I Wish I Hadn’t (Fill In The Blank)…

   You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Mt 12:34-37)

Who hasn’t said or thought at one time… “Why did I say that?!”  or “I wish I hadn’t done that!” or “I wish I had that to do over again.”

95% of what we say and do is done without consciously thinking about it… it just flows out of us.  When we talk, rarely do we think hard about our choice of words… sentence construction… grammar and syntax.  Not only that, most of what we do is also “on the fly” with at best a general plan, thought, or idea about what will transpire.  Our words and actions come from what I’m going to call spillover.

Spillover is what is in us…  What is in our heart.  The Scripture above reveals that we will be judged on our spillover because that is what is in our heart… it is who we really are.  (Pause)  I don’t know about you, but that is a tad bit scarey for me…

God knows that what spills over from the heart is who we are and the basis for how we will be judged by God.  For that reason He caused to be written in His Word the following…

   Psalm 119:11 I have stored up Your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

   2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

Life is spontaneous… it just flows… it happens with little conscious thought in regards to words and actions.  In fact, we don’t have the ability in ourselves to reign in the evil/sin impulses within us.  And that is the reason for the admonition of the above passages to immerse ourselves in Scripture!

The mind of Christ and being able to discern God’s will happens as a direct result of immersing ourselves in God’s Word so as to discern the will of God as we live each day.

When I examine the “spillover” of my life I realize how much I need God to control me so that my spillover glorifies Him rather than causing others to stumble.

What does your spillover say about you and the condition of your heart?

$155k To Clone A Dog?!!

  UPI is reporting that a Boca Raton, FL couple is paying $155,000.00 to clone their yellow labrador retriever.  Yes, you read that right… 155 THOUSAND dollars to clone their pet… a dog.

  Now I am an animal lover… we have a Teacup Yorkie named Ellie that everyone in the family loves.  If she gets sick, I’ll take her to the Vet… but I’m not going to spend an exorbitant amount of money on her… even if I have money that is free to use for anything I want!

I don’t want to make any kind of judgments or suggestions about the people who are doing this that may be out of line… after all… it is THEIR money to do with what they want.  However…

How many people could $155k feed in Africa?

How many people could $155k clothe in an inner city?

How many missionaries would rejoice at a gift of $155k to put into reaching unreached people groups?

How many people could get a Bible in a third world country for $155k?

A church could save a lot of interest by applying $155k to their debt.

Imagine 155 seminary couples getting a $10k anonymous gift to help with their expenses as they prepare to serve God’s people.  They might go charismatic over such an event…

And on and on and on about the possibilities.  BUT THEN…

Then I wondered… how much money do I throw away that could be put to good use for the Kingdom.  It may not be anywhere near $155k… but the amount isn’t important in Jesus’ eyes as the Widow proved. 

It may not be cloning a dog for us… but I guarantee that every believer could be a much better steward of what we’ve been entrusted to build the Kingdom!  Then think about this, what is a small/paltry amount of money to us is a week’s or month’s wages to people in other places!  Hmmm…

Maybe this piece of weird news is just the thing to get us to think more seriously about how we spend our money.  Just a thought…

“That I May Know Him”

Suggestion: Find a plan for reading Scripture and follow it.

I heard Dr. T.W. Hunt say one time that after graduating college, for two years, he did not read anything but the Bible.  No magazines, books, newspapers, or TV… his only intake was Scripture.  He said attributed that to a renewal and strengthening of his relationship with God through Jesus.

It is reported that Dr. Billy Graham uses this plan for his devotional reading in Scripture: Five Psalms a day, One chapter in Proverbs each day, A Gospel each week, and the Bible through each year.   Is it any wonder Dr. Graham is the kind of man he is?

Reading Scripture transforms people into Christ’s image.  It doesn’t matter what the plan is, as long as there is a plan and it is followed.  As it is written, “God Word does not return void (empty)…”

For 2009 I am reading and studying the Gospel of John.  I plan to read John’s Gospel as many times as I can this year.  My goal is to immerse myself in this one book and learn as much about my Savior as He chooses to reveal to me. Presently I’m on my second reading (I purposely read Scripture slow to understand) and have found some things to be part of my study in the coming year.  Consider John’s Gospel as your way to encounter God through Christ at some point this year…

Jesus’ Seven Signs In John’s Gospel (Well known)

Turning The Water To Wine… 2:1-11

Healing Of Official’s Son… 4:46-54

Healing Of The Lame Man… 5:1-9

Feeding The Five Thousand… 6:1-14

Walking On The Water… 6:16-21

Healing Of The Man Blind From Birth… 9:1-7

Raising Of Lazarus From The Dead… 11:38-44

Seven “I AM” Statements:

I AM the Bread of Life… 6:35

I AM the Light of the World… 8:12

Before Abraham was, I AM… 8:58

I AM the Good Shepherd… 10:11

I AM the Resurrection and the Life… 11:25

I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life… 14:6

I AM the True Vine… 15:1

 Seven Witnesses:

John the Baptist… 1:34

Nathaniel… 1:49

Peter… 6:69

Christ… 10:36 – the Central and Greatest witness

Martha… 11:27

Thomas… 20:28

John… 20:31

 Seven Pictures of Faith:

Receive… 1:12

Look… 3:14-15

Drink… 4:14

Feed… 6:35-57

Come… 7:37-38

Enter… 10:9

Hear… 10:16, 27

In The Last Days…

An angel said this to the prophet as recorded in Daniel 12:4…

   But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, until the time of the end.   Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase.”

Watch this and tell me if we could possibly be living in the time described by the angel… 

What is your answer to the question posed at the end?

Pelosi’s Economics

  You will find this interesting.  It seems that Ms. Pelosi views children as a burden on society and the best way to deal with the economic impact of children is… not to have them (Or worse).  Given that she supports the Democratic Platform that supports abortion on demand… including partial birth abortions… I can’t help but believe that is part of what she means by “family planning.”  Anyway… it seems to me that if this is the kind of leadership we will have for the next four years America is headed down a moral slippery slope that we may not recover from.  God help us…

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi boldly defended a move to add birth control funding to the new economic “stimulus” package, claiming “contraception will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government.” 

Pelosi, the mother of 5 children and 6 grandchildren, who once said, “Nothing in my life will ever, ever compare to being a mom,” seemed to imply babies are somehow a burden on the treasury. 

The revelation came during an exchange Sunday morning on ABC’s THIS WEEK. 

STEPHANOPOULOS: Hundreds of millions of dollars to expand family planning services. How is that stimulus? 

PELOSI: Well, the family planning services reduce cost. They reduce cost. The states are in terrible fiscal budget crises now and part of what we do for children’s health, education and some of those elements are to help the states meet their financial needs. One of those – one of the initiatives you mentioned, the contraception, will reduce costs to the states and to the federal government. 

STEPHANOPOULOS: So no apologies for that? 

PELOSI: No apologies. No. we have to deal with the consequences of the downturn in our economy. 

Imagine… preventing the birth of children is a way to deal with an economic situation?  The very idea of such is offensive.

God Can Prevent Our Sin…

  Jesus taught us to pray… “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil…”

  Can/Does God deliver us from evil?  Read Genesis 20:1-6 carefully, especially verse 6, then think with me.

    From there Abraham journeyed toward the territory of the Negeb and lived between Kadesh and Shur; and he sojourned in Gerar. 2 And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, “She is my sister.” And Abimelech king of Gerar sent and took Sarah. 3  But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night and said to him, “Behold, you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” 4 Now Abimelech had not approached her. So he said, “Lord, will you kill an innocent people? 5 Did he not himself say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity of my heart and the innocence of my hands I have done this.” 6 Then God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know that you have done this in the integrity of your heart, and it was I who kept you from sinning against me. Therefore I did not let you touch her.”

Like me, you may need to read verse 6 again… slowly.  Think… God prevented the king from sinning!  God kept the king from doing what he otherwise would have done had God not stopped him!  Wow…

Put those thoughts in a New Testament context from Jude 24-25…

   Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of His glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Because these kinds of things are kept in the secret knowledge and wisdom of God, none of us knows how many times God protected us from our own stupidity… foolilshness… and ignorance.  We don’t know the number of times that God intervened in our lives to prevent us from doing what we otherwise would have done… namely to sin against Him.  I am thankful God has the power to do that!  I am glad He prevents us from sinning at times!

How awesome is that?!  How awesome is God?!!

I don’t know what else to do with these thoughts but to praise… honor… and glorify such a wonderful, loving, merciful, and compassionate God.  Praise be to God for who He is!

Jesus taught us to pray a certain way, but how many times have we really contemplated that God actually answers that prayer?  We may find the answer to that question in eternity…

I’m Holding A Miracle…

Ministry Wisdom (Funeral/Hospital)

This is from my friend of 30 years, Dr. Ryan Whitley, who is pastor of Crosspoint Church in Argo, Alabama.  I think you’ll see the reason I value his friendship so much as you read this from his blog.  He is a man of God who is full of wisdom and grace.

Funerals are delicate situations.    Most of us do not know what to say when we visit the funeral home.  For some, the funeral home setting is excruciatingly difficult.  Additionally, the circumstance is fragile due to the grief.  And, to cover up our ignorance, or maybe even to expose it, we make some of the strangest comments.

Here is a list of things you should NOT say at a funeral, followed by a frank critique:

“I know what you are going through” – no, you don’t; so don’t say it.
“You will get over it” – sure they will, but not with you pushing them.
“The Lord must have needed him more than we did” – not true.
“There is now another angel in heaven” – that is perverted theology.
“I remember when my mom died” – what’s your point?  This is not your mother.
“There is no need to cry” – don’t kid yourself.  Tears drain the pain.
“Please call me if you need me” – sounds good, but is trite and you know it.
“Is there anything I can do for you?” – sure there is, so don’t ask, just do it.
Referring to the deceased, “They certainly look good” – compared to what?
“You just need to keep busy” – bad advice.
“I am grieving just as much as you are” – no you are not.
“What a beautiful casket” – it is not a piece of furniture.
“What you are going to do?” – meaningless question; don’t ask it.

Here is a list of helpful things you SHOULD say at a funeral:

Try silence – many times your presence speaks louder than words.
Try hugging – a gentle touch is sometimes more soothing than a spoken word.
“The only thing I know to say is that I love you.”
“I am so sorry.”
“I will continue to pray for you.”
“I thank the Lord for your husband’s friendship.”
“Your mother was a good friend.”
“Your father was a great…”
“I have a meal I am bringing to your house next Monday night.”
“I cut your grass this afternoon.”
“I cherish your mother’s friendship because she taught me…”
“I will always remember your son’s…”
“I thank the Lord for you.”
“I pray for God to give your more grace” (See James 4:6).

One final word and I am done.

For those who run at the mouth like I do, sometimes just hugging your friend’s neck and waiting for them to speak is the best way to greet them.  Such a greeting gives them opportunity to speak, and for you not to plant your awkward foot in your mouth.  And how they respond to the hug usually sets the stage for what to say or do next.  Finally, keep your remarks short and simple.  Remember, there are others standing in line behind you desiring to express their sympathy.

I trust this helps make a delicate situation less awkward the next time you make a visit to the funeral home.

Now for Dr. Whitley’s thoughts about visiting the hospital…

Just like funerals, hospital visits can be delicate situations.  People who are in the hospital are there for three basic reasons: 1) They are either sick; 2) They had surgery; or 3) They are dying. When making hospital visits, there are a few simple things to remember.

Here is a list of things you should NOT say or do when visiting someone in the hospital:

• “How are you doing” – for goodness sake, they’re in the hospital!
• “What’s wrong” – if they want you to know what’s wrong they will tell you.
• “Is there anything I can do for you” – sounds good, yet is an empty question.
• “You do not look sick” – don’t kid yourself, they’re sick.
• “You look terrible” – no kidding.
• “I remember when I was sick” – today you’re not and they are, keep it to yourself.
• “Did I tell you about the last time I was in the hospital” – you are not the patient.
• “My dad had that surgery and he…” – they are not your father.
• “How’s the food” – this is not a resort.
• “Do you mind if I sit on your bed” – the bed is for the patient, not you.
• Do NOT enter without knocking on the door.
• Do NOT stay long.
• Do NOT use their bathroom.
• Do NOT enter the room if the doctor is consulting or examining them.

Here is a list of helpful things you SHOULD say or do during a hospital visit:

• “I am praying for you.”
• “I came by to check on you because I love you.”
• “I am bringing you supper the first night you are home from the hospital.”
• “I brought you a book if you ever want to read.”
• DO knock on the door and ask if you can come in for a minute.
• DO offer the other family members to take a break while you sit with the patient.
• DO bring them a card, flowers or balloons, if they are not in a special unit.
• DO cut their grass or wash their car while they are in the hospital.
• DO offer to pray for them.

No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets

  The Borden family is remembered these days primarily for two things… the dairy enterprise named for them and Lizzy, who was accused (But not convicted) of killing her mother and father.  But there was once a much more famous Borden.  His name was William.

  William Borden was born into a family of wealth and prosperity.  He came to Christ under the preaching ministry of D.L. Moody.  For his high school graduation his parents gave him a trip around the world.  While on this trip he sensed God’s call to missions among the Muslims of the far east.

  This met with considerable resistence from his family… his friends… and virtually everyone around him.  They couldn’t believe a person of his station in life would “waste” it in a foreign country doing missions.  Yet William would not be deterred from his call.  In the back of his Bible he wrote two words… “No Reserves.”  About the same time he wrote in his journal… “Say no to self and yes to Jesus every time.”   Although he was a millionaire, William seemed to realize always that he must be about his Father’s business, and not wasting time in the pursuit of amusement.

Upon graduation from Yale, William turned down several lucrative job offers and studied at Princeton Seminary.  It was during this time he gave away all his inheritance to missions organizations… and upon finishing his studies he set sail for China to fulfill his call to missions.  He stopped in Cairo, Egypt to learn Arabic in preparation to evangelize Muslims in the far east.

While studying in Cairo, William contracted spinal meningitis. Within a month, 25-year-old William Borden was dead.   After his death, William Borden’s Bible was found and given to his parents. In it they found in one place the words “No Reserve” and a date placing the note shortly after he renounced his fortune in favor of missions.  At a later point, he had written “No Retreat,” dated shortly after he was diagnosed with meningitis.  Shortly before he died, he added the phrase “No Regrets.”

Did he waste his life?  How did God taking a young man of great promise fit into the kingdom?

William’s life has since inspired thousands of people to go into misions and collectively they have had more of an impact that just one person could have.  Then in memory of William the Borden family donated funds to build the Borden Memorial Hospital in Lanzhou, Gansu, China. There is but one thing he wrote that has survived which is titled, “What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?”  Yet there are thousands of lives he impacted while in college and seminary.

The thousands of people William touched for Christ will only be known in eternity.  He lived his life for God’s glory with… “No Reserves… No Retreats… No Regrets.”

Are we living with no reserves… no retreats… and no regrets?  2 Timothy 2:7…

God’s Knowledge (Part 3 of 3)

This post will make better sense if you read the two which precede it.  You can click here for part 1 and here for part 2.

Because God knows literally everything (He is Omniscient)… He not only knows what you’re going through and dealing with… because He’s been through it Himself!  Therefore…

He knows what it is like to pray and be told no by God.

He knows what it is like to be ignored by God (Point: He was ignored by God so that we wouldn’t be!).

He knows what it is like to be threatened by others.

He knows what it is like to be rejected by family.

He knows what it is like to be betrayed by friends.

He knows what it is like to be misunderstood.

He knows what it is like to be lied about.

He knows what it is like to be homeless.

He knows what it is like to be convicted of crimes He did not commit.

He knows what you are going through…

He knows the struggles you have…

That means He alone has the power to do something about those situations for His glory and your good!

Therefore…

   Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Obama’s Abomination

I’m putting off the third post dealing with God’s Knowledge for later today.  The reason is that I am compelled to address Obama’s Abomination… which took place before his first day in office!

   Barack Obama asked the openly gay non-celibate Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson to pray during the Presidential inaugural festivities.  Every Christian should be grieved and outraged that the elected leader of the United States would have the audicity to do such a thing!  This is nothing less than an abomination is the sight of Almighty God.

   If you think those words too harsh, consider what The New York Times reported Gene Robinson had to say about his prayer…

  Bishop Robinson said he had been reading inaugural prayers through history and was “horrified” at how “specifically and aggressively Christian they were.”

“I am very clear,” he said, “that this will not be a Christian prayer, and I won’t be quoting Scripture or anything like that. The texts that I hold as sacred are not sacred texts for all Americans, and I want all people to feel that this is their prayer.”

Bishop Robinson said he might address the prayer to “the God of our many understandings,” language that he said he learned from the 12-step program he attended for his alcohol addiction.

Read those underlined phrases again.  Mr. Obama choosing a man with such a blatant disregard for Jehovah God is to invite God’s judgement.  It looks as though the moral fiber of the Judeo/Christian ethic is being assaulted with ever increasing fervor… in the name of inclusiveness.

And Gene Robinson kept his word on Monday and prayed to a false god he called, “The god of our many understadings.”  That is blasphemy.  You can read the text of his prayer by clicking here…  This is in sharp contrast to Rick Warren who plans to pray in Jesus’ name a prayer consistent with his calling as an evangelical pastor (See end of post for text of his prayer).

Homosexuality is an abomination before God just like lying, stealing, adultery, and greed are.  Those who practice such behavior are excluded by God from heaven.  It is therefore a great sin for Obama to choose a man to pray who, in the name of God, contradicts God’s clearly revealed will.  It is wrong for a man who claims to represent God to reject the faith in the name of inclusion and tolerace.  God has a message for unfaithul shepherds of His people…

Now consider God’s perspective…

   Proverbs 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to do evil, for the throne is established by righteousness.

   Isaiah 5:20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!

   Proverbs 29:4 By justice a king builds up the land…

   Proverbs 25:4 Take away the dross from the silver, and the smith has material for a vessel; 5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king, and his throne will be established in righteousness.

   Proverbs 29:2 When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

What is the Christian response?  That is clear in Scripture…

   1 Timothy 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

If Mr. Obama’s choice of Gene Robinson to pray is any indicator of the next four years, America is in for dark difficult days that only God can prevent.  Thus Christians must pray for the President to come to a knowledge of the Truth and that he honor God before man or any group men represent.  Yet know that those who support the choosing of Gene Robinson will be hostile toward those who oppose the decision.

Here are the thoughts I suggest you read from Dr. Albert Mohler and Dr. John Piper on this topic.  Then on a somewhat related note, Dr. Ray Pritchard has an excellent article on Why Interfaith Services Don’t Work.

Here is the text of Rick Warren’s prayer and you will notice a significant difference from Gene Robinson’s prayer…

Almighty God, Our Father, everything we see and everything we can’t see exists because of You alone. It all comes from You, it all belongs to You, it all exists for Your glory. History is your story. The Scripture tells us, ‘Hear, oh Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is one’ and You are the compassionate and merciful one and You are loving to everyone You have made.

Now today we rejoice not only in America’s peaceful transfer of power for the 43rd time, we celebrate a hinge-point of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the united states. We are so grateful to live in this land, a land of unequaled possibility, where a son of an African Immigrant can rise to the highest level of our leadership. And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven.

Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Americans. United not by race or religion or by blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us.

When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches and civility in our attitudes—even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of good will today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day, all nations, all people will stand accountable before You. We now commit our new president and his wife Michelle and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, into your loving care.

I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life—Yeshua, Esa, Jesus, Jesus—who taught us to pray:

Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.  Amen.

God’s Knowledge (Part 2 of 3)

God’s knowledge is complete about everything, everywhere, and everyone, throughout all time.  Consider… 

   He knows what we think… He knows what every one of the 6 billlion people living on earth are thinking.  He knows everything every person who has ever lived ever thought.

   He has the hairs of our head numbered… He has the hairs of every one of the 6 billion people living on earth numbered.  He knows the collective number of all the hairs on everyone’s head who ever lived on earth.

   He knows every time a bird touches the ground.  He knows every time every bird on earth touches the ground… He knows how many times every bird that has ever lived touched the earth… collectively.

   He knows what is done in secret by everyone who has ever lived.  There is nothing about any person that He does not know.

   He knows how many stars and planets are in the universe.  He knows how many stars and planets have been in the universe.  He knows the collective number of all that have ever existed.

   He knows the exact number of molecules… atoms… protons… neutrons… and quarks in the entire universe… because He made each of them.

   He knows the DNA genetic sequence of every person alive… every person who has lived… and every person who will ever live… collectively… because He put them in place.

   He knows the day of our birth and the day of our death… before either one of them ever happened.

   He hears every prayer of His children… all at the same time… and answers them all, sometimes before the prayer is prayed. 

   He knows everything every person who has ever lived has ever done.

   Everything and everyone is subject to Him because He is God… over all… through all… and in all!

There is one more in this series.  That one will be the application of this and yesterday’s posts.  Click here for part 1…

Ps 139:6  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it. 7 Where shall I go from your Spirit?  Or where shall I flee from your presence? 8 If I ascend to heaven, you are there!  If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!  9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10 even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

God’s Knowledge… How Much And When?

Question… What does God know and when does He know it?

God knows everything.  

God knows everything before it happens.

God knows what would have happened… if what happened… hadn’t happened.

God knows everything that could have happened… if what didn’t happen… had happened.

God knows everything without exception.

God knows all possible contingencies.

But God doesn’t know anything contingently!  In other words, God’s knowledge is not based on looking into the future to see what will happen and then gaining knoweldge based on what He saw that would take place in the future.  If God gained knowledge by looking into the future, then that means He is not omnisicient.  If God is not omnisicient, then He is not God.  Therefore God must know all things!

Romans 11:33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid?” 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever.  Amen.

Truely Jehovah God alone is worthy of praise… worship… honor… and glory!

Patience And Wisdom

There are two qualities in life that we must understand as vital to a joyful existence.  They go together… patience and wisdom.  Thus the picture below… (Thanks to Jim Preston).

    Ecclesiastes 7:8 Better is the end (?) of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9  Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools…

No Matter What…

What is your motivation to worship?  What does it take for you to be able… to want to worship God?  What is the source of your joy, happiness, and contentment?  It boils down to this… How much do you love God just for who He is?

Habakkuk 3:17-19…

   Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 YET I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; He makes my feet like the deer’s; He makes me tread on my high places.  To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

Will you worship God and glorify Him when…

You lose your job?

You lose your reputation?

You are ridiculed?

Your family falls apart?

You try your best to do what’s right… and things still blow up in your face?

The doctors says, “There’s nothing else we can do…?”

You lose all your retirement and financial security?

No matter what the circumstances were, or would be, for the prophet… there was a settled conviction, desire, and devotion to worship God.  The reason was because God was no less God and deserving of worship just because there were difficult times in his life.

Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord… ALWAYS… again I say REJOICE!

When you lose your job… Rejoice in the Lord… ALWAYS… again I say REJOICE!

When you lose your reputation… Rejoice in the Lord… ALWAYS… again I say REJOICE!

When you are ridiculed… Rejoice in the Lord… ALWAYS… again I say REJOICE!

When your family falls apart… Rejoice in the Lord… ALWAYS… again I say REJOICE!

When things blow up in your face… Rejoice in the Lord… ALWAYS… again I say REJOICE!

When the doctor says “There’s nothing else we can do…” Rejoice in the Lord… ALWAYS… again I say REJOICE! 

When your retirement is gone… Rejoice in the Lord… ALWAYS… again I say REJOICE!