I just saw it listed again:
Job 1:21, "The Lord giveth and
the Lord taketh away". Every time I see this, someone is trying to make
the point that God takes from us. It is neither God nor Jesus making
this statement. Job is making this statement in the throws of misery
and self pity after losing everything. Of course, you can sympathize with him.
The story states clearly that Satan has
taken everything. Let's also remember it was God who put limits on Satan's torture. God is the one in charge. So why are we constantly quoting this verse to say that God takes from us? I have heard teachings on this. Job seems to spend quite a bit of time in Chapter 30 continuing to blame God. He clearly does not understand.
Yes, God did allow it. God allows us to make poor
decisions and suffer the consequences of our mistakes; in this
case Job had the sin of pride, Job 29:21 - 25 and 30:1 & 25. How many of us are guilty of pride and not aware of it?
God does not take. He is a
generous Father who loves to give to His children. Chapters 29 and verses in chapter 30 shows how Job
was wallowing in self pity remembering everything in chapter 29. (Lot's
wife also looked back and remember what happened to her ?!)
In Job 38:2
God tells Job he is speaking without knowledge. We cannot presume to
know the mind of God. Know His love and believe everything is for our
benefit.
You might want to remind yourself that all believers are
inheritors of the promises given to Moses on Mt. Ebal, Deut. 28:1-14.
Want to see more? In Deuteronomy 29:5, we find out something that is most often overlooked in the story of wandering in the desert. The clothing and sandals of the Israelites did not wear out for forty years of walking around in all types of weather. Children were growing; how do you think God handled that? I think their clothing grew right along with them. Makes sense in light of this verse.
You might
like to see Jer. 29:11, where God says He has plans for us. Jms. 1:17 tells us all the good stuff comes from above. Personally, I am fond of Psalm 91.
In the life
of Jesus, who said if you saw Him, you saw the Father, He never took
anything from anyone. He never gave leprosy or poverty; only health and grace.
P.S. God did
GIVE back to Job everything that Satan took, plus more because Job remained true to his faith. Job humbled himself,
42:3-6, and was restored.
God is love.
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"My God" has made Himself personal to me:
I called on Him when I prayed "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" during my parents divorce. I was seven years old and He made His presence known to me.
He put His wings around me during the abuse I endured at the hands of a stepfather, and sent me a savior; my grandfather.
He advised me when I was molested by three teen boys at a bus stop. I was 16.
When there was disappointment over missing high school graduation, due to minor surgery, He was there holding my hand.
I held fast to Him through the loss of two children at birth.
During marriage to an alcoholic, He advised me through His spirit.
He was there to console me after the death of Grandfather, the only earthly father I have known.
An angel, in the form of a police officer, was sent when my brakes failed early one morning on busy city streets.
I prayed "Our Father" in an ambulance after a car accident. It left me with 44 stitches to my face, a broken foot and crushed vertebra, but He chose to spare my life.
Late one evening, in New York, He sent an angel to perform a miracle and save me from an assault in a public parking lot.
Again, He held my hand during surgery for malignant tumors, consoled me when I learned that I would never have children and held my hand during the hysterectomy ten years later.
I had traveled across this country for forty-five years to sell my art work. I remember dangerous driving conditions, storms in the mountains, icey roads and being lost - a lot. My God was sitting next to me in the passenger seat every inch of the way.
In Alabama, He sent an angel with yet another miracle to keep me from an auto accident with two little girls in my car.
During a time of great depression, from many wrong choices through the years, He spoke and saved me from suicide.
He has loved me from my conception, with a plan for my life. Thirty-five years ago, my God placed me in His church, changed my life and my way of thinking and, twenty-six years ago gave me my greatest earthy treasure, a husband who truly loves me.
My God bandaged emotional wounds and started the healing. He has always made Himself personal to my needs.
He sent me a healer and holds my hand every time I take a treatment for liver failure.
He stepped in to fill a huge void when my mother died and consoles a great loss, again, when my brother died young.
A compound fracture in my ankle was set without anesthetic by a strange doctor in a strange hospital in a city far from home. I was alone for surgery - except for my God.
Throughout my life, and even now, my God has been with me every minute to make sure I did not suffer more than I could bare. He has been there watching, teaching, protecting; keeping my heart, my body and my soul in His ever gentle arms.
My God took hate, fear and guilt and replaced them with joy, compassion and peace.
My God is the magnificent "I Am" who made time and space and lives on the sides of the north in the third heaven. Every existence exists in His thought. He knows every inch of every star in the universe, every grain of sand on every beach and cares enough about me to know how many hairs are on my head - He is the keeper of my soul.
My God loves, protects, blesses, teaches, comforts, heals and answers my prayers. Getting to know Him is a lifetime of joy and amazement.
The Christian life is not easy but the rewards are great.
Amen
At a recent Bible study - I won't say where (My point is not to condemn or point fingers at anyone person or church.), we were on the topic, "mystery kept hidden for ages" in Col 1:26.
This mystery being about Jesus Christ made known through the prophetic writings Ro 16:26. These prophetic writings would be Psalms and Isaiah, among other prophets.
It's all about Jesus; the Old Testament and the New. The Old Testament leads to and points at His coming. The New Testament is about that life and death and the second coming. Yes! Jesus. All Christians know this much. No problem in the Bible study group. So why is it called a mystery?
Let me back up by saying that this revelation is a bit new to me. I never could understand the writings of Paul until I understood this "mystery", which has been made clear to me in the recent couple years. Then, Paul's writings took on so much meaning. I have been in church for many (many) years. A couple years back, I really stuck my nose into "the book". I purchased a Hebrew Bible with translation and have learned more in the past two years than in my other sixty-nine. I am so thrilled with what I am seeing that I want to study 24/7.
The "mystery" is the plan of redemption through Jesus Christ. Again, something all Christians understand: Jesus took our sins upon Himself so we might be free of sin. Let's pause and think about that statement for a minute. Jesus took our sins on Himself. All of them; past, present and future. After all, He is the beginning and the end. We are free of sin. FREE of sin; past, present and future. How does that work?
This plan of redemption is: grace trumps the 10 commandments. There, I said it. I said it in that Bible study and really opened a can of worms. People were demanding I show a verse that states this fact. Well, there is none. No one verse that specifically states "the ten commandments are done away with through Jesus". You have to read and search out answers; we are told to "seek and find", "knock and the door will be opened". I went home in shock. Shouldn't have because, until two years ago, this was new to me. I had come to believe that I was the odd man out for years - the only one who did not understand grace over the 10 commandments, the "law". I thought every believer knew. Now I am thinking there are more people out there walking a fine line of me or God, self centered or God centered, I do or God gives, law of stone or grace of God.
I always thought "the law" meant the temple laws, the sacrificial laws. Not so. Bible refers to the 10 commandments as "the law written on stone". Ex 24:12, Ex 31:18, Ex 34:4 Paul constantly refers to law versus grace.
There is nothing wrong with the Ten Commandments. They are perfect; perfect law of God. Only a God can keep them. They were broken before they were given on Sinai and through to the end of the Old Testament. They are still broken today by good Christians everywhere. God knew when He gave these laws that they could not be kept by mortals. (Satan himself, as a high ranking spirit being, could not keep them.) God had the plan of redemption (the great mystery) in mind when He gave the laws.
You cannot go through life and keep the letter of the law. Example, stealing: ever cheat on income taxes? Ever keep the wrong change from a store clerk? Example, false witness (lying): Ever stretch the truth to save the feelings of a friend? Lie! Ever exaggerate a story? Lie! Ever wish someone dead in your mind? Murder! Ever admire a friend's spouse in a lustful way? Adultery! Do you go to church on Sunday? Sabbath! Do you value your children over God? Idolatry! Jesus explained in the Beatitudes that even thinking against the law is breaking it. The "law" can't be kept. We all break the law on a daily basis in thought and/or deed.
Here's the Good News (gospel means "good news"): We don't have to keep the law "written on stone". Jesus brought new law: "Love your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself". Then, Jesus took all our sins (past, present and future) on Himself, once and for all. (Ro 6:10) It is over, done, finished, ended. Jesus took ALL our sins upon Himself and nailed them to that cross. We are free and do not have to put the stress upon ourselves to abide in a law that cannot be kept. This is what grace is.
Oh, great, that means we can all go do any evil we want. Of course not! As believers in Jesus and what He has done, we don't want to. That would be tantamount to slapping our Savior in the face. What a wonderful thing He did for us. As understanding believers who are grateful for His sacrifice, we want only to please Him. That is all we have to do - believe, turn our back on a wayward life and try. Easy - peasy! God and The Son have made it easy for us - out of perfect love. No one wants to knowingly defy such love.
This plan of redemption, this great mystery is the grace of God through the sacrifice of Jesus that covers us with the blood of the perfect sacrifice to be seen as pure in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. We have been redeemed from all our past, present and future wrong doings.
It's all about Jesus, the Great "I Am"
Amen
Yeah, my story has a great ending.
Looking back over my life, I can see how blessed I am. All the trials have made me who I am today. Perfect? No! But, I have learned, matured, grown spiritually, come into a personal relationship with God and am so grateful for all of it.
God did not do any of the bad things. People were given free choice from the time of Adam and Eve. My parents made choices and I made my choices in response to their actions. It is obvious that I made poor choices - one after another for many years. And, look how it just spiraled to that turning point with the loaded gun.
God does not do bad God is total, complete love. As a good father, He created us and knows what we need and want better than we do. It's not easy to trust a spiritual being when everything we relate to is physical. Faith and belief are not easy in this world. It takes a desire and a lot of practice - a lot of trial and error. Not to worry, the blood of Jesus covers the believer's mistakes. You get a "do over" - every time! Keep doing it over until you get it right. It starts with your first step. Jesus does not push; He waits. You have to take the first step in faith and practice belief. Here is another easy part: if you need faith, just ask for it. That first step is submission by getting on you knees and asking for everything you lack. The father's love makes it easy.
The enemy knows where we are most vulnerable. He knows every weak spot. He prowls the earth like a hungry lion searching for who he can devour. Constantly in our head whispering everything negative and telling us we are not worthy; prodding us to do and be everything Jesus is not.
God turns bad to good:
Because my father left, I got to know an amazing grandfather.
Because of the sexual abuse, I learned to cherish physical relationship as the ultimate expression of love within the privacy of marriage.
Because I was betrayed by a close friend, I know how to be a friend.
Because of the molestings, I am cautious and aware of my surroundings.
Because of poor choices in husbands, I learned to let God have His way.
Because I lost children, I have a passion for them.
Because of many trials, I was blessed with amazing friendships for support.
Because of a restless spirit, I have traveled all over this country, been places, seen things and met all sorts of people.
Because . . . because . . . because . . . get it?
My husband and I are not wealthy but we have everything we need; what a great blessing. Sometimes, I feel downright rich.
Note: We have learned that any time we get a financial windfall (like a bonus at work or I sell art I was not offering), to hold on to it for awhile before we spend it. Many times, a reason for the money comes shortly after we receive it. So many times, God has provided BEFORE the need. What a blessing to be able to ask our Heavenly Father for advice in every part of our daily lives. When the answer is immediate or obvious, our faith gets a boost. Fear fades and confidence grows.
As we mature in our relationship with Jesus, we have learned how to be grateful and show daily praise. We are making Him the center of our married lives. He shows us His amazing love and understanding time and again. Our lives have become miracles.
Amen
Privacy is something I value highly. When we relocate, I will pack personal things so movers don't come in and pack the contents of my underwear drawer or see my toiletries. I never could share a bathroom with a husband and have only two friends I will share a motel room with. If I don't get "alone time", you can't stand to have me around. Anyone out there understand what I am saying?
That said, when it comes to my past, I am an open book. Like everyone else, I have had trials, temptations, failures and embarrassments. I don't believe in regret. I made bad choices (for whatever reason) and they were my choices. I like to think that I have learned from them. After all, I did do a full turn around at one point in my life. There were times of great sorrow, fear, worthlessness and loneliness. I have felt "lonely" but never "alone".
When I say that I did a full turnaround and repented of a life style, I don't mean all of a sudden I realized there was a loving being out there that created everything and His son came to save me to eternal life by paying the debt for everything I did wrong; although, all of that is true. The thing is, I cannot remember a time in my life when I was not aware of God and His presence. And, I can remember back to the time I was still sleeping in a crib.
It amazes me that people do discover God in there teen years or even later in life. They have great epiphany, a moment of awareness - that "aha moment". I have a bit of jealousy for that. It's like I missed out on all the excitement. On the other hand, friends have told me that they envy the fact that I have always had this awareness just like many others - I am not unique. Neither am I different. We have trouble seeing our own life as valuable.
Okay, all this being said, let's get back to my story. I once offered to give my testimony in church. My pastor, at the time, had me jot down some highlights for review. He called me into his study and denied my request on the grounds that "no one will believe it" - ? Huh?
I know that I have had an active life of varied interests, jobs, a career and, as stated before, great changes. I am also far passed retirement age, so it has been a rather lengthy life. The longer your life, the more stuff happens! To keep this writing within some boundaries, I am using key words in summary form so you can get the idea without a lot of lengthy (and boring) script. This also keeps my private side happy because I do not have to disclose all the embarrassing details.
As first born, Mother dedicated me at birth and sent me to church from the time I could step onto the bus. Things were pretty middle-income-normal until I was eight years old.
Parents divorced
grandfather moved in
no financial support from my father
first experience with rejection from a man
father never answered any correspondence
moved to a less expensive neighbor hood = inner city (big city)
dislexic before there was dislexia = thought I was stupid
step father = sexual abuse (me and my sister)
teenage baptism
molested by three teens on way to work
pregnant at 17 = gave up art scholarship
high school graduation = stopped going to church
lost two children at birth
married and moved to Boston - moved to Long Island
betrayal by closest friend; changed the course of my life
husband cheated = another rejection and divorce
attacked by man in parking lot
married an alcoholic
various menial jobs
socialized in dive bars = all sorts of people
major auto accident - 44 stitches to face
grandfather died - my only earthly father
partial hysterectomy
husband cheated = another rejection and divorce
found a roommate
single girl for awhile = dating
out of body experience
traveled = selling my art work
married a businessman = he traveled
he had two daughters = I was a step mother
moved to Alabama = nice home, pool, country club
continued traveling and selling art
husband turned out to be an embezzler
he cheated = another divorce and rejection
single scene again
still traveling with art work
met a portrait artist and became her apprentice = hired agents
continued travel
complete hysterectomy
married a country boy from Alabama = step mom, again
different life style in the "back woods"
he had a country band = I ran sound system
opened small town business = framing and portrait studio
he dealt in drugs = I went back to church
he cheated = devastating divorce
considered suicide - had loaded gun in hand
got baptized and took it serious
* No wonder the pastor said, "No one would believe it".
The out of body experience opened my eyes to my life style but I am a stubborn person and it was years later before I made major changes. There were highlights along the wrong path: travel, people and I never lost that feeling of God's presence.
I took that baptism 35 years ago serious and, like the prodigal son, my (heavenly) Father welcomed me back with open arms and all the blessings of my heritage that were just waiting for me. Imagine that! All I had to do was "come home". (I am reminded of the Proverb: Raise a child up in the way He should go and he will not depart from it.) My marriage, of 26 years, is to a great Christian man who is "the wind beneath my wings". My business became successful. Fear and anger no longer rule over me.
It did not happen over night. There were trials and many errors along the way: health issues, decisions and major adjustments. During this time, I learned to let God have control and it has made all the difference.
Lately, I have been reminded that we all have a story and as Christians, we need to share it with others. It can take us out of our comfort zone but it is our story of how God, our Father, molds us to become what He calls us to. Just maybe your story can help someone else. If we just plant the seed, God will make it grow somewhere.
Amen!
Good morning!
It's a bit cloudy where I am today. But, that is keeping the hot summer temperatures down. There is always something good to be found - even on a cloudy day.
Have you ever noticed that no one that Jesus healed doubted his healing? None questioned or hesitated when Jesus said, "take up your bed and walk", "Lazarus, come forth", "go, your faith has made you whole", "get up", "go, and sin no more".
He commanded the storms to stop and they did. He commanded demons to depart - they did. He commanded water to turn to wine - it did. He commanded fish to jump into Peter's net - they did. He prayed five fish into enough to feed 5,000 people with a lot left over. So much more words He spoke and "it was so".
He told the men He called to "follow me" and they did. They just got up and went with Him. There was no question, no hesitation.
I like to think about the commanding presence He had. In Song of Songs, the writer tells us He was like the cedars of Lebanon; stout and straight.
As the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and Son of the Almighty God of the Universe, He was royalty of royalty. I can imagine His regal demeanor. We are told there was nothing unusual about His appearance; he looked like every other 30 year old Hebrew man of the day. After all, He was able to disappear into the crowd when He needed to. Neither His clothes or His looks were different. But, oh the manner in which He spoke!
Why can't we see Him this way? Why do we make Him weak and "pretty" in our eyes? even blonde with blue eyes? (I am sure He had intense eyes. After all, He can see into your very soul.)
Crowds of people flocked to Him - by the hundreds. Many were captivated and became the foundation of the greatest religious movement ever known. Christianity swept the globe and has maintained it's will-not-die presence to this day. Because of the man from heaven that was not doubted by those who experienced Him.
May you ask Him for your healing and may He open your eyes to see Him more and more every day.
Amen
Surely, we can agree that life can be full of bad news.
I have some good news this morning.
(In Greek, the language of the New Testament, Gospel means "Good News".)
Psalm 22 tells of the crucifixion. This surely is good news that Christ took all our suffering, pain and sin on Him so we might live beyond this physical life. This psalm was written 2,000 years before His birth - David was quite a profit, among his many other talents.
Mt 2:17 confirms that Jesus is the son of God Himself. Reference Ps 2:7
Mt 12:50 is good news. Here, we are told that to follow the example of Jesus makes us brothers and sisters to Him; children of God.
Mt 19:2 tells of the massive amount of healings Jesus performed. Good news: He wants us to be healthy.
Mt 19:29 says if we have to sacrifice anything to follow Him, it will be given back to us - multiplied; and . . . we also get eternal life.
Mt 28:18 Jesus assures us He has the right to do anything He wants - just as God Himself has the power. Hey, this is the guy I want for a brother.
Jn 1:34 has John The Baptist testifying that Jesus is chosen by God to be our savior to eternal life.
Jn 1:45 has one apostle telling another that he has found the person written about in the Old Testament by Moses and all the profits.
Ex 3:14 God tells Moses "I Am". Throughout the gospels, Jesus makes the statement "I AM" over and over again. This is why the Pharises were so angry with Him; they new every word of the Old Testament and God, the "I Am". (They call God "Yahweh" and I have done a fascinating study on this name. I will share it some time.)
Jn 15:7 Jesus promises the prayers of a believer will be answered. Now that's good news!
Jn 16:27 Just to love Jesus brings the love of the Almighty God.
Jn 17:6-19 Read this prayer Jesus asked of God for His disciples. WE (believers) are disciples today.
Jn 20:19 & 20 Here is the scene where Jesus shows His disciples (us) proof of His resurrection from death.
Jn 20:29 Jesus blesses those who were not present to know Him or see His nail prints - that is us today. We are blessed by the Son of God. Definitely good news.
Jn 20:30 & 31 Here, we get good news of our faith giving us good health.
Jn 21:23 Jesus is coming back - He Himself, the one with the Father, said so.
Jn 21:25 John's personal statement, as a witness, of what he witnessed walking with Jesus.
If all this good news does not brighten your day, read Psalms 88 and 89. Psalm 88 gives us all the woes of this human life and Psalm 89 tells of the blessings and good news of the days we have to look forward to.
Have a wonderful day !!
Amen
Today may sound a bit stern, discouraging, harsh - even frightening. I tend to "call it as I see it" but remember: I have read to the end of the book and I know who wins. Besides, I'm in a bit of a "snit" today and I have a right (If you have a right, I have a right.)
So, you have chosen to be a Christian?
Can you drink from the cup? Ps 36:1
Society has a cancer called "sin" because she spurns her foundation, Jesus Christ. "Everyone has a right". A right to murder a fetus. Ro 3:15 A right to get drunk and operate a motorized vehicle on a public street. A right to cheat on their spouse because they are bored with them. A right to abuse a child because their dreams did not get fulfilled. A right to stop a majority from prayer in school. A right to be respected even if they are lazy, unkempt, loud, rude and crude. A right to benefits in a country where they hold no citizenship or reject it's laws.. A right to unnatural sexual choices. Ro 1:27 I could go on for hours.
Note: The prostitute in Rev 17 is an immoral society. Babylon is an oppressive and Godless government.
Freedom is not to do what you want but the right to do what you should.
Being a Christian today is not always pretty. And . . it ain't gonna get any better. We are in the final generation before the coming of our Lord.
Suffering is the fire that forges the steel that is the Christian. After all, there was a lot of suffering before the resurrection. Learn to embrace your cross. As a Christian, you have chosen a path of one degree or another. Learn to turn to your Savior in prayer for your peace and strength. He needs proud warriors.
Happiness is a choice, honesty, faithfulness, sobriety and the sex of your partner is a choice. Hell is a choice. We are not made to fit in but to stand out. We are the light in a dark world and the salt that gives it flavor.
Story: When I made my (absolute and final) decision to follow a Christian life, I lost my husband, home, step children, a business and friends. I chose to turn from a way of life - repent means to turn around. Everything seemed to fall apart all at once. I found myself one evening sitting in the back room of my studio with a loaded gun in my hand. That small voice came to me and whispered, "You cannot give life, so you cannot take life." I put the gun away - scary.
When my pastor, at that time, realized what I was going through, he said, "We gotta get you dunked right away". He went on to explain that baptism brings the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that would give me the strength to deal with my trials. If you have chosen a Christian life style, you need to be baptized - it works. Ro 6:4
* There is scientific proof that after baptism, a person's DNA is different. We truly are born again.
The Enemy is coming after you - HARD and, he is sneaky. He does not want new converts. He wants to take the throne that Jesus earned. He hates you - venomously! He is jealous of you, as a child of God. He hates you have the favor of God. He hates you have the Holy Spirit with you. He hates that God hears your prayers. He hates you are destined to reign on this earth in the new Jerusalem. Rev 21:2
We are in a spiritual battle. Satan himself wants you miserable, suffering, defiled, polluted, lonely, sick, confused, devastated, sitting with the loaded gun of surrender.
Good News: It's all good. Believers have the weapons of the Holy Spirit, prayer, communion, anointing, faith, discernment and the support of the church. Our heavenly father offers an amazing support system. He wants us happy with our choice. We are forgiven, loved by Almighty God Himself, promised a place with His Son and will not face judgement. As believers, we are already forgiven; Christ did it all for us. Ro 3:24
B E A U T I F U L: Jesus continues to do it all. Call on Him for anything, anytime. If you lack faith, are afraid, confused, lacking spiritual strength, pray and ask for these things. Jesus has enough for everyone and He wants to give to you. He loves us. He loves you as the greatest father you could ever know. You have chosen the narrow path, the right choice - door number three. There is no turning back; the victory is already ours. Christ won our battle on the cross. Jesus has only to come back and claim His prize. You
Amen Amen Amen
