Give Thanks

The time is now upon us for reflection on the past. It is our civic duty to give thanks to those who gave so selflessly on our behalf that we might know a better life.

I am first thankful as always to Jesus Christ who is My Lord and Saviour. I am thankful to the Twelve who showed us that it was possible for us as sinners to still seek after the Lord with our whole hearts. And last but not least, I am thankful to our veterans. Without the sacrifice of those, we might not enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

All of these things are not possible without God. Thank You Lord for giving me Veterans by whom You allowed Your plan to be fulfilled.

Thank God and Thank a Vet.

-Bro J (USMC ’94-’99)

I would like to join not only my brother in Christ, but my brother in arms, and would like to add my sincere respect and appreciation to those that have given so much to keep us safe.  But not only the service members, I truly say God’s blessings upon their families, fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, the ones that are left behind as our troops go off to war.  As a veteran myself, and a mother of a soldier that has been to Iraq twice, my heart is with everyone affected.

Please know, no matter what position you find yourselves in, whether you are the one fighting, or the one left home waiting, you all have our love, honor and respect.  Without you we would not be free to worship as we choose, or to choose not to worship.  We would not be free to speak the name of the Lord our God.  We would not be free to gather in public to worship, to bow our heads over our meals, to bow our knee in thanksgiving and gratitude to God.

You are all in our prayers, our thoughts, and our love.  May you go in the grace and the peace that comes only from knowing that no matter what, God is in control, and God will get the glory.  Mothers, wives, fathers, husbands, we must realize that they were God’s long before they were ours.

I leave you with a few words from a Psalm that I clung to during those long, long nights.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”                            Psalm 91:1-2

May His light shine down upon you, may His grace go before you, may His love never leave you.

Pat (USNavy 79-83, USArmy 83-88)

¹God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1, King James Version)

You’ve made your bed, now lie in it.

How many times have you heard this in your lifetime?  I have heard it alot, even said it occasionally.  Do you know that God said the same thing, obviously not in those words?

I’m doing a survey of the book of Judges, and I came upon a statement from God that I had forgotten about.  Let me give you a little history.  After the death of Joshua, God raised up judges to guide the Israelites, and to issue judgment when needed.  The pattern shown is one of a good judge leading the people, then after his death the Israelites would turn away from God and serve the pagan gods of those around them.

God would give them over to other nations, and eventually they would call upon God to save them.  For a short time after each intervention by God they served Him.  But they always went back to serving other gods.  The cycle would continue over and over again.  Finally Israel had gone too far.  They cried out to God for salvation.  They admited they had sinned against God by serving other gods.  But read what God’s answer was this time:

So the Lord said to the children of Israel, “Did I not deliver you from the Egyptians and from the Amorites and from the people of Ammon and from the Philistines?  Also the Sidonians and Amalekites and Maonites oppressed you; and you cried out to Me, and I delivered you from their hand.  Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods.  Therefore I will deliver you no more.  Go and cry out to the gods which you have chosed; let them deliver you in your time of distress.”                      Judges 10:11-14

God turned them over to their own sin consequences.  There is a line in the sand, so to speak.  This speaks loudly of how we should treat God with reverence, and not simply use him as an out in times of trouble.  The Israelites told God that they would put away their idols.  As soon as they did God reached down and delivered them once again.

What does that say to you?  To me it says that no matter what we have done, if we are truly repentent, if our hearts cry out to God, if we admit our sin and honestly repent, God will not forsake us to our sin.  He will deliver us.  He longs to deliver us.  But He will not be used, and He will not be taken for granted.  This is one of the greatest gifts God can give us, His mercy and grace.  His forgiveness.

But there is one more thing I need to point out.  Yes, God will forgive, God will forget, but we are still left to deal with the consequences of our sins.  So remember that. 

So, if you’ve “made your bed”, and now have to “lie in it”, just know that God is as close as your knees are to the floor.  (That just simply means that when you fall to your knees in earnest prayer, God moves.)

Think about it.

I just want to be close to you

⁹I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9, King James Version)

Are you willing to go through the door? Do you recognize the voice of the Lord?

²⁷My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27, King James Version)

So how do we draw closer to the Lord? How do we become the sheep of His flock? The Apostle Peter could not have been clearer:

³⁸Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, King James Version)

But please don’t stop there for that is only the beginning. There is so much more required of us. For to whom much is given, much is expected:

¹⁵Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15, King James Version)

Test everything against the Word of God and be diligent in prayer.

¹⁷Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17, King James Version)

I could go on and on for God gives us plenty of instruction:

⁴²And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

⁴³Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

⁴⁴Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:42-44, King James Version)

I will continue to prayer to My Father… I will pray for you and ask that you pray for me.

¹⁹We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19, King James Version)

Have you ever wanted a “do over”?

Have you ever thought, “I wish I had never done that!” ?  Have you ever wished you could go back and do it again?  Maybe it was a fight with your spouse, or your kids, or a dear, close friend that really put a strain on your relationship.  There are two verses I want to talk about.  The first one is from Genesis 50:20:

“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.”

This is Joseph talking to his brothers that had sold him into slavery because of their intense jealousy of him.  He rose to the level of Pharoah’s second in command.  So God had put Joseph into a position to save not only his entire family, but many many more.    Not only was he able to give them the food that kept them alive, he was able to give them the best parcel of land in all of Egypt.

The second verse, which also shows that the Bible is not only tied together, but consistant, is from Romans 8:28:

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

If we allow God to use the mistakes of our past, He will make sure that good will come of it.  Maybe you’ll have more compassion for someone living in sin.  I don’t mean that you have to love the sin, but you should love the sinner.  Maybe you’ll better understand when someone just gives up on working for Christ.  Maybe you’ll understand the problems that those with chronic illnesses have.  Or maybe you’ll better understand what it feels like to lose a child, or someone to cancer.

But the key here is “IF WE LET IT”.  We must make that choice to trust God with our past.  We must make the choice to accept His forgiveness.  We must make the choice to experience His restoring Power.

So, if you have ever done something so bad you think you can never even hope for forgiveness, I’m here to tell you that you are wrong.  God’s love is so great that He longs to forgive us.  He longs to fellowship with us.  And when He forgives us, do you know what He does with that sin?  He takes it away from us as far as the east is from the west (Ps. 103:12)  and throws them into the deepest sea.  And you want to know the exciting part?  In the new heaven and the new earth, after Christ’s return, THERE WILL BE NO SEA!!!  (Read Revelation 21:1.)

So, all this is said to say this:  Don’t ever give up on yourself or anyone else.  God doesn’t.

The Physician who loved History…

Luke was by all means a diligent physician and well studied historian. I personally believed that Luke knew of the importance of capturing the events surrounding the actions of Jesus and His Apostles. I believe that he was acutely aware because of his love of history.

Luke was just close enough to not get caught up in the action. He was like the photographer that waits to catch his subjects at that perfect moment. No one has to tell the photographer, he just knows. For this reason, I believe that Luke understood that he was called upon to do more than serve as a healer to God’s people.

If anyone knew that his works would be later used to educate future Christians on the trials and tribulations it would have been Luke. However, Luke was guided by Peter and Paul on his quest. I have a newly minted respect for the task of the Apostles.

I get choked up when I think about the tremendous sacrifice they made. All of the travel, these men truly lived by:

⁹And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9, King James Version)

Luke’s love of history allowed us a deeper insight into the life of Jesus but more so into that of the chosen few who would suffer many things on His behalf. I am grateful to God for Luke and feel privileged that the Lord has allowed me to discern and understand the words written in Luke’s gospel.

Do you know where you came from?

“In the beginning there was the Word”, these are the words that serve as the introduction to the greatest story in the greatest book ever written: The Bible. The rise and fall of man and the passing of the torch to the legacy of mankind bookend this story.

God laid out the beginning and the end for us in the book of Genesis. The very foundation of life is found within the chapter and it is prudent to study and know this book to understand where we came from and where we are going. God is an awesome God and has given us insight into His divine will. We just have to ensure that we are taking part in our blessing.

There is no need to over think this.. the above is an excerpt from a paper I have written for a Theology Class. I felt the call to share this with you for the purpose of giving you a simple reminder of how important it is to know where you came from. Your existence did not begin with you… your final moment will not end with you alone… death is only the beginning… Think about it, Pray about it… be about it…

GOD ANSWERS KNEE MAIL

Can you endure?

Exodus

Have you ever just sat back and thought about the story of Exodus?

I mean any good Bible scholar knows of how God called Moses, how Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and how the feast of Passover came to be. But have you ever really looked at the plight of the people?

From what I was able to ascertain, no matter how many times God did something for the children of Israel, they behaved like spoiled brats. How many times did they say:

³And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger. (Exodus 16:3, King James Version)

It was often amazing at how this happened when they were in need of something. It was never said after their needs were fulfilled. To be quite honest, their praises seemed to be forced at times and scripted at others.

The point is to say that the children of Israel endured with conditions. Do we see them trying to help themselves? They truly were a lost flock. Was the Exodus for the children of Israel, or was it for Moses and Aaron to make their calling and election sure?

Yes, the people of Egypt endured many hardships. Yes, they endured many trials. Yes, they are the original chosen of God. What did they do to deserve this favor? The same thing that you and I did…. absolutely NOTHING.

It is foretold that they will be great trials and tribulations during the end of days. Are you Rapture Ready? Can you Endure?

How will today be different?

Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow isn’t here yet.  All we have is today.  How will today be different from yesterday?  Maybe you did something that you wish very much had not happened.  Perhaps you had an opportunity to witness to someone about the love of Christ, and you didn’t.  Maybe you didn’t have the patience you should have with a family member.  Maybe you did something so bad you think God will never forgive you.

Well, I’m here to tell you that is not possible.  There is nothing you can do for which God can’t forgive.  God loves you so much that He doesn’t deal with us like we would deal with each other.  God’s love is pure and strong.  Listen to this verse:

“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our inquities.”    Ps. 103:10

If you are God’s child you can be assured that He will forgive you.  His is a righteous anger, He doesn’t hold a grudge, He shows mercy:

“The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.”   Ps. 103:8

And when we have sinned against God, and we humbly ask forgiveness, and turn from the sin, guess what?  Not only does He forgive, HE FORGETS!!!

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”          Ps. 103:12

And…

“…for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”       Jeremiah 31:34

God calls us to live victoriously.  We can’t do that if we practice sin.  We can’t do that if we keep focused on our past sins.  If God forgives and forgets, who are we not to?

I just want to encourage you today.  Look up, live in hope, share love, move forward, forget the past.  We have all done things that we wished we could go back and undo.  But you know what?  We can’t.  But God treats us as though we did.  How important is it to you to know that not only does God forgive, which in itself is huge, but that He also forgets?  I’ll tell you, I don’t know what I would do if He didn’t.  I just thank Him because He does.  I don’t understand why He would, but I’m so very glad that He does.

So, today, if there is something in your life that you are beating yourself up over, confess it as sin to the Father, sincerely ask His for forgiveness, thank Him for His mercy, and MOVE ON!  Don’t let Satan keep bringing it back up.  Satan will try that, you know?  That’s how he keeps Christians miserable on the road to Heaven.  Rebuke him in the name of Jesus, claim your forgiveness, and move on to sin no more. 

Be encouraged today, friends.  Be an encouragement to others.  God is so very good.  Although we don’t deserve it, He loves us with a love beyond words.  After all, He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die a horrible death for you.  For me.  For everyone that will call upon His name shall be saved.

When God calls, He equips

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2:13

Why are we not simply taken to Heaven as soon as we accept Christ as our Saviour?  Wouldn’t that be better?  We wouldn’t have to deal with the temptation of sin anymore.  We would be in the presence our of Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and God the Father.  Well, this verse gives us an answer. 

There is work for us to do.  Not working for our salvation, there is nothing we can ever do that would “earn” our ticket to heaven.  God has plans for our lives, and those plans include living out our salvation as an example to others.  It includes being His eyes, and mouth, hands and feet here where we live.  There are so many people that don’t know Christ, who have no hope, no joy.  Our hope and our joy come from knowing Christ. 

We can do anything He asks of us with confidence, because He never asks us to do something He hasn’t equipped us to do.  Has He called you to teach?  He’ll give you the gift of teaching.  Has He called you to be someone’s care giver?  He’ll give you the gift of service.

Here’s another verse that shows the same thing:

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever and ever.  Amen.                                                                           Hebrews 13:20-21

He’ll cause us to grow to full development, equipping us to answer His call.  He is, after all, the author and finisher of our faith.  All we have to do is say with Isaiah, Here I am, LORD, send me.

We invite trouble when we rely on ourselves or others

“So about three thousand men went up there (Ai) from the people, but they fled before the men of Ai.”       Joshua 7:4

Here we learn a very important lesson.  To get the background on this passage, Joshua had sent men to Ai to spy out the land, much as he had done many years before when Moses had sent him and 11 others to spy out the promised land.  They came back and told Joshua that he didn’t need to bother all the fighting men, only send 3,000.  That would be plenty because the people of Ai were small in number.  So Joshua listened to them and sent the 3,000.  They were sorely defeated by the people in Ai.  In fact, they turned and ran from them.

This happened for two reasons.  First, Achan had taken clothes, silver and gold from Jericho, which God has said not to take.  His sin was known about by his family (he had hidden the items in a hole in the middle of his tent) but had not said anything.  This brought trouble on Israel as God had said it would.  And the second reason, Joshua DID NOT STOP AND PRAY AND ASK GOD FOR GUIDANCE.  He listened to the men’s report, and made his own decision.  Disastor was the result.

So what do we need to learn from this?  How can these verses written thousands of years ago apply to our lives today?  We can clearly see where before Joshua had gone before the LORD for guidance.  However, in this case he did not.  He acted under his own power.  He listened to people rather than seek God.  We must learn this lesson well.  How many times do we go to others, even other Christians that we know to be mighty prayer warriors, and ask their opinion on something?  Then we follow the advice they give us, but everything falls apart. 

We must must must go to God first and foremost.  We can’t make the mistake that Joshua made and expect a different result.  God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  The way He responds in a situation is the way He will respond in that same situation years and years later.  In our own power, we are nothing.  We know nothing.  We can do nothing.  We have to rely on God.  We have to seek His face.  Spend the time in prayer and mediatation until you receive an answer.

This is a timely lesson.  We must always move forward with God, not move forward and then ask God to bless us.  God refuses to be second fiddle.  He demands to be put first in our lives.  We can’t help ourselves, our help comes from the LORD.

Selah, my friends – Think about it.