I am thinking of two great men of old. I am thinking of Moses and David, men that did great exploits for God. One thing, just one thing turned it around. For Moses it was the simple task of speaking rather than splitting a rock, for David it was worse, taking another man's wife.
I am not talking about the deeds but what they did after. I am talking because, I wonder at this time what it would take to change God's mind when it is made up. We make mistakes everyday, for some we directly disobey God. What does it take to change the mind of God at a point where we have messed up so bad that He is dead set on correcting us in His way.
How does an intercessor for a nation get punished for something seeming so little, but so great in the eyes of God. Punished to the point where he loses the promise. How does a king who betrayed a friend commander get to survive and live on and even give birth to a son who becomes king? David wept, for seven straight days and God turned his back on him... Moses for all he had done for and with God could not get Him to change His mind.
The question I ask today is where do you draw the line? How do you know what to fight for and what to live with? How do you know when to cry and when to accept the punishment God has in store for the errors you have made? Truth is you never know, the difference between David and Moses was Nathan an intercessor.. Someone to speak to God on your behalf, someone who can bring you to that place where your tears will mean something to God.
David wept... And nothing happened..
Jesus wept and Lazarus came back from the dead.
Abraham spoke to God and Lot and his family were saved.
The same Moses who pleaded time without number on behalf of the people of Israel couldn't plead for himself.
The same Jesus who laid hands on people, healed the sick and raised the dead couldn't plead with God at the moment where He took our sins...
And He wept, just like His Father in heaven did, just as He does each time I stray.
We have an advocate with th Father, our Saviour Jesus Christ, but then that God forgives us doesn't mean we will not be punished for our sins.
Correction is costly and painful but totally worth it, it purges, it cleanses and it makes us whole again and one with God, if only we accept it.
We struggle we fight, we persevere and hold on,
Crying and angry, sad and weeping,
Searching for signs, when the sign is right before your eyes.
Looking for warnings, when the danger is all around...
Thinking you are following directions, when you are lost..
When you have been lost for so long, that you can't find yourself..
This is not the time to think, not the time to ponder...
This is not the time to fight, but the time to surrender.
He is searching, your Father is, the Shepherd is as well,
The Comforter is waiting for you at that point,
The point where you give in and surrender,
Where you give up and return to His warmth and rest.
Lift up your eyes from all that is around you..
Lift up your eyes and see the situation as it is..
You are not alone..
He has been with you all along just waiting.
Waiting to say, Welcome Home..
Friday, March 26, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Help my unbelief...!!!!
And straightaway the father of the child cried out and said with tears, "Lord I believe; help thou my unbelief" Mark 9:24
Ever wonder what makes a man make such a desperate cry with tears streaming down his face? Take a boy plagued by demons right from childhood. Demons that throw a boy into fire and into waters to destroy him reqquire constant vigilance. Vigilance long and many years running. Many years later, many people seen, many priests many solutions offered most likely, none of them working. It starts to set in somewhere along the line. Slowly but surely, the agony of despair. It creeps in unawares and before you know it, it as much a part of your life as the very air you breathe.
Step out of the old testament, step into modern times, different situations, the same feelings. Tried to fight situations so many times in different ways, in a world that says if you can't beat them join them, if you don't succeed try and try again, principles which we wrongly take out of context at times and apply to areas which they were never intended for. So rather than trust in the one who has all the answers, the one who knew us before we were born (Jer 1:5), the one who ordained spiritual blessings for us long before we knew of them (Eph 1:3-6). We have a prodigal child in all of us, the part of us that wants to try out everything "we" can to help ourselves before we even entertain the thought of turning our eyes to the Lord God for help. We have what is called selective belief, leaving some things to God, and sorting out the rest ourselves. A very human tendency, because everyone at some point in time goes through i those times.
But then, Prov 3:5 says, trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In Mark 9:23, Jesus gives the father of the child a simple command, If only you can believe, all things are possible to him who believeth.
Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, small as it is, it is complete faith so complete that out of it comes out one of the mightiest trees you will ever see. For his faith and his belief in God, Abraham was made the father of not just many nations but from him nations have been blessed and are still being blessed.
How far down the road of despair are you? All you need is believe, believe and trust God to work out your unbelief. The unbelief because you have been down this road so many times before, the unbelief that comes from so many solutions offered from which none have worked, the unbelief because rather than move forward, you have moved some steps back. All it takes is one touch from God, all it takes is that unshakeable belief from you.
The belief that even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death that He is your shepherd (Psalm 23:4)
The belief that even if you have had the same problem for 12 years just one touch can make you whole again (Matt 9:20-22)
Most importantly, the belief that even if nothing happens, He is still God (Dan 3:17-18). hard to swallow? Indeed but true it is.
No matter how far gone you are, lift up your eyes. Your help is within your reach, my God, He neither slumbers or sleeps
Ever wonder what makes a man make such a desperate cry with tears streaming down his face? Take a boy plagued by demons right from childhood. Demons that throw a boy into fire and into waters to destroy him reqquire constant vigilance. Vigilance long and many years running. Many years later, many people seen, many priests many solutions offered most likely, none of them working. It starts to set in somewhere along the line. Slowly but surely, the agony of despair. It creeps in unawares and before you know it, it as much a part of your life as the very air you breathe.
Step out of the old testament, step into modern times, different situations, the same feelings. Tried to fight situations so many times in different ways, in a world that says if you can't beat them join them, if you don't succeed try and try again, principles which we wrongly take out of context at times and apply to areas which they were never intended for. So rather than trust in the one who has all the answers, the one who knew us before we were born (Jer 1:5), the one who ordained spiritual blessings for us long before we knew of them (Eph 1:3-6). We have a prodigal child in all of us, the part of us that wants to try out everything "we" can to help ourselves before we even entertain the thought of turning our eyes to the Lord God for help. We have what is called selective belief, leaving some things to God, and sorting out the rest ourselves. A very human tendency, because everyone at some point in time goes through i those times.
But then, Prov 3:5 says, trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In Mark 9:23, Jesus gives the father of the child a simple command, If only you can believe, all things are possible to him who believeth.
Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains, small as it is, it is complete faith so complete that out of it comes out one of the mightiest trees you will ever see. For his faith and his belief in God, Abraham was made the father of not just many nations but from him nations have been blessed and are still being blessed.
How far down the road of despair are you? All you need is believe, believe and trust God to work out your unbelief. The unbelief because you have been down this road so many times before, the unbelief that comes from so many solutions offered from which none have worked, the unbelief because rather than move forward, you have moved some steps back. All it takes is one touch from God, all it takes is that unshakeable belief from you.
The belief that even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death that He is your shepherd (Psalm 23:4)
The belief that even if you have had the same problem for 12 years just one touch can make you whole again (Matt 9:20-22)
Most importantly, the belief that even if nothing happens, He is still God (Dan 3:17-18). hard to swallow? Indeed but true it is.
No matter how far gone you are, lift up your eyes. Your help is within your reach, my God, He neither slumbers or sleeps
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Compassion...
And He said, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do"
In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus talks about a debtor, one that owed ten thousand talents which can be converted to millions of dollars. A man who after he had been forgiven of his debt, went around to someone who owed him just a few dollars and actually threw him in jail. To some people, that would make a lot of sense, the reminder that you are a debtor would make you go around to all your own debtors to collect. The problem is, the man forgot that he had been forgiven for something greater, a lot greater than what he refused to let go of.
Not one person, or a select few, but every single person at one point in time or everyday of their lives needs a form of compassion. If it isn't you needing it, then someone will need it from you today. So often however we forget, how we received it, forget how we were when we needed it and before we got it. We have people who feel that just because they have gone through a situation means that no one else on earth has a right to complain about it. People think in their hearts that if they could survive it, then anyone should, forgetting what they went through in that period.
I had an interesting conversation with someone no too long ago and I was asked if God would forgive mass murderers and robbers. This was because of an incident that happened where people were robbed and seperated. The ones that had were let go, the ones that didn't were killed in the worst way ever, run over intentionally by a bus. The sight was horrible, and the question valid. If those thieves repented, would God forgive them? Putting this in comparism with the people that commit genocide, that singular act would pale in comparism. 6million Jews dead beats that anyday. There have been atrocities commited over time by different people for very different reasons. In our eyes some are worse than the other but then lets live the killings, the things that shock us, lets come to the everyday things we see daily. The abuse of a child by parents; physically, verbally, sexually. Men raping women seems bad especially if you are the woman involved, but then what about the men that rape little girls? What of the men that rape little boys? We talk about genocide but then what of the genocide of unborn babies? What of abortion? The bible calls sin, sin, no matter what form it takes, and says all who truly repent will receive forgiveness. Now if God forgives you for the little you do, why shouldn't he forgive someone else who truly repents? It was His choice to forgive you why not trust Him to make the same decision for others?
God sent His Son to die for all, especially the same ones that crucified Him. The same people who He did great wonders for, healing the sick, casting out demons, you name it, He did it and they crucified Him. What did He do? He made an excuse for them. What did He say? He begged and pleaded for them. The greatest possible act of compassion shown on earth. Shown ba a Father through His Son.
We walk through life, trying not to be affected by what we see around us, it is a good thing in principle because we are "protected" from the shock of seeing what is actually going on around us. It works up till the time trouble comes knocking at your door. And come it will eventually because everyone, every single person needs compassion.
Phillipians 4:12-13 says,
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
If truly you know what it is, then go out and show it to someone. Have compassion today and touch a life, you never know when you would need it again.
In Matthew 18:23-35, Jesus talks about a debtor, one that owed ten thousand talents which can be converted to millions of dollars. A man who after he had been forgiven of his debt, went around to someone who owed him just a few dollars and actually threw him in jail. To some people, that would make a lot of sense, the reminder that you are a debtor would make you go around to all your own debtors to collect. The problem is, the man forgot that he had been forgiven for something greater, a lot greater than what he refused to let go of.
Not one person, or a select few, but every single person at one point in time or everyday of their lives needs a form of compassion. If it isn't you needing it, then someone will need it from you today. So often however we forget, how we received it, forget how we were when we needed it and before we got it. We have people who feel that just because they have gone through a situation means that no one else on earth has a right to complain about it. People think in their hearts that if they could survive it, then anyone should, forgetting what they went through in that period.
I had an interesting conversation with someone no too long ago and I was asked if God would forgive mass murderers and robbers. This was because of an incident that happened where people were robbed and seperated. The ones that had were let go, the ones that didn't were killed in the worst way ever, run over intentionally by a bus. The sight was horrible, and the question valid. If those thieves repented, would God forgive them? Putting this in comparism with the people that commit genocide, that singular act would pale in comparism. 6million Jews dead beats that anyday. There have been atrocities commited over time by different people for very different reasons. In our eyes some are worse than the other but then lets live the killings, the things that shock us, lets come to the everyday things we see daily. The abuse of a child by parents; physically, verbally, sexually. Men raping women seems bad especially if you are the woman involved, but then what about the men that rape little girls? What of the men that rape little boys? We talk about genocide but then what of the genocide of unborn babies? What of abortion? The bible calls sin, sin, no matter what form it takes, and says all who truly repent will receive forgiveness. Now if God forgives you for the little you do, why shouldn't he forgive someone else who truly repents? It was His choice to forgive you why not trust Him to make the same decision for others?
God sent His Son to die for all, especially the same ones that crucified Him. The same people who He did great wonders for, healing the sick, casting out demons, you name it, He did it and they crucified Him. What did He do? He made an excuse for them. What did He say? He begged and pleaded for them. The greatest possible act of compassion shown on earth. Shown ba a Father through His Son.
We walk through life, trying not to be affected by what we see around us, it is a good thing in principle because we are "protected" from the shock of seeing what is actually going on around us. It works up till the time trouble comes knocking at your door. And come it will eventually because everyone, every single person needs compassion.
Phillipians 4:12-13 says,
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
If truly you know what it is, then go out and show it to someone. Have compassion today and touch a life, you never know when you would need it again.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Just a thought
First the egyptians were persecuting the israelites and then the Israelites broke free and began dominating and taking over the promised land, then they started fighting among themselves, the love of the world crept in and they started straying from God's original plan. Then came saducees, pharisees and the various sects not mentioned in the old testament. And then the nation called israel was destroyed and its people were scattered...
Now what do we have? After the death and resurrection of Christ, the church was persecuted but still thrived and grew, then came the times of the spanish inquisition where people where killed in the name of God, the church has split up into various segments with they all fighting among themselves, the world has crept in as well with the people that claim to call on the name of God not living a life not much different from the world. Solomon says that what has been will surely be again, there is nothing new under d sun, israel has been persecuted again and have fought and conquered for their land and are still fighting for it. Will the church learn from them? Would we in our individual lives learn from them?
If my people will humble themselves and pray and then turn from their wicked ways, God says he will hear from heaven and He will heal not the people but their land...
Just a thought...
Now what do we have? After the death and resurrection of Christ, the church was persecuted but still thrived and grew, then came the times of the spanish inquisition where people where killed in the name of God, the church has split up into various segments with they all fighting among themselves, the world has crept in as well with the people that claim to call on the name of God not living a life not much different from the world. Solomon says that what has been will surely be again, there is nothing new under d sun, israel has been persecuted again and have fought and conquered for their land and are still fighting for it. Will the church learn from them? Would we in our individual lives learn from them?
If my people will humble themselves and pray and then turn from their wicked ways, God says he will hear from heaven and He will heal not the people but their land...
Just a thought...
Lost but found
I am far from perfect, but you still call me holy,
The further I stray, the wider your arms to guide me home again,
Your eyes are ever searching, searching for your lost sheep,
The sheep that signify your children, some lost, others driven,
Ever willing to guide them home again
When I say I am ready but am far from steady,
Shaken, scared and nearly broken,
When am lost, lonely and far from home,
Far from love, comfort and fellowship,
Help me know you are near.
I spent so much time searching for answers I still can’t find, looking for solutions to problems I need not have, I spent so much time looking around I failed to look to the one place I actually should. And in the looking I picked up a lot more than I could handle.
I am writing this, after a night filled with doubts or thoughts about whom and what I am, at a time when it seems like nothing makes sense anymore. When you have tried over and over again and still find yourself not just at the beginning but a few steps further from where you started from. I am writing this because of the light at the end of the tunnel that has seemed close enough to touch only for it to go so far out that it seems impossible to get to. The sharp pangs that announce the loneliness that gnaws your heart, especially when the green in your yard is painted just to make it as beautiful as the rest. Done fed up, tired of it all, a time when like Job, like Elijah, you are so fed up that you just want to lay down and die.
Just when it seems like it can’t get any worse, everything steps up a notch or two. The weariness of it all eats at you draining you totally, completely. Pride keeps you going, the stubborn pride born more out of stubbornness than any other thing, the feeling that one day you will reach out and break through to the light, the same stubborn pride that got you there in the first place. Tonight I see, I see a pattern, I see a design, I see repetitions, I see hope.
At a time when the cares of the world continuously bombard one, how much time and how often does one spend listening to the shepherd? How many people even know His voice? A voice saying:
What can separate us from the love of Christ?
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The further I stray, the wider your arms to guide me home again,
Your eyes are ever searching, searching for your lost sheep,
The sheep that signify your children, some lost, others driven,
Ever willing to guide them home again
When I say I am ready but am far from steady,
Shaken, scared and nearly broken,
When am lost, lonely and far from home,
Far from love, comfort and fellowship,
Help me know you are near.
I spent so much time searching for answers I still can’t find, looking for solutions to problems I need not have, I spent so much time looking around I failed to look to the one place I actually should. And in the looking I picked up a lot more than I could handle.
I am writing this, after a night filled with doubts or thoughts about whom and what I am, at a time when it seems like nothing makes sense anymore. When you have tried over and over again and still find yourself not just at the beginning but a few steps further from where you started from. I am writing this because of the light at the end of the tunnel that has seemed close enough to touch only for it to go so far out that it seems impossible to get to. The sharp pangs that announce the loneliness that gnaws your heart, especially when the green in your yard is painted just to make it as beautiful as the rest. Done fed up, tired of it all, a time when like Job, like Elijah, you are so fed up that you just want to lay down and die.
Just when it seems like it can’t get any worse, everything steps up a notch or two. The weariness of it all eats at you draining you totally, completely. Pride keeps you going, the stubborn pride born more out of stubbornness than any other thing, the feeling that one day you will reach out and break through to the light, the same stubborn pride that got you there in the first place. Tonight I see, I see a pattern, I see a design, I see repetitions, I see hope.
- I see sheep, with disaster looming. Are they bothered? No. Be it lack of water or food, be it danger, hunger, worries, tears or fears. One characteristic is always seen, they look to their shepherd.
- I see people bitten and dying in the most desolate of places, I see the Israelites asked to do one thing, look up to the snake on the staff.
- I see a man, frustrated beyond measure, starved and ready to die; I hear a still small voice saying lift up your eyes…
- I see a cross, with one man sent to die for me, to die so that I could write this message today, not by your might, or by your power, not by your plans or notions, but by grace, by grace I am saved. Not so I can accept and live the life I want to, but so I can accept and step into the fold, and there can only be one shepherd.
At a time when the cares of the world continuously bombard one, how much time and how often does one spend listening to the shepherd? How many people even know His voice? A voice saying:
- Behold I stand at the door and knock and if any will, he will open his door and I will come in and dine with him and he with Me… A wonderful invitation, take a moment, take a minute and hear that ever sweet sound.
- Come to me all you who are burdened and heavy laden, come to me and I will give you rest, He will give us and not we giving ourselves.
What can separate us from the love of Christ?
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
36 As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[m] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
