He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness and honor. (Proverbs 21:21) What a most wonderful proverb! Full of the warmth of God's will and meat for the soul. It embraces all our difficulties and enlightens life's sometimes questionable paths with an enduring presence of Father God's love. As Lamb of God continues to go through life's altering events; I'm persuaded that if we seek to follow righteousness and mercy; the outcome will be glorious. Take a look at this proverb. Righteousness and mercy will produce life, righteousness and honor. Righteousness is not enough; mercy must also be demonstrated. As the Holy Ghost brings the food of God's word to our soul, we will know how to feed others, our present circumstances and entanglements, all receiving God's parenting character. The quoting of the Scriptures are not what is needed; but the life in them. Food enhances our physical body with power to live life, so does the living of God's word enhance us with divine power to be called the children of God! Praise the Lord!
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For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Luke 12:34) The sweet voice of the Scriptures is forever echoing that God is; and a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) So, how does one receive a reward from the hand of God not only in this world, but also in the world to come. Some years ago, in my travels for the Lord's business, I met a brother in Chicago; who owned a very large printing company employing many. Some people were so envious of him because of his success and ability to bless others. One day while we were alone in casual visitation; he felt to tell me how his success came about. While entering this country to make his home and future for his family; he got down on his knees in the airport. Not ashamed who observed him, he pray this prayer: "Lord Jesus, I put my future in your hands. I need your blessing financially. I will never forget who blessed me and from whom all blessings come. As the need arises for the furtherance of the gospel, I will give without reservation. Help me to always remember that not only does my soul belong to you, but also it was your blessing that has given me increase." There is a saying, "you can't take it with you;" echoing the Scriptures. (Job 1:21). So how does one transfer their wealth to heaven and be a blessing to others? Luke chapter 12 verse 33 also says, sell that ye have, and give alms;, (gifts and special offerings) and you will have a treasure in the heavens that fadeth not. Then in Luke chapter 12 verse 34, the Lord goes on to say, for where your treasure is, there will be your heart also. What can I say more? Praise the Lord! Then saith Jesus unto his disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest." (Matthew 9:37 & 38) Can you imagine that? Another week has come and gone. How time flies. Father God never looks back on the plow and advises us to do the same. Yesterday is gone, tomorrow has yet to come and we are all living in a today. So, what is all this about, "The harvest is plenteous and the labourers are few." Just who is the Lord of the harvest? To whom are we to pray that he would send forth labourers into the harvest? If Jesus is the firstfruits, then Father God must be the Lord of the harvest. If the harvest is the purpose for Jesus' precarious death and resurrection; then people become the "soul" product. Who then are the labourers? Your heart knows the answer. Why am I so sure? Because the love of God is in your heart by the Holy Ghost that is given you. This love must be shared. The Master said, "the harvest is great!" Praise the Lord! For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again? For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen (Romans 11:34- 36) Here we have another Amen (so be it). Come with me on a journey into the future. Who has given to God and it shall be given back to him? Almighty God always was! We were in his thoughts and because of that one day we are. Father God's thoughts, through Jesus, are made manifest. Or to put it another way, Jesus created all things (Ephesians 3:9). It must always be through Jesus with God. Not only our existence; but the heavens, the earth and all things created. God said it and it was so. Yes, this is how you and I exist and how our environment came about. That's not all. There is a new heaven and new earth. A city called New Jerusalem, which the word of God says, "is the mother of us all" (Galatians 4:26). There are streets of gold, mansions, myraids of Saints, thrones, a sea of glass and much much more. The best of all is that you and I will see Almighty God as our Father and Jesus our Lord face to face. This brings into existence all that the holy Scriptures have declared; upholding his word with his righteousness. Are you excited for that day? I am overwhelmed to say the least! Will it happen? Look around and judge for yourself. Praise the Lord ! Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit. (Hebrews 6:1-3) Can there be more? Is Almighty God offering his Saints even a greater revelation of reality into spiritual life? How is the meat of the word different from the milk? (1 Corinthians 3:2) As one tastes of the Honey in the center of the rock, (the word of God), nothing else will satisfy. They will always hunger for another taste. As the year 2018 draws to a close, summer season being completed and the fall season being lived; my thoughts go back to when I was 15 years of age. My summer vacation was spent working for a mason. All day long I would mix mortar, carry the same up the scuffling; then more bricks were needed. So up they went several at a time; then back to mixing mortar. For a young fellow with starry eyes for the world, this was quite the challenge. Also, to show up for work every day at 6:30 AM had its moments! Then the bright spot. There was an Italian deli just up the street which sold the best sausage sub in the universe. That's right in the universe! I would always be thinking of that delicious sandwich that I would soon be partaking in. This certainly making a difference to my days toil and laborers. Sometimes when I was bold and the finances permitted, I would purchase two; always with a seven up. When we find the meat in God's word; each morsel, every bite, every thought will make you want more. Peculiar you say. "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercise to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:14) Praise the Lord! The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.(Proverbs 19:22) Father God's values seem to differ from man's natural thoughts. The holy Scriptures say that his ways are not our ways and his thoughts are higher than ours. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are Almighty God's ways and thoughts higher than ours. Here is some excellent wisdom and good advice; before you or I decide to instruct God on any subject, think of the shallowness of our abilities and the vastness of Father God's character.For example in the above Scripture, Proverbs 19:22, on its face value two challenges come to mind. First of all whom do you know that has made the desire of their life to show kindness to all? Yes, I said to all; friends, family and enemies alike. Most people that you or I will meet are desirous of a vast number of personal commodities. Then, God compares a liar with a poor man. So where is the connection? Here we find another example of choices: lying or truthfulness.. The Lord Jesus always is putting a great value on our eternal soul. Weakness of the flesh, self desires and lying are all hellish and will perish with the using of the same. An awareness of one's life in pure and holy activities will produce peace, joy and eternal life. Beloved today is quickly becoming yesterday and our tomorrows will fly with Eagles wings. Acknowledge God as your Father in all your ways; then kindness and truth will prevail. Praise the Lord! And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:9- 11) While I sit here drinking in God's created beauty, a nice lake, flowers and trees in full bloom, a squirrel in his playful character, rays of sun caressing beautiful foliage and so on; how could I deny that Father God has so much more for us in the new heavens and new Jerusalem. Sometimes, we have to stop and reflect this fact, that this world is out of course with our God. If you or I decide to play along with it, we will suffer loss, This loss will compromise our relationship to Jesus' companionship. If we stand for God's holiness: rejection will become our traveling companion. We will find ourselves caught between two spiritual worlds,; all in the same natural habitat. Yes, the spirit of holiness, which is the Father, Son and Holy Ghost or the spirit of darkness, the Prince of the air, which is the devil. However, we have a bonafide unbreakable promise! Whether alive or dead, Jesus will so come in like manner to receive all of his unto himself. The dead shall rise first; then the rest will be caught up into the clouds to be with Jesus for ever. What we are really seeing in these Scriptures from acts is a perfect picture of the resurrection and the rapture. Praise the Lord! In the transgression of an evil man there is a snare: but the righteous doth sing and rejoice. (Proverb 29:6) It seems that Father God made all creation to magnify the Scriptures. Take for instance when the sweet melody of a bird is heard. The world seems to be hard and harsh. Demands are always interrupting our sense of peace and values. Then we hear the songbird singing; so sweet and so encouraging. If we stop and pause for a moment, his soft song brings a smile to our face. For that moment, we escape. Though the wings of that songbird may not be in motion, one can find themselves flying away to a peaceful rest in their mind. What has happened? The psalmist writes, If I had wings of a dove, for then I would fly away and be at rest. (Psalm 55:6). Do you and I have the wings of a dove? Yes we do, it is the Spirit of God! And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water; and, lo, the heavens were opened onto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him. (Matthew 316) If the simple song of a bird can bring the results of a peaceful rest in our minds, how much more will our song when lifted on the wings of the Holy Ghost! Praise the Lord! There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the Lord. (Proverbs 21:30) As we walk through the mountains and valleys of our personal lives with Jesus; time and time again God's counsel seems to be challenged. Oh, that I had wings of a dove, I would fly away and be at rest; sometimes are the only words of comfort that we seem to process. Beloved, what God has said, He has said! When Almighty God said there is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel that can stand against the Lord your God, not only did he mean it, Jesus will back it up. If God be with us, who can be against us? Wait on the Lord. Do not compromise on his precepts and commandments. Do not rob yourself from receiving the blessings God so graciously bestows on his faithful. Therefore, faint not at the times of adversity, reproof or when others challenge Almighty God's counsel. You will surely mount up on Eagles wings, renewing and strengthening your faith. Praise the Lord! For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. (2 John 1:2) Can you imagine that, forever! Once again, the Scriptures, the living word of God, expounds on an eternal existence. With all the demands this world puts on us, a guarded position concerning the Holy Ghost must always be our plight. Why? He is the seal, the promise, the ongoing resource of the kingdom of God. In John 14:26 we are enlightened to the fact that the spirit of truth is the Holy Ghost. Jesus never intended for you or I to conduct business in this world without the Spirit of truth. Acts 2:38 is an immovable Scripture. In it we can read, repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, also named the spirit of truth, which dwelleth in us and shall be with us forever. In heaven there are no bills to pay. There will not be any heartaches, sick bodies are loneliness. Neither will there be any work or school schedules to follow. In fact, in heaven you will be know even as you are known.(1 Corinthians 13:12) So, for the truth's sake, never sell yourself out to the baggerly elements of this world; which are temporal. Always carry about the dying of the Lord Jesus in your body; so that the life of the spirit of truth, which will remain with you forever, may have his full course. Praise the Lord! |
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January 2019
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