And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)
For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:8)
I did know thee in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. (Hosea 13:5)
Willow trees are known to break into water pipes with their roots and thus gain access to an unlimited source of water. In the absence of water pipes they grow near rivers, willows are more tolerant of wet ground than most types of trees and consequently they are not compromised by drought. The passage in Jeremiah is almost identical to one; And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3) In this case it is describing this man: But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (v. 2) We will discuss later about delighting in the Lord, but for now let us notice that he who meditates on God's word will begin to do God's works of love and mercy to those in need.
Sunday, 11 May 2014
Saturday, 10 May 2014
Safe in the Arms
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)
O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. (Psalm 34:9-10)
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. (Psalm 37:19)
What is the point in following God? I mean really following. I mean more than just repenting and asking for forgiveness, in order to be saved. At school some people aim for a high grade out of a desire for prestige, bragging rights as it were. The majority aim to pass and just want to avoid being the last in any subject. Is there any point living the Christian life differently?
Here is one good reason. Jesus. If you want a good relationship with Jesus you will need to go to a bit of trouble to please him, just like you would in any other relationship. Can you imagine a marriage where one partner just wanted to avoid divorce and contribute nothing beyond that? It would be terrible. Do you want your relationship with Jesus to be like that?
Jesus offers to protect you from harm and provide for all your needs. He offers to prevent you from being crushed by circumstances but to raise you above them to represent the invincibility of his integrity. Jesus loves you and has gave up everything for your sake, even more than your mother did for you. Your ungratefulness cannot lessen Jesus love, but it will keep you away from him. If you are far from Jesus who will protect and comfort you then?
O fear the Lord, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. (Psalm 34:9-10)
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. (Psalm 37:19)
What is the point in following God? I mean really following. I mean more than just repenting and asking for forgiveness, in order to be saved. At school some people aim for a high grade out of a desire for prestige, bragging rights as it were. The majority aim to pass and just want to avoid being the last in any subject. Is there any point living the Christian life differently?
Here is one good reason. Jesus. If you want a good relationship with Jesus you will need to go to a bit of trouble to please him, just like you would in any other relationship. Can you imagine a marriage where one partner just wanted to avoid divorce and contribute nothing beyond that? It would be terrible. Do you want your relationship with Jesus to be like that?
Jesus offers to protect you from harm and provide for all your needs. He offers to prevent you from being crushed by circumstances but to raise you above them to represent the invincibility of his integrity. Jesus loves you and has gave up everything for your sake, even more than your mother did for you. Your ungratefulness cannot lessen Jesus love, but it will keep you away from him. If you are far from Jesus who will protect and comfort you then?
Thursday, 8 May 2014
Escaped By The Skin Of My Teeth
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)
In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. (Job 5:20 - Eliphaz the Temenite)
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:19)
There is truly a promise of God in the Bible of protection. But it is interesting to see such a promise in the mouth of Eliphaz, one of Job's misguided friends. Does this make the promise void? Not at all. But it is an example of where the promise can be misapplied. Job had been faithful to God in the person of the poor, he had used his wealth to care for the stranger. Yet he endured a terrible calamity, and his friends who came to comfort him suggested that his calamity was due to some secret sin. Notice that Eliphaz, when talking about the blessings that would come from Job admitting he had sinned, relates true things, all of which were fulfilled already at the time. Job could have been killed, but God stopped Satan from doing it (Job 2:6) just like Eliphaz promised he would. So Eliphaz was not wrong, but he was misguided. Job was even then enjoying the fulfilment of God's promise in that he lived on, Job's suffering was not evidence that he had sinned particularly. God promises to give you eternal life, trials will come to the righteous and the sinner but the worst that can happen to the saved man is to be put to sleep for a while.
I fear not so much future suffering for myself, but for those I love. I give this fear to God and trust him with it.
In famine he shall redeem thee from death: and in war from the power of the sword. (Job 5:20 - Eliphaz the Temenite)
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. (Psalm 33:19)
There is truly a promise of God in the Bible of protection. But it is interesting to see such a promise in the mouth of Eliphaz, one of Job's misguided friends. Does this make the promise void? Not at all. But it is an example of where the promise can be misapplied. Job had been faithful to God in the person of the poor, he had used his wealth to care for the stranger. Yet he endured a terrible calamity, and his friends who came to comfort him suggested that his calamity was due to some secret sin. Notice that Eliphaz, when talking about the blessings that would come from Job admitting he had sinned, relates true things, all of which were fulfilled already at the time. Job could have been killed, but God stopped Satan from doing it (Job 2:6) just like Eliphaz promised he would. So Eliphaz was not wrong, but he was misguided. Job was even then enjoying the fulfilment of God's promise in that he lived on, Job's suffering was not evidence that he had sinned particularly. God promises to give you eternal life, trials will come to the righteous and the sinner but the worst that can happen to the saved man is to be put to sleep for a while.
I fear not so much future suffering for myself, but for those I love. I give this fear to God and trust him with it.
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
Jesus as Sherpa
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. (1 Thessalonians 3:11)
He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16)
Looking at the context of Isaiah 33:16 is worthwhile, it speaks of the righteous who refuses to even see or hear evil. In verse sixteen it shows that those who are persecuted for righteousness around the close of probation will be safe in the mountains and have food and water without have to stockpile. Do not try to prepare for the last days with stockpiles or survival skills, God will provide when the time comes. Survival skill would be useful if you get lost though, just do not think they will help you in the time of trouble.
I can pray: Lord direct my way to so and so and he may answer my prayer, that is a fascinating idea.
Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. (1 Thessalonians 3:11)
He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16)
Looking at the context of Isaiah 33:16 is worthwhile, it speaks of the righteous who refuses to even see or hear evil. In verse sixteen it shows that those who are persecuted for righteousness around the close of probation will be safe in the mountains and have food and water without have to stockpile. Do not try to prepare for the last days with stockpiles or survival skills, God will provide when the time comes. Survival skill would be useful if you get lost though, just do not think they will help you in the time of trouble.
I can pray: Lord direct my way to so and so and he may answer my prayer, that is a fascinating idea.
Tuesday, 6 May 2014
How God Guides Me (Part 2)
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)
For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. (Psalm 48:14)
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Psalm 73:24)
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)
The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit is the means by which God can guide me into all truth. Not just some truth, but all truth. At least all truth that I can benefit from. God can be always guiding me and he does not change the way he does this until my death at least. When I am received into glory that is after I have been guided by God's counsel. Counsel is advice in the broadest sense. Much of the Bible is commandments but much is also advice. How does God guide me using his counsels?
Remember the power of the imagination, the consciousness of the mind. The Holy Spirit is able to bring my attention to certain truths at certain times to cause me to make certain decisions. God made me and he knows me better than anyone. I believe that since the time I gave me life to him, he has guided me through many different means. By this guidance I have escaped numerous traps that I know of, and who knows how many that I don't. I love God, he has guided me ever since I allowed him to, won't you let him do that for you?
The Holy Spirit can only bring the truth to your attention if you know it, so learn your Bible.
For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death. (Psalm 48:14)
Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. (Psalm 73:24)
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)
The Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit is the means by which God can guide me into all truth. Not just some truth, but all truth. At least all truth that I can benefit from. God can be always guiding me and he does not change the way he does this until my death at least. When I am received into glory that is after I have been guided by God's counsel. Counsel is advice in the broadest sense. Much of the Bible is commandments but much is also advice. How does God guide me using his counsels?
Remember the power of the imagination, the consciousness of the mind. The Holy Spirit is able to bring my attention to certain truths at certain times to cause me to make certain decisions. God made me and he knows me better than anyone. I believe that since the time I gave me life to him, he has guided me through many different means. By this guidance I have escaped numerous traps that I know of, and who knows how many that I don't. I love God, he has guided me ever since I allowed him to, won't you let him do that for you?
The Holy Spirit can only bring the truth to your attention if you know it, so learn your Bible.
Monday, 5 May 2014
How God Guides Me
And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. (Isaiah 58:11)
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Psalm 25:9)
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8)
How much do I want the guidance of God! God promises to guide me if I care for his poor. God promises to guide my judgment (my decision making faculties) if I am meek (if I am willing to be influenced) and to teach me the road (way) I should go. God will not give me orders or push me in the direction he wants, he will teach and guide me so that I learn to make right decisions on my own. Perhaps it is only the very weakest Christians that God props up with the crutch of signs and wonders. A very intriguing thought.
The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. (Psalm 25:9)
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. (Psalm 32:8)
How much do I want the guidance of God! God promises to guide me if I care for his poor. God promises to guide my judgment (my decision making faculties) if I am meek (if I am willing to be influenced) and to teach me the road (way) I should go. God will not give me orders or push me in the direction he wants, he will teach and guide me so that I learn to make right decisions on my own. Perhaps it is only the very weakest Christians that God props up with the crutch of signs and wonders. A very intriguing thought.
Sunday, 4 May 2014
Your Money Or Your Life
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noonday: (Isaiah 58:10)
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. (Proverbs 28:27)
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. (Luke 18:22)
I'm feeling very happy at the moment. Not happy because this morning I finally got up really early but because of the reason I was able to get up. God can give joy, he can also provide sources of joy. God can also provide financially, which is a much smaller thing. The passage about the rich young ruler was one of those that changed my life a few years ago. If Jesus had told the ruler to give him all his money we would be tempted to miss the point. A particular person or group getting all your money is not the point, but rather that you give without reservation. Get in the habit of giving. If your money is stopping you from being saved get rid of it, give it to charity, no need to bother the church with it. The church only needs money from pure souls given cheerfully for the work of Jesus Christ on this Earth. I don't mean faultless people, I just mean that if your salvation is being compromised by money, then give it to the poor, not the church. Don't make Jesus look like he is at fault for your sin. Money does not bring security, especially in these days of financial crises. Jesus brings security, get rid of anything else that competes with Jesus for the role of security guard. That said, we don't need to be financially irresponsible to be saved I think.
I'm doing my electronic tithes and offerings today, may God give me wisdom to give to those who most need it and will use it best.
He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse. (Proverbs 28:27)
Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. (Luke 18:22)
I'm feeling very happy at the moment. Not happy because this morning I finally got up really early but because of the reason I was able to get up. God can give joy, he can also provide sources of joy. God can also provide financially, which is a much smaller thing. The passage about the rich young ruler was one of those that changed my life a few years ago. If Jesus had told the ruler to give him all his money we would be tempted to miss the point. A particular person or group getting all your money is not the point, but rather that you give without reservation. Get in the habit of giving. If your money is stopping you from being saved get rid of it, give it to charity, no need to bother the church with it. The church only needs money from pure souls given cheerfully for the work of Jesus Christ on this Earth. I don't mean faultless people, I just mean that if your salvation is being compromised by money, then give it to the poor, not the church. Don't make Jesus look like he is at fault for your sin. Money does not bring security, especially in these days of financial crises. Jesus brings security, get rid of anything else that competes with Jesus for the role of security guard. That said, we don't need to be financially irresponsible to be saved I think.
I'm doing my electronic tithes and offerings today, may God give me wisdom to give to those who most need it and will use it best.
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