The trials, testings, pains, and sorrows experienced in time are instruments in the hand of God to prepare us for the highest service in eternity.
===============
Acts 16:9
" A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." "
The man, I noticed, didn't say, "Oh, and by the way, Paul, you and Silas are gonna get dragged around in the market-place, get beat up, and be thrown ----all bloodied-up---- into jail!"
Does it seem like sometimes God wants us to do something for Him, but all this stuff happens to us along the way? Then we begin to question, "Lord, I thought You wanted me to do such-and-such, but all this other stuff is happening, and I just can't seem to do what You wanted me to do. What am I missing here?"
I think that sometimes God just needs to get us moving in order for Him to accomplish all of His purposes in us, for the blessing of others, the building up of the Body of Christ, and to bring eternal glory to Himself.
It is not as much about doing the thing to which he has called us, as it is about being available for His use all along the way.
=================
jfn - 10/26/2011
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Here's How It IS Possible to Live Within Our Means!
There are at least two ways to live within our means - our budget - our scope of wealth:
1. Earn more income.
2. Want less stuff.
I'm pretty sure God is more interested in the second method according to Hebrews 13:5 and 1 Timothy 6:6
" Make sure your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' "
and
" But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. " (Both NASB)
We hear about "being positive" - well, there is such a thing as "being negative" to create a balance!
Sometimes we would be far better off if we told ourselves, "NO, I do not NEED this particular item." or "NO, I do not NEED this particular item right now." or "NO, this particular item is not good for me to have." or "I better WAIT for a little while until I have the money saved for this item." God tells us "Yes" but sometimes He tells us "No" and sometimes He tells us "Wait". We would do much better if we learned to tell ourselves these things first, before we even asked God our Father about them!
==========
I felt a little sadness recently when a dear friend of mine declared, "I really need THIS job!" - as she turned around and saw the bills piling up all around her. She got the job, but now confesses to discontentment. Maybe it would have been better for her to invite her Lord to guide her to the employment He wanted her to have instead of her insisting that this particular job was the one she NEEDED because she believed it impossible to wait any longer, and it appeared TO HER that there were no other "jobs" available.
Maybe we "hinder" God giving us "something better" because our thoughts fall short of His thoughts. Isaiah 55:8,9 - " 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.' "
==========
jfn - 10/19/2011
1. Earn more income.
2. Want less stuff.
I'm pretty sure God is more interested in the second method according to Hebrews 13:5 and 1 Timothy 6:6
" Make sure your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, 'I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,' "
and
" But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. " (Both NASB)
We hear about "being positive" - well, there is such a thing as "being negative" to create a balance!
Sometimes we would be far better off if we told ourselves, "NO, I do not NEED this particular item." or "NO, I do not NEED this particular item right now." or "NO, this particular item is not good for me to have." or "I better WAIT for a little while until I have the money saved for this item." God tells us "Yes" but sometimes He tells us "No" and sometimes He tells us "Wait". We would do much better if we learned to tell ourselves these things first, before we even asked God our Father about them!
==========
I felt a little sadness recently when a dear friend of mine declared, "I really need THIS job!" - as she turned around and saw the bills piling up all around her. She got the job, but now confesses to discontentment. Maybe it would have been better for her to invite her Lord to guide her to the employment He wanted her to have instead of her insisting that this particular job was the one she NEEDED because she believed it impossible to wait any longer, and it appeared TO HER that there were no other "jobs" available.
Maybe we "hinder" God giving us "something better" because our thoughts fall short of His thoughts. Isaiah 55:8,9 - " 'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the Lord. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.' "
==========
jfn - 10/19/2011
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Colossians 1:13
Colossians 1:13 (NASB)
"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son."
When people (specially teenagers) ask, "What is wrong with doing this or that or going here or there?!" There IS something wrong with it! Doing "that" or going "there" identifies us with something from which we have already been rescued. It masks, hides, or even denies our identification with the kingdom of God's beloved Son into which He has already transferred us.
The manners that we display identify us with heaven or hell. It is white and black with no "shades of gray." We're not "a little saved" or "a little lost." We are not "a little in the domain of darkness" or "a little transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son." We either believe Christ died for our sins, or we don't. We are going to heaven, or we are going to hell. The truth of the matter is just this simple: We either ARE or we ARE NOT. Period.
==========
Every permanent thing in this life is temporary.
==========
The same loving God and Father who watches over me, cares for me, protects and provides for me is the exact same loving God and Father who performs in every single person that which advances His purposes and brings Him glory designed in eternity past for eternity future.
==========
Sometimes I wonder if we "prolong" God's work by our prayers. For example, we pray, "O God, please break down their stony heart with the hammer of Your Word!" What if God only needs to soften their heart. The "hammer" is not "the right tool for this job." And we "prolong" God's work in our heart until we surrender to HIM to use "the tool(s)" He chooses!!
==========
jfn - 10/5/2011
"For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son."
When people (specially teenagers) ask, "What is wrong with doing this or that or going here or there?!" There IS something wrong with it! Doing "that" or going "there" identifies us with something from which we have already been rescued. It masks, hides, or even denies our identification with the kingdom of God's beloved Son into which He has already transferred us.
The manners that we display identify us with heaven or hell. It is white and black with no "shades of gray." We're not "a little saved" or "a little lost." We are not "a little in the domain of darkness" or "a little transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son." We either believe Christ died for our sins, or we don't. We are going to heaven, or we are going to hell. The truth of the matter is just this simple: We either ARE or we ARE NOT. Period.
==========
Every permanent thing in this life is temporary.
==========
The same loving God and Father who watches over me, cares for me, protects and provides for me is the exact same loving God and Father who performs in every single person that which advances His purposes and brings Him glory designed in eternity past for eternity future.
==========
Sometimes I wonder if we "prolong" God's work by our prayers. For example, we pray, "O God, please break down their stony heart with the hammer of Your Word!" What if God only needs to soften their heart. The "hammer" is not "the right tool for this job." And we "prolong" God's work in our heart until we surrender to HIM to use "the tool(s)" He chooses!!
==========
jfn - 10/5/2011
Monday, October 3, 2011
Heart Alignment!
Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart."
As we are in the enjoyment of the Lord, He administers and aligns the desires in our hearts with His.
==========
We would have fewer foiled plans if we would let God form them for us.
==========
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASB)
"...the Word of God ... performs its work in you who believe."
When was the last time, fellow-believer, we had work performed in us? Hopefully, it was TODAY!!
jfn - 10/3/2011
"Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart."
As we are in the enjoyment of the Lord, He administers and aligns the desires in our hearts with His.
==========
We would have fewer foiled plans if we would let God form them for us.
==========
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASB)
"...the Word of God ... performs its work in you who believe."
When was the last time, fellow-believer, we had work performed in us? Hopefully, it was TODAY!!
jfn - 10/3/2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Strength
Deuteronomy 33:25; Isaiah 40:29, 31; 2 Corinthians 12:9
"... as thy days, so shall thy strength be." "...to them that have no might, He increaseth strength." ... "but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; ..." "...My strength is made perfect in weakness. ..."
We invite fear into our hearts when we try to live beyond the strength of today.
We receive "bad news" and think, "How will I ever get through this??!!" We look at the life of another who has a child with a severe disability and think, "I don't know how they do it! I couldn't have done all these years what they have done!"
In the first instance, we are trying to get the strength allotted for the days ahead, and that's not what we need for today. And we're afraid. In the second instance, we are viewing a lifetime, forgetting that every single day carried its own allotted strength, and it was given to the person who needed it. We didn't need it. We're afraid if the past had been placed on us, we would have failed.
Today's strength was not required yesterday, and it won't be adequate for tomorrow. It is perfect for TODAY.
==========
I have found over the years sharing what I have already received bestows greater blessing than wishing I had more to share or to give.
==========
I was thinking the other day about God being the Righteous Judge. When I was reflecting on this today again, it occurred to me that if lawyers and judges cared less for their purses and more for those in their care, correct and righteous judgment featuring fairness and justice would be the rule rather than the exception.
jfn - 9/24/2011
"... as thy days, so shall thy strength be." "...to them that have no might, He increaseth strength." ... "but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; ..." "...My strength is made perfect in weakness. ..."
We invite fear into our hearts when we try to live beyond the strength of today.
We receive "bad news" and think, "How will I ever get through this??!!" We look at the life of another who has a child with a severe disability and think, "I don't know how they do it! I couldn't have done all these years what they have done!"
In the first instance, we are trying to get the strength allotted for the days ahead, and that's not what we need for today. And we're afraid. In the second instance, we are viewing a lifetime, forgetting that every single day carried its own allotted strength, and it was given to the person who needed it. We didn't need it. We're afraid if the past had been placed on us, we would have failed.
Today's strength was not required yesterday, and it won't be adequate for tomorrow. It is perfect for TODAY.
==========
I have found over the years sharing what I have already received bestows greater blessing than wishing I had more to share or to give.
==========
I was thinking the other day about God being the Righteous Judge. When I was reflecting on this today again, it occurred to me that if lawyers and judges cared less for their purses and more for those in their care, correct and righteous judgment featuring fairness and justice would be the rule rather than the exception.
jfn - 9/24/2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Crosses, Yokes, and Backpacks
Matthew 11:29, Matthew 16:24, John 3:30, 2 Corinthians 6:14
"Take my yoke upon you and learn from me..." "...If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." "He must increase, but I must decrease." "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers..."
We're supposed to be carrying crosses and yokes, not "backpacks."
Crosses reveal what is being carried. Crosses are the loads God has given us to carry.
Yokes lighten the load of what's being carried. Taking God's yoke upon us makes our load easier to carry.
Backpacks conceal what's being carried. Backpacks carry stuff we've put in them, perhaps secret sins, maybe even stuff --which in themselves appear good-- that elevate us, rather than our Lord Jesus Christ. Stuff that we have no business carrying.
We must remember to get the correct yoke, as well; for the wrong one will ease the wrong load on us and lead to disaster.
==========
We get our minds so occupied with our cloaks of doctrines and wrap ourselves so tightly in them, that God just comes along with a little test and totally exposes our souls.
When we get to heaven, I just can't seem to imagine (yes, I know, it's imagination at work!) but I just cannot seem to think that God is going to sit across from us and say, "So, what did you hold about "such-and-such" doctrine?" No! I can imagine Him saying, "So, let's talk about My Son..."
==========
May God align me to Himself as He brings facts to my soul, which examine my beliefs, perceptions, insights, assumptions, and suppositions of Him.
==========
As believers, we should "be ecstatic" that God is the Righteous Judge! In the day when God sets right every wrong, it will be fair, right, and just.
jfn - 9/23/2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
The Future Depends Upon the Past
History is absolutely necessary to affirm the future.
Documentation confirms the truth that the Word of God has already declared. Just as surely as the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ were documented by historians, the events of the present period of time are being documented by historians confirming what the Word of God has declared would happen. How, then, can we even think to "suppose" that the events described in the Prophets of the Old Testament and The Revelation of the New Testament won't happen! The historical facts lead to the factual conclusion that:
1. The eternality of Hell is a real place.
2. The eternality of Heaven is a real place.
3. The consequences of rejecting God's plan of salvation are real consequences.
4. Acting like you don't believe God doesn't prevent the future [events] from happening.
History verifies that the future according to the Word of God is going to occur just as He said it will!
==========
The Old Testament and The New Testament are in agreement as to future events. It's as if the Holy Spirit of God gave a sort of outline in The Old Testament and a "in other words" description in The New Testament.
==========
What's hindering us from Jesus' return? Have the short-sighted "...passing pleasures of sin..." [Hebrews 11:25] (NASB) eclipsed our vision of "...with Christ; which is far better:"? [Philippians 1:23] (KJV)
==========
I think in God's School, He uses the exact same lesson plans for every single one of His Children. Though circumstances are varied and as different as every single one of His Children, they are all used of God for one purpose: that all of His Children "... become conformed to the image of His Son..." Romans 8:29 (NASB)
jfn - 9/20/2011
Documentation confirms the truth that the Word of God has already declared. Just as surely as the birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ were documented by historians, the events of the present period of time are being documented by historians confirming what the Word of God has declared would happen. How, then, can we even think to "suppose" that the events described in the Prophets of the Old Testament and The Revelation of the New Testament won't happen! The historical facts lead to the factual conclusion that:
1. The eternality of Hell is a real place.
2. The eternality of Heaven is a real place.
3. The consequences of rejecting God's plan of salvation are real consequences.
4. Acting like you don't believe God doesn't prevent the future [events] from happening.
History verifies that the future according to the Word of God is going to occur just as He said it will!
==========
The Old Testament and The New Testament are in agreement as to future events. It's as if the Holy Spirit of God gave a sort of outline in The Old Testament and a "in other words" description in The New Testament.
==========
What's hindering us from Jesus' return? Have the short-sighted "...passing pleasures of sin..." [Hebrews 11:25] (NASB) eclipsed our vision of "...with Christ; which is far better:"? [Philippians 1:23] (KJV)
==========
I think in God's School, He uses the exact same lesson plans for every single one of His Children. Though circumstances are varied and as different as every single one of His Children, they are all used of God for one purpose: that all of His Children "... become conformed to the image of His Son..." Romans 8:29 (NASB)
jfn - 9/20/2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Yokes Reduce Burdens!
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (NASB)
Do we have any idea why our stress levels are so high? It's because we don't have enough on our shoulders! We have not taken the yoke of Christ's gentleness (on the one shoulder) and His humbleness in heart (on the other shoulder) and found His rest for our souls. Jesus clearly stated, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light." It's as if His yoke absorbs the weight of our weariness and our burdens.
So, if we're stressed out, we NEED to take His yoke upon us. It's THE ONLY WAY we're going to find rest and "de-stress."
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Position placed upon us by man does not belong to us by right.
Position placed upon us by God belongs to us by His right.
-----------
Every event, occasion, circumstance, person, place, thing in our lives is an instrument of God to call forth the praise of His glory as He steadily completes His purposes for eternity.
jfn - 9/17/2011
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
"Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
"For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (NASB)
Do we have any idea why our stress levels are so high? It's because we don't have enough on our shoulders! We have not taken the yoke of Christ's gentleness (on the one shoulder) and His humbleness in heart (on the other shoulder) and found His rest for our souls. Jesus clearly stated, "My yoke is easy and My burden is light." It's as if His yoke absorbs the weight of our weariness and our burdens.
So, if we're stressed out, we NEED to take His yoke upon us. It's THE ONLY WAY we're going to find rest and "de-stress."
----------
Position placed upon us by man does not belong to us by right.
Position placed upon us by God belongs to us by His right.
-----------
Every event, occasion, circumstance, person, place, thing in our lives is an instrument of God to call forth the praise of His glory as He steadily completes His purposes for eternity.
jfn - 9/17/2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
John 3:16 - The Two-Letter Word - "SO"
John 3:16 - "For God SO loved the world..."
Because the extent of God's eternal Love and compassion for the world was greater beyond the scope or capacity of any word or phrase to describe His Love, He gave . . .
The inexhaustible ability to capture with words the depth of God's love is just neatly bundled into one tiny two-letter word, so!
May the eternal love of God so grip us, that the world will receive His wonderful gift in the death of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Body of Christ will be nourished and built up for the praise of His glory!!
---
jfn - 9/2/2011
Because the extent of God's eternal Love and compassion for the world was greater beyond the scope or capacity of any word or phrase to describe His Love, He gave . . .
The inexhaustible ability to capture with words the depth of God's love is just neatly bundled into one tiny two-letter word, so!
May the eternal love of God so grip us, that the world will receive His wonderful gift in the death of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Body of Christ will be nourished and built up for the praise of His glory!!
---
jfn - 9/2/2011
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Irene - Do NOT Misplace the Credit
The fear of the unknown, the terror of the possible destruction, the storm _IRENE_ for most of us is past!
I've heard: "Wow, we were really lucky." "Probably this was terrorism hype." "Probably just a big scare or a hoax." ETC.
Really??!!??
You (and I) might have been "the lucky ones"
Terrorism hype and a scare or a hoax --- HOW???
Do you think the loved ones of several people who were killed think this was a terrorism plot, a scare, or a hoax?? Do you think THOSE PEOPLE consider themselves "lucky" now that THEY don't have power and have sustained large losses of property and life?? Tremendous amounts of rain gusting in sheets; trees uprooted and tree limbs falling on vehicles and homes and people; wind that blew in excess of 80-100 mph - THIS was not the work of terrorists. This was not a hoax. This WAS a scare, but for some, it became a real living scare - the horrible reality of a nightmare!!
Number one: There is no such thing as "luck"!! To quote *another: "The word 'luck' comes from 'Lucifer'". If we had been "lucky", then, we would all be dead, because LUCIFER delights in our destruction! WE WERE NOT LUCKY!
Second: TERRORISTS had NOTHING to do with this storm!
Third: GOD has/had EVERYTHING to do with this storm!
The fact that Irene did not create GREATER destruction and devastation, and the fact that some of us HAVE NOT lost our electric, and the fact that the storm was less severe than predicted has NOTHING to do with "luck", and I am 100% convinced in my innermost being that these facts have EVERYTHING to do with the God who loves us. When the Body of Christ unitedly prayed for brothers and sisters in Christ experiencing the storm, and the storm lessened considerably, there is only ONE acceptably explainable reason for this happening: GOD heard the requests of His children. GOD was blessed in those requests. GOD was glorified in their requests. And GOD answered their requests. It is this simple. There is no "scientific explanation" necessary, there is no "luck" involved, there is no hoax or terrorist threat possible to "explain" why the storm weakened. But God....
So, please, please, let's truly ascribe to God what is due to HIM and do not equate to the enemy one ounce of the victory given to us by the very God who loves us!!!!
~~Still praying for those still experiencing the power of God's deliverance through the storm~~
* Pastor Chad Perry
jfn - 8/28/2011
jfn - 8/28/2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
The Door of Human Crisis
When God leads us to the door of human crisis, He does not shove us through, slam the door, and meet up with us again after we've passed through the maze of the trial and reached the exit door.
No! He leads us through the door, firmly closes it behind us, and has promised to be with us and go through the maze of the trial together with us to the exit door.
==========
The eye of unbelief asks for a sign -a miracle- and does not see. The eye of faith sees what the eye of unbelief cannot see, therefore it has no need to ask.
jfn - 8/22/2011
No! He leads us through the door, firmly closes it behind us, and has promised to be with us and go through the maze of the trial together with us to the exit door.
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The eye of unbelief asks for a sign -a miracle- and does not see. The eye of faith sees what the eye of unbelief cannot see, therefore it has no need to ask.
jfn - 8/22/2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Would We Know . . .
Would we know there is a hill if there was no valley?
Would we know there is rest if there was no work?
Would we know the comfort of God if there was no discomfort?
Would we know there is success if there was no failure?
Would we know there is a remedy for sin if there was no Savior?
Would we know there is forgiveness if there was no blood?
Would we know there is a Savior if there was no cross?
==========
I wonder if God permits the light to shine through the clouds (penetrate, enter and pass through) as proof that He is REALLY there, as it says in 2 Chronicles 6:1 "...'The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.' " because in Revelation 21:8, it says there will no longer be night and there won't be any need of the sun because God will be the Light there.
==========
Leviticus 2:12,14 "As an offering of first fruits ... a grain offering of early ripened things ... you shall bring fresh heads of grain ... grits of new growth ... of your early ripened things." (NASB)
In my neighbor's garden, I see beautifully ripened tomatoes. Matter-of-fact, they gave us eight huge, juicy tomatoes a week and a half ago. DELICIOUS!
Then I remembered about other tomatoes we'd received. Though large and ripe, they were deeply scarred from over-watering, sun scorching, and caterpillars, insects, and other critters making paths in the pre-ripened fruit.
Then I thought and asked myself, "Do we -no! Do **I** do this to God? Do I truly offer to Him the first fruits of my life? --- Time first to Him in the morning; thanks to Him first before eating; praise and worship to Him first when faith sees Him at work; rejoicing in Him first, last and always; tithes and offerings to Him first before supplying my own needs or wants. Or do I offer to Him the "second fruits" of my life, that which is deeply scarred by the effects of hurrying my time with Him; placing the needs and wants that I may have above what is due to Him first; being in awe and amazement at some "miracle" performed to faith, but viewed only as a miracle; rejoicing only sometimes. DO I REALLY GIVE TO GOD the first fruits???
Thoughts for my heart to ponder before Him!
jfn - 8/18/2011
Would we know there is rest if there was no work?
Would we know the comfort of God if there was no discomfort?
Would we know there is success if there was no failure?
Would we know there is a remedy for sin if there was no Savior?
Would we know there is forgiveness if there was no blood?
Would we know there is a Savior if there was no cross?
==========
I wonder if God permits the light to shine through the clouds (penetrate, enter and pass through) as proof that He is REALLY there, as it says in 2 Chronicles 6:1 "...'The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.' " because in Revelation 21:8, it says there will no longer be night and there won't be any need of the sun because God will be the Light there.
==========
Leviticus 2:12,14 "As an offering of first fruits ... a grain offering of early ripened things ... you shall bring fresh heads of grain ... grits of new growth ... of your early ripened things." (NASB)
In my neighbor's garden, I see beautifully ripened tomatoes. Matter-of-fact, they gave us eight huge, juicy tomatoes a week and a half ago. DELICIOUS!
Then I remembered about other tomatoes we'd received. Though large and ripe, they were deeply scarred from over-watering, sun scorching, and caterpillars, insects, and other critters making paths in the pre-ripened fruit.
Then I thought and asked myself, "Do we -no! Do **I** do this to God? Do I truly offer to Him the first fruits of my life? --- Time first to Him in the morning; thanks to Him first before eating; praise and worship to Him first when faith sees Him at work; rejoicing in Him first, last and always; tithes and offerings to Him first before supplying my own needs or wants. Or do I offer to Him the "second fruits" of my life, that which is deeply scarred by the effects of hurrying my time with Him; placing the needs and wants that I may have above what is due to Him first; being in awe and amazement at some "miracle" performed to faith, but viewed only as a miracle; rejoicing only sometimes. DO I REALLY GIVE TO GOD the first fruits???
Thoughts for my heart to ponder before Him!
jfn - 8/18/2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
The Entrance of The Cave - Have You Been There???
Even in the work of the Lord, the Devil gets us so occupied with the details, so that we will forget the work is for our Lord.
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1 Kings 19:11-13 -- "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?" (KJV)
The voice of the Lord was not in the whirlwind. The voice of the Lord was not in the earthquake. The voice of the Lord was not in the fire. The "still small voice" was heard after all the other "voices" were silent. Maybe that's the way it is today. We're so busy listening to all the other "voices" of trials, tribulations, and the hustle and bustle of our everyday busy lives, that we seldom go "out and stand in the entrance of the cave" (NASB) and HEAR the voice of the Lord.
Were we to do this more consistently, we would learn the reality that God DOES control every detail and circumstance of our lives and the work He gives us to do for His glory.
And could it be . . . that even our circumstances would prove more miraculous than we allow them to be through lack of listening to the voice of our Lord? Perhaps He would increase our faith and then "turn right around" and bless our faith --- even to the point of "miraculous" change of our circumstances??
Have WE stood at the entering in of the cave today??
jfn 8/17/2011
----------
1 Kings 19:11-13 -- "And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?" (KJV)
The voice of the Lord was not in the whirlwind. The voice of the Lord was not in the earthquake. The voice of the Lord was not in the fire. The "still small voice" was heard after all the other "voices" were silent. Maybe that's the way it is today. We're so busy listening to all the other "voices" of trials, tribulations, and the hustle and bustle of our everyday busy lives, that we seldom go "out and stand in the entrance of the cave" (NASB) and HEAR the voice of the Lord.
Were we to do this more consistently, we would learn the reality that God DOES control every detail and circumstance of our lives and the work He gives us to do for His glory.
And could it be . . . that even our circumstances would prove more miraculous than we allow them to be through lack of listening to the voice of our Lord? Perhaps He would increase our faith and then "turn right around" and bless our faith --- even to the point of "miraculous" change of our circumstances??
Have WE stood at the entering in of the cave today??
jfn 8/17/2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Your Corner - God's Creation!
Our Daily Bread for August 15,2011 says, "...the...majestic sites in God's nature...the embroidery of earth..."
Our Daily Bread, Jun, Jul, Aug 2011, August 15, Monday
I am in complete "awe" as I consider the awesome creation of God, that no matter where He placed us on this earth or wherever He allows or even sends our feet to travel on this earth, there is -at the very least- this one thing that every land and every place has in common: You may observe the handiwork of God in His creation. From the lone pebble or the single blade of grass in the smallest garden plot, to the most picturesque expanse the eye can behold, and the word is insufficient to describe, God displays that for which He may receive praise and honor and glory.
If you think you have nothing to thank Him for today, try (as a beginning) looking in your small corner where He has placed you!
jfn-8/15/2011
Our Daily Bread, Jun, Jul, Aug 2011, August 15, Monday
I am in complete "awe" as I consider the awesome creation of God, that no matter where He placed us on this earth or wherever He allows or even sends our feet to travel on this earth, there is -at the very least- this one thing that every land and every place has in common: You may observe the handiwork of God in His creation. From the lone pebble or the single blade of grass in the smallest garden plot, to the most picturesque expanse the eye can behold, and the word is insufficient to describe, God displays that for which He may receive praise and honor and glory.
If you think you have nothing to thank Him for today, try (as a beginning) looking in your small corner where He has placed you!
jfn-8/15/2011
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Sunday, August 14 - Mighty Reflections!!!
Sometimes I think God does not do great "earth-shaking" miracles because we have become too complacent. We allow fear (terror) to rule in our hearts. Think of it: Every time God DOES do something, we're afraid. He's always telling us in His Word, "Fear not," "Let not your heart be troubled," "Do not be afraid". When God appeared, in the Person of Jesus Christ, the disciples were afraid. Even in Old Testament times, when the Angel of the Lord appeared to men, they were afraid.
When thick black clouds, rattling thunder, and non-stop lightning in the terrifying storms come along, we're afraid. But consider: God passes by us in the storms, the clouds are the dust of His feet. Yet, we're afraid!
And if He were to do something marvelous while we're in His presence at church, probably fear would rule. But this is, perhaps, why God does not bless us abundantly with His mighty working in the place where He meets with us because fear, terror, and pride of place have lulled us into a false sense of complacent security.
Imagine if God were to arrive this morning and shake the walls of our "meeting-place", church, home, wherever we assemble to worship and praise Him! Imagine if He did a work in the hearts of our neighbors! Imagine if He compelled them to seek a place where the Blood of Jesus Christ was valued at higher worth than their own hell-bound soul! Imagine if God really revitalized the Body of Christ! Imagine if our complacency gave way to God! And just imagine if our hearts wished that Sunday would never end!
Then call to your remembrance that Jesus said, "My peace I give unto you." That even in those things which would bring natural fear and terror into our hearts, the Holy Spirit dwelling within us would administer the peace of God to us!!!!
I believe this with my whole being because as I sit here in the gazebo this morning, God has passed by me in the storm. Though I did not see His face, I see the dust of His feet, and I believe in His Word, and what is written in it, specifically, Nahum 1:3, "...in whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust of His feet."
I believe that God put this verse in my pathway earlier this week for me to meditate on and then He gave me a real example of the reality of it this morning!
----------
---Thank You, O Lord, my God, that You watered all the flowers in my garden today and You filled up my little fish pond, and while You were at it, You cooled their water! Thank You, God my Father, that you allowed me to have a real sense of Your presence with me today!!---
When thick black clouds, rattling thunder, and non-stop lightning in the terrifying storms come along, we're afraid. But consider: God passes by us in the storms, the clouds are the dust of His feet. Yet, we're afraid!
And if He were to do something marvelous while we're in His presence at church, probably fear would rule. But this is, perhaps, why God does not bless us abundantly with His mighty working in the place where He meets with us because fear, terror, and pride of place have lulled us into a false sense of complacent security.
Imagine if God were to arrive this morning and shake the walls of our "meeting-place", church, home, wherever we assemble to worship and praise Him! Imagine if He did a work in the hearts of our neighbors! Imagine if He compelled them to seek a place where the Blood of Jesus Christ was valued at higher worth than their own hell-bound soul! Imagine if God really revitalized the Body of Christ! Imagine if our complacency gave way to God! And just imagine if our hearts wished that Sunday would never end!
Then call to your remembrance that Jesus said, "My peace I give unto you." That even in those things which would bring natural fear and terror into our hearts, the Holy Spirit dwelling within us would administer the peace of God to us!!!!
I believe this with my whole being because as I sit here in the gazebo this morning, God has passed by me in the storm. Though I did not see His face, I see the dust of His feet, and I believe in His Word, and what is written in it, specifically, Nahum 1:3, "...in whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust of His feet."
I believe that God put this verse in my pathway earlier this week for me to meditate on and then He gave me a real example of the reality of it this morning!
----------
---Thank You, O Lord, my God, that You watered all the flowers in my garden today and You filled up my little fish pond, and while You were at it, You cooled their water! Thank You, God my Father, that you allowed me to have a real sense of Your presence with me today!!---
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Purpose-Driven -- Purpose-Fulfilled
The other day, I was enjoying the awesomeness of God and I was lost deep in thought, when I turned in my swivelly chair in the gazebo and the most incredible movement caught my eye, quickly crashing into my "deep thoughts"! Swarms and masses of hundreds of thousands of spinning and revolving gnats, danced and gyrated across our lawn, -ever rising, falling, and changing shape- making the space directly above the green grass look like the fizzy bubbles in a soda bottle!! The sight was incredibly amazing!!!!
Almost as quickly as I'd noticed these little biting creatures, they disappeared. I wonder where they went??!! --- Well, anyway, the little musings I had up until that point, were these:
==========
"A Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren
Have you read "A Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren? Will we be able to check off:
__ Purpose-Fulfilled!
at the end of today on our To-Do List??
==========
On Working
God is my Employer, The Body of Christ His workshop, Jesus Christ is the Manager and intercedes for me, the Holy Spirit issues my orders, the Word of God gives me instructions. At the end of the day, the building up of the Body of Christ is the accounting given to God. And the question is: Did I fulfill the purposes of God for the building up, nourishment, edification of the Body of Jesus Christ for today?
==========
CREATION -
It boggles my human intellect when I consider that EVERY SINGLE phase of God's creation and the skills that He's given His human creation to produce methods of employment are all spoken of, pointed to, or hinted at in His Holy Word. Consider:
A machine
A body
Plants / Trees / Fruit
Employer / Employee
Rocks / Water / Animals
Occupations: Physicians / Lawyers / Tax Collectors / Scientists / Mathematicians
Runners / Sports / Races / Teams
Gears - wheels within wheels
Families / adoption
Painting / Artistry
Grass Mowing
Iron Sharpening
Wars
Earthquakes
Etc., etc., etc.
Solomon really did sum it all up:
"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9
==========
Clouds
Nahum 1:3 "...In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet." - The thicker the clouds, the quicker His steps. The blacker the clouds, the closer He is.
==========
Earth's Classroom
Earth is the classroom where our soul and spirit get their education for dwelling in heaven.
~~~~~
jfn 8/13/2011
Almost as quickly as I'd noticed these little biting creatures, they disappeared. I wonder where they went??!! --- Well, anyway, the little musings I had up until that point, were these:
==========
"A Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren
Have you read "A Purpose-Driven Life" by Rick Warren? Will we be able to check off:
__ Purpose-Fulfilled!
at the end of today on our To-Do List??
==========
On Working
God is my Employer, The Body of Christ His workshop, Jesus Christ is the Manager and intercedes for me, the Holy Spirit issues my orders, the Word of God gives me instructions. At the end of the day, the building up of the Body of Christ is the accounting given to God. And the question is: Did I fulfill the purposes of God for the building up, nourishment, edification of the Body of Jesus Christ for today?
==========
CREATION -
It boggles my human intellect when I consider that EVERY SINGLE phase of God's creation and the skills that He's given His human creation to produce methods of employment are all spoken of, pointed to, or hinted at in His Holy Word. Consider:
A machine
A body
Plants / Trees / Fruit
Employer / Employee
Rocks / Water / Animals
Occupations: Physicians / Lawyers / Tax Collectors / Scientists / Mathematicians
Runners / Sports / Races / Teams
Gears - wheels within wheels
Families / adoption
Painting / Artistry
Grass Mowing
Iron Sharpening
Wars
Earthquakes
Etc., etc., etc.
Solomon really did sum it all up:
"The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9
==========
Clouds
Nahum 1:3 "...In whirlwind and storm is His way, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet." - The thicker the clouds, the quicker His steps. The blacker the clouds, the closer He is.
==========
Earth's Classroom
Earth is the classroom where our soul and spirit get their education for dwelling in heaven.
~~~~~
jfn 8/13/2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
"The Formula" For Miracles
John 11:41-44 - "The Formula For Miracles"
"So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes and said, 'Father, I thank You that you have heard me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.' When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth.' The man who had died came forth..." (NASB)
The progression:
Remove the stone
Thanksgiving
The Request
The Miracle
If we would see miracles, there's the formula!!
If we DON'T see miracles, here's why:
1. We have not removed the stone (covering our hearts)
2. We have not given thanks or praise to the Father
3. We have not made a clear request
4. We have not seen the miracle with the eye of faith
The stone covering our hearts is unbelief. Without that being removed, we will be unable to give thanks. We will beat about the bush and make unclear requests because we do not believe that God is going to do (nor can He do!) this impossible request. We do not see the miracle because our faithless eyes accept human explanations.
God performs the request!
Science gets credit.
Human wisdom or intelligence or skill gets credit.
We might get close by hearing:
a. "It's amazing!!"
b. "It's phenomenal!!"
or even
c. "It's a miracle!!"
But where is the authority or authorship of God in this?
What glory would God receive if our immediate reaction to events was:
"Come!! see what THE LORD has done!!!!"
~~JFN - 8/4/2011~~
"So they removed the stone. Then Jesus raised His eyes and said, 'Father, I thank You that you have heard me. I knew that You always hear Me; but because of the people standing around I said it, so that they may believe that You sent Me.' When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, 'Lazarus, come forth.' The man who had died came forth..." (NASB)
The progression:
Remove the stone
Thanksgiving
The Request
The Miracle
If we would see miracles, there's the formula!!
If we DON'T see miracles, here's why:
1. We have not removed the stone (covering our hearts)
2. We have not given thanks or praise to the Father
3. We have not made a clear request
4. We have not seen the miracle with the eye of faith
The stone covering our hearts is unbelief. Without that being removed, we will be unable to give thanks. We will beat about the bush and make unclear requests because we do not believe that God is going to do (nor can He do!) this impossible request. We do not see the miracle because our faithless eyes accept human explanations.
God performs the request!
Science gets credit.
Human wisdom or intelligence or skill gets credit.
We might get close by hearing:
a. "It's amazing!!"
b. "It's phenomenal!!"
or even
c. "It's a miracle!!"
But where is the authority or authorship of God in this?
What glory would God receive if our immediate reaction to events was:
"Come!! see what THE LORD has done!!!!"
~~JFN - 8/4/2011~~
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Masters of Mud Creations!
Often, Christians create mud.
And then we struggle in it!
A sinner comes along with the dirt of his sin. A Christian struggles with the sinner trying to convince him of the filth of his sin by applying just enough of the Water of the Word of God to the dirt to create mud. All the while he (the Christian) is getting just as filthy as the sinner because he is occupied with / in the filth of the sin.
Were we to apply the precious Water of the Word of God liberally, the Holy Spirit of God would convict the sinner of the filth of his own sin, and GOD would wash the sin away without US struggling in the filth.
----------
"You are what you eat"
I think this applies spiritually, just as well:
If we are the type of Christians who are shallow, intellectual, spiritual, etc., etc., etc., it is a direct result of what we feed on -spiritually- habitually.
----------
"Fly to the Food"
I was thinking the other day that my hummingbirds fly to where the food is. It's always in the same place. And then I thought, "Do we 'fly' to where our Food is??" Our Food is always in the same place, too. God's Holy Word contains spiritual nourishment for every one of us!!
And then we struggle in it!
A sinner comes along with the dirt of his sin. A Christian struggles with the sinner trying to convince him of the filth of his sin by applying just enough of the Water of the Word of God to the dirt to create mud. All the while he (the Christian) is getting just as filthy as the sinner because he is occupied with / in the filth of the sin.
Were we to apply the precious Water of the Word of God liberally, the Holy Spirit of God would convict the sinner of the filth of his own sin, and GOD would wash the sin away without US struggling in the filth.
----------
"You are what you eat"
I think this applies spiritually, just as well:
If we are the type of Christians who are shallow, intellectual, spiritual, etc., etc., etc., it is a direct result of what we feed on -spiritually- habitually.
----------
"Fly to the Food"
I was thinking the other day that my hummingbirds fly to where the food is. It's always in the same place. And then I thought, "Do we 'fly' to where our Food is??" Our Food is always in the same place, too. God's Holy Word contains spiritual nourishment for every one of us!!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Consistency - Your "Birth"-day - Life in Christ
CONSISTENCY
The other day I was in the gazebo staring at my hummingbird feeder. I was mesmerized by "Hog" (the Hummer Phoebe named because he was "hogging" the feeder, the bicycle in the garden, and the mailbox in the garden - pretty much, he thinks he owns the garden!!) Anyway, though my eyes were riveted on Hog, my mind drifted to an article I read about hummingbirds. The main thing for feeding them, I read, is CONSISTENCY. You need to feed them regularly, and keep the feeder clean - consistently.
That made me think of the CONSISTENCY of:
Christ and His Church
Christ and His Body
Christ and His Bride
Christ and His Child/ren
How WE are to be individually to / for / with Christ
How WE are to be collectively to / for / with Christ
Maintenance through feeding on the Word of God and cleansing our hearts from sin and its effects, leads to consistency in relationships with Christ and each other.
=================
YOUR "BIRTH"-day
Write your "birth"-day down! Write it someplace visible. Write a date. Write it SOMEWHERE! No, not your "natural" "birth"-day --- your SPIRITUAL one!! Maybe you're like me, and you don't remember the exact day you accepted God's wonderful gift of salvation - the day you were saved. And maybe you're also like me, that sometimes Satan likes to whisper, "Yea, well since you don't remember the day, the time, nor the place and you didn't have 'an earth-shattering experience' then you probably aren't really saved, after all."
You see, when you've settled in your heart before God that Christ died for YOUR sins, THAT is THE day you may present to Satan that Christ became your Lord. And if ever he threatens you again, just turn to your piece of paper and present it to him. Through remembering the date, it will confirm that occasion when your heart was settled before God, even though the actual acceptance of Jesus Christ may have been at a very early age.
=================
Life in Christ
The more clearly we apprehend the death of Christ, the greater will be our appreciation for our life in Christ.
=================
Preaching
NOT preaching is the best way to reach.
=================
Our ACTIONS confirm or deny what we say
Say little. Actions have much to confirm! Say lots. Actions have much to deny!
The other day I was in the gazebo staring at my hummingbird feeder. I was mesmerized by "Hog" (the Hummer Phoebe named because he was "hogging" the feeder, the bicycle in the garden, and the mailbox in the garden - pretty much, he thinks he owns the garden!!) Anyway, though my eyes were riveted on Hog, my mind drifted to an article I read about hummingbirds. The main thing for feeding them, I read, is CONSISTENCY. You need to feed them regularly, and keep the feeder clean - consistently.
That made me think of the CONSISTENCY of:
Christ and His Church
Christ and His Body
Christ and His Bride
Christ and His Child/ren
How WE are to be individually to / for / with Christ
How WE are to be collectively to / for / with Christ
Maintenance through feeding on the Word of God and cleansing our hearts from sin and its effects, leads to consistency in relationships with Christ and each other.
=================
YOUR "BIRTH"-day
Write your "birth"-day down! Write it someplace visible. Write a date. Write it SOMEWHERE! No, not your "natural" "birth"-day --- your SPIRITUAL one!! Maybe you're like me, and you don't remember the exact day you accepted God's wonderful gift of salvation - the day you were saved. And maybe you're also like me, that sometimes Satan likes to whisper, "Yea, well since you don't remember the day, the time, nor the place and you didn't have 'an earth-shattering experience' then you probably aren't really saved, after all."
You see, when you've settled in your heart before God that Christ died for YOUR sins, THAT is THE day you may present to Satan that Christ became your Lord. And if ever he threatens you again, just turn to your piece of paper and present it to him. Through remembering the date, it will confirm that occasion when your heart was settled before God, even though the actual acceptance of Jesus Christ may have been at a very early age.
=================
Life in Christ
The more clearly we apprehend the death of Christ, the greater will be our appreciation for our life in Christ.
=================
Preaching
NOT preaching is the best way to reach.
=================
Our ACTIONS confirm or deny what we say
Say little. Actions have much to confirm! Say lots. Actions have much to deny!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Children: Bubble-Wrapped to Absorb Life's Bumps??
As parents we want to put our kids in bubble-wrap to protect them. We want to shield them from harm and danger, minimizing the hurts we've experienced, longing that they might not have to go through what we've gone through. We look around. We see older folks, maybe brothers or sisters in Christ that have persevered through the most grueling circumstances. They have endured great physical afflictions, yet we observe that they are some of the most patient, loving people we know. We think to ourselves, "Boy, I wish I could be just like them. They NEVER complain. They just seem so sweet and unselfish."
Then one day it hits us:
We (parents) ARE becoming just like them. The trials and difficulties God affords us through our children and the various stages they grow through, make us realize that tribulation does indeed work (or precede) patience! One day we DO realize we have more patience than we used to have. But we want to protect our dear children from those hardships of life, that they might be spared from the weight and burden of the results of sin. Surely, there must be another way in which they can become patient, loving, sweet, and unselfish!
Yet again, on another day it hits us:
Our children HAVE (as in NEED!!) to experience these difficulties as well as we, for how else will THEY become the polished Stones and Gems created for the pleasure of God?? It is only in the tumbler of life that the jagged edges are removed, that the priceless treasure may be revealed by God for His glory!!
Dear Parents, take heart. The SAME (remember, that IS one of God's names!!!) the SAME God who preserved those dear older folks, and who IS preserving US, still has the SAME ability to preserve our children!- Remember, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."? - Hebrews 13:8
jfn - 7/12/2011
Then one day it hits us:
We (parents) ARE becoming just like them. The trials and difficulties God affords us through our children and the various stages they grow through, make us realize that tribulation does indeed work (or precede) patience! One day we DO realize we have more patience than we used to have. But we want to protect our dear children from those hardships of life, that they might be spared from the weight and burden of the results of sin. Surely, there must be another way in which they can become patient, loving, sweet, and unselfish!
Yet again, on another day it hits us:
Our children HAVE (as in NEED!!) to experience these difficulties as well as we, for how else will THEY become the polished Stones and Gems created for the pleasure of God?? It is only in the tumbler of life that the jagged edges are removed, that the priceless treasure may be revealed by God for His glory!!
Dear Parents, take heart. The SAME (remember, that IS one of God's names!!!) the SAME God who preserved those dear older folks, and who IS preserving US, still has the SAME ability to preserve our children!- Remember, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."? - Hebrews 13:8
jfn - 7/12/2011
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