I'm sitting here after church at a local Burger King restaurant, a place my family visits every other week after church mostly because our kids enjoy the playground. I'd much rather be at Applebee’s or Friday's right about now, but it will be "our" turn (the adults) next week.
While the kids are wondering around playing and having fun, I'm reviewing my church notes and even rearranging them a bit considering this entry, because today's message is something near and dear to my heart. The title of the message is the same as the title of this entry, "Thy Kingdom Come...” After looking at the length of this, I’m going to post in four to five consecutive entries over the next few days. So, please stay tuned!
The message today started off and is based mostly on scripture that I shared with a friend this week. He would say it's coincidental. I would say it's God's confirming Word, and I still believe that. Unfortunately, I have too many collisions with coincidences like this to call them accidental. The probability of the frequency of something like this happening alone would be rare, but with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26) and I celebrate His attention to us and I celebrate His words!
This is also one of those times where God has taken something He's put on my heart to share with someone, and has turned it around, given it back with me, and taught me a little something to. I love it when He does that! :O)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
For those of you that have a Bible handy, it may be a good idea to pick it up, back up and read some of the text around this verse, because it’s important to understand when Jesus said “all these things” exactly what it is that he is talking about. In general, he is referring to many things in life that we may pursue (food, money, clothing, love, etc…), and pursuing these things isn’t necessarily wrong. In fact, we should pursue them. The point is that the focal point of all our pursuits should be through “his kingdom and his righteousness”.
I. Kingdom Points:
There are a couple important and obvious things to note about every kingdom that has ever existed:
1. Every Kingdom has a King
2. Every King only has jurisdiction over his Kingdom.
Now these may seem obvious, and I’m sure we are all aware of the King of England, the rulers of other nations, rulers of the past, as well as, the leaders of our own countries...all having jurisdiction to rule over the peoples living in those lands at the time of their reign. But consider what God’s Word has to say about the jurisdiction of Jesus:
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16 (NIV)
I once had a guy say to me that he was going to “rule” me. Being the independent, strong willed girl I am, I jokingly scoffed and laughed at the thought, “No one is going to rule or Lord over me! HA!” But he immediately afterward said something incredibly profound… “Yes, I am. I am going to rule in your heart. When you look at me, your heart will melt, and you will just want to please me because of the love that reigns in your heart for me.” (Maybe not an exact quote but the gist of what he said.)
WOW! All I know was the thought of what he meant by that statement silenced me. This person understood something most of us will barely ever get, but when it comes to serving God, this is exactly it! He rules in our hearts because we love Him, we want to please Him, and want to follow His ways. More importantly we understand that His ways our in our best interest and not necessarily His.
But even with all of this said, what I find most people struggle with is what it really means to “be in his Kingdom”. Just what is pleasing to God? Just what is His Righteousness? And how do I walk in it?
These are all good questions, things that are important to explore in His Word, as well as, to pray and ask God about. Romans 12:1 says that we are no longer conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Only then will we be able to test and approve what God's will is: his good, pleasing and perfect will. Follow that with this scripture and we know one of the primary tools available to us for renewing our minds is the Bible:
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Tomorrow we will dive into an explore a few kingdom commands, but after all this let’s end with a prayer and a few questions to consider. Feel free to post response or to share anything that’s on your heart.
Prayer:
One thing you will learn about me quickly is that I like to pray God’s Word, and I do this for a couple of reasons: 1. I want to know that I am praying God’s will for you, and His Word is His will written and black and white for all of us to understand. 2. The Bible says His Word will not come back void (Isaiah 55:11) and I really believe that with all my heart, and I stand on the promises written there. I also believe God’s Word holds tremendous authority and power. Do you believe it? If so, then let’s pray…
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word. Those words you have written down for us to plainly see and for those words you speak directly into our hearts. Father, we thank You for confirming Your Word and for revealing your kingdom, and your righteousness to us.
Father, help us to understand your words, burn them on our hearts and let them reign and rule there forever. Help us to no longer conform to the pattern of this World but to conform only to your ways, your good perfect and pleasing ways.
Teach us Lord, how to do this through your Word. Breathe Life into your words before our eyes. Open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, and our hearts to understand. May we store up your words that we will be able to stand through the storms of life, knowing you are with us always and a working every detail out for our good and for your glory. Through good times and bad…You are there…Help us abide only in you.
Thank You Lord for the power of your words! We believe in you! In Jesus Name, Amen!
Questions to Consider:
=What Jurisdiction has Christ been given?
=Who does this make Him?
=What are some other tools God has provided us for the “renewing of our minds”?
Things to Ponder:
=What are some things you are pursuing?
=What does walking in His kingdom mean to you?
=What are some of the things the Lord has taught you?
=Do you still stand on the things he has taught you?
=Who is the ruler of your heart today?
I'm sitting here after church at a local Burger King restaurant, a place my family visits every other week after church mostly because our kids enjoy the playground. I'd much rather be at Applebee’s or Friday's right about now, but it will be "our" turn (the adults) next week.
While the kids are wondering around playing and having fun, I'm reviewing my church notes and even rearranging them a bit considering this entry, because today's message is something near and dear to my heart. The title of the message is the same as the title of this entry, "Thy Kingdom Come...” After looking at the length of this, I’m going to post in four to five consecutive entries over the next few days. So, please stay tuned!
The message today started off and is based mostly on scripture that I shared with a friend this week. He would say it's coincidental. I would say it's God's confirming Word, and I still believe that. Unfortunately, I have too many collisions with coincidences like this to call them accidental. The probability of the frequency of something like this happening alone would be rare, but with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26) and I celebrate His attention to us and I celebrate His words!
This is also one of those times where God has taken something He's put on my heart to share with someone, and has turned it around, given it back with me, and taught me a little something to. I love it when He does that! :O)
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
For those of you that have a Bible handy, it may be a good idea to pick it up, back up and read some of the text around this verse, because it’s important to understand when Jesus said “all these things” exactly what it is that he is talking about. In general, he is referring to many things in life that we may pursue (food, money, clothing, love, etc…), and pursuing these things isn’t necessarily wrong. In fact, we should pursue them. The point is that the focal point of all our pursuits should be through “his kingdom and his righteousness”.
I. Kingdom Points:
There are a couple important and obvious things to note about every kingdom that has ever existed:
1. Every Kingdom has a King
2. Every King only has jurisdiction over his Kingdom.
Now these may seem obvious, and I’m sure we are all aware of the King of England, the rulers of other nations, rulers of the past, as well as, the leaders of our own countries...all having jurisdiction to rule over the peoples living in those lands at the time of their reign. But consider what God’s Word has to say about the jurisdiction of Jesus:
On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:16 (NIV)
I once had a guy say to me that he was going to “rule” me. Being the independent, strong willed girl I am, I jokingly scoffed and laughed at the thought, “No one is going to rule or Lord over me! HA!” But he immediately afterward said something incredibly profound… “Yes, I am. I am going to rule in your heart. When you look at me, your heart will melt, and you will just want to please me because of the love that reigns in your heart for me.” (Maybe not an exact quote but the gist of what he said.)
WOW! All I know was the thought of what he meant by that statement silenced me. This person understood something most of us will barely ever get, but when it comes to serving God, this is exactly it! He rules in our hearts because we love Him, we want to please Him, and want to follow His ways. More importantly we understand that His ways our in our best interest and not necessarily His.
But even with all of this said, what I find most people struggle with is what it really means to “be in his Kingdom”. Just what is pleasing to God? Just what is His Righteousness? And how do I walk in it?
These are all good questions, things that are important to explore in His Word, as well as, to pray and ask God about. Romans 12:1 says that we are no longer conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Only then will we be able to test and approve what God's will is: his good, pleasing and perfect will. Follow that with this scripture and we know one of the primary tools available to us for renewing our minds is the Bible:
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
Tomorrow we will dive into an explore a few kingdom commands, but after all this let’s end with a prayer and a few questions to consider. Feel free to post response or to share anything that’s on your heart.
Prayer:
One thing you will learn about me quickly is that I like to pray God’s Word, and I do this for a couple of reasons: 1. I want to know that I am praying God’s will for you, and His Word is His will written and black and white for all of us to understand. 2. The Bible says His Word will not come back void (Isaiah 55:11) and I really believe that with all my heart, and I stand on the promises written there. I also believe God’s Word holds tremendous authority and power. Do you believe it? If so, then let’s pray…
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word. Those words you have written down for us to plainly see and for those words you speak directly into our hearts. Father, we thank You for confirming Your Word and for revealing your kingdom, and your righteousness to us.
Father, help us to understand your words, burn them on our hearts and let them reign and rule there forever. Help us to no longer conform to the pattern of this World but to conform only to your ways, your good perfect and pleasing ways.
Teach us Lord, how to do this through your Word. Breathe Life into your words before our eyes. Open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, and our hearts to understand. May we store up your words that we will be able to stand through the storms of life, knowing you are with us always and a working every detail out for our good and for your glory. Through good times and bad…You are there…Help us abide only in you.
Thank You Lord for the power of your words! We believe in you! In Jesus Name, Amen!
Questions to Consider:
=What Jurisdiction has Christ been given?
=Who does this make Him?
=What are some other tools God has provided us for the “renewing of our minds”?
Things to Ponder:
=What are some things you are pursuing?
=What does walking in His kingdom mean to you?
=What are some of the things the Lord has taught you?
=Do you still stand on the things he has taught you?
"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD…
Isaiah 1:18
This is a follow-up post to a poll quest I posted on this subject at: http://www.jcfaith.com/poll/result/3031/. The following is my response to this question and questions like these. Here are some other flavors of this question:
Can god make a rock so big He can't lift it?
Can god make a mountain he can't climb?
Can god build a ladder he can’t climb?
Can god make the longest pole of which he can’t see the end?
Can god destroy himself?
Fortunately, for me the answer to all of these is the same and for the same reason. So, once you’ve asked the first question, it’s pointless to ask the rest of them because my response is the same to all of them: NO! NO! NO! NO! NO!, and by the way… NO! :O)
These types of inquiries are designed to attempt to call into question the “Omnipotence” of God. However, the questions themselves are really a contradiction and are illogical. What these questions ask isn’t possible. But why?
First, let’s look at an unbiased straight forward definition of “Omnipotent” just to make sure we are all grounded on the meaning of the term:
Almighty or infinite in power, as God.
Having very great or unlimited authority or power
An omnipotent being
Now to add my opinion around why I think this question is irrational and a contradiction in itself. I’ll attempt to do this by asking another question:
How can something all powerful “not” be able to do anything?
If an all powerful being can’t do something then that being isn’t all powerful. My position here is that an all powerful being can do anything and is only constrained by “can’t”. Meaning, “can’t” is the only thing an all powerful being “can’t” do. WOW! I just realized that that is a double negative. Does that mean “Can’t” X “Can’t” = Can? LOL…I’m not sure math applies here… I’m just horsing around.
Seriously, interjecting “can’t” in the middle of all powerful creates a conflict and contradiction against the very nature of being all powerful. It just isn’t possible.
As Christians we shouldn’t be afraid of saying God can’t do things that contradict His very nature. There are a lot of things God can’t do:
Sin
Lie
Deny Himself
Just to name a few. The following excerpt is from http://letusreason.com/, which has a list of 8 things God can’t do with some brief explanations around why. This excerpt here specifically covers the God/Rock question:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
2. Can God make a rock so big that even he can’t lift it?
If he can’t lift it then he is not all powerful. Then the rock has become more powerful than God and whatever is more powerful than God is God. God has infinite qualities not finite; God can only do things that are possible he can’t make square circles or a two sided triangle. It is asking God to bring about a logically contradictory state to his own nature.
This is what is called a category mistake to say he can make something he can’t lift. It’s like asking:
A bachelor what his wife’s name is? [What??? A bachelor doesn’t have a wife!]
What does the color yellow taste like? Color doesn’t taste.
It’s not possible for God to make a rock so big that even he can’t lift it. If he can make it he can lift it. If he can create it, he can destroy it. It does not show that God has a limit to his power which means he does not possess infinite power. This means whatever he created is under his jurisdiction under his control, it can never have equality.
"Whatever implies being and nonbeing simultaneously is incompatible with the absolute possibility which falls under divine omnipotence. Such a contradiction is not subject to it, not from any impotence in God, but because it simply does not have the nature of being feasible or possible. Whatever, then, does not involve a contradiction is in the realm of the possible with respect to which God is omnipotent. Whatever involves a contradiction is not within the scope of omnipotence because it cannot qualify for possibility. Better, however, to say that it cannot be done, rather than God cannot do it." (T. Aquinas Summa Theologica p. 163-164 , Volume I, ques. 15 ans. 3)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s important to note, that the Bible supports this position clearly and plainly. Consider this scripture from the book of Timothy:
II Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself.
Don’t be afraid to use the word God and can’t together in a sentence. The fact that God is constrained by not being able to do “can’t” makes him all powerful and does not contradict His nature. Thanks for listening!
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
Hebrews 13:2
The Inspiration:
Yesterday, I was over paying a visit to LadyGator’s blog on a recommendationby her husband, Gator. These two are a fun loving couple that love the Lord and it shows through and through. Best of all, LadyGator, is a sister “Hat Lover” and it can’t get any better than that! LOL!
While Reading it though, LadyGator, made a comical statement towards the end that her “visitor” may have been an angel unaware. That statement reminded me of this really strange thing I had happen to me in the year when I was first saved. So, I wanted to share this simple story with all of you.
Backdrop:
After I graduated from high school, I lived in the Ft. Myers, Fl area for about four years. It’s a long painful story around how I came to be there, but the good news is this is where I found Jesus and where He changed my life forever. Just before I was saved, I had broken away from a very bad relationship, and was living on my own in my first ever apartment on my own, but making ends meet was a challenge.
Once saved, the Lord began to fill my life with a whole host of Christian friends who were able to keep me on track with my Christian walk. Along the way I met two girls who were roommates that became really good friends. Eventually, one of the roommates had decided to move to Guatemala to become a full time missionary. Rebecca approached me and asked if I would move in and share expenses. Of course I jumped at the chance to save money, have a great/better place to live, and be in the constant company of Christian fellowship. What could be better than that combination!
The strange thing is that no matter what,I couldn’t find any boxes to use for the move. Almost everyday I would make the rounds to the local groceries stores looking for boxes to no avail, and I really couldn’t afford to buy any. It was so frustrating. So, I began to pray for boxes and asked my friends to do the same.
Entertaining Angels?
I was working at Barnett Bank as a teller at the time. It wasn’t unusual for delivery folks to come in and out throughout the week to ask us to sign for a packages or shipments for the branch. Marnie the head teller, was usually the one to sign for them but this particular day a delivery man walked in and specifically got in my line about 2 or 3 customers back. I really didn’t think anything of it though. When his turn came, he just stepped up to the counter, told me he had a delivery, handed me his clip board with an invoice to sign, which I did. He smiled at me and walked out. It all seemed rather ordinary to me.
From there, he began to use a dolly to bring in several boxes at a time. They were all lined up against the wall. One of the larger shipments I had ever seen for our little South Ft. Myers Branch. Maybe 18 or so good sized boxes. I really had no idea what it could be, but didn’t worry much about it either. He left and never said a word.
It wasn’t my responsibility to go through the boxes so I just left them sitting there for Marnie to take care of when she got back.
Later, when she returned, she started going through the shipment and I could hear her slicing open the boxes from my station.Finally, she walked over to me with a puzzled look on her face and said, “I’m really confused. You know all those boxes that came in that delivery are empty?”And there were...every sing one of them. She collapsed them all and put them in the break room not sure what to make of it. I finally asked if she would mind if I could have them for my move. She said, no, and I took them home and those are the boxes I used to move, and they were just enough to get the job done.
I’ve always wondered if that delivery man was actually an angel and I was unaware. I have no idea who he was and never saw him again. All I know is he delivered exactly what I prayed for.
Consider this:
Some of you may wonder, with all the things happening in the world, why would God do such a thing for someone? I have a couple of responses.
First of all, as a young believer, I had many unusual things happen to me that just simply caused me to believe and “settled” things for me, because without God there is just no other explanation. This was one of them. I believe He was teaching me that He is real, He does hear, and that all I really need to do is to Trust and Obey Him.
Secondly, He is a really big God and cares about our every need from the largest to the smallest, from the simplest to the most complex, from those things that bring of joy to those things that cause us grief. He’s big enough and capable for all of it, we just have to believe, trust and embrace that. I learned even the simple and small things are just as important as the big obstacles and the painful challenges we go through. He delights in us as His children in everyway.
So, I’m curious, has anyone else out there ever had an experience where they believe they may have been entertaining angels?
Matthew 6:25-34
Do Not Worry
25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]?
28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own
This video is a snippet from a musical my son's school put on this month. You won't be able to miss Jordan. He's the most out of sync of all the kids. :O).
Some folks reading this may be familiar with the term "autism" or may know a child or adult with autism. Those of you closely acquainted with anyone on the autism spectrum may also be familiar with terms like "Obsessive Compulsive Disorder", "Receptive/Expressive Language Disorder", and "Sensory Processing Disorder" among others; because the truth is people with autism often come with multiple diagnoses.
My son, Jordan, is no different. He’s diagnosed with all four. This is partly why he is having trouble focusing and is unable to stay in tune with the other kids in this video, and there is no doubt he is so over stimulated by all the sensory information bombarding him that regulating himself is nearly impossible.
So, the title of this blog is really a play on words. Jordan is "out of sync" literally in this video, but the truth is he is out of sync everyday in more ways than one.
"The Out-of-SyncChild" is a book by Carol Stock Kranowitz and Lucy Jane Miller ( http://www.out-of-sync-child.com/default.htm ), which specifically focuses in on the symptoms of Sensory Processing Disorder, the various manifestations of it, and ways to help a person with disorder cope, survive, and in some ways overcome its symptoms. There are many flavors of sensory processing disorder and you can read more about them here: http://www.sinetwork.org/aboutspd/whatisspd.html.
Specifically what you are witnessing in this video when watching my son is:
Motor Skills Problems
Other children with SPD have trouble processing sensory information properly, resulting in problems with planning and carrying out new actions. They have particular difficulty with forming a goal or idea or developing new motor skills. These children often are clumsy, awkward, and accident prone.
These children may have:
·Very poor fine motor skills, such as handwriting
·Very poor gross motor skills, such as kicking, catching, or throwing a ball
·Difficulty imitating movements, such as when playing "Simon Says"
·Trouble with balance, sequences of movements, and bilateral coordination
·A preference for familiar activities or play, such as lining up toys
·A preference for sedentary activities, such as watching TV, reading a book, or playing video games
These children may get frustrated easily and may seem manipulative and controlling. Some may try to compensate with an over-reliance on language and may prefer fantasy games to real life. They also may try to mask their motor planning problems by acting like a "class clown" or avoiding new group activities. • This is Jordan!
Regardless of the challenges I know he is having, I love watching this video of him because he is so happy and is doing the best he can and I couldn’t be more proud of him. Ultimately, he IS a cute (yes, I am biased!: O), and fun loving kid!
Imagine, you just passed away and suddenly you find yourself in a room full of people waiting your turn to stand in front of the three judges of "Heavenly Idol" ready to perform the song you have practiced your entire life to sing.
Suddenly, it's time...contestant number 57, 633, 232, 131 has been called to the stage. There you find yourself in front of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit, all waiting to judge your performance, to weigh the fruits of your lifetime of hard work. The third judge, The Holy Spirit, asks with an almost certain English accent why you should be the next Heavenly Idol... You spout off about how hard you have worked, all the good things you have done with your life, and why you deserve to be the next "Heavenly Idol".
Wanting to encourage you to give the best performance you’ve got, God the Father states,”OK, Dog, let's see what you got". Certain you've played the right song and done all the right things in your life, you begin to sing the song of your heart... You are sure you’ve nailed it; you’ve picked the right tune. The one that will showcase the best of who you are, and with everything you’ve got you begin to sing a familiar tune, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way”…
And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I'll say it clear,
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.
I've lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and ev'ry highway;
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Regrets, I've had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
I've loved, I've laughed and cried.
I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.
To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
"No, oh no not me,
I did it my way".
For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!
As you belt at the last line, you are sure your performance was solid. Your confidence is rising and you are certain you are a shoe in for the next round, you are beaming with excitement, but then reality begins hits you as the judges chime in…
God the Father looks at you with disappointment on his face: “Yo, Dog, that’s just the wrong song choice.I’m sorry, dog, but that just didn’t cut it.
Jesus with compassion and sadness in His eyes states,“I’m sorry, it’s just not quite what we are looking for.”
God the Holy Spirit with absolute directness cuts to the heart of the matter and tells you the truth: “Not only is that the wrong song choice, but out of the millions of people we have seen today that quite possibly is the farthest from the mark so far.”
From there you are directed to leave through the “other door” without a golden ticket to Heavenly Idol.As you exit extreme disappointment and restlessness sets in as you realize you have forever been separated from the one you want to be closest too, the giver of life, peace, and joy...you wonder what you did wrong, why you weren’t selected… And it was simply because you never accepted Him and lived your entire life denying Him.
While in some ways this is a silly parody loosely based on a message preached this past Sunday morning at church titled “I Did It God’s Way”, it’s intent is to to get you to think. What song is your heart singing today? Are you doing it your way or are you doing it “His” way? That is the question…. What is your heart’s cry today? Are you leaning on His higher ways?
My prayer for all of you is that you will know the One that died for you and that you will allow your soul to rest in His higher ways.
Don't go through life singing the wrong song. If you do not know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and would like to talk about it, please message me privately.
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
II Chronicles 7:14
Restoration is such a good and timely message for so many of us in so many different ways, and I really see the following as a very practical way to seek God’s restoration in our lives all based on the scripture above.
If you look at this verse in II Chronicles, it’s like a mini but mighty formula for seeking restoration in our lives, and it is obvious here that He is speaking to “His people” (that’s us) when it comes to restoration (healing their land). In this scripture we are asked to do three things when seeking restoration and in return God promises three things:
&nb sp; &nb sp; God instructs us to:
&nb sp; &nb sp; 1.Humbly pray
&nb sp; &nb sp; 2.Seek His Face
&nb sp; &nb sp; 3.Turn from our sins (wicked ways)
&nb sp; &nb sp; In Return He will:
&nb sp; &nb sp; 1.Hear our prayer
&nb sp; &nb sp; 2.Forgive our sin
&nb sp; &nb sp; 3.Heal our land (bring restoration)
This seems so simple, but for many of us it’s a real struggle to do. Many of us as Christians might think, I’m not wicked. I don’t murder, drink, lie or steal (well, some of us might, but that’s a different story), but our wickedness can take root in the form of malice, bitterness, anger, hate, etc. Maybe not as visible, but these can be equally destructive if allowed to take root in our lives. The Bible clearly instructs us to rid ourselves of these types of behaviors (see I Peter 2:1 and Colossians 3:9). Colossians 3:12 goes on to say that instead of these we should walk in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness all wrapped in love.
For many of us our bitterness, anger, or hate can be wrapped in a “Yeah, but”…You know what I mean, “Yeah, but so in so did blah blah” or “Yeah, but [whatever] happened” as a justification as to why we act or behave the way we do. We need to recognize that this is an act of holding onto these things and not letting go. And if we hold on then it will hinder God’s work in our lives. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to cast away EVERYTHING that hinders. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells up to cast down every thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God (my paraphrase).
We have to start to realize that we are ultimately accountable for our own attitude and the actions we take in every situation. “So in so” or “whatever” event is not. We choose, we decide what path or direction to take. Which path will you take? The road of anger, rage, bitterness, malice, unforgiveness? Or will you choose to walk with compassion, humility, kindness, forgiveness, and love? Ultimately it’s the decision rest in our hands…
So, to all the “Yeah, but” comments out there start to say “Yeah, but God!” Find a promise in his Word and stand on it everyday until you see breakthrough. Dare to believe God’s word and everything He has in store for you! You can start with this if you have nothing else to begin with…
“Father, All these things, events, [whatever] has happened to me and as a result I say, “Yeah, but God”, your word says that if I humble myself and pray, seek your face, and turn from my wicked ways, that You will heal MY land.
God, here I am, I’m humbling myself, I’m praying, I’m seeking your face, God give me strength to turn form my wicked ways. Father, I give you my unforgiveness, my hate, my malice, for I know your son took all my sins on the cross. Father, replace them with your loving kindness, your compassion, your grace and mercy. Father, step in heal my heart and restore my land! Father, I acknowledge you, I acknowledge Your words as true, and I stand on your Word and Your promise until you return it to me fully accomplished! I love you, Lord. Amen."
I'm not sure if folks have read my profile enough or not to notice that one of my interest is "creation" science. Yes, I believe this great big world we live in and everything in it was created by God, and I love science! Fortunately, the two fit well together! Think about it..."intelligent design" compared to "macro/micro evolution"? What an interesting subject to explore! Well, I guess it is if you love science!!!
Consider this...If Adam and Eve were formed from the dust of the earth by God's own hand and were not born, then it is very reasonable to assume that they did not have an umbilical cord to nourish them during development like you and I.
Since the detachment of the umbilical cord post birth is what causes each of us to have a belly button, then is it plausible that Adam and Eve did not have one? It's my speculation that they did not.
I can just see their grandkids running up to them asking, "Grandpa, do really not have a belly button?" "Can I see?"
Can you picture Grandpa Adam comparing his belly to his grandson's and smiling at the testimony and visible sign of God's creation that He visibly displayed on his stomach? I can... :O)
So, in the spirit of fun....considering a creation point of view... what do you think? Did Adam and Eve have a belly button?
These are important questions to answer and I have to know! LOL!
Seriously, when I get to heaven I'm going to ask God directly, but for now, I'll settle for your comments!
Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.-- Matthew 17:27
Dare to believe, and then dare to speak, for you will have whatever you say if you do not doubt.-- Smith Wigglesworth
"Peter had been in the fishing business all his life, but he had never before caught a fish with silver in its mouth. However, the Master does not want us to reason things out, for carnal reasoning will always land us in a bog of unbelief. He wants us simply to obey. "The is a hard job," Peter must have said as he put the bait on his hook, "but since You told me to do it, I'll try." And he cast his line into the sea. There wire millions of fish in the sea, but every fish had to stand aside and leave that bait alone and let the fish with the piece of money in its mouth come up and take the bait.
Do you not see that the words of the Master are the instruction of faith? It's impossible for anything that Jesus says to miss. All His words are spirit and life (John 6:63). If you will only have faith in Him, you will find that every word that God gives is life. You cannot be in close contact with Him and receive His Word in simple faith without feeling the effect of it in your body, as well as, in your spirit and soul.
…All lack of faith is due to not feeding on God's Word. You need it every day. How can you enter into a life of faith? Feed on the living Christ of whom this Word is full. As you are taken up with the glorious fact and the wondrous presence of the living Christ, the faith of God will spring up within you. "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Rom. 10:17)
"He who believes in Me" (John 14:12) -- the essence of divine life is in us by faith. To the one who believes, it will come to pass. We become supernatural by the power of God. If you believe, the power of the Enemy cannot stand, for God's Word is against him. Jesus gives us His Word to make faith effective. If you can believe in your heart, you begin to speak whatever you desire, and whatever you dare to say is done. You will have whatever you say after you believe in your heart. (See Mark 11:23-24)
Smith Wigglesworth
My two cents (for what it is worth):
This is a good word…learn to activate your faith…faith is dead without a response, an action, a step… (see James 2:14 - 18)
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." -- Matthew 17:20
If you look at this verse and consider it then it becomes obvious that there is an 'action' that has to occur to bring faith alive. You can have faith to believe the mountain will move but if you do not command it to do so, speak it out, “act” on the belief, then your faith is dead and you will not see the result or benefit…the mountain will not move. This is the kind of "work" referred to in James 2:14-18. Activate your faith today…do something…do anything but don't live a life of dead, inactive, useless faith… The biggest "killer" of faith…our own fear.
3)For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4)The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5)We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 6)And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.
I've been dealing with a significant trial for about a year now that feels like it's become a giant mocking me. When did the Devil attack? Subtly in my weakness, when I really wasn’t looking! I've had to learn some tough lessons along the way that have ultimately strengthened my faith and drawn me closer to God. Although, I really wish I wasn’t learning the hard way, but sometimes it’s out of our difficulties where God is able to strengthen and refine us if we will let Him (See James Chapter 1).
God showed me through much prayer and fasting where my battle began, and even what I personally did to open the door that allowed it all to begin. It was a very small, seemingly insignificant event; I even know the night it happened. I opened a door to the devil that day, and all it took was just one time taking hold of one single thought that exalted itself against the Word of God.
It has created and stirred a conflict within me, a raging war that has since turned into a deeply spiritual battle that continues to be a constant struggle. Even today God has shown me that He really won't be mocked (Thanks, Niecy!), and all I really need is a "sling and stone" to defeat the enemy. A sling and stone? That’s it? What a simple tool God chose to give David to defeat a giant! A giant no one else would dare to face. How much more simple is it to simply dare to believe and use the Word of God as our weapon against the attacks of the enemy!
How do we know when something is exalting itself against the knowledge of God? By knowing His Word....it should be our filter through which we process every thought that comes to our mind. If that thought is against God's Word then it's straight from the pits of Hell and we should not act on it. Because if we act on it, embrace it, continue to entertain it, then we take hold of it instead of casting it down, and taking hold of it is where strongholds begin to take root in our lives. The devil wants to sneak in and subtly steal from us, weaken us, keep us from our calling when we aren't looking. We are the one’s he [the devil] is ultimately after so he can render us useless in our service to Christ Jesus.
Giants like David's Goliath, sneak into all of our lives in many different ways. Through trials, temptations, etc. Some we bring on ourselves, some are out of our control. We need to be ready, fully equipped, prepared for battle when these times come. We need to begin to fully understand all the weapons of warfare God has provided us. We need to understand how to effectively use them. Most of all, we cannot be afraid to use them.
Do you want to take your “giants” with you into the New Year? It’s time to take a firm stand against our “giants”, slay them with the truth of God’s Word, casting away every thing that hinders so that we can focus on moving forward with Christ, the author and perfecter of our faith (my paraphrase of Hebrews 12:1-2).
So the question remains….will you stand up and fight? God has placed a sling and a stone in our hands (the truth of his word)? Do you know how to use it? Are you ready to use it? Stand up! Pick up your weapon, and fight!
