We find this warning in the book of Malachi, the full quote from the Amplified Bible is this:
“Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate].”
Is there something in your life that you treasure? A car your home a piece of jewelry? It could be anything , a picture, a peice of furniture, something you treasure beyond all be else.
I have a few things, a jewelry box my grandfather made as his senior project in wood shop.
My father made a table, with shelves for books and a drawer that locks. Also a senior project.
On my mothers side I have my great grandfathers clock….We have this beautiful mirror from my wife’s side of the family.
I treasure these things , and would hate to lose them but they really are not important.
What I treasure most, ( in this world), is my wife and daughter, They love the Lord. My wife sets a great example.
The treasure, I would bring to your attention, is beyond price, it’s mercy and grace, salvation and the peace of God that passes all understanding.
It is the blessing of knowing and walking with Jesus. Of learning to take up his yolk and to do his work and his will.
That is a treasure to hold onto and keep every day of our life. God has paculiar treasures also.
Do you know what God considered a treasure? We find it mentioned in Exodus 19:5.
” Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:”
To be God’s peculiar treasure, all we need to do is obey his voice and keep the covenant.
The covenant is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves.
Deuteronomy 7:6 tell us a little more about being a peculiar treasure for God.
“For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God: the Lord thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.”
If we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are a special people to God, a holy people, a people loved by God and forgiven.
1 Peter 2:9
” But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy.”
A people who can go into the Holy of Holies to find grace and mercy in our times of need.
Are you a peculiar treasure unto God, do you seek to walk with Him, to know Him, to love Him, to be obedient to Him ?
Are only real requirement is love. If we love, we will find ourselves sharing His awesome greatness, His unfettered love grace mercy and forgiveness.
As we seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, all of our needs will be fulfilled, we will find ourselves sharing his greatness everywhere.
Lord please, change my heart, make me a vessel that You can use to draw people to You, to heal the sick, to comfort the hurting, to cause the blind see, the deaf to hear and those with hard hearts to turn towards you.
Thank you for your word, your power, your grace and your love.
Once saved always saved? Not biblical. I get such a kick out of people who say God has to do things the way they believe.
Please, understand this; God is love, and would have all come to the knowledge of salvation.
“a step between me and death.”
The words of David to Jonathan,, Sauls son.
King Saul wanted to kill David but his son Jonathan, loved him. David was now officially on the run.
We are all just a step away from death. I wonder often why am I still alive. I am vile, unclean, sinful.
Forgiven.
Have you ever cried out, depart from me; O Lord, for I am a sinner?
Has the Lord ever done anything with you, to you, or through you, that was so big, you cried out, Lord depart from me?
“Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
Will the Lord be pleased?
With our works, will, or attitudes? Will we hear “Well done, my good and faithful servant.” ???
“Behaved himself wisely:”
In the first post by this name we find David, in His youth being chosen by God, to be King of His Nation.
He was a “man after Gods own heart” and it mentions 4 times in 1 Samuel 18, that he “Behaved himself wisely.”
* He went where Saul sent him. (Into harms way, into battle and won).
* He went in and out among the people. (they knew and loved him and the “Lord was with him”; Saul was afraid of him).
* He behaved himself wisely: (Saul became his enemy, the people believed in and set store on his name).
He became a great king, a leader and lover of God.
Until he wasn’t.
“Behaved himself wisely.”
David, as a young man, was chosen by the Lord to replace Saul as King. Saul hadn’t made it through his first battle, before disobeying and disappointing the Lord.
Samuel, mourned for Saul, the Lord told him He had rejected Saul, stop mourning and go find a new King.
” I have provided me a king,”
We know David was a “man after Gods own heart.”
One of the ways we see that played out is:
“He behaved himself wisely.” This phrase is written 4 times in 1Samuel 18 alone.
” David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely:
David had slain Goliath, had been splitting his time between home and Sauls service. He is now full-time in the Kings Court. He plays to calm Saul when he is troubled by an evil spirit from the Lord.
Saul made him head of the army, sent him into battle, hoping he would be killed.
GRIEVE NOT :
That’s really a pretty silly demand, you can hardly tell someone not to grieve the death of a loved one, or when seeing someone who had promise, fall away into sin or rebellion.
It hurts us in the center of our being. It makes us sorry, sad, disappointed or grieved.
We do have the power to stop the Lord from being grieved though.
The secret to putting a smile on Gods face:
My wife revealed it to me this morning. She lamented that she hadn’t spoken on the phone with Celeste, our daughter for 2 or 3 days.
That caused me to think of the joy I receive when she calls me to say Hi, how are you, I love you.
I am sure God receives joy when we just call on Him to tell Him we love Him, to thank Him for His many blessings. (When we aren’t asking or complaining ).
That’s it, tell Him you love Him, Thank Him. Praise and Worship. …THAT WILL MAKE GOD SMILE.
My wife told me this AM that I am reverting to my heritage. Negative City. I get it honestly, I don’t think my Mother ever ate a meal out, that was perfect.
The meat, tough, under or over cooked, or the vegetables raw, hard or soggy, tea too sweet, ect….
Unfortunately, I tend to be a lot like that, not about food but people who have the nerve to disagree with my enlightened views.
So to remedy the problem, I need to get back into the Word, Fast and Pray. Expecting the Lord to honor His Word, putting His Yoke on and walking with Him.
So yes, Fasting is a big part of the answer. I will humble myself and pray, waiting for His guidince, direction and protection. Knowing He hears our plea.
Lord, draw me close to You, thank You that in the Holy of Holies I will receive Grace and Mercy in my times of need.
What is lust? Is it only lust at first sight? Or is it a deeper, more serious problem, something we don’t grow out of?
1 John 2:16
King James Version (KJV)
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
When any of our desires become larger than our desire for the Lord, we find ourselves in trouble. I find myself desiring a pulpit, a following, as I do the mighty work of God.
Psalm: 81. 12. “So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.”
Is this what is happening in our Churches in America? Once build on a Godly foundation. The Lord is giving us up, to our hearts’ lust, as we walk in our own, rather than Godly counsel or wisdom.
” I have provided me a king “
The word of the Lord to Samuel after rejecting Saul as King. He chose David, because ” the Lord looketh on the heart.”
He chose David the Man after Gods own heart.
1 Samuel 15:22-23
King James Version (KJV)
“And Samuel said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
The word of the Lord from Samuel, to Saul the King.
I am concerned that today in our “I’m forgiven” world, we don’t give any weight to the Old Testament. Yes, Jesus forgives us when we repent and turn to Him and I am thankful He does. (But)
That doesn’t erase the fact that the Lord requires us to be living Sacrifices. That means, we subject ourselves to Gods will and wants, rather than our own.
Isaiah 59:18
” So shall they fear the name of the Lord from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.”
How do you read this verse? In the KJV it reads:
” the enemy shall come in like a flood, “
The enemy is overwhelming, defeating, drowning us.
We are overpowered, then the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
1 Samuel 14
” Let us draw near hither unto God.”
The words of Sauls priest of God. Saul was getting farther away from following God and onto the path of destruction. The priest could not draw him back.
The true priests of God are calling the people to God today. So many prefer the way to destruction.
#love matters
Apparently, the love of our Lord doesn’t matter. The Word of the Lord is true. Continue reading
What are the biggest tests of your Faith?
For me, the biggest, hardest, test?
In a church full of older, sick and dieing people. How do you pray a prayer of Faith, for people who believe in Jesus, even love Him but do not accept the Gifts as being available today?
I believe in healing, I believe in a God of Power, Might and love. I am 62, can’t see, arthritis in my feet, ankles, knees. What a living, stumbling, limping testimony, to the greatness and goodness of God.
I find it easy to pray for a young person who is sick. They haven’t lived long enough to deserve the pain and suffering. They have a life to live, mountains to conquer, love to find.
On the other hand in a failing church, full of believers that are failing also. I find it hard to pray a prayer of Faith.
Life is a precious commodity. The Lord brought me here, I thought to be a help, to guide to the way of life.
I was sure He would open the flood gates and His Spirit would ignite His Holy Fire. There would be true Praise and Worship, we would see people added to His Church
Lord, show me Your Way. Fill me with Your Spirit of Truth and Life. Either release Your Spirit of Love and Grace or send me where I belong.
You have called me to more. Is it time to open the door?
The most constant cry of the Lord: ” Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the Lord of hosts.”
The Lords greatest desire, His plan from the Garden. To walk with man, to have a personal, all encompassing relationship with You and Me, both of us individually.
We read of John, leaning on the breast of Jesus; the only Apostle to die a natural death. Do we think he is the only one Jesus loved? No; I am here to tell you, the breast of Jesus is available to us all.
He was the one. Abraham, was the one. Noah, was the one. Enoch, was the one. Billy Graham is the one. Are you the one?
How well you know and how close you walk with Him is up to you. You are the one who chooses to accept the offer of His presence, His person, in your life.
Are you obedient? Are you repentant? Are you trustworthy? Humble, teachable, moldable, flexible and thankful for His Grace?
Lord, I long to be one of the ones who have chosen to rest on Your breast. To take up Your Yoke and to walk in Obedience and Faithfulness in Your Love.
One whom You can trust. Whom You can Annoint, to do Your work…to lead whosoever will to Salvation. To heal the sick, give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, make the lame walk.
Lord, I need to serve a God of Power. Please Lord, may I be the one? Lord, mold me, make me, use me, please.
Neglected Caroline – This cactus was given to my wife about 13 years ago. It sits outside all year and blooms once every three years. Blooms where planted.
Go forth and do the same.
theunfetteredpreacher 