Few minutes free. Musing on.. "Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation." 2 Cor. 5:18-19
We who have been reconsonsiled (forgiven, regenerated inside).. do minster and win people (yes, their souls not over to us, but to the Lord) with the Word of God (not merely using our own fickle opinions and words).. for there's no winning people or any spiritual growth for any..apart from the living Word. www.Facebook.com/shareJesus
“For some reason God will no longer respond in the affirmative to my prayers” — but that’s a lie from the pit, Buckeroo!
Ever felt kind of discouraged and then grown even more discouraged inside.. because you’ve prayed about the same thing over and over again? I have before and have to fight discouragement.
I want to say to online and off-line Christian missionaries.. Pray the word to fight it off.
Get the doubt out. Simply, fervently, specifically.. pray believing! Bro, sis, keep on goin'.
Listen, if you’re not careful that discouragement can get you believing the lie that God will no longer come through for you.
He said He’d meet all your needs, that He’d never leave you or forsake you. Prayerfully repeat those verses that say so. Remind yourself — fight off all discouragement and build up your faith.
Tough stuff happens to discourage.. both decent and bad people down here. You’ve seen it happen.
Keep on praying to the Father in the Name of the Son. Press in and keep on asking. And if none are there to encourage you about your walk and prayer-life, then please encourage yourself in this. Remember how King David used to encourage himself in the Lord when he was feeling down?
“And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Sam. 30:5–6 nkjv
“…all of them were embittered, each man for his sons and daughters. But David felt strengthened and encouraged in the Lord his God.” amp
Have you ever prayed wholeheartedly for someone, for something ..that you believed was the will of God, and then seen nothing happen. You asked, but received nothing in response but what seemed like an apparent icy silence from heaven?
Perhaps you were praying for the salvation of a sibling, or a son or daughter. Maybe you prayed asking God to send a real revival in your church accompanied by a biblical awakening in your community. Have you prayed for your state and nation like that saying let me somehow be involved in that.. and yet you’re still waiting on the Lord.
I encourage you to throw off the lies of the enemy and praise the Lord that He did hear you. Ask and keep on asking. We don’t hear about persistence in prayer and intercession as much as we need to these days — this is so important!
Am musing on Matthew 15, where a mother refused to give up. She wouldn’t quit, but she kept on asking Jesus to simply heal her daughter.
It is a story that encourages mothers..even Gentile moms. Go reread the story. These words give hope to us concerned parents! Jesus is so uplifting for all mothers who care about the well-being of their children. He always has been that way.
This inspired story serves as a reminder to us that often times apparent barriers are really just bridges into new realms of victory and joy.
Did Christ at first put this woman off? Did he flatout rebuff her request? I would appear that way.
Perhaps the King of all kings and his team just didn’t surplus time for this non-Jewish lady in need?..NOPE, NOT AT ALL THE CASE!
Jesus really loved her gobs.. like He does you! Check it out…
“And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’ But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’ But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’”Matt. 15:22–25
So what was going on here? Jesus was not trying to extinguish her level of faith. He was basically trying to kindle that spark in her. He was going to stoke the flame bigger inside of her. Yep, Christ sought to develop her faith even more.
Jesus never tries to make a person’s life harder — that’s not scripturally accurate according to His kind nature.. nor does He look to make their specific situation super challenging to bear. Won't give you more than you can handle, beloved child of God! He leads and feeds like a gentle Shepherd. He’s never been that way wanting to make life more difficult for you.
Christ was trying to draw her our and her faith out. He as God knows the future — he knew she would overcome all barriers between her and a real breakthrough that was needed.
God saw her faith and He really longed to bless and commend her for that.
Who was this woman? This was a Canaanite gal of the Syro-Phoenician race. Coming from this background meant she’d basically lived as a worshiper of pagan deities. Listen, if a person lives like that there’s a good chance you’ll get disillusioned with those fake gods. She probably did too.
Here she came seeking Jesus to find out more. She was seeking the one Living God.
I like how she wasn’t demanding anything from God with some attitude of entitlement. No, she was actually crying to Him for mercy and grace.
Think about it. Decent mothers are supposed to care about and involve themselves in the wellbeing of their own kids. And her daughter really needed her to act as an advocate for her at that time.
What would you do if Jesus was passing through the neighborhood and your kid had somehow come under the power of real demon spirits?
Could it be that the daughter’s pagan mother’s involvement in all that previous spiritual weirdness… had majorly ill affected her?
I’ve personally been invited over to visit homes in North Texas where I’ve seen many little idols and cultic books on shelves. The parents were sincerely asking me to come over for prayer, saying they wanted the demons kicked out of their home. Kind of a different request, but they’d been experiencing strange things in the night. I gently witnessed, led em to Jesus, prayed for them, and then real practical .. told em to get rid of all that worthless junk.
May I ask? How has your life influenced those under your roof. How has your habits and history influenced your own children?
Do you ever watch Cops? It’s one of my wife’s favorite shows. They always ask about pass arrests cuz they know.. past behavior can be a good predictor of future behavior.
Oftentimes crimes and sins in our society can be passed from generation to generation due to the influence of loved ones. Doesn’t have to end up like that. God can break the cycle — yes, easily He can break that lame cycle of sin.
This mother was casting herself on Christ’s mercy and Jesus wasn’t really heartless at all. He was very caring instead of uncaring — He still is that way.
Sure Jesus tested her faith by setting up a series of barriers. Sometimes the hardest response to accept is “no” response from the Lord. Was that what she would have to live with?
“But He answered and said, ‘It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’ And she said, ‘Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.’ Then Jesus answered and said to her, ‘O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” Mat 15:26–28
It is so tough when we don’t hear a “YES” from God. It can seem brutal when God does not give us a “yes indeed” my son or daughter. You know that in love He answers every prayer with a “yes” or a “no,” or a “wait”.
Christ has compassion for you and your family. Yes, you. He has compassion on the multitudes and still works miracles to bless people.
Keep on praying, keep on asking, keep on seeking the Lord. Don’t get weary in well-doing today. Don’t let your discouragement lead you on into believing the lie of the devil that says: God no longer cares about you at all cuz you’ve been too bad and therefore He won’t even respond to any of your prayers from here on out.
Is God concerned about me and my family? Yup! Has He forsaken or forgotten about me or them? NOPE!
Jesus was trying to draw this woman out — it was no brush-off.
Please continue to be persistent, and not let go of Jesus.
When the door was shut in this mother’s face, she just kept knocking on it. This woman would not allow herself to become discouraged.
What kind of faith do we need? This kind that the woman expressed for her daughter’s sake.
When we are praying for something Never give up on Jesus cuz He will never give up on you. He will finish what He has begun in you.
Maybe you, like this woman, know what it’s like to have a child who is under the devil’s influence. He or she has rejected your influence, at least for now. Don’t give up, and don’t feel like God has abandoned you or failed you. Keep praying. Your children can escape your presence, but they cannot escape your prayers. Make it your aim to find out the will of God (which will always agree with the written Word of God) and then earnestly pray accordingly. Don't give up. Just get in the will of God--that's where the blessing is and worship Him. Then help others get in the will of God for them.
Never forget, prayer is not getting your will done in heaven. It is getting God’s will done on earth.
What do you really want today? Salvation for your parent, your wife, or your son? Keep on asking. Never interpret a delay from God and His indifference towards you. Choose to get down on your knees again and express some honest persistent faith.. in Jesus’ Name. Facebook.com/shareJesus
Choose to bear all things together with Jesus today (who also suffered, and is good at comforting people like you and me by His Spirit) through those troubles and trials.
Believers have trials that work together for good for them as they seek the Lord. Unbelievers have troubles that work against them as they look to themselves or mere mortals.
Think it not strange. When we suffer as believers in the will of God, and we indeed will, God wants us to suffer well.
There will be times of suffering (You know how some false teachers even within some so called churches.. will tell you it’s due to a lack of faith on your part).
Some believers don’t suffer well — they grumble, murmur, grip and complain too much. I mean not in honest prayer to God about a need or challenge to overcome. Sadly, I’ve been there before. The Bible says…
“And they said, ‘Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How is it then that He says, ‘I have come down from heaven’? Jesus therefore answered and said to them, ‘Do not murmur among yourselves.’” Jn. 6:42–43
But listen, there’s still some stuff to be thankful for and praise God even in the trial. What if when we suffered, we were more concerned about glorifying God than about our own personal relief?
Prayerlessly griping, murmuring, grumbling and complaining can be dangerous. Remember how some Israelites got stressed out and were killed because of it.
It deteriorates your faith and vertical gratitude.
It gives Satan an opportunity to sneak in. It opens us up to his many lies.
It presents a poor testimony to the world, believer.
What does the Bible say on this?
1. Philippians 2:13–15 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.
2. James 5:9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
3. 1 Peter 4:8–10 Above all, love each other warmly, because love covers many sins. Welcome each other as guests without complaining. Each of you as a good manager must use the gift that God has given you to serve others.
Resist the enemy and reject all wickedness.
4. Jude 1:16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.
5. 1 Corinthians 10:9–1 Nor should we put Christ to the test, as some of them did and then died from snakebites. And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.
Choose to be content and give praise in all circumstances ..even if you can’t for all circumstances.
6. Hebrews 13:5–6 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”
7. Philippians 4:11–13 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Rejoice, give thanks, and praise the Lord no matter what you feel like.
8. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
9. Philippians 4:4 Keep on rejoicing in the Lord at all times. I will say it again: Keep on rejoicing!
10. Habakkuk 3:18–19 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
Basic Reminders for all…
11. Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (See the verse 29 and the whole context too)
12. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
13. Proverbs 19:3 When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD.
“And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, ‘The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.’ Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.” 1 Cor. 10:7–10
“But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials.” Lk. 22:28
“…serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews..” Acts 20:19
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Jas. 1:2–4
“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials..” 1 Pet. 1:6
I personally know religious people that choose to suffer and have even caused themselves to suffer even bleeding from that. Yes, thinking that’s going to glorify God and He will be pleased by that. Wrong! That’s not normal or good personally wanting to suffer or to make yourself suffer. Don't do that. God really doesn’t want you to cause hurt or suffering to yourself, to others, and He never wants you to destroy yourself. Duh!
But Listen, choosing to follow Christ is in effect accepting some suffering that at times comes with that choice. Why? Jesus said we'd suffer like from persecution. Many people and fallen angels today still hate Christ a lot, and hate the people that follow Christ. Mr. Lu-Cifer is a total loser and hates that.
Please don’t take it personal, believer, it’s demonic and mainly aimed at Jesus Christ. Hurting and killing real saints of old and alive today.. is how the devil tries to attack God. He knows his time is very limited in these last days. The Bible teaches this.
Many times in the Bible God brings about good as a result of believers suffering well in the will of God. Keep your focus on Christ and His will for you.
Many Word-Faith Charismatic and Pentecostal religious leaders have erroneous taught..Don’t accept suffering as part of God’s will for your life! Faith will keep you out of all suffering, sickness and will get you rich.” Not all, but I have heard these so called Christians..these (false) teachers. But it’s not just them.
Remember how Naomi (in the Old Testament times) suffered? And Ruth suffered a lot too, but God actually wanted a Moabite in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
There was a man born blind from his birth and the disciples asked Jesus who sinned that he was born blind like that?
They were interested in the cause of effect relationship between personal sin and personal suffering. They might have thought that those that sin most will suffer most while on earth.
“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.’” John 9:1–3 nkjv
Things good and bad happen in your life (God in Love allows things to happen) so that.. you will go with Jesus and glorify God the Father.
“And He said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. Therefore the neighbors and those who previously had seen that he was blind said, “Is not this he who sat and begged?” Some said, ‘This is he.’ Others said, ‘He is like him.’ He said, ‘I am he.’ Therefore they said to him, ‘How were your eyes opened?’ He answered and said, ‘A Man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes and said to me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’ So I went and washed, and I received sight.” John 9:7–10
“Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” James 5:13
“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” James 5:10–11
In a fallen world (cuz of man’s sin) people do suffer. That’s life here. People who do wrong sometimes suffer here, and even others are ill-affected and suffer by those people’s sin. Christians suffer here, and sinners suffer here. And many sinners see how Christians suffer.. differently.. and become Christians. They turn and trust Christ who really suffered on a Cross.
Lots of hurtin' and broken people out there. Jesus cares about you and them more than words can express -- He tells us to share His Gospel. “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.”Luke 14:23 Facebook.com/shareJesus
“For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.’” 1 Pet. 2:19–24
Keep the big picture and the long run in mind — hold the course, believer.
You and I have today. I have this moment and think of the here and now, but God thinks of the by-and-by. He has the big picture. God can see the whole parade so to speak (or race track of runners if ya will).. yes, both ends of it and all the middle part of the parade of time.. and all the people moving on through.
Do you think of goin’ the whole distance in the Lord? Run your race to win.. not just to run. Too many doin’ that.
God thinks of people that He really cares about, both the lost and the saved (regenerated), both the prideful and the humble, both those growing or stunted. God thinks of all the cold hard-hearted people (He’s not willing that any perish really). He sees the lukewarm believers and His kids red hot spiritually too. He thinks of the eternal. I think about what makes me happy now, blessed and or comfortable, but God thinks about what will make me grow happily and holy with good character. Important! He wants us all to have Him first and have His character too — He delights to bless us in His will.
The Lord is generous and looks at the big picture! I often see the small pic.
Man has small love and I can run out, but God is big and has BIG love for people--never runs out! I want to live big with bigger faith and love in Him.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,” Hebrews 12:1
Be consistent--it’sa choice. Live in His victory. Yes, stay in the center of the will of God, so tight with the Son of God.
Both of my SoCal pastors, Chuck Smith and Greg Laurie, told me to ..Hold the course. So that’s what I want pass on to you today. Cling to Christ.
Hold the course by faith for His glory.
Hold on to Jesus! And I say.. prayerfully see the big pic too ..yes, from His perspective. Remember, our all-seeing kind God is consistent every single day. He never changes — let’s live consistent, in close honest fellowship with Him and with other growing believers too! That’s imperative. Still!
“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation.” Psalm 33:11
“For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.” Malachi 3:6
“But You are the same, and Your years will not come to an end.” Psalm 102:27
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:33–34
What more does God say about puttin' His Son first? You can try to do it all the live long day, but real happiness is never something that people should seek directly. God still wants you happy in His Son Though — totally blessed in His will for you.
According to the Scriptures. Happiness is always the result or bi-product if ya will.. of seeking something else first. Listen, if you seek first a right relationship with Christ and His Kingdom you will be happy. And if you see holiness of life, then you will find happiness as a result. Walk with godly character, humor and JOY today! Walk tight with Jesus in simplicity — no better way to go.
“And this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.” 2 Corinthians 8:5 #Emph.Mine
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,” 1 Peter 3:15 esv
“Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,” Luke 14:25–33 (when your human love is like hate in comparison to your far greater love for your first love — Jesus Christ)
(My older bro Kevin just sent me this verse today. Thank you! That’s what brothers are for — edification! Grateful. Fascinating stuff too).
“By these three plagues a third of mankind was killed — by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which came out of their mouths.” Rev. 9:18
Musin’ here on the soon-coming seven years of tribulation on earth ..#Gr8TriB period of time where the first half is really bad, but the second half of it (3 1/2 years) will be that which no human will even want to be anywhere near — so SO TERRIBLE.
It’ll be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 24:21. God also spoke of the Great Tribulation in Jeremiah 30:7, “Alas! for that day is great, there is none like it; and it is the time of Jacob’s distress, but he will be saved from it.” The phrase “Jacob’s distress” refers to the nation of Israel, which will experience persecution and natural disasters such as have never before been seen. And they as a people have already seen way too much before from hateful persecution.
Consider what Jesus said in Matthew 24:15–30, the beginning of the Great Tribulation has much to do with the abomination of desolation, an action of the Antichrist. In Daniel 9:26–27, we find that this man (Mr. Lu-Cifer’s charismatic Rep) will make a “covenant” (a peace pact) with the world for seven years. Halfway through the seven-year period — “in the middle of the week” — we are told this man will break that very covenant that he made, stopping the sacrifice and grain offerings, which specifically refers to his actions in the rebuilt Jewish temple of the future.
Revelation 13:1–10 speaks more about “the Beast’s actions”, and just as important, this also verifies the length of time he will be in power. Revelation 13:5 says he will be in power for 42 months, which is three and one-half years, the length of the Great Tribulation.
The Revelation offers us a lot of info about the Great Tribulation. From Revelation 13 when the Beast is revealed until Jesus Christ returns to earth in Revelation 19, we are given a picture of God’s wrath being poured out upon the earth …because of the unbelief and rebellion of sinners here (See Revelation 16–18). This also gives us a good picture of how God disciplines His kids and at the same time protects His people Israel (Revelation 14:1–5) until He keeps His promise to Israel by establishing an earthly kingdom (Revelation 20:4–6).
Fact: Born again (real) Christians will be outta here in the Rapture early. Caught away, taken out to forever be with the Lord. Man, you can have my cars.
“For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be.” Matt. 24:21
“And I said to him, “Sir, you know.” So he said to me, ‘These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.’” Rev/ 7:14
I hold not to the posttribulational (post trib) view of the rapture cuz all through the Bible God has taken the righteous out before the judgement or wrath on sin came down? (i.e., see Noah, Lot) What is posttribulationism / posttribulationalism?
