Posted in Lessons from the Holy Bible, Seeking Truth?, Time for Sharing

Turn around Tuesday! “Are We Throwing Away Our Joy?”

1 Cor. 1:21  But God chose what is simple in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;

The Bug
Oh how sweet the smile of a little child…it comes from such a tender place within, an innocence we all lose as we grow older.

What could be simpler and weaker than the innocence of  small children?  Little children are totally reliant upon their parents, parent or someone older (depending upon the situation) for their needs to be met. Incapable of providing food, shelter and clothing for themselves—they simply trust, without thinking or worrying.  They have have no idea where the next meal is coming from, but they trust it will be there.  The same is true of shelter or clothing.  I am more than aware that the number of children worldwide who live in circumstances without these basic needs is growing into the billions, which is beyond sad.  However, even under the most impoverished conditions, a “little child” is content with whatever is provided as they rely on someone to care for them.  Am I being a tad redundant here, yes I am!  You see, our Lord Jesus Christ spoke many, many times of “little children”. 

Matthew 18: 1-5 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying , Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?  And Jesus called a little child unto him , and set him in the midst of them,  And said , Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted , and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receives me.”

Matthew 11:25  At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children;

Matthew 19:14  but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.”

Luke 10:21  In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will

John 13:33 ” Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ “

I believe we often lose the inner awareness of who our God is and the beauty of His character as our Great Creator and Redeemer.  His love, tenderness, mercy, goodness and patience become  overly “theologized” (I know that’s not a word,until now) which causes the hope, peace and joy of knowing Him to get lost amidst a plethora of translations, versions, lexicons, dictionaries, study helps, books, books and more books. (** Ink Slinger if you read this I am downplaying reading materials, just the overuse of them in the areas of God’s character listed above**)

Simply and yet profoundly GOD showed His immeasurable love and mercy when He provided the sacrifice needed to reconnect ourselves to Him by giving of His only Son to die in our place upon that cross at Calvary. 

When will we surrender ourselves to our Almighty God and Lord Jesus KNOWING He is caring for us continually…morning through evening… day after day? 

When will we begin rejoicing in the knowledge that we have a BIG GOD who is our Father, Redeemer, Lord, Friend, Comforter, Care-giver…slow to anger and with tender mercies?

When will we become to trust like “little children” in our Abba Father and bask in the joy of His love?

The Shepherd knows what pastures are best for His sheep, and they must not question or doubt, but trustingly follow Him. H.W.Smith

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I posted this originally in June 2012.  I believe we need to be reminded of the Sovereignty of our loving GOD!  This is a simple post; nothing theologically fancy (I couldn’t really write like that anyway).   I pray the Lord Jesus is carrying your heavy burdens.  It is impossible for us — praise Him!!!  ♥ Streim

At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes.  Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.  All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:25-30  NKJV

Posted in Listening To God, Seeking Truth?, The Gospel

Selfishly Indulgent Naturally

S–I–N

Selfishly Indulgent Naturally

I thought if I could contrive an anagram for the simple word “SIN”…folks may be more apt to read this.  I find it very sad that so many ministers of the Word, teachers, authors, missionaries and everyday Christian folk don’t like the sound of this word.  They would rather use the term mistake.  “We all make mistakes, of course we do”  sounds nicer than “We all sin, of course we do”.  Using the word sin must “sting the ears”!  Sin is one of those words we hear very, very little of anymore in the churches and ministries across this country regardless of the denomination.

Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (KJV) 

The English Standard Version’s says “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

I believe that time is NOW!  We hear much about God’s love, and rightfully we should.  We know that God Himself is love! However, the emphasis on God’s love without teaching the truth of His holiness is error.  God the Father is also righteous judge.  We are told repeatedly in Scripture He will one day pass judgement on all mankind.  Each person! (Psalms 76)  Those calling themselves Christians (those who KNOW the love of God through Jesus Christ and salvation/redemption by His blood) should not only teach of love but of sin and God’s judgement.  Allowing the Holy Spirit to use the Word of God –in ALL it’s truth, to bring non-believers to a saving faith in Jesus Christ.

When the Apostle Paul traveled to Rome he spoke with all authority from God.

Romans 1: 19-25 “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.  Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 

Teaching that God is tolerant of sin is absurd and heresy!!    God hates sin.   He is merciful, patient, loving beyond human understanding towards all the world (John 3:16), but HE IS NOT TOLERANT of sin.  He LOVES the sinner and HATES the sin.  If we truly want to share the love of God … then we must share what His love did to reconcile us to Himself and why that reconciliation was needed.   If we don’t share the complete Gospel of Jesus Christ… then we’re loving in man’s ways not God’s way!  ♥ Streim

 Apathy is the acceptance of the unacceptable. J. Stott

Posted in Listening To God, Living in Today's World, Seeking Truth?

Obedience

I remember singing an old hymn/children’s song (?)  “Trust and obey, for there’s no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey”.  That’s all I remember.  I think maybe because that’s one of the most important principles in the Christian’s life.  In this passage from Acts 4, Peter gave us the REASON why!

 

Acts 4:29-42  But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree.  God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.  And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”  When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.  But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people, stood up and gave orders to put the men outside for a little while.  And he said to them, “Men of Israel, take care what you are about to do with these men.  For before these days Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was killed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing.  After him Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him. He too perished, and all who followed him were scattered. So in the present case I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail;  but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!” So they took his advice,  and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.  Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.  And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ.

Psalm 35:9 “And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD.  It shall rejoice in His salvation.”  My prayer is that every adopted blood bought child of the LORD God will stand strong in Him.  We will KNOW true joy in our Savior and Lord through obedience to the Word… and NOT through our feelings!  ♥ Streim