Several years ago, after a time of prayer for many of the folks that we were ministering to, and searching His Word, we wrote a scripture song to the passage below. Every time I sing this song it seems to allow me to identify with a deeper understanding of the suffering of others as well as the my own suffering. In studying the Psalm in its entirety, we realize that David's submission to His own suffering, and offering his suffering as a sacrifice for others ("for my sake") allowed Him to walk prophetically in the sufferings of Jesus. Hundreds of years before the Cross of Christ, David would identify so closely with that suffering that God would allow a "flash forward" inspiration to flow through David's thought and words. Take a little time and read the entire Psalm and see the foreshadows and striking beams of light that flow through the passage.
For now ... with out the Musical accompaniment this is the way the Words flow in the song:
Psalm 69:1-3
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
I sink in deep mire,
where there is no standing:
I am come into deep waters,
where the floods overflow me.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
I am weary of my crying:
my throat is dried:
mine eyes fail
while I wait for my God.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
Here comes the right heart attitude towards our own suffering (soak on the next verse):
Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake:
let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.
When you are reaching out in prayer for His help in your suffering ... stop ... pray for others. Allow the "flash forward" inspiration of His goodness to flow through your thoughts, your words, and your actions. Let his life - live through you.
Others.
HLFA,
Jeff
The "Be" Should Have Been --- "Been"
Did you find the BE that should have been a BEEN in last week's HLFA?
(go back and read it so you can say yes).
Here comes a reflection because of it.
In A Shattered Visage, a book-length emotional rant against atheism, Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias puts forth the following assertion:
The words of Augustine are most appropriate: "You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee." Or, as Pascal(1623-1662) put it, "There is a god-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, and only God can fill it." [p.89],..
The Song writer Plumb, made this phrase of a "God Shaped Hole" a fairly popular buzz phrase.
Nothing wrong with the "God Shaped Hole" in a devotional sense for the one who is already quickened, but it may lose its accuracy when it is trying to straddle the lost and the saved and the backslider and all the ramifications of the life and world we live in.
The statement below is a speculative devotional thought based on the reversal of this philosophy of the "God Shaped Hole in the heart of men".
Since the Fall of man there has been a "man shaped hole" in the Broken Heart of the God that created him. "Adam where art thou?" God was heard to say in the garden. Sin totally kept that hole disappointingly empty(actually both holes) ... But Jesus removed the sin situation preparing the way back into God's heart.
There is enough scripture between these two philosophies to keep discussions heated and hearts on fire long enough to bond them and become more fully devoted to our Lord and Savior.
Key this week ... Jesus suffered enough ("It is finished") ... quit wasting time in eternity beating yourself for things He took the beating for and rest in His Grace and trust in His Love.
Isaiah 40:27-31
Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest,
--- "Why do I talk like this?"
O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD,
--- God doesn't have time to care about me, I'm too insignificant.
and my judgment is passed over from my God?
--- When it comes to my deliverance, God somehow misses me.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard,
--- Did God repeat himself? ... I better listen intently here are the facts:
that the everlasting God, the LORD,
--- He is our never-ending help.
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
--- He created and set us within the boundaries.
fainteth not, neither is weary?
--- Our neediness doesn't wear Him out (though our fake "I'm OK" may).
there is no searching of his understanding.
--- The depth of His understanding goes beyond our comprehension.
He giveth power to the faint;
--- He gives Himself to support our frail efforts ti live.
and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
--- He is our Strength even when we have none.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary ,
--- Our youthfulness doesn't guaranty stability of strength
and the young men shall utterly fall:
--- The young have pressure limits too.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
When trust our delays, setbacks, movements ahead, plans, hopes, fears, stresses, joys, past failures, present stumbles, and future unknowns to the focused powerful care of our Loving God .... we will revive, we will stand ready, we will run, we will walk ... in His Strength. Rise up!!!
HLFA,
Jeff
(go back and read it so you can say yes).
Here comes a reflection because of it.
In A Shattered Visage, a book-length emotional rant against atheism, Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias puts forth the following assertion:
The words of Augustine are most appropriate: "You have made us for yourself and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in Thee." Or, as Pascal(1623-1662) put it, "There is a god-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man, and only God can fill it." [p.89],..
The Song writer Plumb, made this phrase of a "God Shaped Hole" a fairly popular buzz phrase.
Nothing wrong with the "God Shaped Hole" in a devotional sense for the one who is already quickened, but it may lose its accuracy when it is trying to straddle the lost and the saved and the backslider and all the ramifications of the life and world we live in.
The statement below is a speculative devotional thought based on the reversal of this philosophy of the "God Shaped Hole in the heart of men".
Since the Fall of man there has been a "man shaped hole" in the Broken Heart of the God that created him. "Adam where art thou?" God was heard to say in the garden. Sin totally kept that hole disappointingly empty(actually both holes) ... But Jesus removed the sin situation preparing the way back into God's heart.
There is enough scripture between these two philosophies to keep discussions heated and hearts on fire long enough to bond them and become more fully devoted to our Lord and Savior.
Key this week ... Jesus suffered enough ("It is finished") ... quit wasting time in eternity beating yourself for things He took the beating for and rest in His Grace and trust in His Love.
Isaiah 40:27-31
Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest,
--- "Why do I talk like this?"
O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD,
--- God doesn't have time to care about me, I'm too insignificant.
and my judgment is passed over from my God?
--- When it comes to my deliverance, God somehow misses me.
Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard,
--- Did God repeat himself? ... I better listen intently here are the facts:
that the everlasting God, the LORD,
--- He is our never-ending help.
the Creator of the ends of the earth,
--- He created and set us within the boundaries.
fainteth not, neither is weary?
--- Our neediness doesn't wear Him out (though our fake "I'm OK" may).
there is no searching of his understanding.
--- The depth of His understanding goes beyond our comprehension.
He giveth power to the faint;
--- He gives Himself to support our frail efforts ti live.
and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
--- He is our Strength even when we have none.
Even the youths shall faint and be weary ,
--- Our youthfulness doesn't guaranty stability of strength
and the young men shall utterly fall:
--- The young have pressure limits too.
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
When trust our delays, setbacks, movements ahead, plans, hopes, fears, stresses, joys, past failures, present stumbles, and future unknowns to the focused powerful care of our Loving God .... we will revive, we will stand ready, we will run, we will walk ... in His Strength. Rise up!!!
HLFA,
Jeff
"Hey let's do lunch some time!" (we've all heard this phrase ...it has almost become as lame as "how you doing!").
The human race continues to come up with expressions that send out messages of hopeful connection to each other. It is not that we have no intentions of fulfilling that hope, but in the rushing of our days we become powerless so many times to guaranty the connection. "Twenty years later, and we still have not hooked up for lunch".
If our security for eternity with our God was dependent upon our faithfulness to fulfill the expressions we send His way...we would all be hopelessly lost. Many of our songs reflect this desire to raise these expressions to Him: "O God you are my God and I will ever praise you, I will seek you in the morning and I will learn to walk in you ways, step by step you'll lead me and I will follow you all of my days." Great song...and He doesn't fault us for our hopeful expressions but for our sake it doesn't depend on us. He doesn't depend on us.
I Corinthians 2:4- 9 -14
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew : for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written , Eye hath not seen , nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received , not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak , not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
God has PREPARED ...He made all the necessary adjustments so He could fit us into His life. We were enemies, sinful, already condemned, unprofitable, unworthy, unholy, unlovely, ...no room for Him. But while we were all this "Christ died for us" ... "He arose for us" ... making room for us... Before leaving in John 14...He said " I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, you may be also."
The only thing He leaves in our hands ... is to call out for the rescue. Romans 10:13 Since the Fall of man there has be a Man Shaped Hole in the Broken Heart of the God that created him. Sin totally kept that hole disappointingly empty ... But Jesus removed the sin situation preparing the way back into God's heart.
Come, you won't be disappointed, He really does want you.
One parting thought ... If God so loved you that He prepared the Way for you, why would you feel He is not interested or loses interest in you?
HLFA,
Jeff
The human race continues to come up with expressions that send out messages of hopeful connection to each other. It is not that we have no intentions of fulfilling that hope, but in the rushing of our days we become powerless so many times to guaranty the connection. "Twenty years later, and we still have not hooked up for lunch".
If our security for eternity with our God was dependent upon our faithfulness to fulfill the expressions we send His way...we would all be hopelessly lost. Many of our songs reflect this desire to raise these expressions to Him: "O God you are my God and I will ever praise you, I will seek you in the morning and I will learn to walk in you ways, step by step you'll lead me and I will follow you all of my days." Great song...and He doesn't fault us for our hopeful expressions but for our sake it doesn't depend on us. He doesn't depend on us.
I Corinthians 2:4- 9 -14
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew : for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written , Eye hath not seen , nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man, the things
which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received , not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak , not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
God has PREPARED ...He made all the necessary adjustments so He could fit us into His life. We were enemies, sinful, already condemned, unprofitable, unworthy, unholy, unlovely, ...no room for Him. But while we were all this "Christ died for us" ... "He arose for us" ... making room for us... Before leaving in John 14...He said " I go to prepare a place for you, and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself that where I am, you may be also."
The only thing He leaves in our hands ... is to call out for the rescue. Romans 10:13 Since the Fall of man there has be a Man Shaped Hole in the Broken Heart of the God that created him. Sin totally kept that hole disappointingly empty ... But Jesus removed the sin situation preparing the way back into God's heart.
Come, you won't be disappointed, He really does want you.
One parting thought ... If God so loved you that He prepared the Way for you, why would you feel He is not interested or loses interest in you?
HLFA,
Jeff
Somethings missing! Somethings almost gone. The fervor has no fire, the delivery has no urgency.
Finger-stopped ears and tightened lips that lead to a fearful heart. Itching ears and loose lips that spring
forth from a wounded heart that oozes with infection. Not the observation that encourages, and not the
perception we want to have of our brothers and sisters in the Lord. BUT it may be reality ... and can end
up being our reality.
I WANT A FULL AND VIBRANT LIFE ...
I want to breathe ... really breathe!
I want to feel alive ... I'm tired of being numb!
I don't want to just be alright ... I want to live His Life.
Here is a simple outline of a life "after his Passion" ....
Acts 1:3
To whom also he shewed himself alive
after his passion
by many infallible proofs,
being seen of them forty days,
and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
1. SHOW YOURSELF ALIVE ... Some of us live with the memory of the cross but forget the resurrection..
We live because He Lives.
2. PROVE YOURSELF LIVING ... Do you read, memorize and meditate on His Word (fellowship with Him)? Do you pray fervently and Continually?
Do you long to gather with your Brothers and sisters in Christ? (this is a direct result of our fellowship with Him).
We love because He Loves.
3. TURN YOUR SUFFERING TO VICTORIOUS LIVING ... "seen for 40 days" ... did you ever wonder (think of the 40s in the Bible and you'll
see that Christ has flipped testing and suffering UPSIDE DOWN ... 40 years in the wilderness, 40 days in the desert ...)
We conquer because He conquered.
4. SPEAK ABOUT KINGDOM THINGS ... We will talk about what interests us and we will grow in interest for the things we talk about.
Let your conversation be from above. The more time we spend with Him the more time is redeemed for Him.
We speak because He has spoken to us and still speaks through us.
Our passion for His life is a result of our loving, daily acceptance of His Passion
(The Sin Shattering Event that struck a blow from and for eternity
to change our reality forever ...
the Cross, The Grave, The Sky ...
I Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.)
Live with The Passion from Him!
HLFA,
Jeff
Finger-stopped ears and tightened lips that lead to a fearful heart. Itching ears and loose lips that spring
forth from a wounded heart that oozes with infection. Not the observation that encourages, and not the
perception we want to have of our brothers and sisters in the Lord. BUT it may be reality ... and can end
up being our reality.
I WANT A FULL AND VIBRANT LIFE ...
I want to breathe ... really breathe!
I want to feel alive ... I'm tired of being numb!
I don't want to just be alright ... I want to live His Life.
Here is a simple outline of a life "after his Passion" ....
Acts 1:3
To whom also he shewed himself alive
after his passion
by many infallible proofs,
being seen of them forty days,
and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:
1. SHOW YOURSELF ALIVE ... Some of us live with the memory of the cross but forget the resurrection..
We live because He Lives.
2. PROVE YOURSELF LIVING ... Do you read, memorize and meditate on His Word (fellowship with Him)? Do you pray fervently and Continually?
Do you long to gather with your Brothers and sisters in Christ? (this is a direct result of our fellowship with Him).
We love because He Loves.
3. TURN YOUR SUFFERING TO VICTORIOUS LIVING ... "seen for 40 days" ... did you ever wonder (think of the 40s in the Bible and you'll
see that Christ has flipped testing and suffering UPSIDE DOWN ... 40 years in the wilderness, 40 days in the desert ...)
We conquer because He conquered.
4. SPEAK ABOUT KINGDOM THINGS ... We will talk about what interests us and we will grow in interest for the things we talk about.
Let your conversation be from above. The more time we spend with Him the more time is redeemed for Him.
We speak because He has spoken to us and still speaks through us.
Our passion for His life is a result of our loving, daily acceptance of His Passion
(The Sin Shattering Event that struck a blow from and for eternity
to change our reality forever ...
the Cross, The Grave, The Sky ...
I Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.)
Live with The Passion from Him!
HLFA,
Jeff
RED ALERT No Not Just Facebook / Heartbook
Facebook is such an amazing source to find and connect with folks,
It has actually connected me with folks I've been praying for, for years;
BUT it is so weird to pull it up and blush because of the ignorance of the perception of those that are doing the input or the entries. Just like the people who will drive down the highway picking their noses with absolutely no inhibition because they think no one sees them; so, personal, crude and gross comments fly without the understanding that the "comments" can be seen by all. I almost hate to pull up Face book because I get to SEE things written by folks I know that are revealing things I didn't want to know about the folks I know. OH well! No biggie, time will probably wipe it away. Can't quite figure how to juggle people that lack social grace...that will brow beat...lip whip...tongue lash...gossip...slander and strip others of their dignity.
Hey Jesus lovers!! R I S E UP !
1. Before you write -- consult your Editor and Chief.
Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in the sight, my Strength and my Redeemer.
2. Before you talk to anyone else about a heart ache --- PRAY
Psalm 56:8 - Thou tellest (The Lord has the details, the accurate account ...peering all the way into the affairs of our heart) my wanderings: (He knows our aimless fugitive like wanderings, our shaking, our breaking, our grieving) put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not written in Thy book? (this bottle and this book are His for the cherishing, His for the keeping, in His Care).
3. Reach out to love and bring value to the offender.
Mathew 5: 44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
THESE ARE THE ENTRIES THAT CAN CHANGE ETERNITY. THESE ARE THE ENTRIES THAT MATTER...
Enter them in God's "Heartbook" and then copy and paste,or download ... if you like into Facebook.
"Be good to someone today because everyone is having a tough time" (Sign off from Dr. Jack Hyles).
HLFA,
Jeff
It has actually connected me with folks I've been praying for, for years;
BUT it is so weird to pull it up and blush because of the ignorance of the perception of those that are doing the input or the entries. Just like the people who will drive down the highway picking their noses with absolutely no inhibition because they think no one sees them; so, personal, crude and gross comments fly without the understanding that the "comments" can be seen by all. I almost hate to pull up Face book because I get to SEE things written by folks I know that are revealing things I didn't want to know about the folks I know. OH well! No biggie, time will probably wipe it away. Can't quite figure how to juggle people that lack social grace...that will brow beat...lip whip...tongue lash...gossip...slander and strip others of their dignity.
Hey Jesus lovers!! R I S E UP !
1. Before you write -- consult your Editor and Chief.
Psalm 19:14 - Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in the sight, my Strength and my Redeemer.
2. Before you talk to anyone else about a heart ache --- PRAY
Psalm 56:8 - Thou tellest (The Lord has the details, the accurate account ...peering all the way into the affairs of our heart) my wanderings: (He knows our aimless fugitive like wanderings, our shaking, our breaking, our grieving) put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not written in Thy book? (this bottle and this book are His for the cherishing, His for the keeping, in His Care).
3. Reach out to love and bring value to the offender.
Mathew 5: 44 - But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
THESE ARE THE ENTRIES THAT CAN CHANGE ETERNITY. THESE ARE THE ENTRIES THAT MATTER...
Enter them in God's "Heartbook" and then copy and paste,or download ... if you like into Facebook.
"Be good to someone today because everyone is having a tough time" (Sign off from Dr. Jack Hyles).
HLFA,
Jeff
Purposeful or Prideful Acrobats?
Have you ever met talented, knowledgeable, skillful,(AKA "Gifted") people
that just blew you away because of their humility and care for others?
They were easy to approach and even easier to talk to?
They took a sincere interest in you and your life ?
After spending time with them you felt refreshed instead of insulted or violated?
And they caused you to love Jesus more?
These are the Skilled Acrobats of Eternal Life ...
The circumspect walkers:
they know how to appropriately walk the tight ropes of life's emotional situations...
they fly through the skies of physical concern on a trapeze of love, grace and beauty...
they realize that "illusion escape" judgement is more about Godly deliverance and rescue, than being "wowed".
Accuracy and diligence is measured by the value placed on people by the sacrifice of a solitary Saviour, Jesus.
Love people toward the direction of Jesus!
Eph. 5:15 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise"
OR
Acts 26:5 ..." after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee".
Circumspectly and Straitest are words with nearly the same root. Both speak of knowing diligently and accurately the precepts of life.
Both require skill in and focus on the Word of God. Both will focus on the Letter of the Law ...Both will be skillful in rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
Both will desire righteous results by utilizing spiritual gifts.
BUT
The Circumspect Walker seeks to discover his God while serving others.
The Straitest Sect Walker seeks to be discovered by others while appearing to serve his God.
Acrobat ...where did that come from ... the Greek word at the root of these two words is Akrabos...oh well !!
Try James 3:15 -17 on for size ... and then Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up ..(James 4:10).
HLFA,
Jeff
that just blew you away because of their humility and care for others?
They were easy to approach and even easier to talk to?
They took a sincere interest in you and your life ?
After spending time with them you felt refreshed instead of insulted or violated?
And they caused you to love Jesus more?
These are the Skilled Acrobats of Eternal Life ...
The circumspect walkers:
they know how to appropriately walk the tight ropes of life's emotional situations...
they fly through the skies of physical concern on a trapeze of love, grace and beauty...
they realize that "illusion escape" judgement is more about Godly deliverance and rescue, than being "wowed".
Accuracy and diligence is measured by the value placed on people by the sacrifice of a solitary Saviour, Jesus.
Love people toward the direction of Jesus!
Eph. 5:15 "See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise"
OR
Acts 26:5 ..." after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee".
Circumspectly and Straitest are words with nearly the same root. Both speak of knowing diligently and accurately the precepts of life.
Both require skill in and focus on the Word of God. Both will focus on the Letter of the Law ...Both will be skillful in rightly dividing the Word of Truth.
Both will desire righteous results by utilizing spiritual gifts.
BUT
The Circumspect Walker seeks to discover his God while serving others.
The Straitest Sect Walker seeks to be discovered by others while appearing to serve his God.
Acrobat ...where did that come from ... the Greek word at the root of these two words is Akrabos...oh well !!
Try James 3:15 -17 on for size ... and then Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up ..(James 4:10).
HLFA,
Jeff
Don't Look Back If
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
("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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