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Archive for the ‘Inspiration’ Category

Psalm 32

21 Mar

Psalm 32:1-11 –

1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,
   whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them
   and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.  I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.”  And you forgave the guilt of my sin. 
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

This Psalm really stresses the importance of our lives in contrast with God.  We are fallen sinners and need to be forgiven. 

There are a couple of things that really stand out on this great Psalm that has many wonderful parts to it.  In verse 5 it talks about acknowledging our sin and confessing it to the Lord.  The Lord then forgives.  In the New Testament it became even clearer as the blood that was strong enough to wash our transgressions away was shed.

In verse 10 it ends with the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds those who trust Him.  Once again those who seek the Lord find Him.  There are no whoops or mistakes.  There will be no excuses and the Lord is in charge and will judge correctly.  That’s a breath of fresh air compared to how the injustice happens every day in courts currently.

Who inspired David to write this Psalm?  I’m guessing Jesus, the Word of God Himself.  He certainly took over and continued on the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter 5.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration

 

He Wants To Be Worshipped

20 Mar

Just acknowledging He exists or there is a higher power is ridiculous.  That’s like getting into the 5th Grade and discovering “A” is at the beginning of the alphabet and then looking around and feeling pretty good about yourself.

God didn’t create man to just acknowledge He exists.  He and Jesus created them to be worshipped and have fellowship.  Any human being that has been created thinks that is wrong or ego-ish, has a prideful heart that is being affected by sin and Satan’s lies.

We don’t have time to worship the LORD of all?  We don’t have time to thank Him for our meal?  We don’t have time to pray or talk to Him throughout our day?  We don’t have time in our busy schedule for the One that is supposed to be the most important in our lives?

So when it’s time to stand in front of Him in the end, how does that equate?

That doesn’t sound too good to me and I’m just a simple fallen human.

 
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Posted in Motivation, Opinion, Reflections

 

Quote – Augustine

18 Mar

Involuntary ignorance is not charged against you as a fault; but your fault is this—you neglect to inquire into the things you are ignorant of.
Augustine

I’ll tell you what I get out of that quote.  We’re born into sin.  As sinners we’re going to do ignorant things in our lives.  The more in touch we are with God’s Word and caring about what God wants we will do less ignorant things, but were still fallen creatures.

The second part holds us accountable.  Look around you.  People are not even looking into God.  They don’t care to take the time to even seriously look into why we’re here.  Then there are others who are only looking for what they are seeking.  Truth or finding the most obvious reason of why we’re here and what happened, isn’t as important as finding what we want it to be.

That’s where people are going to get in trouble when standing in front of the Lord.  All they had to do was make a small effort to find Truth or the True God and they would have found Him.  Just the simplest effort with a genuine heart. 

Make an effort today to know Him better.  We all need to make it a goal everyday to know Him better.

 
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Posted in Quotes, Reflections

 

Heaven Boring?

17 Mar

Why would I write on this?

Today too many people are so caught up into this world.  I can’t help but believe they think it’s exciting here and now and the whole eternal church service or ghostly spirit world will be boring.

Why would anyone believe that?  In what way would that make sense?

It doesn’t.  It’s a detractor from Satan.  He’s convincing people this is the here and now and you need to live it to the fullest.  It’s about you and all that you deserve.  Time to take care of numero uno.  Don’t let it pass you by without giving your all because you only have one life to live.  Live however you want you can always play the forgiveness card at the end.

Lots of lies from the devil and they all come in the same big package.

Heaven boring?

Look around you and see what God has created and it has been cursed in the fall of man.  Just think if there wasn’t a curse.  Look at the universe and the billons of stars and tons of galaxies out there.  Look at the extraordinary detail we are finding out about our bodies every day.

The bible tells us that Jesus is making a place for us.  Does that sound like some ghostly boring abode?

John 14:2 – 2In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  KJV

I had to go with the King James Version on that.  Many mansions give you an idea that he is going to prepare a great place for those that love Him.

Why would God and Jesus make Adam and Eve the way They did?  They were made perfect until they fell.  Jesus was perfect when he bypassed the sinful gene on the virgin birth and also displayed his resurrected body to the disciples. 

Luke 24:36-39 –  36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” 37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”

Jesus is making it very clear that our resurrection bodies will resemble our earthly bodies, but one very important thing will be different.  Sin will no longer be present in it and He will renew it a make it perfect again.  It will be able to do many more things and have much more capabilities.  Jesus went through a wall to appear to them in the room.  

Luke 24:40-43 – 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

He revealed to us that this body will still eat.  How exciting and also makes sense because we read about the wedding supper of the Lamb in Revelation.

 Revelation 19:9 – 9 Then the angel said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!’” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

There is a reason why we have bodies.  Does it makes sense for us to live on this earth in a body and then, noting in Heaven resembles anything were used to?  It doesn’t make sense to me if that were the case.

Heaven is going to be anything but boring, but it will be a place for those who love God.  Not for those who like the idea of loving God, but for those who have sought Him out, accepted His only Son’s sacrifice so they may be redeemed and forgiven. 

I think one of the things I am most shocked at anymore is how I see so many people out there with no desire to seek or love God.  Love the Lord first and foremost in your life.  He has wonderful things planned for those who do.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, Inspiration, Reflections

 

Your Kingdom Come

16 Mar

Matthew 6:9-13 – 9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

   “‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one. 

In sticking with my Heaven theme that I have been working on lately, here is another example of Heaven.

First for those who think this world goes on just the way it is without Christ coming back to rule and reign, you’re going to surprised, disappointed, or both.

His kingdom is coming and His will, will happen.  It’s time for people to break their own strong will, because His will, is going to be done on this earth. 

The scriptures make it clear the Kingdom is coming and the King is going to rule and reign on that throne a thousand years.  It’s going to be a theocracy not democracy.  Thank heavens for that, because man can’t get anything right without God and the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is coming back and coming back soon.  First to get His bride at the rapture and then at the second coming, rule from the throne of David.  In the end every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

 
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Posted in Encouragement, End Time Prophecies, Inspiration

 

Quote – Martin Luther

12 Mar

Hell is paved with good intentions.
Martin Luther

Proverbs 16:25 – 25 There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

Everybody always thinks that how they view things is right.  But if you don’t look at things the same way you did say 10 years ago, we’re you thinking wrong now or back then.

The point is as man were only thinking correctly when it’s in line with the Lord.  Where do we discover how were supposed to live?  From God’s Word!

 
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As In The Days Of Noah

11 Mar

Matthew 24:37-39 – 37 As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39 and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

One thing that really jumps out at me is that they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them away.  Now here is a guy building a boat.  It had never rained till this day.  They were a long way from water.  There had to be some questions for about 100 years while the ark was being built.  Kind of like today.  People have been pointing out the Lord’s return for quite some time now.  The one’s who pay attention and know the signs see it coming closer and closer every day.  Then there are those who don’t want to be bothered by it at all.  The questions slow down as they have been hearing it over and over and over.  They saw Noah building and building and building.

Who entered the ark?

Genesis 7:1 – 1 The LORD then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation.

Jesus said it will be like in the days of Noah.  The righteous entered into safety.  What about the righteous today.  I believe that’s where the rapture comes in.  What makes us righteous?  Choosing the sacrifice of the Blood of the Lamb and loving the Lord.

Now here is the scary part and warning the Lord gives.  Many are all over the spectrum on rather someone can know the Lord and not be raptured.  However, the next verse has this to say.

Matthew 24:45-51 – 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

The verse is using the same servant and reversing his role.  One when the servant is doing right and living for the King he will be rewarded heavily.  If that servant is wicked and says to himself, my master is staying away a long time.  What happens?  He is not considered a hypocrite at first but is assigned that place with the others (obviously because now he qualifies.)

One thing I can say is a believer needs to do his best to not just accept the Lord and then drift off act like the rest of the world.  I don’t have the final answer and I certainly am in no place to judge, but there are a lot of warnings in the Bible that we want to repent from sin and our old ways and live for the Lord.

Take is seriously and start today.  Make him number one.  Not number 8, 14, 19 or 25th on your list.

 
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Posted in Bible Prophecy, End Time Prophecies, Motivation

 

Those Who Seek God Find Him

09 Mar

Proverbs 8:17 – 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.

Why is there 300 Million God’s in Hinduism?  God says if anyone really seeks Him, they find Him. 

That is the problem with the human race.  As a whole we have bought into that whatever I want to believe is good enough.  What I want to believe should be respected.  That lie has been brought on by the devil.  Satan has one goal and that is to take everyone’s eye off of God.

Why?  One he hates God and two he hates you.

In life there are tons of absolutes.  If you don’t breathe, you die.  If you don’t get liquids in your body to keep you hydrated, you die.  If you catch on fire and no one puts you out, you die.  If your heart stops beating, you die.

However, this world wants you to believe that as long as you’re sincere on believing whatever you want to believe, your eternal destiny will be fine. 

If that information is correct, then the bible is wrong.  If that information is correct then many religions are wrong, so how could they possibly be all right?  They can’t, just like blue and orange are not the same color.

How do I get to a destination in a car, by going anywhere I want or choosing any route I want to choose?  That doesn’t work.  You have to follow the path or the guide map.

The bible is the Word of God.  It is in it that we seek God.

Matthew 7:7-8 – 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

The reason this is my life verse is because the truth of that scripture changed my life.

If someone seeks for truth they will find it.  They will find Jesus and they will find the one true God.

Have you ever had a conversation with someone and your familiar with a particular fact and the other person says, “I don’t believe that.  I have a right to disagree and believe the way I want to believe.” 

They certainly may, but if we’re talking about an actual fact and not just an opinion, they’re incorrect.

We need to take the time and seek the truth.  Even if you have stumbled upon truth without seeking, you still need to know why it’s the truth.  You need to know so you can confidently share it with others and also not doubt if troubled times or persecution hits later on.

God wants a people who love Him.  Even as fallen, sinful creatures we can understand that. So take the time to love God.  It’s addictive and gets in your spirit.

 
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Heaven Is A Destination For Those Who Love The Lord

08 Mar

We don’t read a lot about the specifics of Heaven in the Bible.  For a long time I wished there was more.  I believe many people have leached onto the world we live in today because they picture Heaven as being boring.  With the picture many people have painted in the past I can see why.

There is one thing we can count on.

1 Corinthians 2:9 – 9 However, as it is written:
   “What no eye has seen,
   what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
   the things God has prepared for those who love him—

Paul is letting us know that Heaven is going to be so great that we can’t even fathom it.  I take Paul at his word.  I have no doubt he is right.  As stated in an earlier post, the Lord gave me a special gift just to remember my emotions after being shown something in a dream that He shared with me.  I wasn’t allowed to remember what I saw, just how I felt about what I saw.

Heaven is the destination.  It is a reward for those who love the Lord and have accepted the Lord’s sacrifice to wash them clean. 

I do believe the reason, and this is just my opinion, we aren’t told more about Heaven is because we are to first love God.  We aren’t supposed to love Heaven and forget God.

Imagine that there is a guy throwing a party and lots of people attend.  They can’t stand him, but he sure throws a great party and has a nice place. 

You see we aren’t supposed to fall in love what with God gives us, were supposed to fall in love with God and Jesus themselves.  The reward is for those who love Him.

Look how many pleasure driven people we have on earth.  Not hard to imagine this generation falling in love with the reward not God.

I remember not all that long ago that I hope Heaven was like………this and that.

Now I know that God knows me better than I know myself.  He is going have Heaven exactly the way it’s supposed to be.  He made my likes and dislikes.  He made my emotions.  I don’t have to dwell on the prize, I need to dwell and serve the one who will be thrilled to share it with those who love Him.

Serve Him and honor Him on this earth while you still can.  No putting the cart before the horse.  Focus on loving the King, not the inheritance.

 
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The Son – Great Christian Story

07 Mar

The Son
Author Unknown

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had Everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.

When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands. He said, “Sir, you don’t know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art.”

The young man held out his package.

“I know this isn’t much. I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.”

The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the portrait.

“Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It’s a gift.”

The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected. The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection. On the platform sat the painting of the son.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel. “We will start the bidding with this portrait of the son. Who will bid for this painting?” There was silence. Then a voice in the back of the room shouted. “We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.” But the auctioneer persisted. “Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?” Another voice shouted angrily. “We didn’t come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!” But still the auctioneer continued. “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?”

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son. “I’ll give $10 for the painting.” Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. “We have $10, who will bid $20?” “Give it to him for $10. Let’s see the masters.” “$10 is the bid, won’t someone bid $20?”

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn’t want the painting of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections. The auctioneer pounded the gavel. “Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!” A man sitting on the second row shouted. “Now let’s get on with the collection!”

The auctioneer laid down his gavel.

“I’m sorry, the auction is over. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!”

God gave his son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, “The son, the son, who’ll take the son?”

 
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Posted in Inspiration

 
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