't become obvious until we have time to think about our day or week.   Not saying we don’t hit any hiccups but they are minor things compared to what could have had happened.   And the hiccups are usually fixed in a matter of minutes.

We find that God removes certain people or situations from our path and yet makes sure others are in our path so they can either be helpful to us or we can be a blessing to them in those situations.   God supplies all our needs as we trust in Him.

The things that seemed ominous never overtake us but are laid to waste.

The passage ends with:

“King Jehoshaphat and his men went out to gather the plunder. They found vast amounts of equipment, clothing, and other valuables- more then they could carry.  There was so much plunder that it took them three days just to collect it all!  On the fourth day they gathered in the Valley of Blessing, which got its name that day because the people praised and thanked the LORD there.  It is still called the Valley of Blessing today.   Then they returned to Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat leading them, full of joy that the LORD had given them victory over their enemies.  They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres and trumpets and proceeded to the Temple of the LORD.   When the surrounding kingdoms heard that the LORD himself had fought against the enemies of Israel, the fear of God came over them.  So Jehoshaphat’s kingdom was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side.”  2 Chronicles 20:25-30

Battles have been said to be the valleys of our life…

“Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.  Your rod and staff protect and comfort me.”  Psalm 23:4

BUT in and amongst those dark valleys we find something more wonderful then we would had ever expected. We discover, as we trust God, how much God truly loves and cares for us.  We see HIS love truly is faithful and we see HIS love truly endures forever!  We see and experience this more then if we only lived on the mountaintops of life.

I have spoken about this before but growing up in Washington state fruit is grown in the valleys not the hilltops.  Same with us, fruit is grown in us in the valleys of life.

When we see the valley as it really is, we get to grow in what means to walk in victory by the mercy, grace, love and peace of God.  We get to understand the battles in this life are not ours but God’s.

We find in the midst of those valleys- blessings that are too many to count, too many to remember, too many to notice and too many to collect.

We will find in the midst of those valleys, our faith strengthened.  We find greater peace that seldom do others ever find because of the battles in life - which lead to valleys of blessing where we are sure to find a greater trust in God.   And in this trust we understand he gives us the victory amongst insurmountable odds.

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S

For the Battle is Not Yours, But God's Pt. 5

FOCUS, TRUST & STAND

^“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:13

In my Christian faith I have found that 99 percent of the battle is keeping our focus and trust in God, the other 1 percent is standing.

ARMoR of GOD

Before we tune out, thinking we have heard about the Armor of God all before, let’s take a fresh look at these scriptures.  Their purposes are to edify and encourage our focus so we don’t lose heart, become weary, anxious.   They are written for us so we don’t become overcome by what we see, experience, or get entrapped in a destructive or paralyzing thought.  And they are recorded to remind us how important it is to have a relationship with God  

We know the armor of God is NOT worn in pride and arrogance but grace and humility and all godly conviction and sincerity.   

 For the word of God says:

  “Pride goes before destruction,
    and haughtiness before a fall.”  Proverbs 16:18 (NLT)

It also says:

“But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” Romans 13:14 NKJV

No provision for doubt, fear, dread and no provision for pride and self-conceit.  Two very different faces but just as caustic.  Sometimes one even comes right after the other.   

The armor of God scriptures, as all scriptures in the bible, are to enable us to STAND in battle. 

The Armor of God is all about GOD the man/woman believes in.  IT is NOT about a level of trust one has in his or herself. 

We read: Jesus: “On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name. ‘But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s law.’” Matthew 7:22

We read about the seven sons of Sceva trying to cast out a demon from a man and the evil spirit residing in the man says to them, “I know Jesus and I know Paul but who are you?”  Then they are overpowered and brutally attacked by the man with the evil spirit and flee the house naked.  (Note Acts 19:13-16)

What was the state of their mind and heart?  Was it in themselves or God?

^“So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”  Zechariah 4:6

The Armor of God is the Holy Spirit in control not us.  It is God in control.

“But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Here there is no conflict with the law.” Galatians 5:22-23

What causes a person who is persecuted, disowned, beaten, raped, tortured, and facing death to continue in the faith of Jesus Christ?  It is certainly not the will of the flesh but the Armor of God protecting the soul.

 

In the movie called “For Greater Glory” which depicts the Cristero War in Mexico in the 1920’s, were thousands were brutally killed for their faith - causing many to take up arms against their own government, a boy named Jose Sanchez Del Rio is captured, tortured and killed for his faith in Jesus Christ.  Jose could had saved his life several times by just renouncing his faith in Jesus Christ but he did not instead he is quoted as saying, “I will never give in.  Viva Cristo Rey!”  Which means “Long live Christ the King!”  To this day, in Mexico, Jose Sanchez Del Rio is known as one of the martyred in Christ.

 

Even when severely beaten and forced to walk on bleeding tortured cut open feet through the streets to his own grave, Jose did not renounce Christ but found strength in Christ instead.

 

 Strength comes when we realize we are not our own.  We are not keepers of our life.  The body is temporary the soul is forever.  God’s armor protects the soul while as it abides here on earth.  These pieces of armor that cloth the Christian soul; speak not of us, but of our God. (We are not our own.)

“Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.”  Ephesians 6:14

God wants us to remember the certainty of Himself.  What are MY ATTRIBUTES God asks? God is our Father, He is our Savior, and He is our Comforter and Counselor.  He is our friend.  He is abounding in faithfulness and love for us.  He is merciful and gracious.  He is goodness without measure.  He is life, truth, and righteousness.   He saves those who cry out to Him.  He carries out justice to those who trust in him.  He is trustworthy.   He is unchanging.   He cannot lie.  These truths allow us to grow and flourish in our God.

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:15

God wants to remind us that he has given us his peace.  Jesus said he gives us his peace so our heart will not be troubled nor will it be afraid. (John 14:27)  Jesus’ peace is a lasting peace because we know to whom we belong and where our citizenship resides.   When people ask where do we get such peace we can tell them it through God and our LORD Jesus Christ.

In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Ephesians 6:16

Faith is the confidence we have in God even when we cannot see what is going to happen.  Satan and his army shoot their fiery arrows of lies and deceit hoping to burn and destroy our confidence we have in God.   A shield that stops such arrows of lies and deceit is the knowing God has made provision.  He is with us.  He already knows our needs and what is going to happen.  He is all-powerful; nothing stops the will of God and his promises in our life.

Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

God always want us to be mindful of our salvation.  He is the one who saved us and continues to save us.  He is with us continually.  He does not retreat nor does he leave anyone in the battlefields of life behind.  (2 Corinthians 4:9) He does not forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:8).  As we turn to God, He gives us and reminds us of his words to counter the enemy’s strikes and discern truth from fiction.  None of this armor will work for us unless we have a relationship and trust in God.

Remember the Armor of God is not about us but all about HIM.  Knowing this we are able to focus, trust and stand.

Climbing Life With God's Promises - Pathway 3

Growing up my step dad took us on some challenging mountain and rock climbs.   Where just the massive rock face and height looked impossible to climb but somehow with my step dad’s direction we were able to climb that mountain of rock all the way to the summit and see the beautiful view at the very top.  It was always cool to be on a mountain and look down on the clouds instead of look up at them.

God takes us on some difficult climbs as well but he has secured us to himself but we must trust him has he guides us to the summit of this life.  Through this trust he shows us what life is all about as he shows us all the wonderful views and vistas along the way. 

SEEK

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

“The humble will see their God at work and be glad.  Let all who seek God’s help be encouraged.” Psalm 69:32

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33

God tells us to seek Him for:
justice -what is right,
mercy- for we need it.
grace-  for we don't deserve it.
wisdom- for he knows what we should do.
truth-  guides us to all truth.
encouragement- for he is our real and sole source of encouragement.
love- for God is love.
promises - for God always keeps his promises.

God's promises can't be broken.  They must be sought and the more I meditate on God's promises the more I see justice, mercy, grace, wisdom, truth, encouragement, love are in the promises of God.

CONFLICT AND CONFUSION

In conflict and confusion we need to seek God’s promises.  I didn't realize this earlier in life but God's promises are there regardless if we know they are there or not.  Think about it, could we who are saved ever approach God to be saved if God wasn't the God of justice, mercy, grace, wisdom, truth, encouragement and love?   

Conflict and confusion can be discouraging but I want to encourage you as the Lord has encouraged me in times of tension and confusion.

Satan loves to throw confusion into a situation - especially at pivotal points in a decision process.  Satan will make it seem like there are two possibilities instead of just the one.  If this isn’t difficult enough, he will manipulate others close to you to turn on you and treat and judge you harshly.  He will take God’s words and twist their meaning so as if you are pleasing or not pleasing God.  Your actions will be presumed as the worst even though you are just following a directive from God.  It will seem like you are all alone.  This difficult situation makes one want to give up, do the easier thing, or fall into the desires of others instead of what God wants for your life.  

Difficult situations make for a difficult time.  It makes a person want to focus on him or herself instead of trusting in God.  And this is where self-pity can play into the hands of the devil and you run into the potential of giving up.  Satan does not want you to live and walk the path God has for you.  He doesn’t want you to fulfill your purpose in life so he will do everything in his power to try to stop you.

“All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ.” Philippians 2:21

So what do you do with all these discouraging circumstances and confusion, which brings no confidence at all?

I have had some confusion of my own lately and it was and is still not the most easy or comforting process but I can say I my relationship with Jesus Christ has gotten a lot stronger as I have had to lean and depend and trust in him a lot more.

Yesterday morning I found myself in the same circumstances and when I thought I had exhausted the spiritual tools at my disposal, I saw that a brother in Christ had called me so I called him back.   I told him what was going on with this decision process and the difficult conditions I have run into and have accompanied this decision process. 

He told me straight out he didn’t know what I should do which was good because I wasn’t looking for another human opinion.   After talking a while my brother in Christ was reminded by the Holy Spirit of what he was given when he was in a similar difficult situation and what he had just heard while listening to a sermon on his phone… and that was to go to God with His promises and truths.

Now I just had heard Dr. Charles Stanley talk about the promises of God the other day but I missed the point of why I was led to listen to Dr. Charles Stanley. 

God was saying here is key now pick it up and put into practice but it just wasn't sinking in. 

Note:  Probably because I was looking at so many sources for an answer it was just becoming this big confusing mess.  The message I was receiving was neither black and white- yes or no.   The messages I was receiving could have easily fit into either way in which I should proceed.  I couldn’t distinguish God’s answer.   I had to just live in the moment until at last I heard that small comforting voice direct my step.  When the step came I was satisfied with that even though it wasn't the entire answer to my situation.  I was pleased and encouraged however with the outcome of that step even though it was only a step for it tied together perfectly with what God had been teaching me that morning and I had jotted down in my notes. 

GOD’S PROMISES & TRUTHS

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

My brother in Christ then reminded me of a truth.   Jesus is the God who opens doors that no one is able to close and closes doors no one is able to open.

I went to my bible to find this promise/ truth.  I had heard this statement many times but I wanted to see if for myself.  Seeing the WORD in which I am seeking, encourages me.   I found this truth in an obscure place in the book of Isaiah.   Isaiah is told by God to confront a man named Shebna and tell him that since he had not been doing his job to God’s expectations but living it up for himself God is going to toss him to a distant land to die and replace him with his servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah.   Eliakim means “God raises or God sets up” and Hilkiah means “my porition is Jehovah.”   Then God says “I will give him (Eliakim) the key to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court.  When he opens doors, no one will be able to close them; when he closes doors, no one will be able to open them.”

This at first confused me.  God is saying Eliakim will be able to open doors no one will be able to close and close doors no one will be able to open.  This is only for Eliakim but then God showed me the first part again.  I will give him the keys to the house of David—the highest position in the royal court. Isaiah 22:22

Who holds the keys to the house of David now?   Who sits next to the Heavenly Father in the highest position in the real royal court that truly matters?  JESUS

Does Jesus not do this for us if we trust him and walk according to his will?  Who can be against us if God is for us?

Then with total trust I prayed to the Father in Jesus name to open and keep open the doors he wanted to open for me and shut the doors he didn’t want me to go through.

I then wrote down this truth and I mediate on it and request the same prayer throughout the day- not that God doesn’t hear me the first time but it reminds myself and gives me that assurance.  It relieves myself of the heavy burden and heavy heart in this confusing complicated situation so I will keep a sound mind in the midst of things and circumstances going on around me.

Anyone one who tells you following the path God has for you is easy is either lying or hasn’t been brought to a level in which their faith climbing abilities are tested -but being able to fully trust and going back to meditate on the promises of God brings peace to one’s soul.   This promise were like my stones to mark the spot in which God promised something and I could go back at anytime to remind myself of that promise.

A promise of God is not just a promise but a promise which gives peace to one's soul.

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.” Jeremiah 17:7

TRUST IN GOD

Hope not in people but hope in God.

Trusting God brings true living wisdom and this wisdom allows us to mature into children of God.

Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18:2-4

The LORD protects those of childlike faith; I was facing death, and he saved me.” Psalms 116:6

The Lord then reminded me of this chapter in 2 Peter.

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.  By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.  We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.  And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises.  These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.  In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises.  Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and more excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.  The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.  2 Peter 1:2-11

Being a kid and being harnessed and roped to my step dad as we crossed steep snowy and icy slopes on the mountains gave us kids assurance.    God is bound to us with something stronger then a rope, harness, ice axe and crampons, he is bound himself with both his promise and oath.

"So God has given both his promise and his oath.  These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie.  Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.  This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.   It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.” Hebrews 6:18-19    

Again to fully trust in the promises of God brings peace to one’s soul.  Amen

Hurtful Words and God’s Love

I have written about this topic before but I want to add a bit more.

We need to be so focused on God’s love that we can give unconditional love back to those who hurt us.

Words hurt especially when they come from those close to us and our reaction is a want to pull away and stay away from them but instead of pulling back from them- let that situation speak into your life as a sign that you need to get closer to God.

For in his love our heart remains tender and receptive unlike when we pull away and build up a wall or callus around our heart towards that person.

I am not going to preach and tell you that the devil uses those close to you to hurt you and we don’t fight flesh and blood because if you are Christian you already know this.

I will say this:

We are to live in God’s love.

We are to breath in God’s love.

We are to be protected in God’s love.

We are to speak in God’s love.

We are to walk in God’s love.

But we cannot do that if we don’t take the time to study God’s word, meditate and “be” in God’s love each day and throughout each day.

The intellectual wisdom of God’s love is not just going to do it for you- God’s love needs to translate into our daily actions and way of living and communicating with others. Where we live in God’s peace, love and hope regardless to the actions fired upon us.

People say things. People speak without thinking. They say things that tear down instead of build up. They get into thinking performance instead of love. People make judgments based on what they see and understand not what is actual fact.

You know God loves you - not what you have done or can and can not do. He is looking at the heart. Is it after Him or is it not?

People are so focused on outside appearances- they either don’t know or forget what really and truly matters. They either don’t know or forget what really matters is the heart for God.

People's hearts that are not set upon the foundation of God will always hold the past against us. They will see the bad and/or insufficiency in our ways and efforts- especially those who are not being guarded and mindful of the Lord and his ways. They are quick to pass judgment.

But I want you to declare something with me to God.

Declare: “I will surrender those things that people hold against me in some shape or form to the Lord. There upon the Lord my burden is light. For who really knows my heart but the Lord? Should I not suffer- if I had no suffering how would I have or come to my dependence upon the Lord’s love?”

Romans 12:21 "Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good."

We must continue to raise our dependence upon the Lord’s love. We must surrender all that we are in the flesh in order to become more like the Lord, who love’s us. We shall cast off and cut the strings of the naggings of the flesh that hinder our way in walking continually in the presence of the Lord.

I shall remember and live knowing my true life is in Christ Jesus. There is freedom. There is real life. There is life, as we all should know it.

Can I speak for those who hurt us? Not for certain. I don't walk in their shoes- I don't know what their life is like. I don't see through their eyes and heart. I don't know what is broken inside of them. I don't know type of callus that has formed over their heart. No I can speak for those who hurt us. For there are some things I think I understand but probably don’t fully understand. There are some things that the Lord only knows.

People need watch out which pair of socks they put on in the morning- are they a dirty pair or a clean pair?

Knowing God's love allows me to walk and speak in love and respect. It allows me to give mercy and be empowered by God's grace.

I, a sensitive soul must not need to be concerned what kind of laundry they put on in the morning but where I shall put my focus. For the suiting up of the armor of God has all to do with focus of the heart and mind and knowing the God who truly loves me. For my home and treasure is not here on this world but with God and in heaven. I shall not fear for the LORD is with me. Nothing can separate me from His love.

Psalm 91
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect your from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished. If you make the LORD your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The LORD says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation."

Motivation in Reverence and Fear.

“This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance … Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men”

- FDR Inaugural Address March 1933

“ Recognition of the falsity of material wealth as the standard of success goes hand in hand with the abandonment of the false belief that public office and high political position are to be valued only by the standards of pride of place and personal profit; and there must be an end to a conduct in banking and in business which too often has given to a sacred trust the likeness of callous and selfish wrongdoing. Small wonder that confidence languishes, for it thrives only on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection, on unselfish performance; without them it cannot live.8 Restoration calls, however, not for changes in ethics alone. This Nation asks for action, and action now.” - FDR’s Inaugural Address in March 1933

History tends to repeat itself when we don’t put fear where it belongs.

When it comes to fearing people, circumstances, and thoughts that have not come to fruition- they don’t do us much good but placing fear where it truly belongs brings fruitful results.

Proverbs 9:10 “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment.”

Proverbs 1:7 “Fear of the LORD is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”

Proverbs 14:27 “Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.”

Proverbs 15:33 “Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor.”

Deuteronomy 13:4 “Serve only the LORD your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.”

“-you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off; fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:9-10

I don’t know why this is but for a majority fear and reverence for God does not come until they come under the enlightenment of Jesus Christ. For all of us, we come to God out for self-preservation reasoning. We come to God for eternal life in heaven not hell. We come to God for a better life. We come to God because the life we sought gave us no sustaining nourishment. We came to God because the life we had was miserable. We came to God because we worried and feared the things in this life. We came to God because we felt our life was worthless and pointless. We came to God because there was no other way out of the hole we found ourselves in. We came to God because he had showed us his faithfulness in our unfaithfulness. We came to God after we swam deep within ourselves and found this shiny seed that instinctively pointed us to God. I would even say those lucky enough to be “broken” by pride, folly, and false idols (such as money, religion, and possessions and popularity) do come to God after seeing how fragile life is. Of course you have those who put their soul hope in other human beings and in the material things of this world instead of God and end of up losing their soul one way or another instead of giving their life to the one who could save it.

“And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites when he judges. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time as foreigners hereon earth. For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” 1 Peter 1:17-19

“Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God.” 1 Peter 1:21

Through Christ one comes to trust in God. Through Christ we see how holy and awesome God truly is. And who better to fear then the LORD who made your very soul? If you are in the LORD then there is nothing else to fear. There is freedom in the LORD.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity but of power, love and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7

It is impossible to live in power, love and self-discipline when we are not living according to the spirit and not understanding who God truly is.

In the Enlightenment of Jesus Christ we start to understand the importance of having reverence and fear of God.

“As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature. So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to know God better. Knowing God leads to self-control. Self-control leads to patient endurance and patient endurance leads to godliness. Godliness leads to love for other Christians, and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more you will become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop these virtues are blind or, at least very shortsighted. They have already forgotten that God has cleansed them from their old life of sin. So dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Doing this, you will never stumble or fall away. And God will open wide the gates of heaven for you to enter into eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:3-11

Living in the faith of Jesus Christ = comes a life of moral excellence.

Moral excellence =knowing God better.

Knowing God better =Self Control. (Dependence on God through Holy Spirit)

Self-control =to patient endurance.

Patient endurance= godliness.

Godliness= love for other Christians.

Grow in this understanding=become productive and useful in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Think about this. You are in a stressful situation. You know how Jesus wants you to live. You have a choice to depend on your feelings, thoughts, understandings, circumstances, imaginations which lead you to unwarranted fear, anxiety, stress, and paralyzing reasoning OR trust in God who gives you the self-control. You trust God and you are able to patiently endure the stressful situation and act appropriately instead of taking out your stress on those around you. Hence the more you live in this mindset of Christ you are able to live in godliness regardless of the circumstances around you and are able to love and be productive vessels for God. You are sustained in the ways of the Lord not in the ways the flesh which often doesn’t put fear where it rightfully belongs.

This is not saying you have to work to earn your salvation. Salvation is a gift from God made only possible through Jesus Christ. It saying it is impossible to live in enlightenment and in a life of moral excellence if you “don’t” keep your thoughts on how Jesus Christ wants you to live through the Holy Spirit. Without the guidance and acknowledgment of God we do foolish and shameful and even destructive things.

(Now someone may argue, “Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” I say, “I can’t see your faith if you don’t have good deeds, but I will show you faith through my good deeds.” Do you think it’s enough just to believe that there is one God? Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror! Fool! When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?) James 2:18-20

James is saying your faith in Jesus Christ should result in godly actions.

“… be even more careful to put into action God’s saving work in your lives, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.” Philippians 2:12-13

God’s “saving work” is the Holy Spirit who Jesus Christ sends to those who have faith in him. The Holy Spirit reminds and motivates us in how we should live as representatives of Jesus Christ. God ways sustains us as well as remind us to have a healthy amount of respect for God who we will have to answer for our actions.

Fear of God can advance us in living a successful productive godly lifestyle in Christ.

Hope these notes were helpful to you.