walking in the Spirit

Gods people: Stiffnecked, Rebellious or ?

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In the book of Exodus we find the Lord refers to the Hebrews as Stiffnecked,  this is translated several ways:

Stiffnecked :
impossible to deal with. very stubborn [a stiff-necked people]. oh! what a stubborn, hard-headed people! they are an obstinate people. they are a strong-willed people.  (stiffnecked, obstinate people); unbelievably stubborn.

Sounds like the Church today, the people are ready to split off and go their separate ways because of the color of the carpet, the removal of the back row of seats,  a word spoken in anger or rebuke. …they will not accept correction, chastisement. Refusing to submit themselves to the Word or Will of God.

in Deuteronomy the Lord refers to them as Rebellious and this is translated :

Rebellious :
you have refused to obey the Lord. refused to obey [rebelled against] ” And what did you do? You rebelled. Rebelled against the clear orders of God, your God. Refused to trust him. Wouldn’t obey him. You’ve been rebels against God from the first day I knew you.

I am not a Rebellious Christian but I  am Stiffnecked,   I don’t refuse but I do resist.  I believe and trust; but Lord if you would do it my way, it would be so much (better, eaisier, faster, simpler).   My natural man also fails in the matter of sin.

Romans 7:18-20, 24-25
King James Version (KJV)
” For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.  For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”

” O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

My natural man, my sinful nature is that of an addict.
Booze, drugs, sex, solt drinks, coffee, tobacco even Jesus.

I don’t do much in moderation.   Before I was saved, it was awful,  since the new birth I am a new man. The battle is won, yet the battle goes on.

If I stay in the Word and Prayer I win the scrimmage, slack off and the old man slips in.  I am the man that hungers and thirsts for righteousness.

Who has a sin that so easily besets me.

Thank you, Jesus that I can confess my sins and You are faithful and just to forgive me.

Thank you Lord that I can boldly come to the Holy of Holies to find Grace and Mercy in my times of trouble.
Lord help me to draw closer to You  daily.

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Superman’s not here…call on Jesus.

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Neglected Caroline – 12/31/14

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Without Jesus, the house is in ruins.

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The Light of Love

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                  Lord, let the Light of Your Love,

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                Show me the path out of darkness.

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Sign of Life:

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    Those we leave behind are a sign of our passing.
                      Does your sign point to Jesus?
                                   Or is it empty?

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Useful Vessels

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Useful Vessels come in all shapes and sizes, they are built for specific duties and tasks. When working, they do wonderful things for their Masters.

Lord, help me to be a useful vessel.

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Don’t go without Jesus

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The end without Jesus. …is never-ending.     Accept His love today.   

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Merry Christmas

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May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

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Life springs eternal :

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the LORD thy God hath chosen thee

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Deuteronomy: 7. 6. 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.

Do you believe that?  Has the Lord chosen you?  Are you holy?  Special, above all people?

Yes, yes, yes, yes and yes.   The promises of God are yes and amen.

You are the beloved,  a gift beyond great price.  

Are you living up to His expectations?   I  know I  am not.  He desires me to be Holy,  I am, only by His blood.  He chose me, only because of His love and mercy.

I am special only by His grace. 

In 2 Kings 13 we have Elisha on his death bed instructing Joash, the King of Israel. Shoot an arrow out the window. The arrow of the Lords deliverance. …to mark victory over enimies.

Then he had him hit the ground with the arrows. …he smote the ground thrice. Elisha was upset, “You should have smote the ground 5 or 6 times, then you would have consumed your enimies. ….now you will only have victory twice.

How was he to know? He wasn’t. The lesson for us is to do whatever we do with our whole heart and soul.

The way to please the Lord and gain victory over sin and death is to seek the Lord, determine in our hearts to love, honor an obey the Lord. Be set apart, dedicated to His service, open to His directions, protection and inspiration. To do all with all and above all for Him.

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Glory

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Glory to God in the highest, peace on earth to men of  goodwill.

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The Helper

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The other night I complimented my college aged daughter, on how well she helped me do a job that day and how I’d enjoyed her company.

She thanked me and commented: “I didn’t do much.”

I ended up explaining how important, a good helper is:

*   Paying attention 

*   understanding what part or tool is needed next 

*   having it handy

*   Fetching needed stuff

*   Being a third hand, when needed

*   a good attitude

It caused me to evaluate my status as a servant of the Lord.

☆   Do I pay attention to His work?

☆   Do I understand what He needs from me?

☆   Am I ready with the words or actions to fill the need?

☆   Am I  willing to go at His bidding?

☆   Will I get my hands dirty to serve His need?  (Dig a ditch, build a mud pie?)

☆   How’s my attitude?    (Am I too good to be second banana? )

To be honest,  I am probably one of the worst of His servants.   Most times I am sure His work would go faster, better and prettier, if He could just listen to my advice and let me do it my way.

I  sometimes have a hard time with the verse: 

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up.”

I am sure I am worthy of all glory, honor and power.

Do you see why I  have a problem?  As I look around  I don’t believe  I’m alone. 

Many of us want it our way.  We are the star, the only one who knows how it should  be.  Whether it’s the colors of the carpet or where the money should be used, or what the Pastor preaches.

STOP IT!!!

Become a good and faithful servant.

The operative word is servant…..to be a good  servant we must do His will, His way, in His time.  Not mine.

Help me please, Lord, to walk and obey.

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