Do Life Right

As I do this, I can't say if it’s good or bad. My mom likes it; I suppose that’s good enough. I’m discovering just how selfish I am. What I mean is I am consumed by myself (I'm alone too much) and obsessed with God’s word. I can't say if this is normal, but it definitely isn't godly. I try and filter my life by God’s word, and I self-judge by it. Sad to say, I’ve came up wanting. I know everybody is a sinner. But, I am both disgusted by and yet attracted to sin. It’s our two natures at war. I put to death the old-man, only to see him again when shook up. My old pastor used to say, “The old man is never so dead it can't be resurrected on a moments notice.” That was Al Moody, just to give him credit. I've found this saying true, and perhaps that’s why Paul said, “…I die daily….”

 Anyway, as I've been reading Isaiah, one verse is haunting me. A friend of mine says I just should relax and enjoy God’s grace. I do love His grace, it’s the only reason we are saved. Yet, I want to live a holy life, not for salvation, but for service. An ordinary vessel is for common (secular) use.  A holy vessel is for special use. Here is what Paul said to Timothy

 ²⁰ In a large house there are not only things made of gold and silver, but also things made of wood and clay. Some things are used for special purposes, and others are made for ordinary jobs.²¹ All who make themselves clean from evil will be used for special purposes. They will be made holy, useful to the Master, ready to do any good work.

 ²² But run away from the evil desires of youth. Try hard to live right and to have faith, love, and peace, together with those who trust in the Lord from pure hearts.     2 Tim 2:20-22 NCV

I want to do life right, well, what’s left with it. I’m a slow learner, but, I want to please Jesus.

Here is that verse haunting me:

¹ The Lord said, 
    "How terrible it will be for these stubborn children.
    They make plans, but they don't ask me to help them. 
       They make agreements with other nations, without asking my Spirit. 
       They are adding more and more sins to themselves. 

Isaiah 30:1 NCV

Perhaps we should pray about our plans

Intrigue Again

Youngsters, unaware, pray they’re unaware

Intrigue compels them, sucking them in with tricks and shows

Gaps of years, jump forward in time

With the tick of a clock, another time

Intrigue again, puberty is near

Heightened awareness, fallen fight or fixed faith?

An infinite Wisdom, drawn once again

Mixed up signals clouds the perfect, though He draws me near

Teenage revelry, passive rebellion concealed, keeps the fight within

Torn and broken family, is He really near?

Friendship and His comfort, something new is near

Wedding bells, I’ll try it, faith full grown, I know He’s hear

Love despite all hardship, blessed for years

Work for Him? There’s a fight

Trust Him fully and completely? It’s another planet, I’m never there

So, He moved me quite slowly, just a bit by bit

Fulltime family, two children here, part-time ministry frightful love

Interrupted by a burden, I can’t bear it; He helps me fight my fear

Deceived by complications, put down the ministry, I’m sinking here

Clouded foggy decade passes, wasted years

Pain fights daily inside me, but Christ draws me near

His word works inside me, bring me to tears

The lamb put on His shoulders, He holds me near

His word washes right through me, cut sin inside me, I know He’s near

When battles rage within, I can hardly hear

But with Christ fighting for me, nothing can keep me from Him, I’ll be there

The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us. Everything God made is waiting with excitement for God to show his children's glory completely.

Romans 8:18-19 NCV

Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can troubles or problems or sufferings or hunger or nakedness or danger or violent death?

Romans 8:35 NCV

Isaiah

Here are just a few gems out of Isaiah 41-43. Let God speak to you:

Who has controlled history since the beginning? 
    I, the Lord, am the one. I was here at the beginning, 
       and I will be here when all things are finished." 

Isa 41:4 b

…don't worry, because I am with you. 
       Don't be afraid, because I am your God. 
    I will make you strong and will help you; 
       I will support you with my right hand that saves you.

Isa 41:10

 ¹³ I am the Lord your God, 
       who holds your right hand, 
    and I tell you, 'Don't be afraid. 
       I will help you.'

Isa 41:13

…do not be afraid even though you are weak as a worm. 
    I myself will help you," says the Lord. 
       "The one who saves you is the Holy One of Israel.

Isa 41:14 b

 ⁵ God, the Lord, said these things. 
    He created the skies and stretched them out. 
       He spread out the earth and everything on it. 
    He gives life to all people on earth, 
       to everyone who walks on the earth. 
 ⁶ The Lord says, "I, the Lord, called you to do right, 
       and I will hold your hand 
    and protect you. 

Isa 42:5-6a

…"Don't be afraid, because I have saved you. 
       I have called you by name, and you are mine.
 ² When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. 
       When you cross rivers, you will not drown. 
    When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, 
       nor will the flames hurt you.
 ³ This is because I, the Lord, am your God, 
       the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. 

Isa 43:1b-3a

¹⁰ The Lord says, "You are my witnesses 
       and the servant I chose. 
    I chose you so you would know and believe me, 
       so you would understand that I am the true God. 
    There was no God before me, 
       and there will be no God after me.
 ¹¹ I myself am the Lord; 
       I am the only Savior.
 ¹² I myself have spoken to you, saved you, and told you these things. 

Isa 43:10-12a

All verses are from the New Century Version

Yahweh's Word

My words’ come and go, but His will never fail.

The Word passed down from the beginning and will last through all eternity.

The Word never comes back void; it will always complete our Gods purpose.

The ‘Word of God’ is complete and it is unique, so will you please take a look?

If deserted on island and I only had one book, I pray it is the Bible God’s only holy book.

The soul fades away, if we just admire it and skip our time to read it,

But read please with care and caution, its edges are sharp, and it cuts on purpose..

The Word, it finds our motives, it make us fear and hope.

In the Word, there is always comfort.

In His Word, you'll find He stores away all our stores away our tears.

Yet, what most amazing is that the Word of God took on flesh.

The Logos, our God almighty, the Creator of all is the Christ, the Savior our all.

Yes the Word is from Jesus, our King of kings and the LORD of lords.

His Word you find words that can save you, but if you ignore it condemns you to hell.

Jesus and His Word, tells our future like its history.

Our fate, though our mystery is written in its pages.

The Word brings us eternal life—Jesus and it is found in a written record.

For the Word is His-story, so read the end of the book.

Will you read His Word? Will you take a look?

Trending Now

What’s trending now?

Sesame Street hides the Dark Knight in time

Jay-z’s lost his beat, bett-da go back to da Sesame Street

Medicare is broke, why do we act so stoked?

Einstein’s letter, E=mc squared, do we even care?

My Smart phone is toast, why I've I been na boastin'.

My Honda's da recall ? No! I ain’t walki’, dis ain't goin’ na wooork.

I know these words came out in stupidity. The trends on Google, Yahoo, Bing searches and the rest stir no interest in me. Millions of people simply follow whatever’s popular. But who defines popularity? Who guides its course? Think you know? Who’s the prince and power of the air? (Eph 2:2) Who pulls the strings in the puppet masters show? Who’ll be disgraced when the world really knows?

Someday a veil will lifted and everyone will know.

“Those who see you stare at you,
    they ponder your fate:
“Is this the man who shook the earth
    and made kingdoms tremble,
 the man who made the world a wilderness,
    who overthrew its cities
    and would not let his captives go home?”

Isaiah 14:16-17 NIV

Celebrate Jesus

Think about the blessings we have in Christ. If you read Psalms you'll see the book ends in celebration. Psalm after Psalm praises His name. Yahweh is holy. He lives outside of time, but for us He stretched out the Universe and the heavens themselves speak volumes. Looking at the stars tonight, I stood in awe of His glory.

Who could make the heavens?

Who could stretch out the stars?

Who?

Our God!

He made our galaxies near and far. Yet we are the apple of His eye. We are but a vapor and spec in time and have access to talk to and commune with our Father. In Christ we sit in the center of His will and Earth is our playground. In Christ we are heirs to more than we can think or imagine.  One look at the Hubble telescope images and we can see the expanse of His glory. Wow! Then on the opposite side of the spectrum are the codes in the seed and our DNA. I speculate that as science is able to look deeper and into most minute particle, they will look to no end in unraveling Gods workmanship. Our God is bigger than we think, holier than we can Fathom, and most generous in His love.

What are His wonders stored up for His children?

As mighty all His creation may be, He loves us, why?

Perhaps it is as simple as our earthly relationships. We love those that love us, even when they fail us. Our Fathers love is boundless. Think of it. Sin separated us from the one who gave it all to Adam and Eve. The Earth groans because of our broken relationship. And to fix our sin problem, the Father sent His Son, Jesus. As Adam and Eve sinned, they realized they we naked. This was the first religion of sorts; they covered themselves with fig leaves. We have a fig tree and those leaves make you itch like crazy. In there evening meeting with God, they were unacceptable in His sight. To cover them temporally and animal was sacrificed and the skin of the animal covered their naked bodies. The bible declares without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.

Though you or I wouldn’t die for another—unless we love them—Jesus did. He took that penalty for all who would call on His name. And that’s something to celebrate. Nehemiah said this:

 ¹⁰ Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Then looks at the Psalms, just a couple.

148

¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens;
    praise him in the heights above.
² Praise him, all his angels;
    praise him, all his heavenly hosts.
³ Praise him, sun and moon;
    praise him, all you shining stars.
⁴ Praise him, you highest heavens
    and you waters above the skies.

⁵ Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for at his command they were created,
⁶ and he established them for ever and ever—
    he issued a decree that will never pass away.

⁷ Praise the Lord from the earth,
    you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
⁸ lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
    stormy winds that do his bidding,
⁹ you mountains and all hills,
    fruit trees and all cedars,
¹⁰ wild animals and all cattle,
    small creatures and flying birds,
¹¹ kings of the earth and all nations,
    you princes and all rulers on earth,
¹² young men and women,
    old men and children.

¹³ Let them praise the name of the Lord,
    for his name alone is exalted;
    his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
¹⁴ And he has raised up for his people a horn,
    the praise of all his faithful servants,
    of Israel, the people close to his heart.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 149

¹ Praise the Lord.

Sing to the Lord a new song,
    his praise in the assembly of his faithful people.

² Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;
    let the people of Zion be glad in their King.
³ Let them praise his name with dancing
    and make music to him with timbrel and harp.
⁴ For the Lord takes delight in his people;
    he crowns the humble with victory.
⁵ Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor
    and sing for joy on their beds.

⁶ May the praise of God be in their mouths
    and a double-edged sword in their hands,
⁷ to inflict vengeance on the nations
    and punishment on the peoples,
⁸ to bind their kings with fetters,
    their nobles with shackles of iron,
⁹ to carry out the sentence written against them—
    this is the glory of all his faithful people.

Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150

¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heavens.
² Praise him for his acts of power;
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.
³ Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
    praise him with the harp and lyre,
⁴ praise him with timbrel and dancing,
    praise him with the strings and pipe,
⁵ praise him with the clash of cymbals,
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

⁶ Let everything that has breath praise theLord.

Praise the Lord.

NIV

Father we celebrate Your loving kindness towards us. We thank You for forgiving our trespasses. But, mot of all, thank You for Jesus. 

Beyond Doubt

I debate back and forth in my mind to take or not take medicine. I’m not talking about just for pain, but for any illness. I’ve searched the scripture and found quite often God uses pain and circumstance to get ones attention or, as in the case with Job to accomplish a greater purpose. But, even Job found a bit of comfort as he sat in the garbage refuse scraping his sores with a broken pottery shard. Here is a broken man using broken pottery for comfort. Would we take that away from him saying, “Suffer more, suffer greater.” Of course not!

I know beyond any shadow of doubt our Father could take the rods, screws, and cadaver bones out of my back and instantly heal me. Jesus broke the physical laws governing these miraculous things all the time. Yet, with Paul, writer of most of the New Testament, our Jesus told him, “My grace is sufficient.” But did Paul take his own advice that he gave to Timothy? “Take a little wine…,” Did Paul do this too? Well we don't know, but we do know that Paul was willing to give up anything that hindered an immature believer. So, I doubt it, or at least not around an immature believer.

Only King Asa in 2 Chronicles 16:12 was cast in derogatory light for using doctors or medicine. But, it is because he didn't seek the Lord first. Let’s go back to my first question or statement. There are references throughout the bible of both healing and use of medicine. Medicines were in raw forms then, and I'm not going down a road to figure out what they were, not now. God uses his built in auto-healing mechanisms to repair and replace our worn out flesh all the time. He even uses supernatural methods to heal, yet on a rarer basis. And, He uses doctors and medicine too. So we are left with the first question all over, however with a broader insight of God’s word. There is physical healing in Jesus, but it’s guaranteed only the New Heaven and New Earth. For now we do our best to look through a dimmed mirror and distinguish God's will from principles and statutes. We search the scriptures and pray, and hopefully use wisdom.

I try to do all this right, but, I've blackened both my eyes tripping too. I want to live a holy, godly life, but the tricks of the devil are many and they come in all shapes forms and sizes. And, don't forget Satan’s been going to church longer than you, and probably knows God’s word better that you. So, what’s the key? Well, I only know that if you walk according to the Spirit of God, you will not fulfill fleshly evil desires. I wish I could say I've always walked this way, I haven't, but I do more and more.

^“13 My brothers and sisters, God called you to be free, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do what pleases your sinful self. Serve each other with love.¹⁴ The whole law is made complete in this one command: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."^[b]15 If you go on hurting each other and tearing each other apart, be careful, or you will completely destroy each other.

The Spirit and Human Nature

 ¹⁶ So I tell you: Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want.¹⁷ Our sinful selves want what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit wants what is against our sinful selves. The two are against each other, so you cannot do just what you please.¹⁸ But if the Spirit is leading you, you are not under the law.

 ¹⁹ The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins,²⁰ worshiping gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people,²¹ feeling envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like these. I warn you now as I warned you before: Those who do these things will not inherit God's kingdom.²² But the Spirit produces the fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,²³ gentleness, self-control. There is no law that says these things are wrong.²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their own sinful selves. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do.²⁵ We get our new life from the Spirit, so we should follow the Spirit.²⁶ We must not be proud or make trouble with each other or be jealous of each other.”  Galatians 5:13-26 NCV