Sunday, July 26, 2015
Waiting on God
We live in a hurry-up society today. We want instant gratification in all areas of life, and are often impatient over any constraints on our time or desires. Waiting is not always pleasant. More often than not, it is only a minor inconvenience. Other times, however, it involves a major issue in our lives that we feel requires immediate attention, perhaps a matter of life and death.
God often uses "waiting" as a means of building our faith and making us stronger. When we pray to Him and He doesn't answer right away, it's not because He didn't hear or doesn't care. Did you know that while we wait, God works? That's right! He is working behind the scenes in the spiritual realm, moving events, circumstances, people and situations to bring about a favorable end to our need. Now, we need to understand that the answer may not be what we think it ought to be, but we can always be assured that it will be what is best for us. God always has our best interest at heart. He is a loving Father who delights in His children and wants us to have an abundant, joyful life.
Sometimes our need requires immediate attention, as was the case with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednedo, who were thrown into a fiery furnace (Daniel 3:21-25). What was their crime? They refused to bow down to a pagan idol. What was the outcome? One like the Son of God appeared with them in the flames and saved them from death. Their faith and obedience to God delivered them from death and also resulted in a pagan king acknowledging the power of God.
Daniel 3:28, Nebuchadnezzar spake and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
Daniel, likewise, required immediate deliverance from a den of hungry lions. (Daniel 6:16). Daniel's crime? Praying to his God three times a day despite a decree by the king that no God or man was to be petitioned for 30 days, save the king himself. What was the outcome?
Daniel 6:19-22, Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came near unto the den to Daniel, he cried with a lamentable voice; the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
As was the case with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, what was meant to bring death brought deliverance and glory to God. Listen to the words of the king.
Daniel 6:26, I make a decree, that in all the dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel; for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, And his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed; and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
Are you going through what seems to be a fiery grave? Is Satan roaming about in your life, like a roaring, hungry lion? Are you begging God for His help?
Take heart!
1Peter 4:12-13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial among you, which cometh upon you to prove you, as though a strange thing happened unto you: but insomuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory also ye may rejoice with exceeding joy.
1Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We may not like it, but God's answer is not always instantaneous. There is often a great purpose built into waiting. God uses it to prove our faith, to build character in us. God is actively working while we wait (patiently, expectantly). He, like a master potter, is busy working on the inside of us as well as on our circumstances, to bring about the best possible outcome.
Don't lose your breakthrough by giving up on God when you don't see an immediate answer. Stay steadfast in your faith and wait for God's season of blessing in your life. Never give up! Go to the Word and take hold of the many promises of God that speak of the blessings He has in store for you if you will remain faithful in your hope.
One of my favorites is Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
The Emperor Has No Clothes
There is a book I used to read to my daughter when she was young. It is a foggy memory now but the story line goes something like this. A certain emperor commissioned some weavers to make him new clothes. Being of the baser sort, they pretended to sew beautiful garments for the emperor, when in reality, they didn't make a thing. When they presented their imaginary creations to the emperor and made a big pretense of clothing him in these fine robes, he noticed that he could not see them and neither could anyone else, for that matter. As he stood before them in his royal underwear, the weavers raved about how majestic he looked. They encouraged him to make ready a grand ceremony and present himself to his subjects, donned in these fabulous robes. Not wanting to admit the truth, he followed their advice and rode through the streets in his chariot wearing his imaginary clothes. The crowds stood by, whispering to one another, baffled by what they were witnessing but afraid to say anything. All at once, one young boy bravely stood up and shouted, "The Emperor Has No Clothes".
Why has this children's book suddenly come to mind? It reminds me of what is happening in America today. We are constantly fed with statements such as, "We are God's Country", "We are a Christian Nation", "We are the greatest country on earth", "We are the world's only superpower". All of this was once true. I believe with all my heart that God himself established America to be a light to the world, much as he did ancient Israel. He blessed us with the double birthright blessing of Jacob's son, Joseph. Like Joseph in Egypt, America provided the bread of life to many nations, materially and spiritually. However, we failed to realize that all of our blessings came from God and, as we systematically, one law at a time, have pushed God out of our nation, we have spiraled downward and continue to plummet at an alarming rate.
What does God say to a nation that once knew Him, but have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to His instructions?
Isaiah 1:4 "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."
Isaiah 2:8 "Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:"
Isaiah 3:9 "The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves."
Isa 9:16 "For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed"
Jeremiah 2:11 "Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit."
Jeremiah 4:22 "For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.""
Many of America's leaders are corrupt. More and more of our religious leaders are abandoning the word of God and embracing or condoning immoral behavior. Wisdom has fallen in the street. America, once the head of nations has become the tail. Our enemies mock us. They have no fear of our superpower status. Our influence has been weakened around the world, for we have flaunted our sins for all to see.
America has forgotten that her blessings came only from God. He was our covering. That covering has been removed and now we stand naked before Him. We say we are His, we say we love the Lord, we flock to houses of worship each week and delude ourselves that our nation is one nation under God. We may convince ourselves, but, what does He see?
Isaiah 29:13-14 "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."
It's past time for all who still call upon the name of the Lord to repent and seek His face. It's past time for someone, anyone, to stand up and declare, "The emperor has no clothes".
Why has this children's book suddenly come to mind? It reminds me of what is happening in America today. We are constantly fed with statements such as, "We are God's Country", "We are a Christian Nation", "We are the greatest country on earth", "We are the world's only superpower". All of this was once true. I believe with all my heart that God himself established America to be a light to the world, much as he did ancient Israel. He blessed us with the double birthright blessing of Jacob's son, Joseph. Like Joseph in Egypt, America provided the bread of life to many nations, materially and spiritually. However, we failed to realize that all of our blessings came from God and, as we systematically, one law at a time, have pushed God out of our nation, we have spiraled downward and continue to plummet at an alarming rate.
What does God say to a nation that once knew Him, but have turned a blind eye and deaf ear to His instructions?
Isaiah 1:4 "Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward."
Isaiah 2:8 "Their land also is full of idols; they worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made:"
Isaiah 3:9 "The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves."
Isa 9:16 "For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed"
Jeremiah 2:11 "Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for that which doth not profit."
Jeremiah 4:22 "For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish children, and they have none understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.""
Many of America's leaders are corrupt. More and more of our religious leaders are abandoning the word of God and embracing or condoning immoral behavior. Wisdom has fallen in the street. America, once the head of nations has become the tail. Our enemies mock us. They have no fear of our superpower status. Our influence has been weakened around the world, for we have flaunted our sins for all to see.
America has forgotten that her blessings came only from God. He was our covering. That covering has been removed and now we stand naked before Him. We say we are His, we say we love the Lord, we flock to houses of worship each week and delude ourselves that our nation is one nation under God. We may convince ourselves, but, what does He see?
Isaiah 29:13-14 "Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."
It's past time for all who still call upon the name of the Lord to repent and seek His face. It's past time for someone, anyone, to stand up and declare, "The emperor has no clothes".
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Rightly Dividing the Word of Truth
The bible is replete with symbols, patterns, duality and examples. We find that what is revealed to us in Genesis (the beginning), is repeated and expounded upon throughout scripture and culminates in the book of Revelation (the end). Nothing is more exciting than understanding these mysteries, having their meanings unlocked to our understanding.
Take the concept of division, for instance. It is amazing how much understanding can be gleaned from this one revelation. Throughout the scriptures we are taught that there is to be a distinction between the children of God and those of the world at large. Yehovah hates mingling or mixing truth with error and gives us ample examples in his word.
In Genesis chapter 1, we see the first references to division. Gen 1:4 tells us that God divided light from darkness, and in verses 6-7 we see that God divided the waters, those above the firmament from those beneath. Although these are actual events, they allude to a spiritual reality that parallels that of nature. Our creator is indeed in the business of dividing light from darkness in the spiritual realm as well. He also reveals that his ways are higher than our ways as the heavens are higher than the earth.
Some of the many references to dividing I see within scripture are sheep and goats, wheat and tares, clean and unclean, holy and unholy. The list goes on and on. Once you become aware of it, you see the pattern everywhere.
Believers are called to be set-apart people. We are to learn how to make a distinction between holy and unholy. God tells us that we are to come out of spiritual Babylon and follow Him.
Israel's experience was a type or shadow picture of the spiritual walk of the believer.When God brought them out of Egypt, it was a foreshadow of believers coming out of sin and the bondage of Satan, personified by Pharoah. God led the Israelites to Mount Sinai, where He entered into covenant with them and taught them how to worship Him. Although many fell in the wilderness due to unbelief and disobedience, their offspring entered the Promised Land, where God again reiterated that they were live as a holy, set-apart nation before him. They were not to mingle with the other nations, not to intermarry with them, not to take on their forms of worship, not to bow down to their idols or pray to their gods.
The same applies to us today. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. He desires the same separateness from us as He did from them. He wants us to stand out as light in a darkened world. It is not hard to see that the world is becoming more and more ungodly with each passing day. If we say that we are His children, then we have to leave our worldly ways behind and walk in newness of life. We need to live by the word of God and follow His teachings, which includes abstaining from mixing truth with error and calling it the worship of God.
As with ancient Israel, He has forbidden us from taking on the worship of pagan nations and attempting to reinvent them into our worship of Him. This definitely includes the holidays adopted by modern Christianity today, such as Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Halloween.Christianity has adopted these pagan festivities and allowed them to infiltrate the Church of God, but He does not accept them. He gave His called-out ones annual festivals in which were embedded the ministry of Christ and pictured his redemptive plan of salvation. These pagan holidays are poor substitutes and counterfeits for God's true Holy Days.
Christianity has also abandoned God's Sabbath day and exchanged it for Sunday. It, too, is a shadow picture of the coming Sabbath rest awaiting God's people at the coming of Messiah. Those who honor Him by keeping that day holy, as He has instructed, will enter that rest. They will reign with him for 1,000 years. The rest of the dead will not be resurrected until the 1,000 years are finished, at which time they will stand before the judgment seat of God.
Some denominations dishonor Him with their graven images and prayers to angels and saints. Their leaders take the title of "father" and usurp Christ's role as the only intercessor between God and man. Their denomination forbids these priests to marry, in violation of scripture.
These things ought not be. Christianity, at large, is guilty of apostasy and true believers need to wake up and come out of her before the wrath of God is poured out. Knowledge is being assimilated at alarming speeds today and there is no excuse for ignorance. With the help of computers and the internet we can research each of these topics with the aid of online Bibles as well as historical accounts and commentaries. With a click of the mouse, we can type in words like "Christmas", "Easter" or "Halloween" and a myriad of websites will appear detailing their origins and how they wormed their way into modern Christianity. Don't allow widely accepted customs and traditions to rob you of your rightful position in the family of God. The things of the world are quickly passing away, but the Kingdom of God will reign forever.
Take the concept of division, for instance. It is amazing how much understanding can be gleaned from this one revelation. Throughout the scriptures we are taught that there is to be a distinction between the children of God and those of the world at large. Yehovah hates mingling or mixing truth with error and gives us ample examples in his word.
In Genesis chapter 1, we see the first references to division. Gen 1:4 tells us that God divided light from darkness, and in verses 6-7 we see that God divided the waters, those above the firmament from those beneath. Although these are actual events, they allude to a spiritual reality that parallels that of nature. Our creator is indeed in the business of dividing light from darkness in the spiritual realm as well. He also reveals that his ways are higher than our ways as the heavens are higher than the earth.
Some of the many references to dividing I see within scripture are sheep and goats, wheat and tares, clean and unclean, holy and unholy. The list goes on and on. Once you become aware of it, you see the pattern everywhere.
Believers are called to be set-apart people. We are to learn how to make a distinction between holy and unholy. God tells us that we are to come out of spiritual Babylon and follow Him.
Israel's experience was a type or shadow picture of the spiritual walk of the believer.When God brought them out of Egypt, it was a foreshadow of believers coming out of sin and the bondage of Satan, personified by Pharoah. God led the Israelites to Mount Sinai, where He entered into covenant with them and taught them how to worship Him. Although many fell in the wilderness due to unbelief and disobedience, their offspring entered the Promised Land, where God again reiterated that they were live as a holy, set-apart nation before him. They were not to mingle with the other nations, not to intermarry with them, not to take on their forms of worship, not to bow down to their idols or pray to their gods.
The same applies to us today. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He does not change. He desires the same separateness from us as He did from them. He wants us to stand out as light in a darkened world. It is not hard to see that the world is becoming more and more ungodly with each passing day. If we say that we are His children, then we have to leave our worldly ways behind and walk in newness of life. We need to live by the word of God and follow His teachings, which includes abstaining from mixing truth with error and calling it the worship of God.
As with ancient Israel, He has forbidden us from taking on the worship of pagan nations and attempting to reinvent them into our worship of Him. This definitely includes the holidays adopted by modern Christianity today, such as Christmas, Easter, Valentine's Day and Halloween.Christianity has adopted these pagan festivities and allowed them to infiltrate the Church of God, but He does not accept them. He gave His called-out ones annual festivals in which were embedded the ministry of Christ and pictured his redemptive plan of salvation. These pagan holidays are poor substitutes and counterfeits for God's true Holy Days.
Christianity has also abandoned God's Sabbath day and exchanged it for Sunday. It, too, is a shadow picture of the coming Sabbath rest awaiting God's people at the coming of Messiah. Those who honor Him by keeping that day holy, as He has instructed, will enter that rest. They will reign with him for 1,000 years. The rest of the dead will not be resurrected until the 1,000 years are finished, at which time they will stand before the judgment seat of God.
Some denominations dishonor Him with their graven images and prayers to angels and saints. Their leaders take the title of "father" and usurp Christ's role as the only intercessor between God and man. Their denomination forbids these priests to marry, in violation of scripture.
These things ought not be. Christianity, at large, is guilty of apostasy and true believers need to wake up and come out of her before the wrath of God is poured out. Knowledge is being assimilated at alarming speeds today and there is no excuse for ignorance. With the help of computers and the internet we can research each of these topics with the aid of online Bibles as well as historical accounts and commentaries. With a click of the mouse, we can type in words like "Christmas", "Easter" or "Halloween" and a myriad of websites will appear detailing their origins and how they wormed their way into modern Christianity. Don't allow widely accepted customs and traditions to rob you of your rightful position in the family of God. The things of the world are quickly passing away, but the Kingdom of God will reign forever.
Religion or Relationship?
I have met a lot of people on this earthly journey. I‘ve been exposed to various denominations and have heard many different views on the bible. My father's family was Catholic and my mom's Protestant. I attended Catholic school when I was four years old and went through my first communion. Later, my mom began bringing my sister and me to a Baptist church. It was there that I was baptized at the age of ten (full immersion). For years, I continued on and off again in the Baptist faith, however I have visited Nazarene, Methodist, Pentecostal and non-denominational congregations. I studied with Jehovah's Witnesses and I attended a Sabbath keeping church for a number of years, even attending the annual festivals.
I can truly say that I learned something each step of the way and remain thankful for the many teachers who contributed to my growth and biblical understanding. The most important thing I’ve learned, perhaps, is that every one has some truth, but none have all. By saying that, I don't mean to insinuate that I do. What I mean is that each denomination believes and teaches something different, they all have some doctrines exclusive to them and they all in one way or another demand our allegiance to their particular brand of religion. It took me awhile, but I realize today that there is often a vast difference between religion and true Christianity. People around the world are religious and have a form of worship, but they don't all believe the same things or worship the same god. People can go to church every week and not possess an ounce of love for their fellowman. Others may not darken the door of a church and be the most spiritual people you ever met.
In every church I've attended, I've been persuaded to believe that they alone possessed the truth. I have often found them intolerant of those of other denominations. The way of salvation has been presented in more scenarios than I can count.
Yes, church attendance has taught me a lot over the years. With that said, my greatest insights have been and still are delivered directly from the Creator himself. My most abundant seasons of spiritual growth have come to me during long hours, days or weeks in solitary worship, hearing only His voice, reading His word, communing with him amid the beauty of nature. His presence is truly a healing balm to my spirit.
I am thankful for the journey God has allowed me to take. Sometimes difficult, often lonely, He has blessed me with a wealth of biblical knowledge and a vast understanding of His holy word. I am humbled that He has allowed me to see such marvelous things in His word, but that doesn't save me or make me better than anyone else or more holy or more loved. I love the Hebrew language, but a person doesn't have to speak Hebrew to worship him. I have a deep understanding of the symbols, types and shadow pictures of the Old Testament and how they all point to the Messiah, but one who knows nothing of these things can have a very personal, abiding relationship with God. I stand in awe in the face of some of these spiritual masters who have transcended their humanity to enter another dimension that few have known, but regardless of our station in life, our background, our upbringing, education, opportunities, shortcomings or sins, each of us is able to approach the throne of grace and receive salvation through Yeshua, our Messiah. He doesn’t care about our religion. He didn’t come to this earth to build a religion, but a relationship with mankind….a very personal relationship with each of us, to teach the coming Kingdom, or family of God, where all are welcome if they are willing to accept his invitation.
The pages of our Bibles paint a beautiful portrait of God’s love, enduring grace and mercy for all of His children. I see a prostitute kneeling at Jesus' feet, washing them with her hair, a blind man receiving his sight, an adulteress being given a clean slate, the lame walking, the leper cleansed, a thief on a cross receiving forgiveness, a tax collector being chosen as a disciple, a Samaritan woman at a well being offered living water, the dead raised, the poor hearing the gospel of the Kingdom. Our God is bigger than our religion. He's bigger than our petty differences. No matter who we are, if we come to Him in faith and ask for His help, He is willing to accept us and give us new life. It begins with what one lone man did so long ago. He entered the temple at Jerusalem, knelt before his God not daring to even lift his eyes and prayed, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."
I can truly say that I learned something each step of the way and remain thankful for the many teachers who contributed to my growth and biblical understanding. The most important thing I’ve learned, perhaps, is that every one has some truth, but none have all. By saying that, I don't mean to insinuate that I do. What I mean is that each denomination believes and teaches something different, they all have some doctrines exclusive to them and they all in one way or another demand our allegiance to their particular brand of religion. It took me awhile, but I realize today that there is often a vast difference between religion and true Christianity. People around the world are religious and have a form of worship, but they don't all believe the same things or worship the same god. People can go to church every week and not possess an ounce of love for their fellowman. Others may not darken the door of a church and be the most spiritual people you ever met.
In every church I've attended, I've been persuaded to believe that they alone possessed the truth. I have often found them intolerant of those of other denominations. The way of salvation has been presented in more scenarios than I can count.
Yes, church attendance has taught me a lot over the years. With that said, my greatest insights have been and still are delivered directly from the Creator himself. My most abundant seasons of spiritual growth have come to me during long hours, days or weeks in solitary worship, hearing only His voice, reading His word, communing with him amid the beauty of nature. His presence is truly a healing balm to my spirit.
I am thankful for the journey God has allowed me to take. Sometimes difficult, often lonely, He has blessed me with a wealth of biblical knowledge and a vast understanding of His holy word. I am humbled that He has allowed me to see such marvelous things in His word, but that doesn't save me or make me better than anyone else or more holy or more loved. I love the Hebrew language, but a person doesn't have to speak Hebrew to worship him. I have a deep understanding of the symbols, types and shadow pictures of the Old Testament and how they all point to the Messiah, but one who knows nothing of these things can have a very personal, abiding relationship with God. I stand in awe in the face of some of these spiritual masters who have transcended their humanity to enter another dimension that few have known, but regardless of our station in life, our background, our upbringing, education, opportunities, shortcomings or sins, each of us is able to approach the throne of grace and receive salvation through Yeshua, our Messiah. He doesn’t care about our religion. He didn’t come to this earth to build a religion, but a relationship with mankind….a very personal relationship with each of us, to teach the coming Kingdom, or family of God, where all are welcome if they are willing to accept his invitation.
The pages of our Bibles paint a beautiful portrait of God’s love, enduring grace and mercy for all of His children. I see a prostitute kneeling at Jesus' feet, washing them with her hair, a blind man receiving his sight, an adulteress being given a clean slate, the lame walking, the leper cleansed, a thief on a cross receiving forgiveness, a tax collector being chosen as a disciple, a Samaritan woman at a well being offered living water, the dead raised, the poor hearing the gospel of the Kingdom. Our God is bigger than our religion. He's bigger than our petty differences. No matter who we are, if we come to Him in faith and ask for His help, He is willing to accept us and give us new life. It begins with what one lone man did so long ago. He entered the temple at Jerusalem, knelt before his God not daring to even lift his eyes and prayed, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."
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