Monday, August 24, 2015

NO ONE HIGHER


I have had a song from church playing over and over in my thoughts for the last few days—“No One Higher” by Seth Condrey.  It’s a musical declaration of the truth that there is no greater being in the universe than the LORD GOD, our Father and Creator.  What a difference would be the impact we as believers would have in this world if we truly lived as if we believed this!  It seems that we know this to be the truth and take great comfort in that fact in the hard times.  However when it comes to living every moment of our lives in true submission to Him, we have harder time remembering that truth—at least I know I do.  It’s not submitting to Him for the hard choices that is hard; it is choosing to make the best choices day in, day out in all other areas.  I truly want to hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” 

Some verses to think about:

Isaiah 40:28 “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.”

Isaiah 43:10–11 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour.”

Isaiah 44:24 “Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself;”

Isaiah 45:5 “I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: ”

Isaiah 45:18 “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.”

Isaiah 46:9–10 “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:”

Matthew 25:14–30 “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two. But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord’s money. After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them. And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more. His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed: And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine. His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed: Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury. Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents. For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Friday, August 14, 2015

A WORD OF TRUTH

I just listened to the following 13-minute message from Jonathan Cahn, and I believe it is a message that we as Christians should heed.  I've read so many disparaging comments about this man from "fellow Christians" that I just don't understand.  I do not know him at all; and, unlike so many of his detractors, have actually read The Harbinger.  He is very careful to let you know that He is only drawing conclusions about coming judgment upon America based on the revelation from God's word regarding His treatment of Israel.  That was the whole purpose that the LORD chose Israel--to declare Him to the nations and to bless the nations of the world by birthing the Messiah.  His character is unchanging and that includes the principles established in His word. 

The link to Mr. Cahn's message is:  A MESSAGE FROM JONATHAN CAHN - AUGUST 2015

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD


I am currently going verse by verse through the book of Numbers, and thought this particular verse was quite a pertinent reminder of truth that is important for us to remember today.

Numbers 15:41 I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I am the LORD your God.

The chapter closed with a declaration by the LORD of who He Is and His relationship to the people of Israel. 
·      “I am the LORD” - the self-existent, eternal One. 
·      “your God” - the supreme authority
·      your Deliverer – “which brought you out of the land of Egypt”
·      “to be your God” – acknowledged by you as your supreme authority

And then an exclamation point—“I am the LORD your God.”  No matter what you do or what you choose to believe, that fact will not change.  In spite of their rebellion, in spite of their unbelief, God will honor His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Genesis 17:4–8 “As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations. Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for a father of many nations have I made thee. And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee.  And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.”

The same is true today.  The LORD our God is the all-powerful Creator and the Supreme Authority over all the reality of creation—both the seen and the unseen.   It doesn’t matter what people choose to believe in spite of all the evidence staring them in the face.  He is also our one and only Deliverer—the only way to heaven and eternal life in the presence of our Savior.  That is the truth, and truth never changes.  What we may think to be true may change—but truth never changes.

Click on pic for larger view

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Psalm 1 - A Meditation


As a follower of Jesus Christ, I could easily become overwhelmed with distress and discouragement as I watch my nation in particular ever more blatantly following Satan as Lord and rejecting the one true LORD—but I’m not.  Yes, I am grieved; but because I am rooted in the truth of the word of God, I know that all is unfolding as God has foretold through His prophets.  I truly believe that the return of Jesus to gather His bride is virtually at the door.  So how does the child of God navigate these troubled times and find happiness?  I believe that Psalm 1 provides the key—by spending time in God’s word and fellowshipping with others that are part of God’s family.

Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

A blessed man is a happy man.  As we read this psalm it becomes clear that this man is one that acknowledges God as THE LORD.  The psalmist describes this man as one who:
·      avoids fellowship with sin and sinners
·      doesn’t seek advice from people with bad morals
·      doesn’t have close relationships with those with sinful lifestyles
·      doesn’t fellowship with those who mock or make fun of others

Walking, standing and sitting depict a progressive position of ease and fellowship.  Our lives are a reflection of the actions and attitudes of those with whom we choose to associate..

Psalm 1:2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

The happy man finds his delight, value and purpose in the law of the Lord, the word of God.  He meditates on God’s word day and night, in the good times and the bad.  When we choose to meditate on God’s word at all times, it is not likely that we will find ourselves comfortable with sin or in fellowship with sinners.

Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

The blessed man is one who is growing and producing the fruit in his life, just as the Creator intended.  Notice that the fruit being produced is “his” fruit and that the timing is in “his” season.  God has a specific purpose for each one of us.  Notice also that he is compared to a tree that is planted in a place conducive to its growth.  If our delight is truly on the word of God, it keeps us in a position of taking in the proper spiritual nutrition that is necessary for healthy spiritual growth.  When we are deeply rooted in the Word, we stay strong and healthy spiritually and don’t have to worry about withering—falling into sin. 

In context, to “prosper” is to prosper spiritually. His life will give testimony to spiritual growth in him, ministry to others and glory to God.

Psalm 1:4 The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

In contrast, the lives of ungodly people are compared to chaff, the worthless part of the grain.  In bible days the grain was tossed into the air, and the chaff was carried away by the wind while the useful grain fell back to earth.

Psalm 1:5 Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
The wording is difficult in the KJV, but the idea is that the ungodly will not be upheld or successful when they stand in judgment before God; they will stand condemned.  Though every person is born a sinner, each one that places his faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior are imputed His very righteousness and presented blameless before God the Father. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 & 21 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new…. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Jude 1:24–25 “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour….”

Psalm 1:6 For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

What a blessing to know that the Lord is aware of and walking with the righteous man, the one trying to live according to His will as revealed in His word.  The ungodly man is left to walk alone, without the fellowship of God, and will eventually perish. 

John 3:16–18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

2 Thessalonians 1:7–9 “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;”

I pray that if you haven’t already, you will choose Jesus as your Lord and Savior.  Time is running out!