Words and Wants

That darn snake!  Too often he gets into our minds and uses what he finds there to cause us problems.  It happened to Eve and has continued through history to us.  He is like a roaring lion that travels miles to find something to devour.  (1 Peter 5:8)  In the first part of that verse we are told to be self-controlled and alert.  Alert to what?  Perhaps our lack of self-control. Read Eve’s story in Genesis 3.  She had some self-control issues that we still deal with today.  First, how about the fact that we, and Eve, let our words get us into trouble.  If she hadn’t spent so much time talking with the snake she wouldn’t have determined that she was perhaps missing something.  God didn’t create us with two ears and one mouth for no reason.  He wants us listening carefully, He wants us being careful about what we listen too, and He wants us to simply close our mouths to unnecessary conversation.

It also seems that we, and Eve, have a really big problem with coveting that which belongs to another.  There is a commandment about that.  We really aren’t supposed to get ourselves wrapped up in what others around us have.  Jesus tells us plainly that the Father provides what we need and we need to be careful that we are not wanting more than He thinks we should have.

Lastly, we eat to much.  This is both a physical and figurative statement.  We certainly need real food, in appropriate proportions to nourish the body and keep us healthy.  We also need to be ravenous for the food that is provided in a daily diet of God’s Word.  He will feed our hunger for the answers to life’s questions if we take the time to learn what he wants for us.

Awesome and mighty Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of my praise.  Father control me.  Control my words, my wants and make me ravenous for Your Word.  Make it so!

God Is Not Ashamed

 
Reading Hebrews 11 and discovering new truths about faith led me to these thoughts. First, because of my faith God is not ashamed to be my God. This thoughtful jewel is found within vs. 16. There are other verses in the Bible that talk about me not being ashamed of Him or the Word (Romans 1:16-17, Psalm 25:2-3)but this is the only one I could find that outright says God is not ashamed to call me His own. That’s an absolutely profound thought. All it takes is faith in Him. Nothing more, nothing less.
 
Secondly, earlier on in the chapter in vs. 6 it says ‘He rewards those who seek Him’. How do we seek Him? In the same way we experience Him, through prayer, the Word, worship, other Christians, and circumstances. What is the reward? The promise of eternal life because we have faith.
 
The whole chapter is many examples that reinforce vs. 1. My paraphrase – – “My faith gives me the conviction that what I hope for, heaven and eternal life with my Savior, even though I cannot see it, is really there.”
 
HE knows me.  HE cares about me.  HE has my name written on His hand.  HE loves me.
 
Ah, Lord, God, You are my One and Only, my Savior, the giver of Eternal Life.  What an honor to be among those You are not ashamed to call Your own.  Oh, Lord, help me never to be ashamed to call You my own.  Make it so!

No Silence

They thought they had silenced Him once and for all                                                                                              

 But once and for all the silence was broken

 

 

 

 

The rocks will cry out (Luke 19:40)

 

 

 

God will be praised (Psalm 115:1)

 

 

The One who spoke the world into order  (Genesis 1:9)

 

Was silent when accused (Matthew 27:11)

 

 

 

His disciples were told to be silent  (Acts 4:18-20)

 

 

But because of their willingness to tell The Story

 I know my LORD AND I

WILL NOT BE SILENT  (Matthew 10:32)

 

 

 

 

Heavenly Father give each of us who know You the courage to speak out so others will know You too.  Make it so!

Heavenly Music

Does God sing? 

I know the angels do.  The Christmas Story tells us after Michael announced the birth of Jesus they sang, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men’. 

John tells us in Revelation that he heard and saw the angels around the throne singing heavenly music (my words). 

 I heard a sound like massed choirs in Heaven singing, Hallelujah!    Revelation 19:1 (The Message)

The Prophet Zephaniah not only says God sings but that He rejoices over us when He does.

The LORD your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.  Zephaniah 3:17

How can I say thanks when Your word so clearly says You care so much that You not only sent Jesus but that You rejoice in me with Your song.  What a mighty God I serve.  Oh, Lord, let everyone who reads this feel Your great delight in them.   Make it so!

STAYING FOCUSED

David and Goliath, a colour lithograph by Osma...

David and Goliath, a colour lithograph by Osmar Schindler (c. 1888) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Then Saul said to David, “You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for you are but a youth while he has been a warrior from his youth.”

But David said to Saul, “Your servant was tending his father’s sheep.  When a lion or a bear came and took a lamb from the flock, I went out after him and attacked him, and rescued it from his mouth; and when he rose up against me, I seized him by his beard and struck him and killed him.

“Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, since he has taunted the armies of the living God.”

And David said, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him; but there was no sword in David’s hand.

I SAMUEL 17:33-37, 50 (NASB), HOLY BIBLE

Take a close look at this story.  David was so sure of his faith in God that he could disobey King Saul’s order not to go against the Philistine.  David had life experiences with lions and bears and had known God’s protection.  David’s courage came directly from God Himself because He knew his heart.  David knew God and knew God’s will in this situation would be done.

Basically, David never took his eyes off God during the battle.  There was a problem (later in his life) only when he chose to see through eyes that were selfish and sinful.   Faith is keeping our eyes on God, and staying open and aware of His desires, even when we don’t think He’s looking.  He’s always looking…He never Blinks. 

Heavenly Father give me faith and courage like David’s.  Let me keep my eyes on You at all times.  Make it so, Lord!