In 1965, the Beatles (Paul McCartney and John Lennon) wrote a song on their "Help" album entitled, "Yesterday". This song actually appears to focus on a relationship lost and wondering if it could be like it was yesterday ... but in the mix it does describe the human Ecclesiastical desire to drive back in time to change things there for now, or just freeze time and hide there instead of living fully in the now.
("Yesterday...all my troubles were so far away... Now it looks as though they're here to stay... Oh, I believe in yesterday")
("Suddenly ... I'm not half the man I used to be ... There's a shadow hanging over me ... Oh, yesterday came suddenly.")
("Why she had to go, I don't know she wouldn't say... I said something wrong, now I long for yesterday")
("Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play, now I need a place to hide away ... Oh, I believe in yesterday")
Psalm 90:4 "For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past , and as a watch in the night."
GOD IS ETERNALLY NOW.
Ecclesiastes 3:15 "That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past" .
GOD HAS A VESTED INTEREST IN OUR TIME.
Jeremiah 8:20 "The harvest is past , the summer is ended , and we are not saved" .
GOD OFFERS HIS DELIVERANCE ALL THE TIME...NOW
... What about our reception?
Yesterday ... or the memories there of ... are always distorted by the moments in which we live. And equally true to our perception ...many times yesterday casts a shadow or sunshine over our days because of a thought (from the past) that we choose for that moment to embrace.
Many homes, businesses, churches,lives and relationships are destroyed, not because of an actual devastating event or harshly destructive words, but because of the filter that we choose to run those events and words through.
So as not to string this out forever ...Pay close attention...to the next thought.
A strong devotional trust of God through His Word, and a cultivated gratitude for the good and the bad memories of "yesterday", will provide you with a "God Mold-able Heart" that will give you victory "today".
Your choice of a filter for the Past will either make you the victim or the victor... Your choice ... Trust His Grace Plan or fall prey to your depravity.
1 Peter 2 ( Can you see where the past and where the NOW fall into place?)
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
Learn to Praise God for the past and Rejoice in Him today,
HLFA,
Jeff
O That There Were Such a Heart in Them
Oh if only we would risk ..trust beyond the pain,
rest in the face of fear,
belief stronger in what we do not see,
Realize God's will, His desire, is you
...and He desires that your desire would be Him.
God's heart desires this of of our hearts:
Deuteronomy 5:29
O that there were such an heart in them ,
(God is Looking in THEM for This Specific Driving Inclination,
conscience,mind, memory or internal forse for living)
that they would fear me,
(that our FEAR, AWE, and REVERENCE for Him cause all other fears to fade away
... this type of fear creates the lasting connection)
and keep all my commandments always,
(guarding as a treasure, keeping as most precious,
wearing as our prized adornment .. His voice, His Word, his Will)
that it might be well with them,
(the we might be whole, glad and beautiful with Him)
and with their children for ever!
(this is what is truly passed on to our Children
...our offspring ...our family ... our friends
..."perpetual effectual life in Him"
Every tragedy of human character has been linked to a failure to Hear, to Recognize, and to Experience the power of HIS VOICE through His Word in Scripture.
Here is brief Simple but complicated thought to wrap this brief HLFA ... It is not easy to do what He says many times, especially when we are wrestling at the door of obedience. Many times our hesitation is caused by hoping that God may contradict Himself somehow so we would be allowed to disobey without consequences. This will not happen, and there will be more pain in the consequences of disobedience than we would find in obedience. FEELINGS, EMOTIONS, PAIN, CONFUSION, AND STUBBORNNESS feels so much more real than that still small voice that connects us to His effectual love.
Hang in there, hang close to Him for your Life, don't give in to disobey.
Do right even if the stars may fall.
HLFA,
Jeff
of decision to obey.
rest in the face of fear,
belief stronger in what we do not see,
Realize God's will, His desire, is you
...and He desires that your desire would be Him.
God's heart desires this of of our hearts:
Deuteronomy 5:29
O that there were such an heart in them ,
(God is Looking in THEM for This Specific Driving Inclination,
conscience,mind, memory or internal forse for living)
that they would fear me,
(that our FEAR, AWE, and REVERENCE for Him cause all other fears to fade away
... this type of fear creates the lasting connection)
and keep all my commandments always,
(guarding as a treasure, keeping as most precious,
wearing as our prized adornment .. His voice, His Word, his Will)
that it might be well with them,
(the we might be whole, glad and beautiful with Him)
and with their children for ever!
(this is what is truly passed on to our Children
...our offspring ...our family ... our friends
..."perpetual effectual life in Him"
Every tragedy of human character has been linked to a failure to Hear, to Recognize, and to Experience the power of HIS VOICE through His Word in Scripture.
Here is brief Simple but complicated thought to wrap this brief HLFA ... It is not easy to do what He says many times, especially when we are wrestling at the door of obedience. Many times our hesitation is caused by hoping that God may contradict Himself somehow so we would be allowed to disobey without consequences. This will not happen, and there will be more pain in the consequences of disobedience than we would find in obedience. FEELINGS, EMOTIONS, PAIN, CONFUSION, AND STUBBORNNESS feels so much more real than that still small voice that connects us to His effectual love.
Hang in there, hang close to Him for your Life, don't give in to disobey.
Do right even if the stars may fall.
HLFA,
Jeff
of decision to obey.
Do Not Pretend Your Marriage is OK
When it is not?
No time for self-pity ... cry,
please cry
but cry out to Jesus.
Hold on a minute ... slow down, throw away any self destructive thoughts,
Jesus died for your marriage,
the least you can do is separate yourselves to pay close attention to His desire for you.
What Separate?
Your marriage can be better ... stronger and more fulfilling...
but it will only happen with periodic spiritual detox.
Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Out with the lies.
Out with the trash.
On with LIFE in HIM.
Buckle your seat belt and hang on:
First, read the passage below in its entirety... I Corinthians 7:5,6
Second, break out the elements or attributes.
Third, find out what words mean so you don't misconstrue things.
Fourth, plan to "come together again".
This separation is devotional.
It is planned and limited in duration.
It is NOT to figure out how to live without each other,
It's a retreat to ache for each other while strengthening your relationship with Jesus.
It s mutually agreed upon and purposeful.
This can be a morning, an evening, a day, a weekend, a week BUT it's duration is based on the severity of the situation
and the limitations of the union.
1 Corinthians 7:5,6
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
This is God's Plan, when the marriage is pretending to stay together while threatening to tear apart ...
SEPARATE FOR AN AGREED TIME TO FAST AND PRAY AND THEN COME TOGETHER AGAIN -
This is a pause (not an end or a planning time to end) to retreat to the presence of God, to get right, to get real,
to allow God to rekindle love from Him, for Him and for our spouse.
Notice the word INCONTINENCY at the end of verse 5-- this word means: lack of moral self-control, or inability to respond appropriately/Godly.
Satan's plan for marriage (which is to be a snap shot of the bond that God has with His people) is to separate the union by entering temptation into any area of our lives that are out of God's control. Satan will feed the area of our life that is curious about filth. Satan will counsel the area of our life where there is rebellious discontentment. Satan will roar fear into any area of our life where there is confusion instead of trust and love. By the way, the greatest proponent of divorce is Satan, who knows confusion is the best weapon against unity.
Here are the simple guidelines of this retreat ... "Give your selves to Him".
(The guidelines below are a mixture of suggested wise disciplines not all are scriptural mandates)
FASTING -- removing anything or influence that feeds your flesh, fleshy thoughts and lustful desires.
1. Read no other book than His Word ... suggestion if you don't know where to turn ... Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospels (the heart of God, the Mind of God, the Face of God).
2. Stay away from negative media ....music and literature that is spiritually dark and sexually questionable.
3. Eat Good Healthful food. (no junk food)
4. Drink water and other healthful drinks (no pop or booze)
5. Exercise properly.
6. Get rest.
PRAYING - without ceasing, talk to Him when you are not talking to people, and don't talk to people about things you haven't talked to him about.
1. Pray like you've never prayed before ...
2. Meditate - think ab out what you have read but be still and listen to His Word as you pray.
3. Submit - ask Him to give you strength to do what He desires.
COME TOGETHER AGAIN - the purpose is to get back together with more to offer the union because of your time with God.
You both need each other, whether you realize it or not, what ever the motives were in the beginning matters not ...past is past.
BUT remember your first love,
remember your first commitment to each other,
remember the events that bring a smile that brings a tear,
appreciate each other
miss each other
Plan the stronger "ONE FLESH" to go forward.
Ask God for a clearer, cleaner love for each other ... Agape Love ... is not self serving but it is yourself serving the other.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. ( please, I beg you to do this ... try, I'm not ordering you to do this).
Please take advantage of this Retreat if needed.
Hold this if you have friends OR loved ones who don't know what to do about a marriage that is falling apart.
Pray for the Blush again,
Sincerely,
HLFA,
Jeff
When it is not?
No time for self-pity ... cry,
please cry
but cry out to Jesus.
Hold on a minute ... slow down, throw away any self destructive thoughts,
Jesus died for your marriage,
the least you can do is separate yourselves to pay close attention to His desire for you.
What Separate?
Your marriage can be better ... stronger and more fulfilling...
but it will only happen with periodic spiritual detox.
Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.
Out with the lies.
Out with the trash.
On with LIFE in HIM.
Buckle your seat belt and hang on:
First, read the passage below in its entirety... I Corinthians 7:5,6
Second, break out the elements or attributes.
Third, find out what words mean so you don't misconstrue things.
Fourth, plan to "come together again".
This separation is devotional.
It is planned and limited in duration.
It is NOT to figure out how to live without each other,
It's a retreat to ache for each other while strengthening your relationship with Jesus.
It s mutually agreed upon and purposeful.
This can be a morning, an evening, a day, a weekend, a week BUT it's duration is based on the severity of the situation
and the limitations of the union.
1 Corinthians 7:5,6
5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer;
and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
This is God's Plan, when the marriage is pretending to stay together while threatening to tear apart ...
SEPARATE FOR AN AGREED TIME TO FAST AND PRAY AND THEN COME TOGETHER AGAIN -
This is a pause (not an end or a planning time to end) to retreat to the presence of God, to get right, to get real,
to allow God to rekindle love from Him, for Him and for our spouse.
Notice the word INCONTINENCY at the end of verse 5-- this word means: lack of moral self-control, or inability to respond appropriately/Godly.
Satan's plan for marriage (which is to be a snap shot of the bond that God has with His people) is to separate the union by entering temptation into any area of our lives that are out of God's control. Satan will feed the area of our life that is curious about filth. Satan will counsel the area of our life where there is rebellious discontentment. Satan will roar fear into any area of our life where there is confusion instead of trust and love. By the way, the greatest proponent of divorce is Satan, who knows confusion is the best weapon against unity.
Here are the simple guidelines of this retreat ... "Give your selves to Him".
(The guidelines below are a mixture of suggested wise disciplines not all are scriptural mandates)
FASTING -- removing anything or influence that feeds your flesh, fleshy thoughts and lustful desires.
1. Read no other book than His Word ... suggestion if you don't know where to turn ... Psalms, Proverbs, and the Gospels (the heart of God, the Mind of God, the Face of God).
2. Stay away from negative media ....music and literature that is spiritually dark and sexually questionable.
3. Eat Good Healthful food. (no junk food)
4. Drink water and other healthful drinks (no pop or booze)
5. Exercise properly.
6. Get rest.
PRAYING - without ceasing, talk to Him when you are not talking to people, and don't talk to people about things you haven't talked to him about.
1. Pray like you've never prayed before ...
2. Meditate - think ab out what you have read but be still and listen to His Word as you pray.
3. Submit - ask Him to give you strength to do what He desires.
COME TOGETHER AGAIN - the purpose is to get back together with more to offer the union because of your time with God.
You both need each other, whether you realize it or not, what ever the motives were in the beginning matters not ...past is past.
BUT remember your first love,
remember your first commitment to each other,
remember the events that bring a smile that brings a tear,
appreciate each other
miss each other
Plan the stronger "ONE FLESH" to go forward.
Ask God for a clearer, cleaner love for each other ... Agape Love ... is not self serving but it is yourself serving the other.
6 But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. ( please, I beg you to do this ... try, I'm not ordering you to do this).
Please take advantage of this Retreat if needed.
Hold this if you have friends OR loved ones who don't know what to do about a marriage that is falling apart.
Pray for the Blush again,
Sincerely,
HLFA,
Jeff
At the End of a Rope
Years ago, sitting in a college chapel service, I heard our Chancellor shout out in a strong voice (as if it was God's Word) :
"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" ... the students shouted .. "Amen!"
I even found this phrase coming forth from my lips at times in messages that I would preach throughout the years.
I was proclaimed to encourage us not to quit just because the going was getting rough.
Little did I know until today that this phrase was borrowed from Franklin D. Roosevelt (not God);
AND there seems to be a very strong message of self reliance in this phrase similar to the phrase "You can do it!"
Oh, there is a truth to be found here, but it is only one sided ...and when I am strong it may work, but what if I am broken?
What do I do when I am at the end of my rope, and I am hanging helplessly ... left with only a short frayed end?
Please follow the painful conversation below and try not to treat the words of the hurting as selfish nor Words of our Lord as typical cliche-like answers.
"The painful thing is, a person can’t live like this forever and at some point you really do have to make a decision."
Matthew 26:39 - And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying,
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will,
but as Thou wilt.
Matthew 26:42 - He went away again the second time, and prayed , saying ,
O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it,
Thy will be done.
"I don’t know why when we talk to our Dad in heaven, who is with us, He can’t just swoop us up and make things better."
Mark 15:34 - "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" ....My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?
"OK ...I understand that Jesus went through this stuff; but I'm so thirsty, I'm so empty, I'm the one that is hurting here and I do want help!
John 19:28 -- (Jesus said) ... "I thirst."
There was no other way to FREE us ... He had to suffer, bleed and die for us ...
In the clutches of His suffering and death for us,
He had to rely upon the Father for the Joy ahead for Him, by faith, the same as we do now.
THERE was something missing from Him then, so He will be there for us NOW.
PROBLEM ... He is a great God when we are strong, BUT when we are hurting maybe He isn't so strong.
When suffering, we have a hard time with the obvious from His Word.
We have a hard time believing what we have believed and doing what we know we should do, when we are broken.
A rope can be a real problem if it stays anchored to lust and sin because it will keep us tied closely to death.
If it stays fastened around bitterness, un-forgiveness, rebellion, or hatred it will lead us to more pain and suffering.
When it continues to wind around the past, the future gets shorter with very little left to hold on to.
But when we get to the end of the rope...
Let go ...hear Him ... trust Him ... obey Him ... and you will find rest for your soul, healing for your mind, a strengthening of His will in you.
John 19:28 - After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith , I thirst.
The scripture was Jesus' source of strength of knowledge to get through the ordeal of the Cross ....what are you doing with scripture?
Suffering does not give us permission
or excuse to violate His word.
HLFA,
Jeff
"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on!" ... the students shouted .. "Amen!"
I even found this phrase coming forth from my lips at times in messages that I would preach throughout the years.
I was proclaimed to encourage us not to quit just because the going was getting rough.
Little did I know until today that this phrase was borrowed from Franklin D. Roosevelt (not God);
AND there seems to be a very strong message of self reliance in this phrase similar to the phrase "You can do it!"
Oh, there is a truth to be found here, but it is only one sided ...and when I am strong it may work, but what if I am broken?
What do I do when I am at the end of my rope, and I am hanging helplessly ... left with only a short frayed end?
Please follow the painful conversation below and try not to treat the words of the hurting as selfish nor Words of our Lord as typical cliche-like answers.
"The painful thing is, a person can’t live like this forever and at some point you really do have to make a decision."
Matthew 26:39 - And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying,
O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will,
but as Thou wilt.
Matthew 26:42 - He went away again the second time, and prayed , saying ,
O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it,
Thy will be done.
"I don’t know why when we talk to our Dad in heaven, who is with us, He can’t just swoop us up and make things better."
Mark 15:34 - "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" ....My God, My God, why has thou forsaken me?
"OK ...I understand that Jesus went through this stuff; but I'm so thirsty, I'm so empty, I'm the one that is hurting here and I do want help!
John 19:28 -- (Jesus said) ... "I thirst."
There was no other way to FREE us ... He had to suffer, bleed and die for us ...
In the clutches of His suffering and death for us,
He had to rely upon the Father for the Joy ahead for Him, by faith, the same as we do now.
THERE was something missing from Him then, so He will be there for us NOW.
PROBLEM ... He is a great God when we are strong, BUT when we are hurting maybe He isn't so strong.
When suffering, we have a hard time with the obvious from His Word.
We have a hard time believing what we have believed and doing what we know we should do, when we are broken.
A rope can be a real problem if it stays anchored to lust and sin because it will keep us tied closely to death.
If it stays fastened around bitterness, un-forgiveness, rebellion, or hatred it will lead us to more pain and suffering.
When it continues to wind around the past, the future gets shorter with very little left to hold on to.
But when we get to the end of the rope...
Let go ...hear Him ... trust Him ... obey Him ... and you will find rest for your soul, healing for your mind, a strengthening of His will in you.
John 19:28 - After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith , I thirst.
The scripture was Jesus' source of strength of knowledge to get through the ordeal of the Cross ....what are you doing with scripture?
Suffering does not give us permission
or excuse to violate His word.
HLFA,
Jeff
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