“For it is God:“
Phillipians 2:13
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.“
When will I accept, “For it is God:“?
His will, His desire, His timing, His plan, His responsibility, His problem.
I am His, to do with as He pleases.
What I think, imagine or want… Is not important.
Obedience and a heart for God, if I seek His face, I will find mercy and grace in my time of need.
“FOR IT IS GOD:“
Amen
So foolish was I, and ignorant: The Fix-it Shop-Filling Station – http://wp.me/p4qqra-1P5
This is an older post revisited. The desire for Gods people to grow in the word, will not quit.
On Sundays we celebrate Jesus by attending Praise and Worship Services.
We join in communal singing, testimony, giving, Prayer and listening to a message from Gods Word.
Some believers even lay hands on the sick, and pray for healings, rebuke the devil, pray for financial help, ask for Wisdom, Grace, and Mercy.
Wonderful.. but it is not really Praise and Worship, its a Service (a gathering of like minded people), on a Sunday to share their beliefs.
It is Wonderful, but not Praise and Worship.
I know, it is how we Praise and how we Worship, leave us alone….
My question is; Is it how does the Bible tell us to Praise or Worship?
The word Praise is in the Bible 259 times, the first time Leah, the un-loved wife of Jacob, has just delivered their forth child.
Their first was called Reuben, meaning the Lord has seen, now my husband will love me.
Their second, Simeon, meaning, the Lord has heard my cries, and given me a son.
The third was Levi, meaning to be joined with. (The Levites are the Lords priests, to join people to God).
Finaly she had Judah, “Now will I praise the Lord:”
What is Praise, first off it is Thanksgiving for what He has done.
“Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.”
Singing Praise, what is that? David wrote many songs of Praise. Praise is mentioned 149 times in 150 Psalms.
Sing, shout, noise from cymbols, drums, flutes, stringed instruments, loud. Letting the lost know who we love.
Clapping hands, lifting hands in submission, forgetting how foolish we might look or feel.
It is all about Him, what He has done, what He has promised…
Singing the 11 words 7 times Praise songs, allow us to enter into His presence, we need not read the words we are singing, they become one with us, we become one with Him.
“Bless the Lord, O’ my soul, and all that is within me, Bless His holy name.” 2x
“For He has done great things.” (Hallelujah) 3x
“Bless His holy name.” repeat from top.
You can know this song, live it it and invite the Lord into your Praise.
Do you want to sing it for 2o minutes, not a chance, but sing it and others like it, until the Spirit of God is sensed and His presence is in the congregation.
Then you would be ready to Worship. What is Biblical Worship?
Worship: Mentioned 188 times in the Bible, the first by Abraham, bringing his son to sacrifice.
Genesis 22:5
“And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you.”
Worship, being willing to give up, or to kill your most precious thing, knowing, and believing the Lord will Bless your obedience.
Worship, means to bow done, “he worshipped the Lord, bowing himself to the earth.”
Submission, total, complete to the Lord, Obedience…. “To obey is better than sacrifice.”
We must learn to Praise the Lord, to Worship in Spirit and in truth. To do that, we must learn to give up ourself will, our pride, giving the Lord, absolute power in our lives.
John 4:23
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
John 4:24
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Philippians 3:3
“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
To worship, we must overcome our flesh, give our all to the Lord.
Lord, may I be a Holy Spirit dispenser of Your love, grace and mercy. Amen
Leviticus 9:6
“And Moses said, This is the thing which the Lord commanded that ye should do: and the glory of the Lord shall appear unto you.”
Are we doing the thing which the Lord commanded that we should do?
We like to think we are.
Are we seeing the glory of the Lord? Would we recognize it, if it was here?
1 Kings 8:10b, 11
“The cloud filled the house of the Lord, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the Lord had filled the house of the Lord.”
I am pretty sure we are not seeing this in our church services today. Why not?
We really are not doing or living the full thing the Lord commanded.
The Lord is a Spirit, we have His Spirit, He resides within us, but haven’t spent time reading the instuction manual, learning how to Walk with Him.
John 4:23
“But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.”
John 4:24
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Philippians 3:3
“For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.”
To many of us, these scriptures are just words. We may know them, quote them, believe them, and not understand how to impliment them.
Music is one of the easiest ways to enter His presence to experience His glory.
“Now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.”
Many think it is foolish to sing 11 words 7 times as they call some forms of Worship.
They don’t understand the point, will not submit themselves and let go.
We need to reach out, let our spirits connect to the Holy Spirit. This can happen in seconds or take 20 minutes, depending on the condition of our hearts.
(Are we open, receptive, willing to allow God entrance, to gain control of our natural man)?
We allow Him into our hearts, we are saved, set free from the bondage of sin and shame. Yet, we are afraid of the next step.
We fail to allow Him to transform our mind, to use our voice to pray His will.
We love Romans 8:28, but fear the verses that lead us to it, ;26-27.
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
I am a broken record. I cannot apologise. We all need to be closer to Him. The world needs to see signs and wonders.
We need to become WORKERS OF MIRACLES, WE MUST HAVE THE GIFT OF HEALINGS, THE GIFT OF FAITH.
Then will Jesus be lifted up, then He will draw all men unto Himself.
Learn to Praise, allow the Lord into your heart and mind, you will experience true Worship, the Glory of the Lord will surround you.
Allow the Lord to teach you to pray in tongues, to release yourself into His control, to find His perfect will.
THEN ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD.
Quit you like men, let the Lord have control.
I hear often, we are not all workers of miracles.
Really, that is not what the Lord said in John 14, and what He sent us to do. Have you asked Him?
Lord, release Your Spirit on Your Church today, I pray. Amen
When Jesus walked the earth many asked, “Who is this?” He healed the sick, caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear, forgave sins and threw the money changers from the Temple.
“Who is this?“
The Son of God, the Son of man, the King of Glory.
“Who is this?”
“Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah.”
” Who is this Son of man?”
“Who is this that forgiveth sins also?”
“Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
“And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?”
Today, like the Pharaoh of old, mankind cries out: “Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?”
The world desires someone to deliver them, save them, to heal, comfort and lead them.
“Who is it, that will come to our rescue?
The Lord told us and tells us today, if we would listen. There is a person, a whosoever will, who will answer, the call of God.
I would love it to be me, but it could be you, It will be whosoever has a heart for God.
Whosoever will: “Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.”
The Lord promised:
Jeremiah 30
“I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the Lord.
And ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.“
Will you allow Him to draw you near? Will you walk in His yoke, doing His will, changing the world by His Grace? Will you engage your heart to seek His face?
Draw me close O’ Lord, may I be a vehicle of Your Will. Amen
That we might, a powerful promise, that expresses permission, liberty, probability, possibility….
We have permission, the freedom, the ability to become, or attain the following:
“that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.”
We might be the vehicle the Lord uses to bring someone to the knowledge of salvation.
“that we might live through him.”
We might find our peace, joy, comfort, guidence and direction throught Him.
“that we might be partakers of his holiness.”
We might be holy, sanctified, justified, forgiven, even blameless as we live through Him.
“that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
We might, and we have been adopted.
“that we might be justified by faith.”
It is just as if I never sinned, I am justified.
“that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”
Jesus is our wisdom and righteousness.
“that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.”
Too many never receive this promise, they do not understand the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and never receive the fullness of the Gospel. So Sad…
“that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”
Again, another missed opportunity for many, we bury the gifts instead of increasing the church through them.
“that we might work the works of God?”
What is the work of God? To know God is, and He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.
When we refuse much that the Lord would have us to have, we end up with, powerless preaching, terrible teaching, problematic prophecies, pointless prayer. Your choice.
We might, OR MIGHT NOT.
IT IS UP TO US.
1 Kings 17: Now I Know!!!
As we once again join our prophet, he is still being fed by the gift of miracles and the widow.
(Are you tired of seeing gifts and word of? I keep repeating it because they are the Gifts of the Spirit, the Talents of Matthew 25, given to us to build His church.
Instead of striving to receive and learning to increase their use, most Denominations have buried them).
Unfortunately, like the manna of old, this never runnng out of oil and flour, it’s not so amazing anymore, this miracle, has become old hat, expected… Maybe it is just the way it is, is it really even a miracle?
Then the widows world gets turned upside down. The son whom she loves gets sick and dies.
She cries out: “What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?”
She believes this sickness is a punishment for past sins. It is not. It is for the glory of God.
Elijah answered: “Give me thy son.” He took the boy to his loft, laid him on his bed.
“O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?”
The man of God, had no fore knowledge of this sickness, he had no understanding of the Lords plan, but he had the Gift of Faith for the working of miracles.
So he stretched himself out three times apon the child, crying out: “O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.”
The symbol of “3” times is important for this first person raised from the dead in the word.
A fortaste of the only begotten.
The Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the child revived, and awoke from the dead.
We underestimate the power of our words, the power of life and death are in the tongue.
We often speak death, to our finances, health, relationships, jobs… We must learn to speek truth and the truth of, Gods Word.
What does God desire for us?
We need to know the answer to that and speak it into existence. As the Lord spoke the world into existence.
Elijah brought the child to his mother and said: “See, thy son liveth.”
Her answer is classic: “Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.”
The miracles of provision had become commonplace, of no notice. “by this I know.”
Saints, that is one of my biggest failures, to realize the Lord has supplied my needs for the last 35 plus years.
He said He would, and He has. I heard it asked: “What would tomorrow be like, if we only had what we thanked God for today?”
No, like the Hebrews, we need more. It’s not enough our sandles aren’t worn-out, we have food and shelter. Our lusts and desires only bring leaness to our souls.
It is hard for us to acknowledge the everyday miracles we receive. We just accept them and never really seek the face of God, to walk in his power as Elijah did.
Elijah, like Abram, Moses, David and all the other Bible greats were just men and women such as we are.
No more or less. Why do they stand above the crowd?
They learned to live at the feet of Jesus, they knew and walked in the way of the Holy of Holies.
Even when they missed the mark, their hearts were turned toward God. How about you?
Lord, draw us close to You. Mold us into vessels you can use, to draw all men to You. Amen
The last few weeks I have gotten some wonderful feed back, about some of my blog posts.
My purpose and my prayer is that this blog brings people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.
Being brought up Catholic, I had heard the Bible stories, believed Jesus died for me and yet never knew I could know Him.
After much prayer, that if He (God), was real I wanted to know a God of Power, not just of hot wind.
He brought me to Christian Retreat in Bradenton Fla.
They believed and taught me for 3 years, as I worked as a cook, to study the Word for myself, with out Denominational Glasses.
When I first left school, I thought you needed to believe like I do, or you were not a good Christian. Thank God, I grew out of that.
As I found truth in the word I had not been taught I was excited, it was new revelation to me. My eyes were opened, some others were not excited.
We find all sorts of Denominations that do not except the truth of the Baptism of the Holy Spirit is for today.
Where in my understanding, Jesus told us to wait to receive, so we would be equiped for the ministry. This includes all the Gifts in 1 Cor. 12-14, Eph. and Romans.
So I find myself knowing, reading and learning from the KJ only people, Baptists, Catholics, Prosperity Preachers, even the UMC, where I play piano, lead praise (not so much now), and teach OT.
I feed on the truth… backed up by 2 or 3 scriptures, chuckle at some harmless bad Doctrine and throw out the dangerous Doctrine.
In my old age I have realized, if we agree we love and serve Jesus, the rest is the color in Gods garden. He made us all as we are, and loves us even if we are wrong, if our hearts are right.
I leave you with these three scriptures…
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Isaiah 57:15
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
If you meet the above criteria, you are my brother. It is your responsibility to study to shew yourself approved, rightly dividing the word of truth.
So don’t take my word, or another mans word, as the ultimate truth; KNOW FOR YOURSELF, WHAT TO BELIEVE BY THE STUDY OF THE WORD.
Lord, I pray I lead no one anywhere, except closer to You. Amen
We are looking at Elijah and the widow woman from 1 Kings 17. If you would like to see how he got here, otherwise briefly:
He was beside a brook, exactly where he was told to be by the Lord. Food provided by Ravens, and all the water he could drink.
Until, because of the drought, the brook dried up.
“And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there:”
The Prophet of God, he has the Gift of Faith, now receiving another Word of Knowledge and a Word of Wisdom.
“behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.”
Elijah was an Israelite, he knew the law and this was not right. He knew the Lords commands to care for widows and the fatherless.
Yet his instructions are clear, go, the widow will feed, clothe, give him a place to lay his head.
This colors the way he approached her. He didn’t request water, but asked for a little drink, he didn’t ask for a meal, but a morsel, (a small amont), of bread.
He met her where she was.
This is a lesson we all must learn. Not asking people for more than they have to give. This is true of offerings, physical assistence, prayers and especially Salvation.
A lot of folks might come to the Lord if, we weren’t trying to clean them up first. “Quit that lifestyle, then come and join us at church.”
Jesus met them where they were, opened their eyes to the possibilities of a better life, health, wealth, peace, joy.
It wasn’t till they asked questions, did he bring up their faults and offer forgiveness.
Asking for little the woman replied:
“As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”
Where she was:
She had no cake – just a handful of meal and a little oil.
She was gathering “2” sticks. (It must have been vary little supply, to be cooked with only 2 sticks).
That we might eat, all that we have, there was no hope, in her, for life, only to die.
She said this in an oath to Elijahs God, not her Canaanite God.
Yet, Elijah once again speaks a Word of Knowledge:
“Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.”
A test; feed me first.
We face this test daily, does God come first in our lives. Do we first obey Him, then attend to our desires? I would like to think I do, but in reality,… nope.
“For thus saith the Lord God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the Lord sendeth rain upon the earth.”
This another Word of Knowledge, the meal and oil will not run out. The Word of Wisdom, feed me first.
“And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah.”
She went and did according to the Word of the Lord, through His Prophet.
The Lord watched over His Word.
We might see this Working of Miracles, God moving in our midst, if we would only learn to listen and obey.
As we take another look at Elijah, a quick reminder of what went before.
He appears out of nowhere, a nobody, an unknown who finds himself before the King of all the land. (An evil King at that)
He is a Prophet of the Lord, he has a Word of Knowledge from the Lord, and he has the Gift of Faith, from the Lord and boldly proclaims, to this evil King. (Ahab)
“As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”
Picture that, speaking to the King… There are no lightning bolts, earth quakes, darkness covering the earth, or even a loud voice from heaven.
Just your words… (no signs, wonders or miracles confirming your words).
Just the King, his mouth open in amazement, his body guards, frozen in place, not reacting to stop this nobody, who is suddenly here in front of the King , rebucking the King…
An angry King, with the power to have you arrested, imprisoned, beheaded.
Wouldn’t this be a good time for the Lord to show himself strong on your behalf?
The Lord didn’t think so, instead he told Elijah:
“Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith”
What? Go hide? I just, in Faith, spoke Your word, rebuked the most powerful man in my world, and all You do is tell me to GO HIDE?
Well not quite, the Lord also told him:
“And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the Lord: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.”
God is Awesome, able to meet our needs by using Ravens if He so chooses. Why do we get so excited when times get lean?
Where is our Faith?
Did the Lord not promise, He would never leave us or forsake us? Did you not read, My God shall supply all my needs? Or the Lord is my Sheperd, I shall not want?
As I write this, it is the first of the month, my mortgage is due along with all my other monthly obligations.
I’ve not the money to pay, or the work lined up to make The money I need to pay.
“And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.”
I’ve been here, where God sent me, doing Gods will, and now the brook has dried up.
What’s going on Lord, have I sinned?
What did I do, to be here, lacking, my basic needs?
You promised You would provide, what’s up?
Now, I know I am no Elijah, and it seems I am not a rain maker.
In my case, I believe I was sent to this little God loving and loved by God church, to lead them to more.
More Power, More Joy, More Jesus, More Life, More Peace, health, wisdom, grace….
They listen, nod their heads and say: “If God wanted us to have that, He would have given it to us.”
Never to realize, they had to ask for salvation, before receiving it. It is the same with the Gifts of the Spirit. We must ask, let God know He is our provider, let Him know we know His word and will. Seek the best Gift.
The best gift is the Gift needed now. ASK, SEEK, KNOCK…
Do not stop until you receive. An answer. Yes, No or latter.
In Elijahs case, God had more for him to do elsewhere.
“And the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there:”
A new chapter is awaiting him as he obeys the voice of the Lord.
Do you feel like you are stuck, that there is little or no forward motion in your life? Have you ignored the voice of the Lord?
Maybe it is time to move on in His will, to a new chapter in your life.
Seek Him, prayerfully. Amen
I hesitate to write this post, but my Wednesday night Bible study has reached 1 Kings 17, this week, so it has been on my heart and mind.
I hesitate, because my friend Wally Fry, from Truth in Palmya, is already doing an excellent study on Elijah – How one man made a difference.
I have enjoyed reading his thoughts and teachings, and I urge you to check it out for yourselves.
So, I humbly submit my thoughts on this, my favorite Biblical figure.
1 Kings 17
King James Version (KJV)
“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.”
The first thing that tickles my fancy is, this man Elijah, comes out of nowhere, A nobody, we know nothing of his back story, yet here he is confronting the most powerful man in Israel, the King, Ahab.
In chapter 16 we read that: “Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.”
As it is today, it was a light thing, nothing to worry about, of no consequence, for people to worship and serve the false gods of money, status and power.
To ignore that which is right and true, for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, to be preferred.
We may wonder how Elijah came to know the Lords will, how he found access to the king and maybe most of all, where the boldness to speak this word, came from.
Elijah, unlike Abram, in Genisis 12, who we find, “Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country,”
“The Lord had said,” This implies more than once, the Lord spoke, told Abram, His will, His directions, before Abram was obedient.
We see no recorded words of direction, to Elijah, he just appears on the scene, the faith and power of the Holy Spirit upon him to speak the Words of the Lord.
That is exactly what it was: A Word of Knowledge, by the Gift of a Prophet: “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” Powered by the Gift of Faith.
A lesson on the Gifts of the Spirit, the Talents left by the Master to His servents, those who are expected to increase the Talents, (the Gifts), until His return. wow…
That took Faith, a knowledge, a belief in the Lord, that is enviable. I believe it is the Faith, the Lord would have us all, attain.
I believe it is recorded, not to leave us in awe, but to show us, what is possible to them that believe.
We could walk in this place of power and obedience, fulfilling the will of God, but we don’t want it enough, to learn to sit at the Lords feet, to boldly enter in and reside in the Holy of Holies, under the shadow of the Almighty.
We gladly accept Salvation, forgiveness, justification. We are happy that simple belief will keep us blameless before the Lord, through the precious blood of Jesus.
Not because of anything we do, but because of what He did.
How many of us are diligent, persistent, faithful in the renewing of our minds, hiding His Words in our hearts, to become holy, knowing the good, aceptable and perfect will of the Lord, which is, our reasonable service.
The Faith of Elijah, the Power, the signs and wonders, why aren’t we seeing them today?
“Where is the God of Elijah, today?”
2 Chronicles 16:9
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.”
Is that you? Is your heart perfect toward Him? Do you believe, would you dare to rebuke the King of His sin?
The measure of Faith you have received, needs to be built up, enlarged and released, for the glory of God.
According to your Faith, so be it.
Watch out though, after being obedient, Elijah heard: “Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide.”
Be ready to retreat, to hide, to be able to fight another day.
Obedience to the Lord, may not be a pleasent place, just the place of power and truth, the place I long to stand.
How about you?
1 Kings: 16. 33.
“And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.”
We are repeating this moment of Israels history. The northern kingdom had many evil kings, the next worse then the last.
We now meet Ahab and Jezebel, openly worshiping and sacrificing to Baal, a false God.
It had become no big deal, for all of Israel, to walk in and practice sin.
If it seems right in our eyes… it is.
God sent in Elijah and a drought.
Continue reading
As a comment to my post: “In the time of his old age:” my friend “janjoy52” commented:
“2 Chronicles 16 said Asa went to a foreign king to pay for helping rid Israel’s army. God sent His prophet to say if He handled Asa’s enemies before who were greater in number than Israel’s army why did he seek another (foreign) king and not Him in his distress. Asa rejected God’s word, punished and jailed God’s prophet. Then, the Bible points out, even with his painful feet Asa refused to ask for God’s help.”
She is absolutely correct, so how can the word tell us in 2 places that:
1 Kings 15:11-24
King James Version (KJV)
“And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.”
“But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.”
2 Chronicles 14:2
King James Version (KJV)
“And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God:”
2 Chronicles 15:17
King James Version (KJV)
“But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.”
The answer is in the same verses. “The high places were not taken away out of Israel:”
Solomon, did the same thing ( “The high places were not taken away out of Israel:“), and the scriptures clearly tell us:
1 Kings 11:4
“For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.”
How could this be? The same failure in both men, one, the wisest man the world has known.
One heart turned, the other didn’t. (Too many wives, I’d guess… lol… that’s what it says).
I know in my own life, when the Lord came into my life, I was delievered from this body of sin and death.
He immediately delivered me from addiction from nicotine, alcohol, and other bad habits. I no longer craved these things.
12 years later… I decided a cigar would taste good. It did. I was addicted again for 18 years.
I loved the Lord, but I was knowingly doing something that He had delivered me from, that I knew He didn’t approve of.
I fought for years to quit, it took a time of prayer and fasting to be delivered, smoke free again, for 6 years, this time.
So, the truth is sin seperates us from God, but it may be, that it is not a sin unto death.
The only sin that we can not be forgiven is not allowing Jesus to be our Savior and King.
Matthew 12:31-32
King James Version (KJV)
“Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”
John 8:24
“I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
1 John 5:15-17
King James Version (KJV)
“And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.”
I love the Lord, I sin differently, daily… but I ask the Lords forgiveness when I realize the state I am in.
We must know how to repent. We must take responsibility, and not blame, “that women that You gave me.”
I believe if Adam had known repentance, God, Jesus, would never have had to sacrifice Himself to Jehovah, the Lord because the Lord forgives the contrite heart.
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 51:17
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Learn to repent, to turn towards God and away from your sin, keep: A heart this is perfect all your days.
I’ll look for you in heaven.
“Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.”
Is it crazy for me, to receive comfort and joy, from this scripture from 1 Kings 15?
I know it doesn’t make sense, unless you’re an old guy who loves the Lord, and your feet hurt from arthritis. (Yeah, that’s me.)
It’s not the fact, that someone had painful feet, that gives me joy, but, who had them.
“And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did David his father.”
A Godly man, of the lineage of David. He was a good King. With diseased feet, how could this be?
Here is another man of God:
In chapter 14 of 1 Kings, we find the Lord, giving a word to Ahijah, his prophet who could not see; for his eyes were set by reason of his age.
A prophet of God, who could not see?
Why are these Godly men afflicted?
How about this? The prophecy to Jeroboam, a wicked King of Israel, and his wife about their sick child. All of his family will die, but… only the child shall be mourned.
1 Kings 14:12-13
“Arise thou therefore, get thee to thine own house: and when thy feet enter into the city, the child shall die.
And all Israel shall mourn for him, and bury him: for he only of Jeroboam shall come to the grave, because in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel in the house of Jeroboam.”
All Israel will mourn for this baby for “in him there is found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel”
How can these things be?
Psalm 135:6
“Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.”
My point? Sickness, pain, troubles are not punishment from God, and may be allowed by God in our lives to test us and show the world, His love can give us the victory and conquer all our problems.
It is not important, the condition of this body. My soul and heart, where are they. Safe in the hands of Jesus, that is all that matters.
“Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord,”
What did he do? Three things I will mention.
➙ As King, he stood against sin, in his country and removed it.
“he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.”
➙ As King, he stood against sin, in his family and removed it.
“his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.”
➙ More importantly, he had a perfect heart.
“Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days.”
If you are desirous, to lead a life pleasing to God… first, remove the sin from your life and from your presence, turn your heart to God and walk with Him.
So what if you’re blind or your feet hurt. Love and Serve your Lord, Trust, Rely and Praise Him for His mighty works and grace.
Amen
Psalm 139:1-4
“O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.”
Lord,
I shutter in fear and shame, when I realize You have seached me, and known me. That You know what I’ve done and what I will do.
You understand my most secret and sin-full thoughts, my doubts, my fears, my lusts, my anger, and my pain.
I cry. Knowing You love me, even while You know the worst of me.
I will never understand, Your mercy and grace. I am, at peace, in Your love.
I long to lead the lost to Your throne, that they should receive Your mercy and grace in their times of need.
I desire Your Holy Spirit to comfort the broken hearted and heal the hurting.
I long to Praise and Worship You, in Spirit and in truth,
Psalm 139:23-24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Lord,
Lead and guide me, protect me, from the wickedness that still lies within.
Clean my heart, renew my mind by the washing of Your Word. Return to me the joy of Thy Salvation, let not my slothful ways cause me to stray.
The path to the Holy of Holies, is the way I will walk.
I seek Your face, Your love fills my heart.
I tremble in fear, for I know Lord, You’re near.
Lord, hear my cry, supply all my needs.
My deepest desire, is to love you my King, my Lord, and Most High.
I would that my actions, my thoughts, and the words of my testimony, all please You.
Protect us O’ Lord from those who would flesse us, and cause us pain.
Amen
Faith, Trust and Obedience the legs upon which we rest, our Christian Doctrine.
Is our life full of Faith and Power? Do we really trust and obey?
Or do we live a life of excuses, explaining why the Lord doesn’t answer our prayers?
Sometimes the answers seem far away, through a dark place, it’s scary and we try to comfort.
We attempt to explain the workings of God.
We give Excuses for Gods, seemingly non-action. He didn’t answer my prayer, there must be a reason.
“If I’m not healed today, I know that when I shut my eyes in death, I will be healed in heaven”.
“If it be Thy will, Oh Lord.”
“I know I will be healed in Gods time.”
Jesus gave two answers, when His Diciples asked:
“Why could not we cast him (the evil spirit), out?”
Jesus answered:
“Because of your unbelief:”
“This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.”
Lack of Faith, and fasting and prayer.
We are all given a measure of Faith.
1 Samuel 2:35a
“And I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind:”
To become that Faithful priest, we must build our Faith, by praying in the Holy Spirit. (Jude 1:20). By reading, memorizing, meditating, speaking and hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17)
Fasting and Prayer also builds our Faith, by drawing us closer to God. He sees our desire to have more of Him, He understands we are serious. He rewards those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
Our unbelief is the major reson for un-answered prayer.
“He did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
“He marvelled because of their unbelief.”
“He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart,”
He said of Abraham:
“being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead,”
“being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
(Romans 4)
Are we fully persuaded?
Abraham believed God and it was counted to him, as righteousness. (Romans 4:3)
We must avoid the “evil heart of unbelief.”
Hebrews 3:12
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief,”
“They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.” (Hebrews 3)
“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.”
“So we see that they could not enter in (to His rest), because of unbelief.”
We must believe.
Jesus healed all that were afflicted, when they came to Him. Not later, it didn’t take time, He did it NOW, TODAY. He said we would do this and more.
Both the Faith of one praying, and the one needing prayer can be a reason for healing, or lack thereof.
Acts 14:8-10
King James Version (KJV)
“And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked:
The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.”
The one seeking healing must have Faith and the one praying must be bold, full of Faith and able to speak and pray an effectual fervent prayer.
(James 5:16)
This is complicated by the fact that God, although always there, sometimes tests us. We cannot always sense His Presence.
Song of Solomon 5:6
King James Version (KJV)
“I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.”
Lamentations 3:8
King James Version (KJV)
“Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer.”
Lamentations 3:44
King James Version (KJV)
“Thou hast covered thyself with a cloud, that our prayer should not pass through.”
He is testing us. We must continue to seek His face. How badly do we need and want Him.
Lamentations 3:26
King James Version (KJV)
“The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:40-41
King James Version (KJV)
“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens.”
We also need to realize that God can and does what He pleases. Godly people can be sick for Gods reasons.
Philippians 2:13
King James Version (KJV)
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:27
King James Version (KJV)
“For indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.” (Speaking of Timothy)
We must learn, in everything to give thanks.
Do not give excuses for Gods lack of action, they are not Biblical.
If you do not see the answer you would like, continue to lift it to the Lord, in thanksgiving and prayer.
Our job is to believe and act on that belief. It is up to God to comfort those we pray for.
We should not try to explain. We have no idea what He is doing in their lives.
SO DO NOT, GIVE EXCUSES FOR THE LORD NOT ANSWERING YOUR PRAYER.
It is between them and God, teach them to seek His face.
He may be doing a more important work, within them. Trust and Obey.
Lord help us please, to have Faith in You. Amen
Why are our Churches dying? Too many of them are closed (isolated), systems.
The Baptists only listen to and learn from other Baptists.
Methodists with Methdists, ect…
We stay within our Denominations and Doctrines.
Or worse, the only teaching our Church receives is from it’s Pastor. (No guest speakers, teachers, other voices).
This is somewhat understandable.
Our Pastors, are mandated, by God to lead and grow the flock. It is an awesome responsibility. They must guard against error.
Unfortunately, that can squelch growth in the knowledge of, and the working of, the Spirit.
A healthy Church us one that is growing in Wisdom and Knowledge, always moving closer to Godly principles, desires and Gods power.
(Sorry, Jesus healed all that were afflicted, multitudes flocked to Him, is He present in your services? Are people yearning to learn? Is the Holy Spirit changing lives?)
If your Church isn’t growing, the people are not receiving the food, needed for growth.
Is your church an isolated system?
The internal energy of an isolated system stays constant. The entropy of an isolated system tends to increase.
If we don’t allow new Biblical revelation to be explored, if all we can share is:
“This is what I’ve been taught, and by God, that’s all there is. That is all we need.”
We are starving ourselves, and our flocks, we are not allowing the Holy Spirit freedom to lead.
Sadly, our church is not receiving the meat of the word. We must always seek more of God, expect His Holy Spirit to lead us to all truth.
Luther, the Wesleys, Billy Graham, like the Pope, did not and do not have all spiritual knowledge.
We all see through a glass darkly, only the Holy Spirit can open our eyes to truth and then, only when we allow the light of truth into our lives.
We need to constantly challenge our faith, grow in our faith, allow other points of view, into our Chuches, ask the hard questions of our Pastors, teachers, always comparing what we hear, to the Word, to see if it is true.
It is our responsibility to study to show ourselves approved unto God, rightly dividing the Word of truth.
Saints, a closed system is a stagnant system. It is impossible to grow and florish. We as individuals, need to go to Church to grow, our Churches need to be open to Biblical Revelation for growth.
Our Church needs to be an open system, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us to all truth.
Lord, open the eyes of our hearts. Amen
This finally brings me back to my original thoughts and message of this scipture. Sorry it has been a long and tortures journey.
Jesus said:
Luke 7
King James Version (KJV)
“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.”
“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”
Raising the dead, healing the sick, comforting the broken hearted. Jesus saw, had compassion, touched them, then spoke what they needed into existance.
From the beginning God said. In the New Testament, Jesus said:
“Are ye also yet without understanding?”
“It is written”
“Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.”
He directs us to truth, it is up to us to believe.
“Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.”
“Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
Release unto God that which you hold in closest, let the Lord have that place in your heart.
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
“Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.”
“Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.”
“Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.”
“I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger;”
“Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”
“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”
“Neither do I condemn thee:”
“If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”
Can we believe Do we believe? Are we resting in, trusting in, letting Him rule and reign in our lives.
Are you hearing Him speak to you, through His Word, acting apon in? Not only must we hear and act, we must learn to speak, His will, His words, His desire.
Matthew 17:20
King James Version (KJV)
“And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”
ONLY BELIEVE AND NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE UNTO YOU.
Faith is believing God IS, and believing HE IS a rewarder of those who seek HIM.
Lord, help us to seek Your face. Help us to speak Your will into existence.
When I wrote the first post on this scripture, I got lost in compassion. I hope to bring out the other qualities Jesus displayed this trip.
Luke 7
King James Version (KJV)
“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”
Raising the dead, healing the sick, comforting the broken hearted. Jesus saw them, had compassion on them and “touched them“.
Matthew 8:3
“And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.”
Matthew 17:7
“And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.”
Matthew 20:34
“So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him.”
Mark 1:41
“And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.”
Mark 5:27
“When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.”
Luke 8:45
“And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?”
Luke 8:46
“And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.”
The touch of Jesus is what heals, saves and sets us free. He longs to touch all of us. He stands at the door of our hearts, knocking.
Have we let Him in? Have we let Him control our lives, our hearts, our minds? He reaches out to us.
He also recognizes when we reach out and touch Him. I believe this is the quickest route to receiving what we need.
Hebrews 4:16
“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
Where is this throne of grace? AT THE FEET OF JESUS.
We must learn to sit at His feet, become one who loves Him. Learn to touch the hem of His garment. Lead us to those still waters Lord, please. Amen
When I wrote the first post on this scripture, I got lost in compassion. I hope to bring out the other qualities Jesus displayed this trip.
Luke 7
King James Version (KJV)
“Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came and touched the bier: and they that bare him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to his mother.”
Raising the dead, healing the sick, comforting the broken hearted. Jesus had compassion on them because “He first saw them.”
Mark 2:5
“When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
Mark 10:14
“But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.”
Mark 12:34
“And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.”
Luke 13:12
“And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.”
Luke 18:24
“And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”
John 5:6
“When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?”
It was opened eyes that led Him to compassion, we must learn to see, and recognize the Lords hand and plan.
Then we must learn to act.
Only then the world will see, know, consider and understand that our God is alive and able to do exceedingly abudantly above all we ask or imagine.
Isaiah 41:20
“That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the Lord hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.”
The Gifts of the Spirit were given to build His Church. Shouldn’t we see them and learn their use? Sign posts to the Kingdom, need to be read, to be understood.
Open our eyes, Lord. Amen
theunfetteredpreacher 