Those Foolish, Foolish Israelites

                                           

                                 Based on Numbers 13,14

                           Those foolish, foolish Israelites!

There they were, just a little over three months out of Egypt, standing on the very borders of Canaan. Wow, what a trip! They had so far witnessed the parting of the Red Sea, literally walking right through the piles of water rising on each side, hissing as if to devour the whole lot of them. If that were not enough, every step was on solid, dry land.

I don’t think science or special effects could duplicate that Godly maneuver. 

They had drunk the crystal clear water that burst miraculously forth from a rock. Last I checked, rocks don’t contain water.

From the very beginning of their journey, the presence of God led them in the form of a towering pillar of cloud. By day it sheltered them from the desert’s scorching sun.  Then just like clockwork, as the evening air began to cool, this marvelous cloud became a pillar of fire for warmth and light through the darkest hours of the night.

Nature itself was responding to the call of God to serve mankind.

They were spectators of God’s presence at the foot of Mount Sinai as He spoke through black smoke and fire. They trembled at the claps of thunder and shrank in terror at the sound of His voice.  It was almost as if the thunder was clapping at the presence of God Almighty; not in fear, but with the power of joy.

The Amalekites marching troops attacked Israel, but were soundly defeated as long as Moses lifted his arms in an act of surrender to the mighty Jehovah who fought for them. 

Moses' surrender to God brought victory? Now that's something else the thunder could have clapped about.

As dew upon the grass, the heavenly manna fell to sustain them day after day.

A physical demonstration that “man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Deuteronomy 8:3.

Soon the land that flowed with nourishment and prosperity lay before them; now the Lord would surely discover whether all those object lessons, calculated to win the hearts and trust of His chosen, would be enough.

Nature was obedient. Would man also respond to the call to trust Him, to follow His instructions and directions?

Moses sent 70 of his finest men into the land that was promised, just as God had ask him to, to explore it and see what would soon be theirs.

They came back after 40 days with the report. 

Was the soil good?  Yes, very good!

Were there abundant crops? Yes, the crops were huge in size and abundant!

Were there fortified cities?  Oh yes, very big ones!

Were the people strong?  YES, there were giants in the land! We were like grasshoppers to them and to us!

When the 70 finished their report. 68 of them saw the giant difficulties, 2 saw a giant God. 

Those two, (Caleb and Joshua) wanted to claim what was already promised to the Israelites. The other 68 forgot what the presence of the Lord had previously accomplished on their behalf. Their focus was on their inability, forgetting God's ability. Looking through man's eyes, it seemed so impossible that the thought of returning to Egypt and slavery seemed preferable to proceeding.

This body of "believers in God," the Great I Am, did not realize that their future destiny lay in the choice of their next decision.

Would they trust in the power and promises of God or would the circumstances facing them confine them to wilderness wandering?

It’s easy to see from this vantage point that they made the wrong decision, but after thousands of years viewing and reviewing the miraculous workings of a superior God, are we still wandering around in a desert? 

Nature knows and responds to the voice of God immediately. Do you respond to God’s voice?  Do I?

How many miracles is it going to take for us to be able to say as did Joshua, “Do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." Joshua 14:8,9.

                        Oh, those foolish, foolish Israelites!

copyright 10/4/2014

Peace They Say

Shall I declare peace in the midst of the sound 

of marching hooves and hastening chariots,

says our God? 

"They dressed the wound of my people as if it were not serious. Peace, peace, they say, when there is no peace" Jeremiah 6:14

Look at the years of peace bestowed, 

and how we have mistreated such a gift. 

We have turned consummate blessings into chaos, 

and winked at injustice as if it meant nothing.

We have disregarded the sacrifices of those 

no longer present to voice their dissent.

Honesty and integrity lay languishing 

in the streets of indifference. 

Our humble beginnings has turned into greed, 

and the quest for power. 

We look for brotherly love, but in its stead find 

mocking, derision, hatred, and malcontent.

In the land of the free, 

that has not known an enemy's invasion,

For a people who live in freedom,

not knowing what it means to leave 

dwelling and possessions... 

...will find themselves pleading for the God they have forgotten.

A nation that Jehovah saw fit to bless 

in the time of its innocence, 

Now faces the result of setting up the golden idol of self. 

Let us now humble ourselves and repent before our God 

lest the hour of opportunity passes, 

and the day of Thanksgiving is over.

copyright 11/28/2014

Sounds Of The Heart

   You might think it strange that I

love the melody my soul makes 

when it is at peace,

not unlike the melodious silence

experienced when snow dances

and falls gently to earth,

or perhaps the symphony of golden

fields of wheat in flowing waves

of quiet splendor.

                                  Can you hear the anthem of the setting

sun when it casts its brilliant hues 

and fades into night?

My heart, when in tune with the heart 

of God, hears the metric sound of His

steps of love in my life.

Then, and only then, can I take part

in the hallowed chorus of all things

animate and inanimate.

 copyright 11/25/2014

A Spiritual Reality

In Old Testament times, if you accidentally killed someone, the best thing for you to do was to hop the next chariot and head out for the closest city of refuge. There was no time to lose; no time to plan or pack or even notify family or friends. This was indeed a life or death matter, and the life on the line was now yours. 

The designated city of refuge was the only safe place available where the avenger could not take your life in payment for the one you had taken, even though it was not your fault. It was lawful for a member of the slain's family to take your life if you dilly-dallied around long enough to be caught outside the parameters of safety.

The city of refuge is a physical demonstration of a spiritual reality. 

Jesus is our city of refuge.

Even though the city of refuge directive was set up by Moses to protect the innocent, with Jesus, the guilty has only to ask for forgiveness and it is granted.  That forgiveness puts a wall of protection between the one forgiven and the enemy [the devil]. As long as you dwell in the presence of God nothing can harm or alarm your soul when your mind is stayed on Him. The physical body may endure hardship, pain, suffering and even death, but the soul is guarded with a vengeance in the hand of the Almighty.

In the Old Testament the innocent had to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest, then they were declared free.

When Jesus [your, and my, high priest] died on the cross, His death declared all the forgiven as free.  And all who would hence forth ask for forgiveness would be free as well. 

You are free from the enemy's hellish desire to destroy. You may be maligned, ridiculed, and attacked from every side, but the peace that passes understanding still remains in your heart.  Choose to remain in the City of Refuge and recognize that the City has become your Savior, Jesus Christ.



copyright 11/23/2014

Words Of God

Look at how the words of God have endured,
far beyond the monuments of men and hands.
No storm has toppled it's tower, or battering ram it's gates.

Mark the troops assigned for it's destruction. 
the array of hellish powers bent for it's demise.

Though scoffed at and ridiculed and declared to be dead,
they still stand. The living power of the breath of God 
still captures the stoney heart and raises it to meet its'
Creator, above and beyond this worlds grasp,
for His words are immortal. 

Those words will stand unmoved awaiting fulfillment;
waiting for their power to be unleashed in everyone
who is willing to claim them as promises from God.

What is it that keeps me from boldly moving forward,
using those words for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ?
What is it that keeps you from boldly moving forward?


Are we afraid of God, or are we afraid of man?
 


copyright 11/21/2014

Memories

The memories of the heart, unlike the memories of the mind, store precious moments of love and glee; times of wonder and growth.

The mind tends to recall the slights and hurts of life, storing them for future reference; others of which we would rather put away in a box unvisited.

In the memories of the heart God drops treasures of unknown jewels. Some of those jewels, unexplored, and those made known as jeweled stepping stones for tomorrows wisdom, so we don't add to what the mind recalls as things to be forgiven.


copyright 11/17/2014

A piece Of Divinity

If a piece of divinity dwells in the heart,
Then it matters not the perception,
For you still remain His work of art. 

It is where you meet to learn and pray;
the voice of another is not heard,
Where the wars of strife cannot stay.

Conversing with the Father of lights,
Brings joy to the darkest hour,
And victory to the toughest fights.



copyright 11/15/2014

Enter In

Lord of Lords

and King of Kings,

How can I cling

to earthly things.

When far beyond 

what man can see,

Awaits the home

designed for me.

Clap your hands

oh wooded hills,

And shout for joy

you whip-poor-wills.

For canyon floors

await the stream,

Of grace and life

and peace it brings.

No one knows

the heart of God,

Save for those

who give Him laud.

As man or beast

or summer rain,

Raise their heads

in glad refrain

To see the Prince

upon His steed,

Who beckons all

that have been freed.

Enter in 

no more to roam, 

Enter in 

to your new home.

                                                    copyright 11/8/2014

For The Love Of God

When you have discovered the love of God, you will have discovered courage instead of fear, peace instead of chaos, tolerance for differences, and the wonder of a created world. 

The miraculous thing is, that these God made wonders grow and grow the more you know of Him.


copyright 10/26/2014 

Who Has The Greater Love?

It does seem strange to me that the flower of the field and the tree in the wood continues to bloom or grow in spite of disease, pestilence, or war.  A continual blooming before the snow or a bowing to the wind.

How wise are the tender shoots of grass to forge there way forward, ever reaching up for a heavenly smile.

How is it that nature always responds to the call of God, in perfect obedience, while I continue to question His directives and intentions for me.

Who do you think has the greater love?  Me or the tree?

c0pyright 10/24/2024

The Sabbath Is Alive

I hold this day in reverent awe, knowing Sabbath is a celebration of all that my Jesus has done to set me free. It is to be celebrated, for we can be forever free from all the chains that have bound us to this world. 

What are the things that keep us bound to this earth?  To answer that question, we must establish that there are two mindsets; a spiritual mindset and a worldly mindset.

Our spiritual mind has its focus on the things of God  and more importantly, on Jesus, Himself.  But the mind with which we are most familiar, I’m sorry to say, is the earthly mind.  We live here in this world, and too many of us are living as if we belong here, and are making plans to stay.  That mindset keeps us from finding rest in the Sabbath or in any other day for that matter.

We are all familiar with the things that pull us away from the spiritual to the earthly; things that keep us distracted so as not to come to the place of actual surrender. We could try to name all the things that lure us but everyone is different.  The things that block a full commitment to Jesus are as numerous as the sands in the hourglass.

So, as much as I would like to make things easy by listing the pitfalls of the earthly mind, so that we can check them off one-by-one, the only way to identify these things is to take an honest look at ourselves.  That is the only way we will find genuine joy in the Sabbath; when we identify and pray away these things that bind us to the earth.

The most concerning thing for me is the lack of awareness that I see around me.  Most people in most countries live as if nothing unusual is happening. We are apathetic at best. Living inside of ourselves for ourselves. Receiving momentary satisfaction, only to keep searching for that one elusive thing.  

Are we so very callused, or overstimulated with calamities and perpetrated atrocities against humanity, that we just can’t handle them anymore or worse yet, refuse to look at them?

Incredibly so, calculated by the enemy to do that very thing…to keep us from looking at the reality of what time it is on this earth’s clock. Ingenious, but with catastrophic effects for the unobservant. What do you suppose God would have to do to get your attention?

Isn't rest [peace] and security what we all look for?

The Sabbath is not just a rule engraved on tablets of stone or even a memorial of God's blessed creation. We attend memorial services for the dead. 

There is nothing dead here. The Sabbath is living! 

Those words on the tablets of stone became flesh. "In the beginning was the word, and word was with God, and the word was God. He was with God in the beginning." John 1:1, 2. The ten commandments are a description of who Jesus is; the one and only one we are called to emulate; they became His words in the flesh when He came to earth.  He embodies those commandments.

The Sabbath commandment was given to us as our call to rest in Him.  He is our Sabbath. He is calling us, revealing to us, what this world is all about.  He is providing us with an opportunity to witness the joy of living in Him and He in us. So run away from the counterfeit and run toward the Truth. 

The Sabbath is not just a day.  It’s a person.  It is a rest that is totally unique from all the  other days. 

There was no "and there was evening and there was morning-the seventh day." No, there was no evening and morning on that day because there is no end to the glorious rest we have in Jesus. 

I’ll say it again.  There is no end to the rest that we find in Jesus.  He is our Sabbath.

So beautiful and complete is His love for His children.

He told us to remember. Every week we are reminded to remember.

Remember that it is Jesus that brings us to Truth. 

Remember that it is Jesus that delivers us from the ploys of the enemy.

Remember that it is Jesus that brings true satisfaction. 

Remember that His love covers a multitude of sins. 

Now that is worth celebrating. He gave us an entire day just so that we could celebrate His goodness and love and truth and peace.  An entire day.  A day that never ends but carries us on into eternity.  Eternity is the fulfillment of His Sabbath rest.  One day out of the week is just a sample.  Enjoy it today. 

copyright 9/26/2014 

Today

Today I look back, but must not borrow for tomorrow the failings of yesterday.

To look at yesterday will surely cause doubt that will route the best intentions for today.

If my gaze is on Jesus instead, yesterday is forgiven, today is in His all knowing control,

and the map for every tomorrow has already been drawn up.

What then, is there to fear?


copyright 10/17/2014

Without Restraint

What does it mean to abandon oneself to Christ? I thought about the word itself...abandon. You don't hear that word used very often except in conjunction with abandoned children or perhaps an old abandoned house. When I looked it up in the dictionary, I found why I believe it isn't used so often. 

There is an almost harsh, definite, "no turning back" definition here.
It's hard to look at perhaps, but spiritually necessary.
                                         
                                                  Abandon: 

#1: To give up wholly, desert, forsake. Spiritually speaking...to desert, and forsake my way for God's way

#2: To surrender or give over.

#3: To yield [oneself] without restraint...

 To those of us who like to think we are in control of our lives, this smacks of insanity. But think about it for a minute, are our feelings, and natural impulses a safe guide to follow?

We live by a "take care of yourself first" mentality these days. How often have you heard or even said, 

"You've got to take control of your life. Nobody is going to do it for you"?

So, how is this "giving over," to total-surrender stuff supposed to help me? 

"I've gotten to where I am today because of hard work." 

"I've pulled myself up by my own bootstraps." 

"The Lord helps those that help themselves, you know."

 Taught since childhood, this philosophy has become the bottom line in our society; the bottom line is me..."my way or the highway."

Have you ever noticed that the majority of people live externally? Great importance is placed on things. More noticeably here in America than some other countries who live with far less than we do, but the principle is the same.  

In the overall scheme of our lives, how great of an importance are: money, houses, cars, climbing the corporate ladder to success; buying the right heels for a new dress. It seems rather flimsy compared to life and freedom, doesn't it? 

When September 11, 2001, entered our lives, it momentarily changed us. It wasn't just another tragedy, it somehow became personal, and suddenly our focus and priorities changed. We began to look deeper--internally. Many began to look for spiritual meaning and were willing to give God a second consideration, and we were helping and hugging people we didn't even know.

We learned that man-made things were far less enduring than first imagined. They disappeared before our very eyes. What once was a monument to man's achievement was reduced to a cloud of smoke and rubble. 

The human loss was so great our spirits shrank from the multiplicity of the sight, and yet we were compelled to watch over and over again. As the smoke cleared, for many it became increasingly evident that the only safe place anywhere in this world is in the hands of God.

Oh, I don't mean He will rescue us from the results of living in [what my friend calls] a sin soaked world, but what He does supply cannot be found in less than abandoning ourselves to Him. 

Jesus Christ and He alone is the supplier of hope; in Him alone will we find peace. Looking for contentment and satisfaction? We will never find it in anyone else's arms but Jesus'. In Him there is joy beyond sorrow, mercy and forgiveness beyond deserving, and these things are far beyond what man can give or create.

Being ever present, He is a call away and His strength and word have been proven to be faithful. He doesn't disappear in a moment of crisis or come crashing down when attacked. 

When we abandon ourselves to Christ, the struggle is over, the price has been paid, and we have the guarantee that something awaits us that is infinitely beyond what we could ever hope for without Him. 

A restored Eden! What a picture!

In the hours before His return, He has left us with this promise to sustain us:

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." 

What this means to me is that the world may be falling down all around me, or I may be experiencing personal tragedy, but I know, 

because I know Him, there is hope beyond today, and because I abandon myself to Him, I am secure.

Did you know the most often used phrase in the Bible is:

                                     " Do not be afraid "?

And there you have it! The glorious privilege of utter abandonment.


copyright 10/10/2014

Saving Grace

It seems the clouds still make their way,
and some still pray before they sleep,
but I can't seem to reason why
we cannot triumph o're defeat.

So little time the watchmen cries,
to accept God's grace and then forgive.
Alas, for choices made this day,
will set my heart to die or live.

The storm that's rising in the east
makes me hope for grace to be.
I could not be so sure of grace,
save that it sings inside of me.


copyright 9/30/2014

Hot Or Cold?

Our christian experience can be compared to a pot of hot water. The devil sees our fire for Jesus as a threat. He then proceeds to drop ice cubes [trouble] into the pot of fluid power [the Holy Spirit] in order to cool it down or turn it cold. The devil also knows that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, so he attempts to get us to focus on the ice cubes. We will see that the temperature of the power of the Holy Spirit will remain the same, and the ice cubes melt away as long as our focus is NOT on the ice cubes, but on the Son who keeps us steady.


copyright 9/27/2014

The Watchman Shouts

The enemy roams through the earth walking back and forth in it. (Job 1:7)

So skilled is he in his deceptions, so skilled in his attempts at distracting us and bringing confusion, that we become unaware of the danger right in front of us.

We must be ever vigilant and watchful. The guardian on the watch tower is shouting. Can you hear him over the din of earth’s noise,

enveloping the people?  Here and there and everywhere, chaos reigns while the watchman cries “Whoa, whoa, the storm is coming and we are not ready!”

There are so many voices calling us. How do we differentiate between what is truth and what is deception?

It is true that to study the counterfeit would only serve to confuse us more. To keep our eyes on Jesus is our only safeguard. It is then that the imitation becomes evident.

If it is according to what is revealed in Scripture; if tested against the life and teachings of our Father’s ways and character, and holds true against this standard, then and only then, do we know what is truth.

For He is TRUTH. 

Too many believe that all continues as if nothing has changed. Timothy's prophetic description of the last days could not be any more accurate than what we see today. Listen and see if you agree. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves; lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--having a form of godliness but denying its power." Wow, amazingly accurate, I’m afraid.

Can you honestly say that this world and all it’s inhabitants, this country, your and my life, is the same as it has been for centuries? Already the safeguards have been compromised. The moral walls have been breached; the consciences seared to the point of no remorse or regret.

STOP!

Our God is speaking. Listen to the evident warnings throughout the world. Nature tells us, rampant disease, wars and civil unrest, violence and hatred; burying people alive and beheading the innocent, are all warning us that Jesus is coming.

It is not just the physical world that demands our attention. Perhaps the greatest delusion lays in the spiritual realm. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12)

My Jesus, give us eyes to see that not all who cry “Lord, Lord,” are counted among those you know or are sent by You. 

“Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you, away from me, you evildoers.'" Matthew 7:22, 23

To know God is to seek HIM . Not the things of God, but the person of God. The miracles of God that we long to perform in His name, must be by the directives of God alone and for no other reason, or it opens the door for the enemy to enter and deceive. 

If a group, a place or a person is offering to bestow upon you some blessing or the power of the Holy Spirit they have, that leads to uncontrollable body movements, screams and howls like the brute beasts, hysterical laughing, actions that mimic intoxication…Is there anything in Scripture that depicts this kind of behavior? Can you see Jesus doing this?  No doctrine, set of beliefs, or personage that does not meet what is found in Scripture or in the character and teachings of Christ must summarily be cast aside.

Our God is desperate to save us from what is coming on the earth. Now is not the time to stick our heads in the sand and pretend that nothing unusual is happening.

The people in Noah’s day were told, for 120 years, what was coming but not one of them took him seriously until the door was forever shut and large raindrops began to fall. There no longer was one day left to accept the invitation of a Savior or from knowing the one who offers life everlasting as a free gift. There could be no sadder tale than for the ones that end outside the ark of safety. 

To know Him, the only true God, is far greater than houses or lands, money, power or privilege. How empty are all these compared to knowing Christ! 

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”  (Philippians 3:7,8)

copyright 9/18/2014

Dear God

I wonder at the mighty strength that holds the galaxies within their never ending courses,

and marvel at your delicate touch as you caress unfolding fingers in a mother's womb.

Who are you, that you care so much for us that you visit us in clouds, and grass and sand?

You take your thoughts and make them into words that stir our hearts to seek you more.

Your ways are so diverse and complex. Enough for master minds to search, yet revealing to a child.

I would a clearer picture paint as I travel with you; to tell each one of who you really are.

Adversities tell of trial and tests, but you oh Lord, bring all to a everlasting place of rest.

For these and so much more I bow before your Majesty and throne to say, I love you.


copyright 9/10/2014

Music Box Of Life

The unpardonable sin must surely not be to hate God, but rather to be indifferent to Him. For you see, indifference carries no emotion. Which makes me question how can even God inspire indifference? 

Indifference is emotionless; love cannot live there.

At least with hate you have a starting point, but with indifference you have nothing but the very essence of emptiness.

On the road to getting acquainted with, and to ultimately know God, He takes us on our own individual travels as unique as the print on your finger. A journey that leads us to an expected end; a journey that leads us away from indifference and toward inner peace and joy.

Even if no desire is within to become a friend of Jesus you can take a chance and ask Him for that desire. He will not disappoint. I know He didn't disappoint me when I asked.

When that desire is birthed, you can not only approach the throne of God with boldness, but with great joy and eager anticipation. You will smile as you look for the next lesson to learn or the next task for today. You may be called to quiet the tongue, or to speak words of encouragement to a bruised soul.

Whatever lies in front of you squeeze every ounce of goodness from all that's there; from the fragrance of flower as well as the rain.

 As you lift the lid of the music box of life the melody you will experience will have no place for indifference...only fullness of joy! 


copyright 9/06/2014

Heart To Heart

Intimacy with God is not found in what we do.

It can only be found in receiving His heart as He freely offers it to you, and you in turn offer your heart to Him. It is then that the "doing" is transformed from a duty to a delight, and you experience the truth of what Love is.

 You will no longer talk about what God is but will share with others who God is, because you now posses His heart. 


copyright 8/22/2014

Good News

  A friend told me a story the other day that went like this; A farmer lost his horse. When his neighbors heard, they were sympathetic and stated, "What bad luck!" The farmer scratched his beard in thought and retorted,

 "Good luck, bad luck; who knows?"

 A couple of days later, his horse returned, but not alone; she brought with her a whole herd of wild horses. His neighbors gathered around in amazement. "Now that's what we call good luck," they said. The farmer replied,

 "good luck, bad luck, who knows?"

Eager to get started breaking in their new found fortune, the farmer's son saddled up bright and early the next morning. The horse chosen proved to be a wily foe, as the son was thrown to the ground, badly breaking his leg. The neighbors shook their heads, "so sorry for your bad luck." The farmer's reply was a soft

 "good luck, bad luck, who knows?"

 Only a couple of weeks went by before war broke out, and every able-bodied man in the region was called into service. However, because of his injured leg, the farmer's son had to remain at home. "What good luck is that?" The neighbors said, but the farmer just smiled and answered,

 "good luck, bad luck, who knows?"

  Joseph was the favored son of a rich man. Oblivious to the fact that his brothers' resentment had turned to hatred, he considered himself a very lucky young man. As opportunity afforded it, Joseph's brothers plotted his death. At the last minute, it was decided to sell him as a slave to an Egyptian caravan passing the desert pit where they were holding him.

 What catastrophic misfortune for Joseph!

Where was God in this?

As the sun set over the fading horizon of what he had always known as home, all hope also faded into dark night.

 On arrival in Egypt,things began to look up.

Potiphar chose him to serve in his house. Quickly, Joseph rose from a lowly servant to the man in charge of Potiphar's entire affairs.

This apparent good fortune turned to disaster.

He was falsely accused of seducing Potiphar's wife and was thrown into prison for several years. Joseph was left to wonder what he had done to deserve this?

Where had he gone wrong?

Of course, the story takes a dramatic turn in the end and places Joseph next to Pharaoh in power and prosperity; saving not only Joseph from starvation, but his entire family.

Good luck? No luck at all. 

It was all in the plan to turn what seemed impossible into God's way to not only rescue Joseph, but his entire family.

Don't fight the process!

God knows what it's going to take to get you from here to a successful conclusion. 

Do you think Joseph was the same person as he was when the process began...or Moses or Gideon or the apostle Peter?

Things are seldom as they seem. What may appear as a roller coaster ride to nowhere really is getting you to where you ultimately want to be.

Trust it, it's not a mirage, and that's

 "good news"


copyright 8/18/2014

It Is God

It is God who joyfully sings with us while on the mountains heights,

and silently carries us through the valley's dark and dreadful nights.


copyright 8/22/2014

Road Ahead

For the one who knows God...

The road ahead of us

is not a problem

for the One who lives within us.



copyright 8/19/2014

"As Long As It Is Day"

And Jesus Said:


  "As long as it is day, we must do the work of Him who sent Me. Night is coming, when no man can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." John 9:4,5

 Jesus says, "as long as it is day," 
which implies at some point the "day" will be over. A period of time will end. While I am still alive today, I must do the work God has given me, for I do not know when the window of opportunity will end. Today or tomorrow the light of my life may go out.

The grave affords no other opportunities.

"we... He has included us along with Himself as well as all who believe.

 must... imperative; showing urgency in this matter.

 do... calling for action; being involved in.

 the... the word "the" is singular; the one purpose for which He was sent.

 work... God's work = giving the invitation to come to Jesus for forgiveness, life, freedom, and peace. "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save"...Luke 19:10

 Of Him... His Father

 who sent... commissioned. Jesus said "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work." John 4;34

 Me... Jesus

Night... A period of darkness when the light of life has gone out.

is coming... A declaration of inevitability.

When no man can work... As when the door of the ark was closed, and there was no longer Noah's voice of warning, so we are called to join with all of heaven in the work. The work of bringing into the light the beautiful face of Jesus before the door is ultimately closed when there is no more opportunity.

Then Jesus tells His disciples that as long as He is living, which implies there will come a time when He Himself will not be alive; essentially predicting His own death.  He declares Himself the light of the world. But He does not leave it there. He makes arrangements for when He is gone from here in bodily form. 

Speaking to the people In Matthew 5:14 He says "you are the light of the world." Placing upon His children the incredible commission to bring Jesus' light into this world once He has gone back to His Father.

 As the moon is a reflection of the sun to bring light into the darkness of the night, so we are a reflection of the SON  to bring light and life into a spiritually dark world. I see, and hear an urgency in God's voice. I see and hear the pain, sorrow, and the hatred that permeates the nations and it's people. Death and calamity surrounds us, but we who know the voice of the Good Shepard; the One who beckons us to find shelter in Him, will raise us up on Eagle's wings into His pavilion of love and safety. 

How can we not tell of this love? How can we stand by and watch? We cannot!

Let us gather together in prayer. Let us speak His Name with boldness and love. Show others who He is by the abundance of love we freely share. Reach out today; grasp a hand today, and give a hug today. Pray for the sick, and laugh with a child for they are a prince or princess to the God Almighty.   

Wow, who do you suppose Jesus will send you today for a word of encouragement or a touch to mend a wound, or brighten the day?

 They may be closer than we think.


copyright 8/14/2014

Faith

                                 Faith is not a leap in the dark.

                                             Faith is…

                                                       a walk with the Light.

                                             copyright 8/10/2014

                        
                                                

Music To My Ears

Previously I talked about the enemy manipulating our senses in order to get us off track. The flip side is that God uses our senses to keep us close and to minister to our entire being. The mind, body, soul and spirit are intimately connected with what we see, hear, smell, touch, and taste. The blog post, titled, "Keeping An Eye Out discussed how the sight is used.

Today I want to discuss how our sense of hearing affects our walk with Him.

There are sounds in music that decidedly generate strong responses in everyone. It is said that music is the universal communicator; something everyone understands regardless of color, language, or heritage. Preferences will vary, but the effect remains.

Most of us listen to, or choose appropriate sounds for the occasion. Since the high-pitched sound of the violin has been proven to sooth, we often hear this instrument (rather than drums or cymbals) playing music in an art museum, or at a funeral. Harps are currently used in hospitals and for hospice patients. A marching band incites pride in country and sport teams, and draws an elevated excitement in parades.

There is a science behind what music is played in grocery stores and clothing stores. That "science" is calculated to draw us in and motivate us to buy. Whether we are aware of it or not, we are continually being influenced by the sounds around us.

Doesn't it stand to reason then, that the devil also uses music to his advantage. There are sounds that agitate; sounds that arouse; sounds that incite rebellion. There are hypnotic sounds, that when repeated louder and louder, are capable of causing riots, violence and raucous behavior.

I find that these kinds of sounds draw us away from a peaceful loving God. The sounds of the city, with traffic and horns blowing, cursing and obscenities, keep us from hearing the music of the wind. They keep us from hearing the orchestra of the birds and waterfall. They keep us from hearing the power of the mighty waves as they crash the rocks and gently caress the shore.

One force of sound is designed to keep us from hearing the voice of God; the other force invites us into His presence.

So come into His presence: turn down the volume in your life and go for a walk. Allow yourself the necessarily privilege to listen to the heart of God speaking to you through the music of nature.

copyright 8/2/2014

Knowing Love

"Place me like a seal over your heart,
like a seal on your arm;
for love is as strong as death,...
many waters cannot quench love;
rivers cannot wash it away."  Song Of Songs 8:6,7

It was Love that conceived the universe.
Love maintains the universe.

God is love     1 John 4:16

If we know Love,
then Love becomes the beginning of all things,
and never the end of anything.


copyright 8/03/2014

What To Do About Who

A rich young man came to Jesus with a question. Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?

Right away we can relate to this fellow being, because he wants to get right in there and "do" something. He also calculates, if what he does is good enough, it ought to give him the desired results. I have this picture in my mind of Jesus standing there in a moment of awkward silence searching the face of this seeking heart. Jesus breaks the silence by coming right to the point. He addresses the essence of this young man's need.

"Why do you ask Me about what is good?" He replies. "there is only One who is good."

Do you see it? Do you get Jesus' point? If not, don't feel badly, the rich young ruler doesn't either.

Jesus takes him directly from "what" he  does to "who" he knows.

Jesus wants him to see that what he does has nothing to do with gaining eternal life.

Christ wants the heart; the doing is a result of devotion and not of effort. Now read it again: "Why do you ask Me about "what" is good? There is only One "who" is good."

Jesus then illustrates His point: "if you want to enter life, obey the commandments." Ok, now you're talking my language! Which ones" the man inquires. In reply Jesus quotes several of the ten commandments. Frustrated, the young ruler responds,

"all these I have kept. What do I still lack?" Aaaaah!
We have come to the moment of truth.

 This is the question Jesus wants to clarify. It seems obvious that this man is sincere in his desire to be righteous. He also realizes he is missing something; that is why he is working so hard to achieve the illusive assurance he can see others have, and Jesus desperately wants to give it to him. Once again Jesus comes to him in his own way of thinking. 

If you want to be "perfect," go, sell your possessions, then come, follow Me"

Me...not the what, but the Who. Not an effort; not a performance, but a person... the "who" is calling him. Angels standing by are rooting for him. "Come on, accept the invitation, join the army of believers. We are here to help you; we want to be there for you, just say yes."

What stopped him? Is it his money? Jesus says that it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. Money holds no evil properties, but the love of having money puts many in the position of feeling no need. It often gives the possessor the mistaken feeling of power and control.

 Giving all that control up would make him dependent on Jesus rather than himself.

 Isn't it strange and extremely sad that the very thing he thought was in his control would be his ultimate loss?

There is an ancient poetic proverb that reinforces this truth:

"There once was a lady from Niger
Who smiled as she rode on a tiger
They came back from the ride
With the lady inside
And the smile on the face of the tiger."


copyright 7/14/2014

Face Keeping

   Walt Whitman wrote,

Keep your face always toward the sunshine and shadows will fall behind you.

May I suggest,

Keep your face always toward the Son and the shadows of darkness will fall behind you.


copyright 8/01/2014