Month: October 2016

“Walk In Peace!”

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“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee,” Isaiah 26:3

Peace is something that seems far out of reach for most.  It is greatly desired and sought after; yet, many will never lay hold of it.  Why is that?  The answer is because of where it is found.  It is found in a made-up mind centered on who He is and a devoted heart that believes in the promises He has made.  “Perfect peace” speaks of the character of God at work.  Wherever He operates and whatever He delves into is marked by perfection.  That means when He established something that He wants to offer to all mankind He does so without there being anything wrong with it.  No fault in it whatsoever.  And, He does here also.  As a matter of fact, the only thing that can mar this “perfect peace” that He is so willing to give is how man (i.e. the human race) accepts it.

When one’s mind is focused whole-heartedly on an idea, then that becomes the single vision of that person.  Once the vision of the mind’s eye is arrowed in one direction, that’s where one will be led to follow.  Now imagine a time of being in the midst of very hard and severe trials and tribulations.  Where there are sorrows and disappointments that seem to do nothing to encourage one’s focus on God, only working to tear away at one’s faith.  Yet, through it all, that person takes a stand within them and says, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:31).

The person who is able to stir up his faith in this manner as a defense and a shield to his mind, using the focus of God at work in his life and the verifying of it through His Word, will be kept in “perfect peace.”  He has made an on purpose decision that no matter how bleak and dismal it may seem right now, God is greater than all, and “His tender mercies are over all His works,” (Ps. 145:9).  “How is one able to do that?” you may be crying out in frustration.  I answer you with Abraham’s example as referred to by Paul in Romans 4:20-21, where it says, “He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.  Simply put, as our verse in Isaiah 26:3 says, “Because he trusteth thee.”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” That is including, “perfect peace.”  All His promises are in His Word and the one who bases the foundation of all that he believes on that one rock-solid truth will be upheld and kept through the worse of storms.

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7

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The High Horse

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“For everyone that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted,” Luke 18:14b

We’ve all heard someone express at one time or another, “You need to come down off that high horse!”  Whether it was said to us or another, the challenge is still implied for one to not think highly of him or herself, Romans 12:3.  People that are boastful and proud have a way of thinning out the crowds.  Their attitude is not attractive; therefore others will find an excuse to disassociate themselves from that person.

Us, who are saved by grace, also have to fight the urge to take on this superiority complex.  Too often we are just as prone to mount that high horse and ride off into the sunset, singing in a school girl tone, “We’re saved and you’re not . . . . . la la la la la la!”  Okay, so maybe we don’t sing in childish tones but that doesn’t mean we don’t act in childish ways; looking down our nose at a lost world as if we obtained this great salvation on our own.

The Bible is full of references that explain God’s feelings toward this particular subject: He hates it!  1 Peter 5:5 states, “God resisteth the proud!”  Those that display this ugly characteristic are not amusing God, rather they are pushing Him away.  He does not tolerate it at all.

In light of all that He has done for humanity His view is this, no one has the right to think he is something special when he is not – “All that, and a bag of chips,” if you will.  (Don’t ask.  It’s a funny phrase I often hear and I really haven’t figured out why adding a bag of chips on the end makes the perception of superiority that much more so  🙂 ).

Jesus hits the nail on the head in this story found in Luke 18:9-14.  Here He denounces the prideful Pharisees’ attitude of self-righteousness and He proclaims the greatness of the one who had a humble heart.  Did it seem that He was being too hard on the Pharisees; the ones who were the religious leaders of the day?

Not in the least.  Verse 9 tells us how their position changed their view of their relationship with God and with man.   First, He stated, they “trusted in themselves that they were righteous.”  Their rituals, rules, and regulations were how they measured and viewed their righteousness.  Their so-called ability to dot every “I” and cross every “T” ranked them above all others, securing their own righteousness.  No humbleness of heart was present.  No attributing their standing to the grace and mercy of God.  They “trusted in themselves.”

Secondly, their view caused them to “despise others.” Since nobody was as presumably holy as they were, they thought themselves to be on a higher level than everyone else.  They rode that high horse and they rode it a lot.

These two very wrong suppositions of themselves caused them to break the two greatest commandments that were ever written:

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.  On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

We all have to take careful heed to view our position in Christ in the proper way:

“To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:2-7

Not one of us has the right to ride the high horse!

“Where Are You Going?”

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“And they all forsook him, and fled,” Mark 14:50, KJV

 

“I would not have run!” that’s what most of us exclaim when we hear the story of Jesus facing these men in the Garden of Gethsemane.

How often have we stood for Christ in the midst of adversity?  When contentions arise to defend our faith, do we stand closed lip or do we draw the spiritual sword?  When our time comes to speak what is right, do we act with avoidance, put up our church finger to excuse ourselves away from the controversy?

There’s more than one way to flee from the garden.

Our country is changing and it’s headed in a wrong direction really fast.  As Christians, where are we going?  Do we stand with Jesus only in times of miracles and blessings, only to flee and disappear in the shadows when things get hard?  Or, do we stand with Him when the enemy tries to attack and arrest our faith?

I, unapologetically, stand with Christ.  Laws are being passed that’s trying to change not only the landscape of our nation, but the scope of all that’s right and just before God.  I love all people and I pray for them.  But, and I say this without condemnation, “What’s right is right and what’s wrong is wrong.”  And, if we think as Christians these law and changes that other powers are pronouncing to be right have no effect on us, than we have already left the garden leaving Jesus to stand there alone.

The rights of some are being raised while our rights in what we believe are being diminished.  Where are you going?  It’s time for the church to wake up, take the sleep masks off and pay attention to what’s going on around us.  Did we flee to leave Jesus standing alone?

One day, after teaching words that was hard for the crowd to digest, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67, NKJV).  But Peter spoke up and said, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” (John 6:68; NKJV).

Stand with Jesus and you will never fall.

Words To Live By – “GOD HEARS YOUR PRAYERS!”

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My Project 26-001

Every spoken word and every silent cry of the heart – the Lord hears!  When we come before God with our hearts pouring out to Him, He does not turn a deaf ear.  You and I are important to our heavenly Father.  He pays attention to the bowing knee and the bowing heart.  No matter how you feel He is unhindered in His ability to sit and listen to you lay all the burdens and cares of this life down at the cross.

“You Are Loved by the King!”

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You, my friends, are so very much and incredibly loved by the King of all the universe.  There is so much that we face on a daily basis that tries to speak contrary to the blessedness we have in Him.  But, my God loves you with an undying love.  His heart is tied to His people.  His people need only to rest in the promises of His mercy, grace, power, and authority that makes their hearts soar on the wings of the hope we have in Him.

Today doesn’t have to be ordinary.  Today doesn’t have to control you.  Today doesn’t have the final say about your destiny in life.  When it all boils down to it, you have a reason to rejoice because your heavenly Father’s eye is on you.  He has marked you for greatness in Him.  You are covered and shielded by His love.  Therefore, let your heart be glad in the majesty of your Savior.  Let your soul celebrate because no matter what it looks like, you are a cherished vessel, and you are loved by the King of all!

Many blessings to each of you today, my dear friends.

“WE LOVE HIM, BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.” 1 JOHN 4:19

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details. 

“Is Saul Among Us?”

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This election has many Americans reeling.  I’m sitting back and taking it all in.  I’m viewing the candidates, the people fighting for their champion to sit in the oval office, the news coverage; just everything.  To say that this is an unusual election is quite the understatement.

People are clamoring to make their electoral candidate the next president and I just shake my head and wonder how many are fighting just as hard to make God a priority in their life.  And, in case you think I’m just picking on this circus of an election you are wrong.  It was just a great place to start.  The fact of the matter is, people everyday are choosing other things and clamoring for other people over God.  They are choosing Saul in a sense and rejecting God.

In 1 Samuel 8, God’s people wanted to more like the nations surrounding them rather than the separate, chosen vessels they were as His.  They demanded a king to reign over them (vs. 5) and God recognized it for what it was: “They have rejected me, that I should not reign over them,” (vs. 7).

What is there that we want more than God?  That’s a tough question that most people will answer “absolutely nothing!”  And, rightfully so.  No one wants to accused of rejecting God.  Yet, in our daily lives do we really prioritize God as our number one?  Do we give Him the status in our lives and daily decisions that we should or do we allow other things and people to have the reign?

Is there a Saul among us?  When we peel back the layers of our lives do we find God at the center of all we do and who we are?  If we can’t answer yes to that question than we need to reevaluate the priority we have placed on God.

God is pulling for the hearts of His people but are His people pulling for Him?

Father God, Help us to be more aware of You everyday and in every way. Amen.

Photo Credit: Pixabay

“Leave a Legacy!”

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My Project 471-001

 

Don’t you love going on trips? Especially those trips that take you on unfamiliar roads that allow you to take in scenery you would have otherwise missed?  Recently we went on such a trip and along the way we were able to see mountains, rivers and farms that we don’t get to see on our daily route.  Passing by these farms made me wonder about the people who lived there.  I thought about their children and how they were probably being raised and taught how to run that farm once their parents are no longer here.  The thought was beautiful.

It was beautiful because for one to have a working farm takes . . . well, lots of work. Usually the children are being established at a young age about what their futures will look like.  This kind of care and attention that it takes to first, build the farm, and secondly, instill the work ethic in the children to keep it going is a special part of their heritage these parents are passing on.

The thought of building up to pass it on is a beautiful concept to me. It gives the idea that these young people will have a heads up in life that others do not.  One day my youngest daughter and I were sitting across the coffee table opposite of each other.  Our two laptops were stationed back to back.  She was playing a game and I was working on mine.  I remember as I peered across all I can see was her little eyes darting back and forth following objects on the screen.  She was sick at that time so her eyes are a little droopy; nonetheless, as I look into her eyes I wondered what does her future hold.  Will there be something tangible for her and her siblings to hold on to that her father and I have left behind?

Proverbs 13:22 speaks of leaving such an inheritance behind. It says, ““A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children’s children . . .”  One that even the grandbabies can participate in.  Of course it doesn’t have to be farm work.  Rather, anything real and tangible thing that will help our children build their future; something that those coming after us can positively say, “I get that from my dad or mom,” or something to that effect.  When they can say, “Thanks to the legacy they left behind they set forth this foundation for me to build my life on.”  That deals with the material side of life.

Then, we have the spiritual side of life. 2 Corinthians 12:14 specifically deals with this.  Paul says, “For I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” As their spiritual father, Paul was not worried about their possessions or personal gain in life.  He was more focused on the harvest they would reap after they pass from this world.  He wanted to leave a legacy that would draw his spiritual children nearer to Christ no matter the work and effort he himself had to put into it.  He said, “I will very gladly spend and be spent for you . . .” (2 Corinthians 12:15).

As a parent, we do feel spent sometimes for the sake of our children, both materialistically and spiritually. But, since I believe in the Word of God I believe there is going to be good growth that comes out of it.  Nope, everything is not all peachy-keen all the time, but as the one who wants to leave a legacy, I believe God will bless.

The foundation of wanting to “lay up” for our children started with Him. “And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise,” (Colossians 3:29).  We are heirs and as heirs we inherit what our Father has willed to us.  How nice would it be if our children can look back and say, “If my dad or mom did that or accomplished this then there’s no telling what I could do.”  This works on both a spiritual level as well as a material one.  I have always been taught that God gives us two gifts: one for this life to sustain us and earn for our living, and a spiritual gift that will store up for our eternal future.  How blessed would it be for our children to see us moving forth in both?  And, how blessed would it be for us to see our children operating in that which we have laid up for them?  Today, I definitely want to work on leaving a legacy.  It’s not too late!  Start today!

A Word for Today: “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

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Dealing with defeat is more than just being discouraged.  Defeat has a way of getting deep down within the spirit of man and making them feel crushed beyond measure.  It’s more than a heavy load.  It’s carrying the weight of disappointment, hopelessness, and pain without seeing any real way of being able to experience the least bit of victory in the end.  Therefore, the shoulders slump forward without the strength to be lifted up.

How does one go one when they think they have no more power for the press of this life?  There is nothing you and I can do to overcome on our own.  A humanistic way of thinking will formulate plans over and over again but they come to nought.  Or, any measure of peace we think to feel becomes fleeting and never lasting.

In Jesus Christ, we have our ultimate source of victory.  He said, “Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”  HE IS THE DEFEATER OF DEFEAT.  He is the power that stands aright with no competition to put Him down.  He is our way when there seems to be no way.  Our comfort when the love of people is few and far between.

There is NOBODY like my JESUS!  Ain’t that the truth!  He is my comfort when I am comfortless.  He’s my fortress when I am surrounded by enemies.  He’s my strength when everything within me feels weak.  He has overcome anything and everything this world has thrown at Him and He stands ready to overcome for you, too.

We are far from defeated.  We are more than conquerors.  Everything that tries to convince us otherwise is a bald-faced lie from the enemy.  We are secured in Christ.  Christ has already won all the competitions of this life.  He has already overwhelmed the enemy.  He has taken this world by storm and we rest in the realm of His power, strength, and love.

To say that Christ has won is an understatement.  He has literally crushed, obliterated, and stands on the head of every adversary we may face today.  The world may think they have won but Jesus will flip the script on them every time and show who He really is.  He has “disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross,” (Col. 2:15; NIV).  His enemies are being made a footstool at His feet (Hebrews 10:13; NIV).  He is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords and will conquer everything and everybody that tries to war against Him (Revelation 17:14).

In case you haven’t figured it out yet, WE ARE ON THE WINNING SIDE!  There is no defeat for a child of God.  We have too much victory available to us through the name and the blood of Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer, and our Victor.

He has already overcome and we will overcome with Him!  Be of good cheer.