“But as for me, I would seek God, And to God I would commit my cause- Who does great things, and unsearchable, Marvelous things without number. He gives rain on the earth, And, sends waters on the fields. He sets on hight those who are lowly, And, those who mourn are lifted to safety…” Job 5:8-11 NKJV

 

 

Our God is an all powerful God who has no limits to His supernatural powers. He is an all encompassing God with enormous feelings for His children.  His love and dedication throughout the age has been recorded within His word, and continues to this day in all aspects of our lives.  But, sometimes God seems to be “absent” from our requests or prayers. In other words, we may offer up a prayer or an urgent request and it may seem like He isn’t listening when He doesn’t respond. I DON’T THINK SO…God is ALWAYS listening, and always working on our behalf.

Take the story of Lazarus. Martha sent word to Jesus that her brother was ill, hoping that Jesus would come and cure him.  She prayed, hoped and waited for the “cure.”  It seemed he had forsaken her.  Instead, quite the opposite.  God wanted to show in no uncertain terms that Jesus  could and would defeat death. That death in fact, had no power over Jesus…and that God controlled all outcomes.  God illustrated that point with Lazarus’ death.   When Jesus showed up, Lazarus was dead four days.  Jesus wept in compassion at seeing Mary and Martha sobbing. Martha said, “Lord had you been here, my brother would not have died.“  But, Jesus knew what He had to do, and the reason for “His delay” which resulted in the death of Lazarus.  It was to glorify His Father, and to show that which His Father commanded He do…show that He would defeat death.  And, behold, He did.  “Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.   And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  (John 11:41-43 KJV)

The story of Lazarus can pertain to what’s going on within our lives today in different scenarios. It’s when we hear “silence” that “His voice can be the loudest.”  It’s when we feel stifled in our attempts to get His attention, is when “He is fully focused on us.”  It’s when we are laboring in our journey, floundering and helpless, when “He is guiding our footsteps and holding us up and delivering us.”   It is when we are at our weakest when “He is stongest” in His attempts to secure us and bring forth the “Light” to shine into our “dark moments” in life. Or, more to the point…He is ALWAYS there every single solitary second of our lives. From our first breath, to our last.

So, in this coming Year, know that He is with you at all times. He always “hears, listens, and works within the principles of His doctrine and His holy ways, in order to bring about the best possible outcome for His children.”

Stay focused in His word, never doubt Him, and always run to Him for all things.  His “game book” the Holy Bible is the answer to everything in life, as is prayer, trust and faith in the one and only Living God.

Silence?  Be happy, that’s God at His finest…

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11 Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.

² (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.)

³ Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick.

⁴ When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

⁵ Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus.

⁶ When he had heard therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place where he was.

⁷ Then after that saith he to his disciples, Let us go into Judaea again.

⁸ His disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone thee; and goest thou thither again?

⁹ Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world.

¹⁰ But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because there is no light in him.

¹¹ These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.

¹² Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well.

¹³ Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

¹⁴ Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

¹⁵ And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.

¹⁶ Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellowdisciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him.

¹⁷ Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in the grave four days already.

¹⁸ Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off:

¹⁹ And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

²⁰ Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him: but Mary sat still in the house.

²¹ Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

²² But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.

²³ Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.

²⁴ Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

²⁵ Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

²⁶ And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

²⁷ She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.

²⁸ And when she had so said, she went her way, and called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, and calleth for thee.

²⁹ As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came unto him.

³⁰ Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.

³¹ The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.

³² Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

³³ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.

³⁴ And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

³⁵ Jesus wept.

³⁶ Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

³⁷ And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

³⁸ Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.

³⁹ Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days.

⁴⁰ Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?

⁴¹ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.

⁴² And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.

⁴³ And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.

⁴⁴ And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

⁴⁵ Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.

(John 11:1-45 KJV)

 

Beautiful bird and nature by GOD – picture captured by Scott Birge~

 

 

 

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”  (Luke  2:11 KJV)

Christians will be celebrating the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ birthday (which most believe was the day of conception, the actual birth of Christ is estimated to be in September). In any case it is the celebration of our salvation.  It is a time to reflect and ponder the depth of His love and what He accomplished for us. 

He came looking for us.  He loved us first, and He loves us still.  The gentle Lamb, our compassionate and loving King reached out to us, and the Word became flesh as He worked and walked among us.  His hands of grace, and His daily miracles and mission of love and tolerance glaringly apparent to all those in His path.

The ongoing war with “non-believers” rears its head in many areas of Christianity.  They try to intrude on Christians and their fundamental beliefs.  The “non-believers” try to justify their “belief” by mocking ours.  They try to shove their views down our throats, all in the name of being “politically correct.”  That’s okay, because Jesus said, so many times, “they’ll persecute you for my namesake.”

We all have the right to “choose” what to believe in and what to follow.  So be it…but truly “let it be.” For those who believe in something other than Christ, that’s their prerogative, but certainly not my choice.  And, I don’t intend to “shove my thoughts or views” down someone’s throat, which is the way it should be.  We can plant the seeds of His gospel, and pray for them to take root…but it’s up to God to do the watering to which constitutes the growth. As a Christian, we can say what needs to be said, and let it be.

What happens in the “world” is truly different from the realm of “God and His thoughts and ways.” There is a preliminary vision that is shared by those who love Christ, and it is discernible to all those in their path, and a common precept in the fiber of our being.

The Light of the WORLD shines so brightly and is there for all to enjoy.  Some will see the glorious Light and bask in it, others will shun the brilliance and blinding glare…but His love is for all, and His hand is always extended to His children.

I was speaking to a couple of Marines who shared a very profound commentary…and one in which I’ve heard before.  “Mike” told me his story…”I know a lot of unbelievers who vehemently share their views, and I know some who are luke-warm in their views.  However, the one common denominator is this…When there’s trouble, or we’re in a foxhole, there is no such thing as a non-believer.  That’s when the very essence of their spiritual core comes to the forefront. That’s when everyone believes in God. I’ve been there and seen it over and over, and I tell you from experience.  I have seen some of the biggest atheists pray out loud to God when they’re in a life or death situation.  And, that my friend is what makes me realize there is hope for this world…”

The light is here and it’ll never be extinguished. May His  Light warm you this Christmas, and may His  love touch your hearts and open your eyes and ears to a better understanding of His magnificence.  May you realize what a gift we received so many years ago, and may we be enveloped in His Spirit now and always.

Thank you Lord for Your sacrifice and Your astounding love…May we never forget and always embrace You from within to without.

Merry Christmas and Peace to all on Earth~

 

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: “and they were sore afraid.”

And, the angle said unto them, Fear not: for, behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, “which shall be to all people.”

For unto you is born this day in the city od David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you, Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in the manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

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

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us not go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing  which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had see it, they made known abroad the saying, which was told them concerning the child.

And all that they heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them…

 (Luke 2:9 -20 KJV)

 

 

 

A Season of time and Love…and God eternal~

 

 There is a time and a season for everything.  Ecclesiastes so clearly illustrates that so well. A time to live, a time to die, a time to laugh, a time to cry…so on and so forth. 

As we grow we encounter different levels of progression on the field of life. And, during such encounters, we interface with individuals and experiences in which we connect to specific times in our life.  Some of them are significant in retrospect.  Some are microscopic and hardly worth another thought. Some of them are grafted into our very being and not likely to escape now or ever.

But as we walk through our auspicious paths that may prove inconsequential on the cleft of our jouney, we recognize that each one is designed by God, as is our steps by His hands. Each one a stellar accomplishment in terms of God, some not so much, but valid for the emotional maps of our lives.

As we go through life there will be times of being “up” andwhen we will be free from stress, heartaches, and sickness.  Ostensbily, there will be times when we come face to face with the monster called “adversity.”  But, to each, it is for but a season…until we’re off to another aspect of our growth which is paramount to who we are, and what we become in terms of our spiritual growth.

God wants us to acknowledge Him in all that we do, and realize it is our inherent responsiblities as Christians to fulfill His convictions in terms of how we live, and what we reflect to others all around us. To those we speak with, smile at, or help along the way…it is all for a reason. 

We may come to a certain place in our life that brings us to another State to live, or perhaps another church…it may be for a time, or for a season.  The reasons may not be known by the individual, but it is certainly known by God.

We may or may not ever find out, but all indications predict we are living according to what He wills for us.  If we are practicing Christians and if we “hear His voice”on a regular basis, we’re more than likely to figure it out as we acquiesce to His will, and supplant ourselves in His word and His love. It will make us a product of refinement as He “hones and purifies” each of us eventually bringing us into a more vivid clarity of His image.

The connection to a “time and season” is apparent if you’d reflect on your life, you’ll be able to see in retrospect where God intervened in your critical pathways of life…and how it would have turned out if you hadn’t listened to Him.  Or you may look at a particular point in your life and realize that if you had  listened to your “inner voice” things would have just been better than it turned out.

Listen, realize and accept the different times and reasons. Recognize that everything changes, things don’t remain the same…and friends may come into your life for a little while, and be gone.  Or, they may come into your life and remain forever.  There may be that person you meet at the supermarket who was downtrodden and you offered a helping hand to her at the check-out, and smiled…it might have made her day.  Time, reason, season.  All significant, all vital components of our life and where we are on God’s radar.

It’s a good place to be on God’s radar where He can help and guide you, and we can turn to Him for all of the phases in our lives.  Turning away from God and His radar to go a different route is not only a sad mistake, but it can prove to be deadly…for with God we have Eternal life and we will drink from the Living Waters forever.  That will be the “season of our eternal life…”

 

 

 

A Time for Everything
1	To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2	a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3	a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4	a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5	a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6	a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7	a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8	a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.  (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 )