"Much mental suffering is tied to our false expectations. We may so link our hopes and joys and future to a new job, to a promotion, or to certain kinds of success, to prosperity, that when they fail to materialize, we are utterly crushed. But quiet confidence in God alone breeds stability and delight amid "all the changing scenes of life. The degree of our peace of mind is tied tour prayer life because we address a prayer answering God, a personal God, a responding God and a sovereign God whom we can trust with the outcomes of life's confusions." DA Carson,
Our expectations of God are sometimes too much. We expect Him to solve all of our problems by a mere prayer. "Lord help me I am in trouble" and then a wave of some kind of force and all our problems are wiped away and we continue on.
NO! Sometimes He answers our prayer and the answer is "deal with it", "I am here but you need to deal with it. " God may be putting you through a trial and that trial maybe there so that you will realize just how much you need the Lord or that your walk is weak and God has put this trial upon you to make your dependency in Christ.
I have failed God so much and I'm realizing just how much, I am so weak and He is so strong. I am such a wretched sinner and He is perfect. I love Him so much, but I don't love Him enough.
I have disappointed Him in so many ways, and He keeps on loving me, I wonder why sometimes. The flesh can be so strong at times, living in this sin infested world can be so difficult.
God will make you face the sin in your life and he will do what ever it takes to do it! If you face up to the fire, God will guide you through it and it may takes hours, days ...or years, but God is there and if it is a lifetime of pain and you leave this world suffering from it, think about the second you leave this world and you enter eternity in Glory, it's worth it.
I believe the hard heartiest, most cross grained and most unloving Christians in all the world are those who have not had much trouble in their life. And those that are the most sympathizing, loving and Christlike are generally those who have the most affliction. The worse thing that can happen to any of us is to have a path made too smooth. One of the greatest blessings the Lord ever gave us was a cross." Charles Spurgeon
Please pray for me because I am so weak and and in the hours, day and months ahead I want to draw nearer to our Savior, I want Him proud of me.
"You may have just victoriously gone through a great crisis, but now be alert about the things that may appear to be the least likely to tempt you. Beware of thinking that the areas of your life where you have experienced victory in the past are now the least likely to cause you to stumble and fall. Stay alert, keep your memory sharp before God. Unguarded strength is actually a double weakness, because that is where the least likely temptation s will be effective in sapping strength. The bible characters stumbled over their strong points, never their weak ones." Oswald Chambers
Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
REPENTANCE
A child of God weeps that he is sometimes overcome by the prevalence of corruption. "For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do." (Romans 7:19).
Repenting tears are precious. God puts them in his bottle (Psalm 56:8). Repenting tears are beautifying. To God—a tear in the eye, adorns more than a ring on the finger. Oil makes the face shine (Psalm 104:15). Tears make the heart shine. Repenting tears are comforting. A sinner's mirth turns to melancholy. A saint's mourning turns to music! Repentance may be compared to myrrh, which though it is bitter to the taste—is comforting to the spirits. Repentance may be bitter to the flesh, but it is most refreshing to the soul. Wax which melts is fit for the seal. A melting soul is fit to take the stamp of all heavenly blessing. Let us give Christ the water of our tears—and he will give us the wine of his blood!
Godly men weep over the evils whichare found in themselves, such as
. . . error,
ignorance,
prejudice,
pride,
self-righteousness,
worldliness,
levity,
unloving tempers and dispositions,
censoriousness,
envy,
sinful anger,
hatred,
a proneness . . .
to remember wrongs,
to indulge complaints,
to forget mercies.
There is no plague like the plague of an evil heart! There is no misery like the wretchedness of 'conscious vileness'. There are no sighs so long and so deep-drawn as those caused by indwelling sin. Though the righteous shall not weep always, yet they may weep bitterly. "What a wretched man I am!" Romans 7:24"I abhor myself!" Job 42:6"Behold, I am vile!" Job 40:4"Woe is me! For I am undone!" Isaiah 6:5"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Luke 5:8
True repentance is a daily turning of the soul further and further from sin—and a daily turning of the soul nearer and nearer to God.True repentance includes . . . a true sense of sin, a deep sorrow for sin, a hearty loathing of sin, and a holy shame and blushing for sin.To repent is to make . . . a clean head and a clean heart; a clean lip and a clean life.To repent is for a man to loathe himself, as well as his sin. Is this easy for man, who is so great a self-lover, and so great a self-exalter, and so great a self-admirer—to become a self-loather? To repent is to cross sinful self,it is to walk contrary to sinful self, yes, it is to revenge a man's self upon himself.True repentance lies in a daily dying to sin, and in a daily living to Him who lives forever.
Grace Gems
Repenting tears are precious. God puts them in his bottle (Psalm 56:8). Repenting tears are beautifying. To God—a tear in the eye, adorns more than a ring on the finger. Oil makes the face shine (Psalm 104:15). Tears make the heart shine. Repenting tears are comforting. A sinner's mirth turns to melancholy. A saint's mourning turns to music! Repentance may be compared to myrrh, which though it is bitter to the taste—is comforting to the spirits. Repentance may be bitter to the flesh, but it is most refreshing to the soul. Wax which melts is fit for the seal. A melting soul is fit to take the stamp of all heavenly blessing. Let us give Christ the water of our tears—and he will give us the wine of his blood!
Godly men weep over the evils whichare found in themselves, such as
. . . error,
ignorance,
prejudice,
pride,
self-righteousness,
worldliness,
levity,
unloving tempers and dispositions,
censoriousness,
envy,
sinful anger,
hatred,
a proneness . . .
to remember wrongs,
to indulge complaints,
to forget mercies.
There is no plague like the plague of an evil heart! There is no misery like the wretchedness of 'conscious vileness'. There are no sighs so long and so deep-drawn as those caused by indwelling sin. Though the righteous shall not weep always, yet they may weep bitterly. "What a wretched man I am!" Romans 7:24"I abhor myself!" Job 42:6"Behold, I am vile!" Job 40:4"Woe is me! For I am undone!" Isaiah 6:5"Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!" Luke 5:8
True repentance is a daily turning of the soul further and further from sin—and a daily turning of the soul nearer and nearer to God.True repentance includes . . . a true sense of sin, a deep sorrow for sin, a hearty loathing of sin, and a holy shame and blushing for sin.To repent is to make . . . a clean head and a clean heart; a clean lip and a clean life.To repent is for a man to loathe himself, as well as his sin. Is this easy for man, who is so great a self-lover, and so great a self-exalter, and so great a self-admirer—to become a self-loather? To repent is to cross sinful self,it is to walk contrary to sinful self, yes, it is to revenge a man's self upon himself.True repentance lies in a daily dying to sin, and in a daily living to Him who lives forever.
Grace Gems
Monday, January 18, 2010
DEATH AND LIFE
The last thing a child of God has to fear is death! Death to a christian means to be in the presence of their Savior. Oh the Glory of that moment absent from the body, present with the Lord, not even but a second of closing your eyes and then to open them and see the Holy one that you have served. The joy will be indescribable! All the pain and suffering you endured will be wiped from your mind.
"The sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more!" Isaiah 65:19
The joy we will experience when we look into His face and see the love He feels for us, a love no greater.
"And they shall be Mine, says the Lord Almighty, in that day when I make up My jewels." Malachi 3:17
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
To meditate on how much He loves His own to remember how He suffered so much for us by laying down His life. ..No greater love then to lay down your life.
He is preparing it for us brethren! Home Sweet Home Awaits us!!
~Cristina~
"The sound of weeping and crying will be heard no more!" Isaiah 65:19
The joy we will experience when we look into His face and see the love He feels for us, a love no greater.
"And they shall be Mine, says the Lord Almighty, in that day when I make up My jewels." Malachi 3:17
"No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Corinthians 2:9
To meditate on how much He loves His own to remember how He suffered so much for us by laying down His life. ..No greater love then to lay down your life.
He is preparing it for us brethren! Home Sweet Home Awaits us!!
~Cristina~
Monday, December 28, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
FOR THOUGH ART WITH ME
Brethern, In times of trouble remember your not alone
Psalms 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod
and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies: thou anointest [2] my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord for ever
Psalms 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green
pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths
of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod
and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies: thou anointest [2] my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all
the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord for ever
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
HE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU
"The things we try to avoid and fight against - tribulation, suffering and persecution - are the very things that produce abundant joy in us. Huge waves that would frighten the ordinary swimmer produce a tremendous thrill for the surfer who has ridden them. "We are more than conquerors through Him" IN all these things - not in spite of them, but in the midst of them. A saint doesn't know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it. Paul said "I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation". Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest (Rom 8:37, 2 Cor 7:4)
Sunday, November 29, 2009
HAPPY 25 ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE!
DECEMBER 1st a day that will be never forgotten.......
Love that’s grown over many year
Looking back with joy and tears
Silver thread now marks the day,
I am so thankful for you in every way.
Remembering back to that day
Walking down the isle with my bouquet.
You waiting there, our journey ahead
Remembering now the words we said.
to have and to hold from this day forward,
for better or for worse, for richer,
for poorer, in sickness and in health,
to love and to cherish; from this day forward
until death do us part.
My love, when God choose you to be my man,
Now looking back, I knowing it was his sovereign plan.
You have brought such joy and laughter into my life
And I am so blessed to be able to be called your wife.
Jim, I love you more today then the day we were wed!
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
TRANSFORMED
I was listening in a chat room tonight and some were saying that if you do not believe automatically in the 5 points of Calvinism, you are not saved and then I got this e-mail in from "Grace Gems" and thought what perfect timing! It's all in God's timing!
A believer's life-mission
(J. R. Miller, "Life's Byways and Waysides")
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!" Romans 12:2
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness." 2 Corinthians 3:18
The character of every true believer is being transformed. If Christ dwells in you, He will produce in you the same kind of life which He himself lived when He was on the earth. This change does not come in its completeness, or instantaneously the moment one believes in Christ. But it does begin then.
Life is large. Life's lessons are many and hard to learn! Paul was an old man when he said, "I have learned, in whatever state I am, therein to be content." It had taken him many years to learn this lesson of contentment.
Likewise, it takes us years to get life's lessons learned. But nothing is clearer, than that a believer's life-mission --is to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. There is to be a transformation of character. Holiness must become the every-day dress of the Christian. We are called to be saints, even in this sinful world.
"So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe!" Philippians 2:15
A believer's life-mission
(J. R. Miller, "Life's Byways and Waysides")
"If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!" Romans 12:2
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness." 2 Corinthians 3:18
The character of every true believer is being transformed. If Christ dwells in you, He will produce in you the same kind of life which He himself lived when He was on the earth. This change does not come in its completeness, or instantaneously the moment one believes in Christ. But it does begin then.
Life is large. Life's lessons are many and hard to learn! Paul was an old man when he said, "I have learned, in whatever state I am, therein to be content." It had taken him many years to learn this lesson of contentment.
Likewise, it takes us years to get life's lessons learned. But nothing is clearer, than that a believer's life-mission --is to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. There is to be a transformation of character. Holiness must become the every-day dress of the Christian. We are called to be saints, even in this sinful world.
"So that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe!" Philippians 2:15
THANKSGIVING
"Thanksgiving should characterize God's people at all times: "In everything, give thanks." What does it mean to give thanks in all things? One thing it surely does not mean is that we should be thankful for all things. The command is not "be thankful for all things," but "be thankful in all things." We are not expected to thank God for the horrors of life. There are legitimate behaviors, circumstances, and attitudes that should repulse us. Though we can't be thankful for all things, we can be thankful in the midst of all things. How can this be? Gratitude looks underneath the surface. Gratitude "is not simply a form of "positive thinking" or a technique of "happy-ology," but rather a deep and abiding recognition and acknowledgment that goodness exists under even the worst that life offers."
~Rich Vincent
~Rich Vincent
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
FORGIVENESS
THE FAINTING SOUL REVIVED
Spurgeon- 'The fainting soul revived'
God does not resent our ingratitude--
"My child, my poor child," he says,
"though you have gone and spent your substance;
though you have been feeding swine;
though you are all black, and foul and filthy--
yet you are my dear child still,
and my heart yearns towards you."
Without a word of rebuke, or even a taunting look,
as soon as ever a poor sinner comes back to the Father's
house, the Father's arms are round around his neck,
and the kiss of pardon is pressed on his cheek.
"I remember you well," he says;
"I have blotted out your sins like a cloud,
and your iniquities like a thick cloud."
This is just like when we sin against another and ask forgiveness we are to act like God and forgive. When we don't except forgiveness we are not one with God. When someone hurts you, even when it is harsh we are still to forgive. It is sure hard at times but I look at myself and how I have sin against others at times and my God forgives me. He has blotted out out our sins, we should forgive thoses that sin against us. I am not saying forget because it is hard to forget being human still, but forgiveness gives us such freedom...and it may free thAT person that sinned against you to feel free to go on with their walk.
Spurgeon- 'The fainting soul revived'
God does not resent our ingratitude--
"My child, my poor child," he says,
"though you have gone and spent your substance;
though you have been feeding swine;
though you are all black, and foul and filthy--
yet you are my dear child still,
and my heart yearns towards you."
Without a word of rebuke, or even a taunting look,
as soon as ever a poor sinner comes back to the Father's
house, the Father's arms are round around his neck,
and the kiss of pardon is pressed on his cheek.
"I remember you well," he says;
"I have blotted out your sins like a cloud,
and your iniquities like a thick cloud."
This is just like when we sin against another and ask forgiveness we are to act like God and forgive. When we don't except forgiveness we are not one with God. When someone hurts you, even when it is harsh we are still to forgive. It is sure hard at times but I look at myself and how I have sin against others at times and my God forgives me. He has blotted out out our sins, we should forgive thoses that sin against us. I am not saying forget because it is hard to forget being human still, but forgiveness gives us such freedom...and it may free thAT person that sinned against you to feel free to go on with their walk.
Friday, October 16, 2009
O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO
O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
Romans 8:28-39
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among any brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
I rest my weary soul in thee;
I give thee back the life I owe,
That in thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.
O light that foll’west all my way,
I yield my flick’ring torch to thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.
O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.
Romans 8:28-39
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among any brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For Thy sake we are being put to death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
THE BATTLE FEILD
~ There is not a place which a believer walks in--which is free from snares. Behind every tree--is the tempter with his barbed arrow! Behind every bush--is the roaring lion, the Devil, your great enemy, prowling around, looking for some victim to devour! Under every piece of grass--hides the deadly adder!This present world is the battlefield; Heaven is a place of complete victory and glorious triumph. This present world is the land of the sword and the spear; Heaven is the land of the wreath and the crown. This present world is the land of the garment rolled in blood and the dust of the fight; Heaven is the land of the trumpet's joyful sound--the place of the white robe and of the shout of conquest.Oh, what a thrill of joy shall shoot through the hearts of all the redeemed, when their conquests shall be complete; when death itself, the last of foes, shall be slain; when Satan shall be dragged captive at the chariot wheels of Christ; when He shall have overthrown sin and trampled corruption as the mire of the streets; when the great shout of universal victory shall rise from the hearts of all the redeemed!"He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever!" Revelation 21:4
~C.H. Spurgeon~
~C.H. Spurgeon~
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
WHO IS SOVEREIGN?
I am God and there is no other; I am God and there is none like me declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose." ( Isaiah 46 9:10)
The Sovereignty of God is such a comfort to a christian. In good times and trials we know God has planned it and decreed it. What ever we go through God has purposed it and is right there with us through it. What really bothers me is that folks actually believe that we have some control over our lives, that we purpose it to happen and then God decrees it? When God said"I am God and there is none like me declaring the end from the beginning", He meant He is Sovereign over our lives. Now you are asking, "Did God declare Evil" and I ask you what about the cross, was that not the most evilest event to ever happen and was it not God that ordained that to happen? Yes!
Daniel 4:34-35 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth;and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
I think if you question it then you are saying that there is a power greater then God, you are saying He is not on the throne. When a person says that they willed their own salvation they are saying that God's power is not great enough to draw them to Christ, that He needs their permission to become His child.
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
And a favorite verse of mine....
Ephesians 2:1-5 And you [He made alive], who were dead in trespasses and sins, (2) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, (3) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
*Believers are saved by God's mercy & grace, NOT by man's (freewill?) choice.*
When a person takes credit for their salvation they are denying the Sovereignty of God, they are taking God off the throne and sitting there themselves. Why do folks hate this doctrine so much, because it takes the power out of their hands and places it where it truly belongs. I am so comforted to know that God is in control of my life. I am so comforted to read of men and women in the bible that went through horrific events in their lives and trusted in the Sovereignty of God, Knowing, He has a purpose in the end that He would be glorified. The affliction of so many fellow Christians that suffered in the name of Christ and trusted that "The lot is cast in the lap,but every decision is from the Lord." God decreed that Job would suffer, Paul, John the Baptist and mostly Jesus Christ and each time it brought Him Glory!
Folks when you are going through a trial realize that God is using it to bring Him glory, be joyous that He is right there with you and the pain you may be experiencing will one day shine in heaven and you will hear those words "Well done good and faithful servant"? - Matthew 25:21."
God is absolutely sovereign. "Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases!" (Psalm 115:3).
God is Holy, so we know in the end what ever happens it is good!
The Sovereignty of God is such a comfort to a christian. In good times and trials we know God has planned it and decreed it. What ever we go through God has purposed it and is right there with us through it. What really bothers me is that folks actually believe that we have some control over our lives, that we purpose it to happen and then God decrees it? When God said"I am God and there is none like me declaring the end from the beginning", He meant He is Sovereign over our lives. Now you are asking, "Did God declare Evil" and I ask you what about the cross, was that not the most evilest event to ever happen and was it not God that ordained that to happen? Yes!
Daniel 4:34-35 At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever,for his dominion is an everlasting dominion,and his kingdom endures from generation to generation;35 all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing,and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth;and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”
I think if you question it then you are saying that there is a power greater then God, you are saying He is not on the throne. When a person says that they willed their own salvation they are saying that God's power is not great enough to draw them to Christ, that He needs their permission to become His child.
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
1 John 4:19 We love Him because He first loved us.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
And a favorite verse of mine....
Ephesians 2:1-5 And you [He made alive], who were dead in trespasses and sins, (2) in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, (3) among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. (4) But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, (5) even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
*Believers are saved by God's mercy & grace, NOT by man's (freewill?) choice.*
When a person takes credit for their salvation they are denying the Sovereignty of God, they are taking God off the throne and sitting there themselves. Why do folks hate this doctrine so much, because it takes the power out of their hands and places it where it truly belongs. I am so comforted to know that God is in control of my life. I am so comforted to read of men and women in the bible that went through horrific events in their lives and trusted in the Sovereignty of God, Knowing, He has a purpose in the end that He would be glorified. The affliction of so many fellow Christians that suffered in the name of Christ and trusted that "The lot is cast in the lap,but every decision is from the Lord." God decreed that Job would suffer, Paul, John the Baptist and mostly Jesus Christ and each time it brought Him Glory!
Folks when you are going through a trial realize that God is using it to bring Him glory, be joyous that He is right there with you and the pain you may be experiencing will one day shine in heaven and you will hear those words "Well done good and faithful servant"? - Matthew 25:21."
God is absolutely sovereign. "Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases!" (Psalm 115:3).
God is Holy, so we know in the end what ever happens it is good!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
CAST YOU BURDENS
Matthew "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Sometimes in life, pain can be so real, loneliness can so real, rejection can be so real. For some their suffering is daily. The pain of a desease, the pain of lossing someone one close, the pain of wanting to be loved and being rejected. You watch around you and see old folks walking a few steps and having to sit down because their bodies ache and there is no one around to help them, their families have left them to fend for themselves, you look into the eyes of little children and there is such emptiness because they see no hope in their future, you see children and adults being picked on becase they are different. You see folks reaching out to others and being rejected.You seen children being rejected by their parents and you wonder how they survive it knowing that your parent should be thier protecter yet their left to fend for themselves.
I wonder sometimes how I could make it through life's turmoils if I did not have Christ to cry out to. There have been times in my life that rejection is so real and without Him to go to, I don't what I would do? He is my Rock when I feel weak, he is my strength when I feel at my wits end, my friendship with Him is everlasting. I know He has me in this place for a reason, He is refining me into His image and making me realize daily how much I need Him.
"Casting all your care upon Him--for He cares for you!" 1 Peter 5:7
"He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart." Isaiah 40:11
Sometimes in life, pain can be so real, loneliness can so real, rejection can be so real. For some their suffering is daily. The pain of a desease, the pain of lossing someone one close, the pain of wanting to be loved and being rejected. You watch around you and see old folks walking a few steps and having to sit down because their bodies ache and there is no one around to help them, their families have left them to fend for themselves, you look into the eyes of little children and there is such emptiness because they see no hope in their future, you see children and adults being picked on becase they are different. You see folks reaching out to others and being rejected.You seen children being rejected by their parents and you wonder how they survive it knowing that your parent should be thier protecter yet their left to fend for themselves.
I wonder sometimes how I could make it through life's turmoils if I did not have Christ to cry out to. There have been times in my life that rejection is so real and without Him to go to, I don't what I would do? He is my Rock when I feel weak, he is my strength when I feel at my wits end, my friendship with Him is everlasting. I know He has me in this place for a reason, He is refining me into His image and making me realize daily how much I need Him.
"Casting all your care upon Him--for He cares for you!" 1 Peter 5:7
"He will feed His flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in His arms, holding them close to His heart." Isaiah 40:11
Monday, September 14, 2009
BURDENS
"We must recognize the difference between burdens that are right for us to bear and burdens that are wrong. We should never bear the burdens of sin or doubt, but there are some burdens placed on us by God which he does not intend to lift off. God wants us to roll them back on Him - - to literally "cast your burden", which he has given you, "on the Lord". If we set out to serve God and do His work but get out of touch with him, the sense of responsibility we feel will be overwhelming and defeating. But if we will only roll back on God the burdens He has placed on us, He will take away that immense feeling of responsibility, replacing it with an awareness and understanding of Himself and His presence. Many servants set out to serve God with great courage and with right motives. But with no intimate fellowship with Jesus Christ are soon defeated. They do not know what to do with the burden, and it produces weariness in their lives. Don't caste it {your burden} aside, but put it over onto Him and place yourself there with it. You will see that your burden is then lightened by the sense of companionship."
~ Oswald Chambers~
~ Oswald Chambers~
Friday, September 04, 2009
FOR NEARER VIEWS OF HEAVEN
"O Lord, in the morning I will direct my prayer to You."
"They shall behold the land that is very far off. "Isaiah 33:17
O God, in the multitude of Your mercies I am again permitted to see the light of a new day. With another rising morn scatter all the clouds of sin and unbelief from my soul. Unfold to my view bright glimpses of Yourself—sweet foretastes of those joys which "eye has not seen, nor ear heard."
Here, Lord, I have "no continuing city"—change is my portion in this the house of my pilgrimage—I would not desire to live here always. I am "willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." Wean me from this uncertain world. Bring me to live under the powers of a world to come. I rejoice to think of the happy myriads already in glory—"clothed in white robes, with palms in their hands"—safe in the presence of the Master they love, with every tear-drop wiped away. I rejoice to know that the blood and grace to which they owe their crowns are still free as ever. Oh, may I be enabled, with some good measure of triumphant assurance, to say, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day." May the thought of that endless, sinless, sorrowless immortality reconcile me to all earth's severest discipline. Let me not murmur under the heaviest cross in the prospect of such a crown. Let me not refuse to pass cheerfully through the hottest furnace which is to refine and purify me for this "exceeding weight of glory;" but bear with calm serenity whatever You see fit to lay upon me. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
Lord, grant that the approach of eternity may urge me to greater diligence in Your service. May I have my loins girded and my lamp burning. May I spend each day, and this day, as if it were to be my last. When the shadows of evening gather around me, may I feel that I have spent a day for God. Nearer a dying hour—may it find me nearer heaven.
What I ask for myself I would seek in behalf of all my beloved friends. Sprinkle each heart with the blood of the covenant. May every eye be directed to Jesus, and every footstep be pointing heavenward. Though severed from one another now, may we not be found gathered in different bundles on the great reaping-day of judgment.
Lord, unite Your own people more and more. Why should we be guilty of such sad estrangements, crossing and recrossing one another on life's highway with alien and jealous looks, when professing to be sprinkled with the same blood, to bear the same name, and be heirs of the same inheritance? Let me live near to Jesus, and then I shall live near all His people, looking forward to that blessed time when we shall see eye to eye and heart to heart—no jarring or discordant note to mar the everlasting ascription of "blessing, and honor, and glory and power, to Him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever." Amen.
"Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust."
~From Grace gems~
"They shall behold the land that is very far off. "Isaiah 33:17
O God, in the multitude of Your mercies I am again permitted to see the light of a new day. With another rising morn scatter all the clouds of sin and unbelief from my soul. Unfold to my view bright glimpses of Yourself—sweet foretastes of those joys which "eye has not seen, nor ear heard."
Here, Lord, I have "no continuing city"—change is my portion in this the house of my pilgrimage—I would not desire to live here always. I am "willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord." Wean me from this uncertain world. Bring me to live under the powers of a world to come. I rejoice to think of the happy myriads already in glory—"clothed in white robes, with palms in their hands"—safe in the presence of the Master they love, with every tear-drop wiped away. I rejoice to know that the blood and grace to which they owe their crowns are still free as ever. Oh, may I be enabled, with some good measure of triumphant assurance, to say, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day." May the thought of that endless, sinless, sorrowless immortality reconcile me to all earth's severest discipline. Let me not murmur under the heaviest cross in the prospect of such a crown. Let me not refuse to pass cheerfully through the hottest furnace which is to refine and purify me for this "exceeding weight of glory;" but bear with calm serenity whatever You see fit to lay upon me. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."
Lord, grant that the approach of eternity may urge me to greater diligence in Your service. May I have my loins girded and my lamp burning. May I spend each day, and this day, as if it were to be my last. When the shadows of evening gather around me, may I feel that I have spent a day for God. Nearer a dying hour—may it find me nearer heaven.
What I ask for myself I would seek in behalf of all my beloved friends. Sprinkle each heart with the blood of the covenant. May every eye be directed to Jesus, and every footstep be pointing heavenward. Though severed from one another now, may we not be found gathered in different bundles on the great reaping-day of judgment.
Lord, unite Your own people more and more. Why should we be guilty of such sad estrangements, crossing and recrossing one another on life's highway with alien and jealous looks, when professing to be sprinkled with the same blood, to bear the same name, and be heirs of the same inheritance? Let me live near to Jesus, and then I shall live near all His people, looking forward to that blessed time when we shall see eye to eye and heart to heart—no jarring or discordant note to mar the everlasting ascription of "blessing, and honor, and glory and power, to Him who sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever." Amen.
"Cause me to hear Your loving-kindness in the morning, for in You do I trust."
~From Grace gems~
Saturday, August 29, 2009
IS DOCTRINE IMPORTANT?
Is Doctrine important to you? There a lot of folks out there that concider Doctrine
not import........
Doctrine is important because Jesus thought it was important. Jesus said
John7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
What He is saying is that we who truly seek God's will understand that Jesus' teachings are from God and that it is important to understand this because that is the way of life for a child of God.Also in John 8:31,32 Jesus said
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
This is His doctrine-His teachings-His instructions to abide in.
Doctrine is very important, our faith is based upon hearing it
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We place our faith on the teachings of scripture, the gospel which is found in scripture.
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
We come to the father through doctrine, through scripture. The studying of doctrine is so important. We need to study and make sure everything we believe lines up with scripture. We do not want to be lead astray. Doctrine is important because it will guide how you live your life
Matt.15:17
Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies
Folks,what do you believe ? Do you believe the scripture or do you believe the opinions and traditions of men. When you believe a lie it will lead you astray. But believing the truth and acting on it will bring one to eternity. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
not import........
Doctrine is important because Jesus thought it was important. Jesus said
John7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
What He is saying is that we who truly seek God's will understand that Jesus' teachings are from God and that it is important to understand this because that is the way of life for a child of God.Also in John 8:31,32 Jesus said
Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
This is His doctrine-His teachings-His instructions to abide in.
Doctrine is very important, our faith is based upon hearing it
Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We place our faith on the teachings of scripture, the gospel which is found in scripture.
John 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
We come to the father through doctrine, through scripture. The studying of doctrine is so important. We need to study and make sure everything we believe lines up with scripture. We do not want to be lead astray. Doctrine is important because it will guide how you live your life
Matt.15:17
Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies
Folks,what do you believe ? Do you believe the scripture or do you believe the opinions and traditions of men. When you believe a lie it will lead you astray. But believing the truth and acting on it will bring one to eternity. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
GOD IS LISTENING
When God doesn't appear to hear our cries: God's name is a sure stronghold for all who flee to enter into it God has promised to hear us before we open our mouth The answer is - - God is responding in His own manner - - and His ways are above ours.... It is certain that before we call upon God He is willing and ready to help us because - - where comes the desire to pray? Does it not come from the Holy Spirit? For a man would never of his own mind resort to God. Even though God does not appear to hear our prayers - we must continue to call upon Him. We should never cease to pray - - in times of prosperity or in times of distress. We must wait patiently; for His promises are true; We will see in the end that He has not forgotten us, nor ceased to hear us. Consider this - if we are patient and able to continue to pray - - that, in and of itself, is a token that God has heard already and has given you this grace to continue to turn to Him.... John Calvin
Sunday, August 09, 2009
THE MORE WE LOATHE OURSELVES--THE MORE WE LOVE YOU!
The more we loathe ourselves--the more we love You! I think of struggles of sin in my life and the more I look at myself the more I loathe what I see. When you stop and really examine your life, I mean REALLY examine your life, face up to the big sins and the little sins you realize how loathsome you really are. We think the little sins are not anything important, but they are and they add up. A little lie, a hateful thought towards someone, jealousy-not being content with what the Lord has provided, gossip etc. All of these sins keep us from a stronger relation with our Lord. Sometimes we can be so blinded from our fallen nature, sure we are children of the Almighty but we are still in the flesh and it is a daily battle. We don't hate sin enough otherwise we would not practice it so much. We forget sometimes Your omniscient eye see it all.We can not hide from your presences, your here right in our faces and yet we sometimes have the nerve to think we can hide our sin from you. How arrogant of us, how arrogant of me Oh Lord! Where is the meekness we can find in you? You have stamped out our sins by the blood you shed for our righteousness and yet we still don't hate sin enough, we don't hate what we see in ourselves enough otherwise we would be down on our knees crying out too you more often. God forgive me. You have blotted out every sin and covered it with your blood, that does not give us the right to going on sinning, it gives us the right to glorify you in all we do, it gives us the right and honor to be a God given child of the Almighty, chosen to be a light to a dieing world.
As you spend more days examining yourself and seeing the sins that you struggle with you can not help but hate what you see. When you spend more time away from the word of God and away from His people you are distancing yourself away from the one that loves you most.
The more we loathe ourselves--the more we love You!
Be still my my soul Lord
As you spend more days examining yourself and seeing the sins that you struggle with you can not help but hate what you see. When you spend more time away from the word of God and away from His people you are distancing yourself away from the one that loves you most.
The more we loathe ourselves--the more we love You!
Be still my my soul Lord
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