Daryl Pint – Page 230

Ponder what He has done

“Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the LORD are right, and the upright walk in them, but transgressors stumble in them.”

“For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”

“Mankind will say, “Surely there is a reward for the righteous; surely there is a God who judges on earth.”

Psalms 64:9 Then all mankind fears; they tell what God has brought about and ponder what he has done. Let the righteous one rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him! Let all the upright in heart exult!

Psalms 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the LORD.

Psalms 53:5 There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.

Psalms 119:20 My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

Jeremiah 51:10 The LORD has brought about our vindication; come, let us declare in Zion the work of the LORD our God.

Psalms 107:42 The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth. Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things; let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.

Isaiah 5:12 They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD, or see the work of his hands.

Proverbs 1:5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,

Proverbs 4:18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.

Daniel 12:10 Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.

Have there been times in your life where the hand of God was so present and real that you just pondered what had just happened? Where one step, one glance, one decision, or one word at the wrong time would have changed your life in another direction completely. How many times have you said “I was very lucky”? People of God ponder these acts of God and give Him praise. They do not say it was luck or chance but by the sovereign hand of God working in their life. How do they know this is the work of God? Because they know Him. They know His promises. He is their rock, refuge, hope, faith, love, joy, power and they rely on His steadfast love. The Holy Spirit within them confirms to their spirit it was the work of God. They absolutely know. His hand, power, love, joy, peace, kindness, strength, might, forgiveness, hope, mercy and grace is known to them. They find anchor to these in His word. They cling to, rely on, and trust in Him. To the world and those who know Him not this all seems foolish, but to those who have put their hope and trust in Him it is the purpose and meaning for life this side of eternity. Desire and seek to know Him and to be able to hear His whispers into your life. Humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him. Believe in His promises. Trust in Him. Cling to Him. Rely on Him. And you will see His hand at work in your life.

No Time

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

“ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

“and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God, who created all things, so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places”

Psalms 63:1 O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with fat and rich food, and my mouth will praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night; for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.

Psalms 42:8 By day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.

Psalms 77:4 You hold my eyelids open; I am so troubled that I cannot speak. I consider the days of old, the years long ago. I said, “Let me remember my song in the night; let me meditate in my heart.” Then my spirit made a diligent search:

Psalms 119:55 I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law.

Psalms 139:17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.

Psalms 149:5 Let the godly exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.

Lamentations 2:19 “Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the night watches! Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! Lift your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint for hunger at the head of every street.”

Psalms 31:19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!

Psalms 36:7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

To desire God is to long after Him with a want to know Him more. To know Him and long for Him is to be at the well of living water. To remember Him at night while laying on our bed brings rest to our soul. To meditate on Him in the night is to have hope for the morning. In the shadow of His wings there is absolute safety, peace, joy, hope and rest. How many days go by where God is but a second thought if a thought at all? How are we to find rest for our soul if we spend no time desiring/seeking the only one who is able to give true rest? It is hard to find something that you are not looking for. It is hard to walk by faith in the promises God speaks in and through His word you do know. It is hard to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God when there is no time spent with Him. It is hard to proclaim praise to God for something you give hardly a second thought. Neglecting God’s word has many detrimental affects – all of which seem to compound over time to a place where your heart, mind, and soul do not hear whispers of God. If your heart, mind, and soul are void of His word do you ever wonder what fills that void? I can tell you – SELF, PRIDE, COMPLACENCY, WORRY, ANGER, ANXIOUSNESS, UN-REPENTANCE, SHORT TEMPER, LACK OF KINDNESS, LACK OF GIVING and SACRIFICIAL GIVING, UNCERTAINTY, UNFULFILLED, UNFORGIVING, NO PRAISE, NO DISCERNMENT, LACK OF DISCIPLE MAKING, UNABLE TO SEE THE LOST, UNABLE TO GIVE THE REASON FOR THE HOPE IN YOU, WEAK OR NO FAITH, and NO DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE COMPARED TO THOSE WHO ARE LOST. God’s word does not magically fill your heart, mind and soul. Nor does it find solid ground if it is only thought about once per week for an hour while at church. Commit to place Him and His word first in your live each day. Do not let the busyness of the life and what it has to offer over shadow and void your life of knowing God and humbly serving, honoring, following and obeying Him.

Delusional

Psalms 62:4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse. For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Those of low estate are but a breath; those of high estate are a delusion; in the balances they go up; they are together lighter than a breath. Put no trust in extortion; set no vain hopes on robbery; if riches increase, set not your heart on them. Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God, and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love. For you will render to a man according to his work.

Job 33:14 For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man;

2 Chronicles 33:10 The LORD spoke to Manasseh and to his people, but they paid no attention.

Proverbs 1:24 Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,

Proverbs 1:29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,

Isaiah 6:9 And he said, “Go, and say to this people: “‘Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive.’

Mark 8:17 And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember?

Luke 24:25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken!

John 3:19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Foolish, hardened hearts, ears that do not hear, not remembering, not seeing, not perceiving, not understanding, hating knowledge, choosing to not fear God, refusing to listen, paying no attention, and putting trust in riches are all given in today’s scriptures. They describe the heart of man and we must be mindful of the natural inclination of our heart and mind. We are instructed to desire God with all our heart, mind, and soul. We are instructed to love Him more than things of this world. We are instructed to confess sin. We are instructed to repent/turn away from sin. We are instructed to humbly serve Him, honor Him, follow Him, listen to Him, and obey Him. We are instructed to give generously. We are instructed to be in unity. We are instructed to put others first. We are instructed to pray. We are instructed to cling to, rely on, and trust in Him alone. We are instructed to cherish His word and to meditate on it night and day. We are instructed to be set apart and be an example. We are instructed to make disciples. We are instructed to not be angry. We are instructed to encourage the weak, help the poor, give to the needy. We are instructed to keep our eyes on Him. We are instructed to listen to Him speak to our heart. We are instructed to keep our eyes focused on Him and eternity. We are instructed to be kind. We are instructed to not have trust in our power or our riches or the might of others. I fear we look at these instructions as recommendations that can or can not be lived in our lives. I fear we think more about God’s grace, love, and mercy and forget about His wrath. I fear we don’t do what is instructed because we choose to live outside of the knowledge and understanding of them. I fear our christian walk has been diluted to thinking that nothing more is expected of us rather than going to church on Sunday. I fear so many are delusional, lukewarm, and living apart from what God has instructed for those who are called to Him. For certain we need to examine our heart and mind and life in light of His word, and the instruction, promises, and warnings contained in it. We have a choice to serve Him with our whole heart, mind, and soul. We have a choice to honor, follow and obey Him. We have a choice to place Him first in our life. We have a choice to be used by Him. Choose to commit to a humbly live serving, honoring, following, obeying Him. Choose to read His word, meditate on it, believe it and proclaim it.

Father of Lies

“Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”

“For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.”

“His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.”

Psalms 62:4 They only plan to thrust him down from his high position. They take pleasure in falsehood. They bless with their mouths, but inwardly they curse.

Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Psalms 2:1 Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed,

Matthew 22:15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words.

Matthew 22:34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him.

Matthew 26:3 Then the chief priests and the elders of the people gathered in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, and plotted together in order to arrest Jesus by stealth and kill him.

Luke 20:20 So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

Matthew 27:1 When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death.

John 11:47-50 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish

Acts 4:16-17 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.”

Acts 4:25 who through the mouth of our father David, your servant, said by the Holy Spirit, “‘Why did the Gentiles rage, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together, against the Lord and against his Anointed’—

Psalms 28:3 Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Revelation 22:15 Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Luke 11:39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

We should not be blind to the fact that there are those who will actively plot and scheme against christianity and also with those who believe. Their father is the devil and he is a liar and father of all lies. He speaks with a smooth tongue and tells people there is no God. He tells people that there is no life after death. He tells people that they need more and more. He tells people that their only happiness will come from what they get for themselves. He tells people that Jesus Christ sacrifice on the cross is not enough to cover their sin. He tells people that they are not good enough for God. He tells people that they are failures. He tells people that personal pleasure at what ever cost is worth it. He tells people that they will never find peace. He tells people that there is no hope. He tells people to be greedy. He tells people that going to church is enough. He tells people that they are to busy to go to church. He tells people that giving to the church and its mission is not needed from them. He tells people that children are to be used for personal pleasure. He tells people to worry. He tells people to never forgive. He tells people that there is no need to confess and turn away from their sin. He blinds their eyes and heart to the current sin they are in. He tells people to hold grudges. He encourages people to be angry. He confuses people. He encourages people to close their ears to the whispers of God. He tells people that they should not wait on God. He tells people that God will not listen or answer their prayer. He tells people that God does not love us. And the list of lies could continue for pages….. Our God lives and is the rock, refuge, fortress, and heavenly Father to all who believe. However we will never be able to fight these lies if we spend little to no time in His word. I wonder how many defeated people are out there because they do not know God and His promises that are found in His word. I wonder how many do not seek God because they don’t feel they are good enough. I wonder how many do not confess sin because they have drifted so far away from God they cannot hear Him speak into their life. Our purpose is to know God, humbly serve, honor, follow and obey Him. We can to believe lies or truth – if we would only choose to seek Him and His purpose, things of this world and the lies it shouts as truths, would have less and less influence. Choose Him!!!!

Instant Access

“Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that good and bad come?”

“ Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!”

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation.”

“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.”

Psalms 62:1 For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Psalms 25:5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.

Psalms 27:14 Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!

Psalms 33:20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

Psalms 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry.

Psalms 123:2 Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maidservant to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he has mercy upon us.

Psalms 130:5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

Isaiah 30:18 Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.

Isaiah 40:31 but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Lamentations 3:25 The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.

James 5:7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.

Waiting patiently is hard. Trusting and waiting patiently is harder. Knowing, Trusting, and waiting patiently is faith. Our faith is something that grows (or should grow) based on knowing God in our lives. Our faith grows as we read His word and believe it. Our faith grows as we seek God and He reveals Himself to us. Our faith grows as we learn to hear His whispers of guidance into our lives. Our faith grows from clinging to His promises. And our faith grows when we patiently wait for Him. Our culture and technology lead us down a path where everything is available nearly immediately. We have grown to expect instant response to our wants and needs. Instant response to many things is not bad. We can instantly find almost anything at our finger tips. Many times this seems to help us function and does. It helps us make decision, take proper care in these decisions and shows us how to accomplish a task unfamiliar to us. Instant access, instant information, and instant response seem to the way we are wired right now. However, in light of the scriptures above, technology seems to draw and pull us away from seeking, hearing, knowing, and serving God. Technology seems to have replaced God. We seem to have lost sight of our need for Him in this world of instant self reliance. We are instructed to seek Him with all our heart, mind and soul. We have instant access to His word but neglect it. We are instructed to desire Him but choose to desire things of this world above Him. We are instructed to serve, honor, follow, and obey Him but have shut our ears to listen for His guidance. We are told to rely on, trust in, and cling to Him alone but have choose to rely on self. Our lives will always be in shallow satisfaction apart from being in His purpose and plan. What disaster or misfortune must come your way before you see need for God? Choose now whom you will serve. Choose now to deny self. Choose now to seek Him. Choose now to confess self-reliance and turn away from it. Choose now to spend time in His word each day. Choose now to humbly serve Him. Choose now to honor, follow and obey Him. Choose now to want to know Him and His plan and purpose for your life. Choose now to never want to hear at your entry into eternity “Depart from Me, for I never knew you”. Choose now to purpose each day for God alone.

Refuge / Rock / Shelter

“ do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

“He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken.”

“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.”

Psalms 61:1 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!

Psalms 5:1 Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

Psalms 55:1 Give ear to my prayer, O God, and hide not yourself from my plea for mercy! Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan,

Deuteronomy 4:29 But from there you will seek the LORD your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul.

Psalms 139:9 If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me.

Psalms 18:46 The LORD lives, and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of my salvation

Psalms 62:2 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.

What keeps us from calling on God and seeing Him as a place of refuge and our fortress? Could it be we don’t see a need for Him in our life? I wonder if our need for God is a direct correlation to amount of time we spend in His word. Scripture clearly tells us to seek Him, desire Him, obey Him, believe Him, trust Him, rely on Him, love Him, hope in Him, sing to Him, have peace in Him, praise Him, pray to Him, and listen to Him. When we spend time in His word the more we hear His quiet voice leading us down paths that bring honor and glory to Him. How can we call on someone we hardly know? How can we hold on to His promises if we don’t know what they are? How will we know sin in our life if we can’t compare our actions with what is expected in His word? We become passive, complacent, lukewarm, and have an appearance of being close to God but in reality our substance is shallow words without action. Action from the heart that leads us to repentance, action from the heart the leads us to give, action from the heart that allows us to forgive, action from the heart that leads us to praise, action from the heart that leads us to confess, action from the heart that allows us to be wronged, action from the heart that runs to God. We would do well to spend time in His word, listen for His whispers of guidance, follow and obey Him.

Whispers of God

“O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses; you have been angry; oh, restore us.”

“Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go out, O God, with our armies.”

“And the LORD said to me, ‘Say to them, Do not go up or fight, for I am not in your midst, lest you be defeated before your enemies.’”

Psalms 60:10 Have you not rejected us, O God? You do not go forth, O God, with our armies. Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes.

Psalms 20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

Psalms 44:5 Through you we push down our foes; through your name we tread down those who rise up against us. For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. But you have rejected us and disgraced us and have not gone out with our armies.

Psalms 118:9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in princes. All nations surrounded me; in the name of the LORD I cut them off!

Isaiah 8:17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the house of Jacob, and I will hope in him.

Isaiah 12:1 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Joshua 7:12 Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you.

Deuteronomy 20:4 for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’

1 Chronicles 10:1 Now the Philistines fought against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was wounded by the archers. Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and thrust me through with it, lest these uncircumcised come and mistreat me.” But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it. And when his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he also fell upon his sword and died. Thus Saul died; he and his three sons and all his house died together. And when all the men of Israel who were in the valley saw that the army had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled, and the Philistines came and lived in them. The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. And they stripped him and took his head and his armor, and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines to carry the good news to their idols and to the people. And they put his armor in the temple of their gods and fastened his head in the temple of Dagon. But when all Jabesh-gilead heard all that the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and took away the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons, and brought them to Jabesh. And they buried their bones under the oak in Jabesh and fasted seven days. So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the LORD in that he did not keep the command of the LORD, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance. He did not seek guidance from the LORD. Therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

I heard a person from “Proverbs 31 ministry” reflect on the busyness of life and they said “I have to take time to hear the whispers of God first thing everyday. If I don’t I find myself getting caught up by the shouts of this world and am unable to hear God”. A simple reflection of the past week and see if this is not true. Is not God our purpose and reason for living this side of eternity? Why do we find it hard to commit to daily spending time in His word and in prayer, seeking to know Him deeper and the purpose and plans He has for our life? Go back and reread these scriptures again and see what happens in the lives of those who; breach faith, seeking guidance apart from God, devoted to destruction (set their heart on things other than God), trust in princes, trusted in their own power, strength and what they own. We are accountable to humbly serve, honor, obey and follow God. How can we do this if we can’t hear His whispers of guidance? How can we do this if all we have in our lives are the shouts of what this world has to offer? The answer is – WE CAN’T!!! Everyday needs to start with, be maintained throughout and end with Him. Commit to spending time in His word and prayerfully seeking God for guidance for the day. It is clear God turns away from those who reject, turn away, and lukewarmly seek Him. Seek and desire Him with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind – if you do this His whispers become shouts and the world shouts turn to whispers.

Permissiveness

I read this and for the life of me I can’t recall who wrote it but it punched me in the heart. I share it with you out of the importance of what this writer said and how it applies to those who profess salvation in and through faith in the redemptive sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross.

Christianity in this country has long since been reduced to a meaningless collection of feelings and sentiments. Those who ascribe to this false faith have come up with several euphemisms and buzzwords to make their laziness, selfishness, and indifference seem somehow noble. Of all those words, perhaps none are used more often or more inaccurately by these types than “compassion.”

They say that the whole job of a Christian is to have “compassion” for others. And it’s true that we are supposed to be compassionate, just as Christ is compassionate, but they’re not talking about that sort of compassion. They’re talking about a “compassion” that imitates the “compassion” of the Devil. A compassion that concerns itself with making sure people are happy and self-assured as they walk casually into Hell. Their compassion only wants everyone — especially themselves — to be comfortable in sin.

To encourage someone in their wickedness is the most hateful act you could ever commit because it brings the person, and yourself, closer to damnation. Permissiveness, then, is not compassion. We are all sinners, and the last thing we need is for our fellow Christians to provide us with excuses and rationalizations. True compassion does the opposite. True compassion exposes evil, stands for truth, and walks beside the sinner to help him in his search for Christ.

Bear the Consequences

“Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences”

Psalms 60:3 You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.

Psalms 71:20 You who have made me see many troubles and calamities will revive me again; from the depths of the earth you will bring me up again.

Daniel 9:12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity.

Psalms 75:8 For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup with foaming wine, well mixed, and he pours out from it, and all the wicked of the earth shall drain it down to the dregs.

Isaiah 51:17 Wake yourself, wake yourself, stand up, O Jerusalem, you who have drunk from the hand of the LORD the cup of his wrath, who have drunk to the dregs the bowl, the cup of staggering.

Jeremiah 25:15 Thus the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from my hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it.

Habakkuk 2:16 You will have your fill of shame instead of glory. Drink, yourself, and show your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter shame will come upon your glory!

Revelation 16:19 The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath.

Ezekiel 23:27 Thus I will put an end to your lewdness and your whoring begun in the land of Egypt, so that you shall not lift up your eyes to them or remember Egypt anymore. “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will deliver you into the hands of those whom you hate, into the hands of those from whom you turned in disgust, and they shall deal with you in hatred and take away all the fruit of your labor and leave you naked and bare, and the nakedness of your whoring shall be uncovered. Your lewdness and your whoring have brought this upon you, because you played the whore with the nations and defiled yourself with their idols. You have gone the way of your sister; therefore I will give her cup into your hand. Thus says the Lord GOD: “You shall drink your sister’s cup that is deep and large; you shall be laughed at and held in derision, for it contains much; you will be filled with drunkenness and sorrow. A cup of horror and desolation, the cup of your sister Samaria; you shall drink it and drain it out, and gnaw its shards, and tear your breasts; for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD.

“You will bear the consequences” Do you ever think of the consequences of neglect of God’s word, having no desire to be led by Him, seeking only self interests, giving little to the support of His church, giving little in the support of others, having a life that mirrors those who have no thought of God, being to busy to praise Him, thank Him, trust Him, believe in Him, cling to Him, rely on Him……. The picture given in these scriptures give clear indication that those who do these things will drink the cup of His wrath. History shows us that time after time and generation after generation man comes close to God and, in time of blessing, soon loses heart, mind and soul for God. Why do we so easily forget and turn away from God? Do we cherry pick the scriptures that speak of forgiveness, love, mercy, hope, faith, help, joy, refuge, power, purpose, might….. and forget those that say fear God, seek Him with all your heart, mind and soul, praise Him, pray to Him, give thanks to Him, meditate on His word in the morning and evening, trust Him fully, humble serve Him, forgive others, allow yourself to be wronged, do not seek your own self interests, listen to Him, obey Him, follow Him, and “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences” “You will have your fill of shame instead of glory.” “For thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will deliver you into the hands of those whom you hate, into the hands of those from whom you turned in disgust, and they shall deal with you in hatred and take away all the fruit of your labor and leave you naked and bare,” “for I have spoken, declares the Lord GOD”. We live in a time of blessing, mercy, and grace but know this – we all will give account for our actions, thoughts, intents. How sad would it be to know of the great love, mercy, and grace of God, and live in such a way that neglects knowing humbly serving, honoring, following, and obeying Him – and at the end of life this side of eternity hear these words “DEPART FROM ME FOR I NEVER KNEW YOU”

Fortress of Faith

“Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.”

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”

“I love the LORD, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.”

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,”

Psalms 59:16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love.

Psalms 21:13 Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power.

Psalms 106:8 Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power.

Psalms 145:11 They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power,

Exodus 15:6 Your right hand, O LORD, glorious in power, your right hand, O LORD, shatters the enemy.

Psalms 31:7 I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul,

Psalms 86:13 For great is your steadfast love toward me; you have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

Psalms 89:1 I will sing of the steadfast love of the LORD, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations.

Psalms 30:5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalms 61:2 from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.

2 Corinthians 1:10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.

Psalms 77:2 In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying; my soul refuses to be comforted.

Psalms 138:7 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.

These verses just lift your soul don’t they? It is very easy to be overcome with the trouble at hand. Even if we have a relationship with God it seems the only way to know how strong our faith is, is when we have exhausted all of our personal power and strength, and have no where else to turn. Things outside of our control can and do affect us. Try as hard as we can we simply do not have power to control much of it. However God has control of it all. He has a purpose and plan for each of us. His plan never fails. His plan and purpose is perfect. He can do all things. And above all of this He loves us and will lead us. It is easy to say all of this but in the time of trouble our heart and mind find it hard to let go and say “God is in control and I am content”. These times will show the weakness of the fortress of our faith. This is life and our walk with God. Precept upon precept, line upon line, we grow in our faith, understanding, and knowledge of God. Peter put it this way: “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” We all have room to grow – let it start with praise and commitment to humbly serve, honor, follow and obey God.