Scripture: Psalm 42:2-5 I'm thirsty for God-alive. I wonder, "Will I ever make it-- arrive and drink in God's presence?" (3) I'm on a diet of tears-- tears for breakfast, tears for supper. All day long people knock at my door, Pestering, "Where is this God of yours?" (4) These are the things I go over and over, emptying out the pockets of my life. I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd, right out in front, Leading them all, eager to arrive and worship, Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving-- celebrating, all of us, God's feast! (5) Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God-- soon I'll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He's my God. Observation: Psalm 42-49 were written by the descendants of Korah. Korah was a Levite who led a rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16:1-35). He was killed, but his descendants remained faithful to God and continued to serve God in the Temple. David appointed men from the clan of Korah to serve as choir leaders (1 Chronicles 6:31-38), and they continued to be Temple musicians for hundreds of years (2 Chronicles 20:18-19). As the life of a deer depends upon water, so our lives depend upon God. Those who seek him and long to understand him find eternal life. Feeling separated from God, this psalmist wouldn't rest until he restored his relationship with God because he knew that his very life depended on it. Do you thirst for God? The writer of this psalm was discouraged because he was exiled to a place far from Jerusalem and could not worship in the Temple. During these God-given holidays, the nation was to remember all that God had done for them. Depression is one of the most common emotional ailments. One antidote for depression is to meditate on the record of God's goodness to his people. This will take your mind off the present situation as you focus your thoughts on God's ability to help you rather than on your inability to help yourself. When you feel depressed, take advantage of this psalm's antidepressant: Read the Bible's accounts of God's goodness, and meditate on them. Application: As I read the Psalmist's words "Where is this God of yours?" My mind went back to Genesis 3 where satan came to Eve and began to attack Eve's trust in God and His Word. Read once again what the enemy of our soul said to Eve: Genesis 3:1-5 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" (2) The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, (3) but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'" (4) "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. (5) "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." The enemy is so subtle with comments like, "Did God REALLY say...." and "For God knows..." and begins to make it seem like God was holding out on them and not wanting to bless them. The enemy has been tempting God's Children in the very same way ever since this moment in history. He tries to convince us that God isn't interested in us. That He doesn't care, that He is withholding good from us. That he has abandoned us, so we better take matters into our own hands. What I just described is called deism. The actual definition of deism is: The belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation. When we allow the enemy to subtly convince us that God isn't concerned about us, isn't listening, then the natural results is...we don't pray. There have been times in my life where I have allowed satan to convince me that praying about a certain situation would be a waste of time. Oh, I wouldn't say that out loud, but it was hidden away in my heart, and effecting my relationship with my loving Heavenly Father. It took me a little while to rebuke that lie from the enemy, and understand that MY GOD said He would NEVER abandon me, and would ALWAYS hear my prayers. What a loving, awesome God we serve. Like the Psalmist in our text this morning, when tears begin to cry out in our heart, "where is your God" be ready to declare "right here with me!" as you stand on the following promise: Hebrews 13:5 "... for God has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Prayer: "Lord, please forgive me for allowing the subtle lie of DEISM to penetrate my spirit man. I know you will never leave me or forsake me. Even in the times where I don't understand why I'm going through a difficulty, I refuse to allow my emotions to override my faith in You. I rebuke the temptation of deism, and move forward with my every loving, faithful Heavenly Father directing my steps. In Jesus name, amen!"
Friday, November 6, 2009
The temptation of “Deism”
Posted by Pastor Rusty at 7:10 AM 0 comments
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Beware of the “Slow Fade”
Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:7-9 (MSG) "You're the man!" said Nathan. "And here's what GOD, the God of Israel, has to say to you: I made you king over Israel. I freed you from the fist of Saul. (8) I gave you your master's daughter and other wives to have and to hold. I gave you both Israel and Judah. And if that hadn't been enough, I'd have gladly thrown in much more. (9) So why have you treated the word of GOD with brazen contempt, doing this great evil? You murdered Uriah the Hittite, then took his wife as your wife. Worse, you killed him with an Ammonite sword! 2 Samuel 12:9 (ESV) Why have you despised the word of the LORD, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Observation: As a prophet, Nathan was required to confront sin, even the sin of a king. It took great courage, skill, and tact to speak to David in a way that would make him aware of his wrong actions. When you have to confront someone with unpleasant news, pray for courage, skill, and tact. If you want that person to respond constructively, think through what you are going to say. How you present your message may be as important as what you say. Season your words with wisdom. It was a year later, and by then David had become so insensitive to his own sins that he didn't realize he was the villain in Nathan's story. The qualities we condemn in others are often our own character flaws. Which friends, associates, or family members do you find easy to criticize and hard to accept? Instead of trying to change them, ask God to help you understand their feelings and see your own flaws more clearly. You may discover that in condemning others, you have been condemning yourself. Application: I read this passage last night during our Wednesday night Prayer meeting at church. I was walking around the sanctuary enjoying the presence of God. I opened my Bible to this passage. And the Holy Spirit began to challenge me. Nathan, the prophet, came to the anointed man of God, the king...and said, "You are the man" who has sinned against God. Then the Lord reminds David of all of the things that He had blessed him with. And says, "if this hadn't been enough, I would have gladly given you more." I have been blessed immeasurably by the Hand of God. I have a beautiful, godly wife who loves me very much. I have the best kids in the world who have never given me even a moment of trouble. Our family is blessed with good health, we live in the greatest country on the face of this earth. I pastor an awesome church with some of the greatest folk in the world. I could go on and on...but suffice it to say I am blessed. The Word of God says: James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. What great gifts He has blessed my life with! God had also blessed King David with such great blessings, but yet he failed God miserably and had given an "occasion for the enemies of God to blaspheme" the Lord. What happened to this dynamic, anointed man of God? The problem is found v. 9. David somehow had begun to despise the Word of God. Nathan asked him "why have you DESPISED the Word of the Lord?" "Why have you treated the Word of God with brazen contempt?" The Hebrews word "despised" used here is ba?zah: A verb meaning to hold in contempt or to despise. The verb means to hold in disdain, to disrespect. It can mean to prefer something more than the thing despised, e.g., Esau's birthright (Gen_25:34), or not to treat something with proper respect. David despised the Word of God by not respecting it like he should. He preferred the PLEASURE of his sin over PLEASING God. He decided to do what he wanted and not what God wanted. You can read many of the Psalms and see how much David loved God and His Word. But during this occasion he DESPISED God's Word and it cost him just about everything. This despising of God's Word didn't happen overnight. It was a "slow fade..." Please read slowly the words to the song by Casting Crowns, "It's a slow fade." Be careful little eyes what you see, It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings, Be careful little feet where you go For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow When you begin to DESPISE the Word of God, and you choose PLEASURE of sin over PLEASING God remember that didn't happen overnight. Somewhere, some how, you began to DESPISE the Word of God, and you didn't stop it when you could. Why don't you right now spend some time in God's presence and determine the stop the slow fade, and ask Him to forgive you for the slow fade that has been going on in your life for some time. You call out to Him...He will hear and respond! Go ahead...why don't you do it right now! Prayer: "Lord, like David, I have allowed a slow fade to take place in my life. There was a time in my life where I would be broken when I chose the PLEASURE of sin over PLEASING you. I'm not broken very often anymore. Please forgive me. I know that godly sorrow brings about true repentance. I choose today to stop DESPISING Your Word. I give Your Word top precedence in my life today. I choose to allow it to guide my paths and choices today. I love you Lord, and return to the Joy of Your salvation in my life. In Jesus' name, amen!"
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away. It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray. Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away. People never crumble in a day. It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade
Be careful little ears what you hear. When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near. Be careful little lips what you say. For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away. It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray. Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid. When you give yourself away. People never crumble in a day
The journey from your mind to your hands. Is shorter than you're thinking. Be careful if you think you stand. You just might be sinking
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away. It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray. Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid. When you give yourself away. People never crumble in a day. Daddies never crumble in a day. Families never crumble in a day
Posted by Pastor Rusty at 7:05 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
“Generational slide”
Scripture: Ezekiel 2:6-8 But don't be afraid of them, son of man, and don't be afraid of anything they say. Don't be afraid when living among them is like stepping on thorns or finding scorpions in your bed. Don't be afraid of their mean words or their hard looks. They're a bunch of rebels. (7) Your job is to speak to them. Whether they listen is not your concern. They're hardened rebels. (8) "Only take care, son of man, that you don't rebel like these rebels. Open your mouth and eat what I give you." Observation: The business world defines success in terms of giving customers what they want. Ezekiel, however, was called to give God's message to the people, whether they would listen or not. The measure of Ezekiel's success would not be how well the people responded, but how well he obeyed God and thus fulfilled God's purpose for him. Isaiah and Jeremiah also prophesied with little positive response (Isaiah 6:9-12; Jeremiah 1:17-19). God's truth does not depend on how people respond. God will not judge us for how well others respond to our witness to our faith but for how faithful we have been. God always gives us the strength to accomplish what he asks us to do. God gave Ezekiel the difficult responsibility of presenting his message to ungrateful and abusive people. Sometimes we must be an example to or share our faith with unkind people. The Lord told Ezekiel not to be afraid, but to speak his words, whether or not the people would listen. He also wants us to tell the Good News, whether it's convenient or not (2Timothy 4:2). Three times God told Ezekiel not to be afraid or dismayed. When God's Spirit is within us, we can lay aside our fears of rejection or ridicule. God's strength is powerful enough to help us live for him even under the heaviest criticism. Application: It is a very real temptation with Christians to allow the world to influence us, instead of us influencing them. There is a spirit of Rebellion permeating the Christian church. Being a "rebel" against the enemy, and the ways of the world is one thing. To stand up and say, "I will not be forced to accept something that goes against what God says or wants for my life" is one thing, but to allow "rebellion" to creep in is another. If we aren't careful we will find ourselves "sliding" away from where we were in our relationship with God. When we slide, often others slide with us. Approaching the end of his life, Joshua calls the nation's leaders together and says: "You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done." (Joshua 23:3) Then he throws down the gauntlet; "Choose THIS DAY whom you will serve. As for me and my HOUSE we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15 NIV) What did they do? "Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua" (Joshua 24:31 NIV). So far, so good! But take a closer look. They served Him partly, and only when it was to their advantage. The one military action remaining to be taken after Joshua's death was to clean out the last pockets of pagan worship. But Israel "did not drive out the inhabitants." (Judges 1:27) While Joshua had been fully committed to God, the elders were only partly committed. And the result? Their sons and daughters began to intermarry with their neighbors and adopt their lifestyle. Hear God's Word "Another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord, nor the works of God and they provoked the Lord to anger…They did not cease from their own doings nor from their stubborn way" (Judges 2:10-12;19). What had shaped their spiritual values? What shaped the Spiritual values of these children? The compromise of their parents! It's called the generational slide. It helps us to understand how our parents shaped us, and predicts how our commitments, or the lack of them, will shape our children. Parent, you get the first crack at it. Give your children deep Spiritual roots as early as possible. That way if they rebel, they'll have the memories and values to return to. Don't just tell them about God, model a Godly lifestyle before them every day! When I allow camping, hunting, fishing, Razorbacks, or anything else to become more importantly to me that my relationship with God, and being faithful to Him, I am setting a very dangerous precedent, and shouldn't be shocked when my kids drift even further from God in the coming years. I want to stand against this generational slide. That is what Ezekiel was warning about in our text when he said, (8) "Only take care, son of man, that you don't rebel like these rebels. Open your mouth and eat what I give you." Prayer: "Lord, it is so easy to allow the ungodly ways of the world's system to permeate our thoughts and actions. We can find ourselves rebelling against God, instead of rebelling against evil that desperately wants to filter into Your way of life for Your people. I confess that I have rebelled against Your Word often, and I ask you to forgive me. I want to REBEL against the enemy who desperately wants to destroy my character, reputation, but more importantly…my testimony. I choose today to allow Your Holy Spirit to point out things in my life that I need to fight against, and die to. I don't want my children and grandchildren to slide away from God in years to come, but to be drawn closer because of my example and model. Forgive me for allowing anything to become more important to me than you. My children are watching…and learning. In Jesus name, amen!"
Posted by Pastor Rusty at 7:09 AM 0 comments
Thursday, October 29, 2009
“Within the Fire”
Scripture: Ezekiel 1:5-10 Observation: Each of the four living beings had four faces, symbolizing God's perfect nature. Some believe that the lion represented strength; the ox, diligent service; the human, intelligence; and the eagle, divinity. Others see these as the most majestic of God's creatures and say that they therefore represented God's whole creation. The early church fathers saw a connection between these beings and the four Gospels: the lion with Matthew, presenting Christ as the Lion of Judah; the ox with Mark, portraying Christ as the Servant; the human with Luke, portraying Christ as the perfect human; the eagle with John, portraying Christ as the Son of God, exalted and divine. The vision of John in Revelation 4 parallels Ezekiel's vision. So here we have special creatures, supernatural and unusual, coming out of a cloud lined with fire. Ezekiel hasn't told us everything about his vision, but two things are evident. (1) Something that is supernatural and that involves God on the move is about to happen. (2) It is happening in Mesopotamia, to exiles who thought themselves hopelessly removed from God's presence and out of the picture religiously, as well as economically and politically. Application: The phrase that really spoke to me this morning is, "Within the fire were what looked like four creatures vibrant with life..." I am so thankful that Jesus doesn't bail out on me when I am going through the fire. Over and over again I read in the Scriptures that God spoke in the storm, walked with His children through the fire, stayed with them through the lions den, led them across the Red Sea, knocked down walls, walked with them in the valley to face giants, stood with them as they were martyred, and I could go on and on. I am so thankful that in today's text God was seen "within the fire..." I am not alone when I face difficult times. Even if I feel alone. I walk by FAITH and not FEELINGS. God never promised that we wouldn't have difficult times. In fact, quite the contrary. Jesus said in John 16:33 (msg) "I've told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I've conquered the world." The Word says in Isaiah 43:2-3 "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned or scorched, nor will the flame kindle upon you. (3) For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior..." One of my favorite songs is "Through the fire" by the Crabb Family. The words are powerful: So many times I've questioned certain circumstances Prayer: "Lord, when I read Ezekial 1:5 and saw the words "within the fire" I wanted to shout hallelujah as I was once again reminded how many times you have walked with me through the fire. You promised me that I would make it through the fire, and that you would be with me. You have never broken Your Word to me, and you never will because Hebrews 6:18 says 'God can't break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable. We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go.' Thank you for that truth Lord. I will make it through this fire because you are WITH ME! In Jesus name, amen!"
Within the fire were what looked like four creatures vibrant with life. Each had the form of a human being, (6) but each also had four faces and four wings. (7) Their legs were as sturdy and straight as columns, but their feet were hoofed like those of a calf and sparkled from the fire like burnished bronze. (8) On all four sides under their wings they had human hands. All four had both faces and wings, (9) with the wings touching one another. They turned neither one way nor the other; they went straight forward. (10) Their faces looked like this: In front a human face, on the right side the face of a lion, on the left the face of an ox, and in back the face of an eagle.
Or things I could not understand
Many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision
And my frustrations get so out of hand
It's then I am reminded I've never been forsaken
I've never had to stand the test alone
As I look at all the victories, the Spirit rises up in me
It's through the fire my weakness is made strong
And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
He never offered victory without fighting but He said help would always come in time
Just remember when you're standing in the valley of decision and the adversary says give in
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again
I know within myself that I would surely perish
But if I trust the hand of God, He'll shield the flames again
Thank the Lord that He is "within the fire!"
Posted by Pastor Rusty at 9:00 AM 0 comments
Thursday, October 22, 2009
“Do ALL THINGS without grumbling, faultfinding and complaining!”
Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15 Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves], (15) That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation [spiritually perverted and perverse], among whom you are seen as bright lights (stars or beacons shining out clearly) in the [dark] world, Observation: We don't realize that when we complain, we are saying that God isn't caring for us like He should. We rob Him of the praise and Thanksgiving that He so deserves. Observation: I could go on and on. I (we) can very easily become a complainer. That is why my theme verse is Psalm 118:24, "This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it." I have to remind myself often that I choose to be full of thanksgiving and not complaining… TODAY. I have to take one day at a time. I often teach on how we need to enjoy each season of our lives. Well, I actually believe that we need to enjoy each minute of each day, or each season of our lives. How do we do that? Develop an attitude of gratitude. Prayer: "Lord, thank you for Your faithfulness in my life. You have blessed me abundantly. Forgive me for the times that I have taken those blessings for granted. It is human nature to complain, gripe and bellyache. But you have called me to "die" to that human nature. I choose to replace complaining with gratitude today. I am learning to be content whatever my circumstances. I will do better today with thanksgiving. I do that by declaring by faith "this is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it." In Jesus name, amen!"
Listen to what Paul says in Philippians 4:11-12:
Philippians 4:11-12 Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. (12) I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty.
He says, "I have learned to be content in every circumstance." Being content is something you have to learn. You learn it through your daily choices. You will never be content as long as you make the choice of complaining! However, when you strive to give thanks daily, you will slowly but surely become content, regardless what comes along in your life.
I love the CONTENTS of my life (Salvation, family, home, vehicles, etc), but I will never be CONTENT in my life until I daily choose to give God thanks before I bring my needs or complaints before Him. It is the absolute least that I can do for a God who has blessed me abundantly.
So my prayer today is: "Lord, help me to enjoy the CONTENTS of my life by learning to be CONTENT in my life. I become content by becoming a daily, habitual thanks giver!"
Posted by Pastor Rusty at 8:59 AM 0 comments
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
“Who did hinder you?”
Scripture: Galatians 5:7-8 (ESV) You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? (8) This persuasion is not from him who calls you. Galatians 5:7-8 (MSG) You were running superbly! Who cut in on you, deflecting you from the true course of obedience? (8) This detour doesn't come from the One who called you into the race in the first place. Observation: Who did hinder you – literally means, "Drive you back." The Greek word used here (anakoptō) means to beat or drive back. Hence, it means to hinder, check, or slow down. Dr. Doddridge remarks that this is "an Olympic expression, and properly signifies "coming across the course" while a person is running in it, in such a manner as to jostle, and throw him out of the way." Paul asks, with emphasis, who it could have been that slowed them down in their Christian course, implying that it could have been done only by their own consent, or that there was really no cause why they should not have continued as they began. I believe the answer is found in the next verse when Paul states, "This persuasion is not from the One who calls you." Application: I am so thankful for the persuasion and influence of the Holy Spirit in my life, but there is another persuasion that is at work to hinder me (and you) in my progression of becoming more like Christ. This persuasion is from satan himself. He will do anything and everything that he can to persuade you that there are more important things in your life than following and trusting Jesus. This persuasion has been at work in this world from the beginning of time. Let me share just a few examples: Adam and Eve had it made, but allowed this persuasion to convince them that they couldn't trust the goodness and fairness of God, and that God's Word wasn't valid. Then there is Esau who traded the blessing of his birthright for a moment of satisfaction. He was hungry, and was persuaded that the pleasure of the moment was more important than the blessings of the future. How about Demas (2 Timothy 4) who was persuaded that this present world was more important than his eternal one. Then there is Samson who was persuaded to compromise God's Word and paid a horrible price for it, before being restored. How about Simon Peter who was persuaded that he should fear man instead of standing up for Jesus. And King David who was persuaded to have an affair with Bathsheba. Lot's wife lingered back from Sodom and Gomorrah as it was being destroyed and died a brutal death. The "call from Sodom" was so great that she felt that she had to look back. I could go on and on with examples. Paul warns us that we can be hindered, or "driven back" by this persuasion so we must be careful. Every one of us has to battle that "call from Sodom" in our lives. It is where the enemy tries to persuade us away from being zealous in our walk with Christ. If we aren't careful we can be persuaded that going to church isn't important, that reading God's Word doesn't really matter, and that prayer isn't effective. I need to ask myself, everyday in every situation..."Who is persuading me?" There are some reading this blog today that "were running so well" in your walk with Jesus, but this persuasion has driven you back. It is time for you to get up and get back after it. God has given you everything that you need to fight and defeat this persuasion from hell. You have God's Word, you have His Spirit, and you have His people. You are more than capable through Christ, and "more than a conqueror." Instead of allowing this persuasion to influence you, you can become persuaded in God's goodness and love: Romans 8:38-39 Prayer: "Lord, forgive me for the times that I have allowed "this persuasion" to influence me. I choose today to become persuaded like never before of Your goodness and love! I love you Lord and will not allow anyone or thing to hinder my walk with you. In Jesus name, amen!"
For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, (39) Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Posted by Pastor Rusty at 12:01 AM 1 comments
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
“God used those same plans for good”
Scripture: Genesis 50:20 (msg) Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now--life for many people. In a final confrontation with his brothers, Joseph graciously noted, "You meant it for bad; God meant it for good." Application: The theology packed in that statement is astounding. 'God meant it for good means – You can accept the past -- No sin, no action, no choice on your part is too big for God to handle – or too big to be worked for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His name. Just ask Joseph; Better yet, ask his fearful and famished brothers, who were forced to rely on him for survival. You can embrace the present -- There's no need to play the 'what if' game. The past is gone, and no energy you expend will ever change it. The future is in God's omnipotent hands, so you're free to focus on the present. Your job is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, trusting Him to forgive the past and transform the future. Martyred missionary Jim Eliot once wrote, "Wherever you are, be all there," not living in the past and not fantasizing about the future. God wants you in the present because that's where His grace will flow. You can look expectantly toward the future -- Even if you make mistakes today, God still controls your future. Walking in the Spirit, you can live life to the fullest, unafraid of making mistakes and unconcerned you may stumble into some terrible circumstance that takes you out of God's control. Even when things appear to be terrible, you can trust that God is working out some divine plan through you. Always remember… · No matter how bad things get -- God is still able to bring good out of it. Today, thank God that nothing – no disaster, no delay – is bigger that his ability to turn it into something good and godly. · Thank God and let go - Thank God that He is sovereign over your past, your present, and your future. · Give God the circumstances, disasters, hindrances, hurts, and sins from your past; · Look for God's hand -- Walking by faith means you see God's hand even in the most difficult of circumstances. You trust in his ability and his willingness to transform the bad into godly good. God is not limited by people's motives; in other words, it does not matter why someone hurt you, God can still transform a deliberate, mean-spirited situation into something for his good. So today, why don't you purposely look for and recognize the Divine Presence of God. Regardless how you FEEL, know that God is in the middle of the FIRE with you, just like He was in the Old Testament story of the Three Hebrew Children. · What will you allow God to change? – There it is: some situation, or event, or person in your life who, as far as you can tell, 'meant it for bad.' How do you think God meant it for good? Ask God what he wants you to do with this situation (event or person). When he answers, do it. God used Joseph's pain from his family to save his family from pain and starvation. God will use your current pain to help someone who is in pain. That you can count on. Prayer: "Lord, Joseph's response in Genesis 50:20 is really about trust. I don't care what situation I find myself in today, my prayer is that I will realize and remember that it may have been meant for bad, but you WILL turn it around for good…to fulfill Your purpose for my life. I confess that I trust you, and depend upon you today. In Jesus name, amen!"
Observation:
The life of Joseph was anything but peaceful. It was filled with youthful folly, broken dreams, and the mean-spirited actions of others. Yet he remained a man remarkable for his lack of bitterness or regret, always seeing God as the "Great Engineer" behind even the worst of circumstances. Genesis 50 and verse 20 shows us how we should view our struggles…through 50/20 vision. What is 50/20 vision? The understanding that Joseph had concerning what he was going through. He knew that it was meant for evil, but God meant it for good in order to bring about a lasting victory. Regardless what you go through, ask God to help you see the struggle in light of Genesis 50:20, 50/20 vision.
· Give God your current situation, your disasters, hindrances, hurts, and sins of today;
· Praise God that he can work anything in your future for godly good, that you can walk in confidence that there is nothing anyone can do to you, or anything you can do that will be beyond the reach of God's Grace and redemption.
Blessings!
Pastor Rusty
Posted by Pastor Rusty at 6:56 AM 0 comments
