What does it mean to "walk in all His way"? Joshua 22:5

I know that sounds like a "well, duh!" question but bear with me.

 

The key word in the title is "all". 

I don't know about you but there are times when I think "God, I'm walking in your ways.  Why is this happening or why isn't that happening?"  Know what I mean?

As I was reading this morning in Joshua I ran across that phrase, "walk in all His ways".  I just went on by but it stuck in my mind.  It was kind of weird.  It gave me a sense of unease and drew me back.  Of all my readings this morning, that is what stuck out. 

 

It was this vague thing I just couldn't quite articulate.  I started going through the list in my head.  I seemed to be walking in His ways pretty good.  What was I missing?  I tried coming at it from a couple different angles.  Nothing.

So I prayed more about it.  I was prepared to wait and study the issue for a few days or weeks until God revealed something to me.  I didn't really expect an instant answer.  But I got it!

"Dude.  "Procrastination!"  Habakkuk 2:2".

Ah.  ALL His ways.  I get it now.  I also know why it made me uneasy.  Let's look at the verse and then I will explain.
 

Habakkuk 2:2(NKJV)

Then the Lord answered me and said:      “Write the vision     And make it plain on tablets,     That he may run who reads it.

 

I have written before about how God's success plan is in the Bible.  Well this is part if it.  Write you vision down, make it plain, and run with it".

 

Put your goals and plans on paper!  I have heard that for the last 40+ years!  Have I ever really put any serious effort into doing it?  Nope.  I did it my way.  I'm more of a go with the flow kind of guy.  It worked pretty well for me.  I raised a great family, built a successful financial planning practice.  Didn't see where I really needed to write the goals down.

 

About 3-4 months ago I was listening to a Steve Harvey motivational video while working out.  He talked about the two principals he built his success on.  One of those principals was Habakkuk 2!  God kind of nudged me and said "hmmm".  I can take a hint.  I put that on my To Do list.

 

And there it sat.  This morning I realized that we are two days from the end of the year and I still haven't made the vision plain.  It has been on my To Do list for months.  I look at it every day.  I think 'yeah, I'll get to that". 

 

So here is my conclusion from this.  Just taking a shot here.  Do you think maybe God is telling me "all of My ways boy. All of My ways!  Write it down!!!!".  :)

I can guarantee you, I will start the year with written goals. 

Thanks God, the journey is always so cool with You!

The Greatest Christmas Gift of All. Faith, Hope, & Love through Jesus!

 

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians:

 

1 Corinthians 13:13(NKJV)

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

This is the verse that caught my attention this morning.  When I first read it I had a totally different take on it but God brought me around to see what He really wanted me to get out of this verse at this particular time.

 

Faith, Hope, & Love through Jesus - The Greatest Christmas Gift of All!

If it weren't for Jesus' love for us all, we would not have the faith and the hope for the future that we do!

 

Faith in Jesus gives us the peace that surpasses all understanding.  It causes miraculous things to happen in your life, if you will let it. 

 

Folks, God has worked miracles in my life this past year or so and He can do the same for you!

 

The Greatest Christmas Gift of All starts with Jesus.  Are you ready to accept that gift?  Just ask Jesus to lead your life.  Have a conversation with Jesus.  Let Him know where you are at in life and what you need.  He will take it from there.  "Dear Jesus…."

Merry Christmas folks!!!

Wow! God wields a mean 2 X 4!!!

Lol!!  I love the way God can make a point and make me laugh at the same time!

As many of you know, I have "issues" with the Apostle Paul.  There has just always been something about the guy that bugs me.   I ran across one of his quotes today that has always especially bugged me. 
 

Romans 15:19-20(NKJV)

in mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and round about to Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. 

And so I have made it my aim to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation, 

 

Even though we are not supposed to be prideful, I thought this made Paul sound like he was being prideful.  I've read this verse many times and have had this same thought many times.  No big deal…until today.

 

Today when I had this thought, another thought popped into my head. 

 

Matthew 7:3-4(NKJV)

And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 

Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 

WHACK!!!

 

Wow, where did that 2 X 4 come from?

"Did you ever consider that maybe part of the reason you have "issues" with Paul is because there are similarities between the two of you?  Aren't you a bit prideful at times"  "And dude, I'm being generous when I say "a bit."  :)

WHACK!!!  WHACK!!!

:)

Lively daily with God is such a hoot!

Afterthought:  I hope that doesn't sound disrespectful or blasphemes.  I don't mean it to be.  It is a joyful thing!!! 

God's attention to detail is incredible!!!

 

I just marvel at God's incredible attention to detail! 

 

One of the little games I have always played is trying to get the people who wait on me at drive throughs to smile.  I have gotten some of the most sullen workers to smile by just being polite and sincere and giving them a big smile.  It is fun.  Try it sometime.  I am not quite sure how I got started doing this.  It just sort of developed. 

I have also been driving Lyft for the last 5 years.  Day after day, strangers getting in and out of my car.  Having short 5-15 minute conversations with people.  Learning to make these almost instant connections.  It was amazing.  People would confess some of the most interesting stuff because of the connection. 

And I wasn't practicing making these connections with any evil or manipulative intent.  In fact I didn't realize I was practicing anything at all.  I just truly enjoyed meeting people and people seemed to respond to that. 

Today in my prayer time, God once again connected the dots for me!  His attention to detail is astounding. 

 

I am developing a new business venture focusing on selling insurance, mortgages (in process of getting licensed), and other things over the phone.  What I have found is that I have an incredible way of getting people to warm up to me right over the phone.  Imagine that!

The skills that God has had me develop over many years without me even realizing it are coming to fruition!

Let me be very clear.  While I may have this new or at least enhanced skill, the only reason I have it is that God say fit years ago to start teaching and developing it in me!  Now there are some who would say this is all just coincidence. 

They can believe what they want.  I however believe with all my heart that it was God's purposeful hand guiding me to acquire the skills He knew I was going to need!

I so love living in God's favor!

Do you live in God's favor?  If not, would you like to?  It all starts with getting to Know Jesus.  Just have a little talk with Jesus.  Let Him know where you are at in life, what you need.  And then ask Him for His help.

Pretty simple right?  Why not give it a try right now?  "Dear Jesus…."

Thanksgiving - to whom are we thankful?

 

We have this great holiday called Thanksgiving.  But you really don't hear many in the media or anywhere else in society for that matter say who we should be thankful to. 

 

Well in my case let there be no question.  I am thankful to God for all of my blessings as well as all of my tribulations in life!!!  Each and every one of them!

 

Really?  Thankful for my tribulations?  Who you kidding?  That's BS!

 

Nope.  I am seriously grateful for the tribulations.  Why?  Because that is the first step in God's success plan that each and every one of us can put into action in our lives.  Doesn't cost a thing….other than being obedient to God.  :)

 

Romans 5:3-5(NKJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 

and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

 

Why is it so important that we "glory in tribulations"?  I believe it is because it is an outward sign of our inner faith in God.

 

Folks, I have been incredibly blessed in the past year.  Lost over 80 pounds.  Went from barely being able to walk 10 minutes on a treadmill in January 2020 to running a minimum of 2.25 miles a day.  My health has improved immeasurably.  I am very grateful and I give God all of the credit, honor, and glory for those blessing! 

 

But the blessings don't stop there!  God has also started bringing some long term goals to fruition in my life and I am incredibly grateful and give God all of the credit, honor, and glory for that as well.  An additional blessing as part of that process is that God is connecting the dots and showing me how different failures and tribulations over the last 5 years were so vitally necessary for me to develop the new skill sets needed for the completion of the current goals as well as the new vision and goals that God has laid out before me! 

 

Life is so exciting when you live in God's favor! 

 

So that is why I want to make sure everyone knows who I am grateful to for all that I have in life.  I am grateful to God!  Thank you Lord!!!

Sometimes I wish God would just get to the point instead of slow walking me to a conclusion! :)

 

This is something that has always bugged me.  After all Moses did for God, because of one small variance by Moses, God punishes Moses by not letting Moses step foot in the promised land.  God even takes it a step further and seems to taunt Moses.  Takes Moses to the top of a mountain, shows all the land to Moses, and tells Moses "but you don't get to cross over.".  Almost like God saying "nanna, nanna, nanna!".

 

What is odd about today is that God stopped me when I read it and said let's delve a little further into this one today.  There is more here than you may realize.  God sure has His ways!  I was planning on a quick 15 minute walk with God and then I was ready to get on about my day.  Apparently God has other plans for me today.  :)

 

I have come to realize more and more how much writing helps me sort out my thoughts.  So what is it specifically that bugs me about this?  Let's start there.

 

God is supposed to be a just God.  God is supposed to be a forgiving God.  God says He will have mercy on whom He chooses to have Mercy on.  You get the point.

 

So why did God come down so hard on Moses?  Moses was the only prophet in history to see God face to face.  Moses served God like no other prophet.  Moses even talked God out of wiping out the Israelites because of their sinning ways.  God couldn't choose to show Moses a little Mercy? 

Let's look at what Moses did.  God told Moses how to call water from a rock.  Hold the staff out and command the water to come forth.  Moses, caught up in the moment, goes one step further.  He reaches out and taps the rock.  That's it.  Added one little flourish and for that Moses gets hammered. 

The punishment seems way out of proportion.  King David messed up way more and yet was not punished like that.  King Solomon messed up way more and wasn't punished like that.  Where is the justice?  Where is the forgiveness?  Where is the mercy?

 

As I was thinking this through God made an interesting new connection for me.  You know I always look for confirmation between the OT and the NT.  I had never made this connection before but there is a parallel story in the NT that has always bugged me in the same way.  Check this out.

 

Jesus comes into town and sees a fig tree.  Jesus wants a fig.  There are no figs on the tree because it isn't fig season.  Jesus gets ticked off and condemns the tree to die.  Why?  It wasn't the fig tree's fault it wasn't fig season.  I mean come on, God designed the system and Jesus did the work to implement it.  And now you are ticked off because the system you designed didn't give you what you wanted even though what you wanted was outside of the system that you designed?  Where is the justice?  Where is the forgiveness?  Where is the mercy?

 

So here we are.  I have now put into writing exactly what bugs me about it.  And this is where we get to the God slow walking me to the conclusion part.  As I was praying about this God said go a little deeper.  What really bugs you about this?  I had to stop and thing bout it.  What is it that really bugs me about these two stories?  Hmm.

 

Ah.  A new conclusion.  At a deeper level what bugs me is that we are told that God is a God of consistency.  That God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow is something that we don't question.  And yet here we have two stories, one from the OT and one from the NT, where God seems to act in a way that is totally inconsistent with the things that we believe about Him. 

 

That seems contradictory.  Ayn Rand says "Contradictions don't exist.  If you think you have found one, check your premise.".  And yes I get the irony of quoting an atheist in my Bible blog. :)

 

And that is where the slow walk ends for today folks.  :)

 

God brought this to my attention today and I am sure He had His reasons.  I don't believe things like this happen by accident.  He made some connections that I hadn't seen before and He has given me a new avenue of inquiry.  Checking my premises.  But He isn't just giving me the answers on a silver platter.  Apparently the answer will come down the road. 

I so love my walk with God, even when it is sometimes frustratingly slow.  :)

 

 

 

 

 

Another Confirmation!

 I have written many times about my belief that the heart issue is more important than the actual words you say when accepting Jesus.  What I mean by that is while Paul said that you have to say it with your mouth, etc;  Jesus simply says it is a heart issue. 

As you know I am always looking for confirmation of my beliefs in both the OT and NT.  So here I was looking for confirmation in the OT.  Look what I found today!
 

Deuteronomy 30:9-20(NKJV)

The Lord your God will make you abound in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the increase of your livestock, and in the produce of your land for good. For the Lord will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers, 

if you obey the voice of the Lord your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book of the Law, and if you turn to the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 

It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 

Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 

But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, 

in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess. 

But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, 

I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days in the land which you cross over the Jordan to go in and possess. 

I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; 

that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days; and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”

 

This is Moses making his last pronouncements to the Israeli people before God takes him.  Isn't Moses saying the same things as Jesus?  It is, and always has been a heart issue!

Thank you Lord for once again leading me to a new confirmation!  God is so cool!

Just another little coincidence! (others might say)

 

I just love how God can reach out so easily and communicate with us through Scripture. 

I had a couple of minor setbacks yesterday on some new goals I am working on.  One of my base Scriptures is Romans 5:3-5.  It is God's success plan all rolled into one.  I've written about this before so I won't go into detail but here is the Scripture.
 

Romans 5:3-5(NKJV)

And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 

and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

So yesterday I delt with the issue as I always try to do.  I took joy in the tribulation and persevered.  By doing so it gave me an incredible sense of "peace that surpasses all understanding".  Pretty cool when you follow God's plan.  But it gets even better.

 

As many of you know, I try to read 1 chapter in the OT and 1 chapter in the NT everyday.  So when I sat down today to do my Bible study, guess what chapter I just happened to be on in the NT.  Romans 5!!!!!!!

Now there are many who would say it is just coincidence.  They can believe what they want.  Personally I believe that coincidences are just the little everyday miracles that God chooses not to take credit for. 

Personally it just made me smile and take joy!  It was like a personal note of encouragement from God!  Pretty darn cool if you ask me!

Thank you God, you made my day!  :)

It's Always A Pleasure Lord!

Today was one of those days where nothing really jumped off the page at me.  But the cool thing was that it didn't matter.  There is something about just being in the Word that is calming and comforting. 

 

I found myself thinking: "It's always a pleasure Lord!" just being in His presence.

What a great way to start the day!

 

LOL!!!!! God sure can make me laugh!!!!!

Oh man!  I hesitated to write this but if you know me at all you know that I am pretty much a what you see is what you get kind of guy, so here goes.  :)

 

You all know my pattern. Read one chapter from the OT and the NT and then blog about what God spoke to me that day from His word.

 

So after my reading I am in prayer and meditation looking for what God was telling me from His word today.  I'm looking for connections between the Deuteronomy passage and the Acts passage.  Nothing is coming to me so I bear down and concentrate and try harder.  Still nothing!

 

So I bear down even harder.  Concentrate even more.  Really trying to force the connections and the revelation.  That's when God whispered in my ear:

 

"Dude, you're not trying to take a dump here."  I burst right out loud laughing!!!!  I truly did.

 

And then God continued His lesson.  He said relax.  You can't force revelation.  Revelation comes from Me.  No matter how much you concentrate and bear down, you can not force revelation.

 

So there you have it!  The lesson for today had nothing to do with the text that I read but had all to do with God giving me a good hearted reminder that He is in charge, not me. 

 

I so love my walk with God!

 

God's amazing ability to focus our thoughts!

 

It never ceases to amaze me how God can make certain words pop off the page at you.  Once again we have an example of a scripture that I have read numerous times and had never noticed this one particular part. Read the text and I will comment on the other side.

 

Acts 26:19-20(NKJV)

“Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, 

but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. 

 

Now in this text this is Paul speaking to King Agrippa. I've highlighted what caught my attention here. I have always thought of the book of James as the works book. You know we are taught that we are saved by faith but James brings back the idea of works have to go with faith. The concept being that they demonstrate to God in a concrete way our active faith.

 

So imagine my surprise when the words highlighted above jumped off the page at me. Isn't Paul in a way saying the same thing here as James says? Works be fitting repentance sounds an awful lot like works be fitting demonstration of our faith to me.

 

Very cool!

Do people go to Heaven or Hell immediately upon death?

 

Interesting question isn't it? 

 

I had always believed that it was immediate.  That is the way it is presented in funerals. We often speak of the recently departed as looking down on us from Heaven at that very moment.  We envision dying and in an instant we are standing at the Pearly Gates walking into Heaven. 

 

But is that Scripturally accurate? 

 

I read the following Scripture this morning.  I haven't studied this issue in depth but this one Scripture where Paul is speaking to the Governor Felix before being sent in chains to Rome calls all of that into question. 

 

Acts 24:15(NKJV)

I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. 

 

Does this mean that every single person who has ever lived and died is still at the pre-trial level.  They haven't been judged by Jesus yet?  (Scripture tells us that God delegated judgement to Jesus - 2nd Tim 4:1-2) They are all still in their "holding cells", their graves, awaiting trial?  The Just and the Unjust alike? 

If that is truly the case then for some reason that just doesn't seem as comforting as having judgement happen instantaneously does it? 

Oh well.  I am extremely grateful for all that God has done for me and continues to do for me.  I am extremely grateful that at the end of the line is Heaven for those who know Jesus, even if we have to wait a little bit of extra time.  :)

 

If you don't know Jesus yet, there is no better time than now to get to know Him.    Let Him know what is going on in your life and how He can help you.  Jesus stand there ready to help but you have to invite Him in.  How do you do that?

 

Just have a conversation with Him.  "Dear Jesus…."

Ever had God tell you to take a hike? :)

I love the way God deals with me. 

 

I am a bit of a procrastinator.  I was going to go to prayer and Bible study yesterday and God told me to take a hike.  :)

 

I love the paradigm of God the Father and that is the way He was dealing with me yesterday.  He recognized that I was using my prayer and Bible time as an excuse to not do what I really should have been doing at the time. 

 

God essentially said, " stop hiding behind Me.  Knock it off and go do what you know you need to do!"
 

Tough love baby!!!!

 

Thank you God!!!

 

Nothing new under the sun.

 

As we watch our world swirl deeper and deeper into the abyss I am reminded that there is nothing new under the sun.  In this case I am referring to a few people whipping a crowd into a mass frenzy as we have seen happen with this whole Covid 19 thing.  The whole world has gone insane over a disease that according to the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), has a mortality factor of just 0.14%.  That means that out of every 1,400 people who get Covid 19; only 1 person dies.  The other 1,399 people live.

 

I ran across these verses in my readings today.  While the issue here was different, what it demonstrated for me is that people have been whipping other people into mass frenzies, often for their own gain; for eons!

Acts 19:23-41(NKJV)

And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way. 

For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. 

He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. 

Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 

So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.”

Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” 

So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. 

And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. 

Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. 

Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. 

And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. 

But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? 

Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. 

For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. 

Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. 

But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. 

For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” 

And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.

As Ecclesiastes says "there is nothing new under the sun."

Are you rejoicing or do you feel guilty?

Society today seems intent on promoting mediocrity for all and shame for those who have actually worked hard and achieved something.

 

What does God say about achievement?  Take a look!

 

Deuteronomy 12:7(NKJV)

And there you shall eat before the Lord your God, and you shall rejoice in all to which you have put your hand, you and your households, in which the Lord your God has blessed you.  

 

Are you rejoicing in all to which you have put your hand, or are you feeling guilty about your achievements? 

If you are feeling guilty, ask yourself if feeling that guilt is really appropriate.

 

Or another way to put it is; who ya gonna follow, God or society?!

Does God customize His messages for you?

 

It never ceases to amaze me how God uses different ways to speak directly to me.  It is interesting how He can turn my attention to certain Scriptures and make sure I focus on just the parts He wants me to pay attention to.  I had one of those experiences today. 

 

I was reading in the OT today when all of a sudden the passage I was reading had a new meaning to me.  It was a passage I have read many times before but had never thought of in this way.  God linked it directly to something that is happening in my life right now.  It was encouraging and it made me smile.  It was like "Thanks God, I needed that!".  (Just to be clear.  Nothing bad going on.  Something happening in my life in good way :)

But here is what I noticed today that I think is the neatest part.  Have you ever had the experience of reading Scripture some days and your mind wanders?  Your eyes are seeing the words but your brain isn't even processing them.  It seems like it is just blah, blah, blah.

Well it was like that at first today.  And then all of a sudden this particular verse jumped off of the page at me.  It was actually about two paragraphs.  And then as I read on, it went back to blah, blah, blah.  So I went back to where it started to be blah, blah, blah and read it again.  My mind wandered again.  I tried it a third time.  My mind wandered again.

It was like God was saying that those two paragraphs were the part He wanted me to focus on today.  The rest of it didn't matter for what He was trying to tell me or teach me at that moment.

I think it is pretty cool when God customizes His messages to me.  Would you like God to take an interest in you like that?  It's easy.  It starts with Jesus, God's son.  Ask Jesus to come into our life.  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  Let Him know what you need or are looking for in life. 

 

"Dear Jesus….."  

Faith

 

As I've mentioned before, I read one chapter from the OT and one chapter from the NT and then just contemplate what God spoke to my through His word that day.  The one thing that spoke out to me today was the word Faith.

 

I just love it when God connects the dots.  At first I didn't get it.  We know that our salvation is based on our faith.  The word faith is used a lot in the New Testament.  A lot!

As you know, one of my Scriptural study principals is confirmation of a concept in both the OT and the NT.  As I thought about it I couldn't really think of any mentions in the OT about faith so I decided to look into that.  Here is what I found.
 

The word faith is used 229 times in the Bible.  Two references in the OT and 227 times in the NT.  You read that right.  Only 2 times in the whole OT. 

So is the whole faith construct a NT thing not really confirmed in the OT?  Hmm.

That is when God stepped in and connected the dots for me.  Essentially, if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck…it’s a duck! 

In the OT, I was reading Moses' speech to the Israelis before sending them forth into the promised land.  God simply took that opportunity to point out that Moses demonstrated his faith in God in a very real way.  The OT didn't use the word faith in his journey but he demonstrated it in a very concrete way. 

God led me to other examples Like Abraham and said just because I didn't use this specific word or that specific word, don't get hung up on that.  Was the concept of faith itself demonstrated in a very real way?  If so then there is your confirmation!

Thanks for clearing that up Lord!  :)

It is and always has been a heart issue!

 

As you know, I always look for confirmation between the Old and the New Testament of any theory that I have.

One of the things I have commented on before is that while Paul had kind of a cantation that has to be said to be save, Jesus always said it was a heart issue.  Jesus wasn't looking for "magic words".  He was looking at your heart.

 

And just to be clear I am referring to the whole "believe in your hear and speak it with your mouth" thing.  That was added by Paul.  Jesus just said it was a heart issue. 

So imagine my surprise today when I ran across this verse.
 

Deuteronomy 8:2(NKJV)

And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 

 

Isn't that interesting.  Confirmation in the OT!  :)

Wisdom of the Old Testament

No, I'm not talking about Proverbs.  This is a more general observation.

 

I have often marveled at the wisdom that you find in the Old Testament.  Some of the dietary rules for example were later born out by science.  I mean who hasn't been told to wash your hands before you eat? 

So I noticed this today.  It is part of the passage where Moses is telling the Israelites that God will drive out the nations before them as He gives them the promised land.  What caught my eye was the detail that I highlighted.
 

Deuteronomy 7:22-25(NKJV)

And the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you little by little; you will be unable to destroy them at once, lest the beasts of the field become too numerous for you. 

But the Lord your God will deliver them over to you, and will inflict defeat upon them until they are destroyed. 

And He will deliver their kings into your hand, and you will destroy their name from under heaven; no one shall be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them. 

You shall burn the carved images of their gods with fire; you shall not covet the silver or gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, lest you be snared by it; for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. 

 

God said He would give the Israelites the promised land little by little.  The reason was that there were not enough Israelites to hold all of the land if God had given it to them all at once.  If you don't have enough people to control the land then you don't really own it. 

God mentions the beasts of the fields but it applies to human animals as well.  It made me think of a more recent time in history where this principal was born out.  Back in the early 1800's, after Mexico fought for it's independence from Spain they had a problem. 

They captured all of this land but didn't have enough people to occupy it and tame it.  So there was this little country to the northeast called Texas.  Yes, Texas was it's own country before it joined the United States. 

Mexico invited the Texans to settle in the land which would help Mexico occupy the land.  Over time Mexico allowed so many Texans in that Mexico could no longer control their own land  which led to a war which led to Mexico losing a bunch of the land that they couldn't control because they didn't have enough people.

Isn't interesting that the Old Testament offered this warning way back in the day!

Acts 10 - a watershed moment!

 

I've read Acts 10 many times.  I've always focused on God telling Peter that all people should here the Word of God. 

 

What I don't think I have ever made note of before though is that I think this is the first place in Scripture where God gives the Holy Spirit to someone other than a Jewish person.

 

I don't know about you but I find that to be a watershed moment.

 

Can you imagine not having the Holy Spirit in you?  Not having that direct line to God so that He can guide you?

I know I am incredibly thankful for that.  If you have never experienced that direct line to God, it starts with accepting Jesus.  That's just a fancy way of saying asking Jesus to guide your life.  Have a talk with Jesus and let Him know what you need and see where it goes from there.

 

"Dear Jesus…."

So you think eating meat is immoral?

First let me say that I am not against being vegetarian.  I eat very little meat myself anymore.  But that is by choice, not because I feel that there is anything morally wrong with eating meat. 

My issue here is with people who cast the choice of eating meat or not as a moral one.  I ran across this verse today.  I'm sure I've taken note of it before but I thought I would point it out again.

 

Acts 10:9-13(NKJV)

The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 

Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance 

and saw heaven opened and an object like a great sheet bound at the four corners, descending to him and let down to the earth. 

In it were all kinds of four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. 

And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”

 

That is God telling Peter specifically to kill and eat animals.

God doesn't tell people to do immoral things.  Case closed in my opinion.

As I said above, I eat very little meat today but that is simply a food choice. 

 

Giving God the credit and praise!

 

I am praising God today for a miracle in my life.  I want to give Him all the credit and glory!

 

I little over a year ago I was really overweight with many of the health issues that go along with being overweight.  Diabetes runs in my family and if I wasn't diabetic I must have been pretty darn close. 

My Grandma and my Dad were both diabetic.  I watched my Dad go through a couple of years of 3 times a week dialysis.  What a tough existence.  Not something I wanted to go through but unfortunately I could see I was almost certainly headed in that direction.  Needed to lose weight but didn't have any real hope of doing so.

 

That is when God brought Noom back around into my attention span.  Noom is a weight loss app for your phone that I had started keeping an eye on about a year previous.  I had checked it out and it seemed to make sense but I wanted to see if it had staying power before I tried it.

 

At just the right time, when I was ready, God dropped the thought into my brain, "hey remember that Noom thing?".  I love the way God does that.  He just plants the seed, points me in the right direction, and sends me down a new path.

Long story short.  I signed up.  How much did I want to lose?  I picked 50 pounds because it seemed like such and impossible number.  They said it would take 7 months.  I lost the first 50 pounds in 4 months.  Decided to head down to 160 pounds.  I am slightly under that today.  I lost over 80 pounds in 7 months and have kept it off. Noom taught me how to eat healthy.

Here is why I give God the credit and glory.  I had tried to lose weight on my own many times in different ways.  Usually lost short term and then gained it back and more.  But even when I did lose weight on my own it was a struggle and I hated it. 

Once God stepped in and showed me the direction I needed to go the rest was easy.  Not only was it easy but it was enjoyable and fun!  Really kind of weird.  Doesn't mean it is a perfect world.  I still have cravings and I still have the occasional night where "the elephant gets out" and I eat everything in sight.  But the system I learned to deal with issues like that works most of the time.

 

So here is the additional blessing of trusting and following God.  Because of all that weigh loss my health has improved dramatically.  I am no longer obese.  In fact my BMI is now in the normal range.  My medications for my couple normal ailments have been adjusted down or eliminated. 

And best of all, my A1C was right in the middle of the normal range.  Folks, I don't believe this would have ever happened without God's intervention.  I am so grateful for this new lease on life.  Thank you Lord!!!
 

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God" Matthew 5:9

 

I just returned from the best vacation of my life!  A week at the beach in Pt. Austin MI.  All of my kids and their spouses were there, as well as all of my grandchildren.  To get to see my grandkids playing at the lake together was cool beyond measure. 

While there were countless memorable moments there is one that will forever stand out in my mind above all of the others. 

The first morning, last Saturday, about 5:50 AM or so I was laying out on one of the boulders on the shore.  I was enjoying a cup of coffee, watching the sky turn red with the breaking dawn.  The wind was blowing a bit and the waves were crashing on the rocks.  I was just soaking in the moment and thanking God for all of the great changes in my life the past year.  It was so cool!

What made it even cooler was I heard a noise behind me.  It was my son Jed.  He knew it was going to be a busy day so he was up at dawn to do his daily devotions.  It was just so cool to spend that time together there on the rocks watching the sun rise. 

One of the things I am most thankful for in life is that Jed, as well as my other two kids, all took ownership of their faith at an early age and have continued that throughout their lives.  Imagine getting up at dawn when you are on vacation to make sure you get your devotions in!  :)

Little did Jed know that later that day events would unfold which would lead to the duty that he has to perform today. 

You see Jed is a police officer.  And just like so many policer officers, men and women,  out there, Jed is a good person, a Godly person.  A person who willingly makes sacrifices that many of us would never make to protect many who don't appreciate it. 

These fine men and women do this day in and day out without complaint, knowing that they may pay a price for doing their job; a price that most of us will never face for doing our jobs.  That price is the loss of their lives.

Unfortunately, last Saturday night Sgt. Ryan Proxmire was killed in the line of duty.  He sacrificed his life protecting his community.  He gave his life for his fellow man.  No greater love is there than that.  But it is not his sacrifice alone that was made.  His family made that sacrifice right along with him.  It wasn't just the love of a single man that made the sacrifice, it was the love of the whole family that supported that sacrifice! 

As Matthew tells us in Matt 5:9, it was Jesus Himself who said "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."!   I doubt if Jesus would object if we broadened it a bit.  Blessed are the peacemakers and their families!!!

Please keep the family in your prayers.

As far as the duty that Jed has to perform today.  He is part of the honor guard for his department at the funeral today.  It will be an emotional day for him.

Jed I just want you to know that I love you, I admire what you do, I'm proud of you, and I'll be praying for you today. 

"Blessed are the Peacemakers"!
 

In essence, let God sort it out! :)

LOL!  I love the simple wisdom of this guy.  He seems to be saying let God sort it out.  Take a look.

 

Acts 5:34-39(NKJV)

Then one in the council stood up, a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in respect by all the people, and commanded them to put the apostles outside for a little while. 

And he said to them: “Men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what you intend to do regarding these men. 

For some time ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him. He was slain, and all who obeyed him were scattered and came to nothing. 

After this man, Judas of Galilee rose up in the days of the census, and drew away many people after him. He also perished, and all who obeyed him were dispersed. 

And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; 

but if it is of God, you cannot overthrow it—lest you even be found to fight against God.”

 

Well after 2,000 years it hasn't died out so it must be from God!  (Which many of us knew all along!  :)

 

"Tend My Sheep"

 

What if your sheep don't want to be tended?

As a Lyft driver one of the most perplexing problems I see as I drive around is the problem of the homeless.  The reason I find it so perplexing is that there are so many jobs available that just about anyone can get hired right now.  I realize that some of the homeless have substance abuse problems and/or mental illness and they just can't work.  I get that.  But there are many others who still appear strong and healthy.  What is stopping them?

I see some of these people out on the street corner day after day, almost as if it is a chosen lifestyle.  Those are the people that come to mind when I ask the question, what if they don't want to be tended?  Some of these people work harder at begging than they would ever work in a factory job for example.  So why do they choose to keep begging? 

It occurs to me that we should pray for those who don't want to be tended and help those who do want to be helped. 

But even within the group of those who want to be helped, many don't truly want to be helped; they simply want to be fed and cared for.  Is that why Jesus used the specific word "tended", almost like tending cattle? 

Hmm, I hadn't thought of that until just now. 

Sad but something to ponder!

Now let me throw something else out there.  In other Scripture Jesus says that only those who hear His voice (meaning follow Him) are actually His sheep.  So in this context is Jesus telling the disciples to feed and tend just those who follow Jesus or is Jesus telling them to feed and tend everyone?

Hmm? 

I've always found this verse interesting.

Why do I find it so interesting?  Because it flies in the face of the image that many have of Jesus.  Many people seem to think that Jesus is this all loving, kumbaya singing, hand holding guy who will love on everyone no matter what. 

Contrast that with what Jesus Himself said.

 

John 17:9-10(NKJV)

“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 

And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 

 

Isn't that interesting.  Jesus flat out says that the only ones He is praying for are those who have come to God through Jesus. 

Jesus isn't prying for the Muslims.  Jesus isn't praying for the Hindu's.  Jesus isn't praying for the Hari Krishna's, and He isn't praying for the heathens.  Jesus is investing His prayer time into those who matter most to Him.  Hmm.  Interesting.

But what about the unsaved?  Isn't He praying for the unsaved? 

 

Not according to this verse.  He is still bringing His message to the unsaved and doing everything He can to save them but according to this verse the unsaved don't get the favor of Jesus praying for them until they are saved.

That's a little different then the usual perception isn't it? 

But what about love your enemies? 

 

What about it? 

 

How can you love your enemies if you aren't praying for them? 

Hmm, I don't know.  Based on the tone of the question, are you suggesting that Jesus doesn't love His enemies if He doesn't pray for them? 

Maybe the thing to do is ask Jesus.  Have a conversation with Him.  "Dear Jesus….."

 

What is eternal life?

Jesus came to give us eternal life.  Most of us think that means we will live forever. 

 

Does it?

 

Here is the definition of eternal life, straight from Jesus' mouth.

 

John 17:1-3(NKJV)

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, 

as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. 

And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. 

 

Now in other places Jesus does tell us He has prepared for us a place to stay and so on, but as far as eternal life goes, this is what is the essence of eternal life in the words of Jesus: 

Knowing God and Jesus!

Do you know God and Jesus?  If not, why not start with a simple conversation with Jesus?  "Dear Jesus…."

 

Is it a free choice or is it actually a sin? Hmm?

 

Here is the question.  Is it simply free choice not to believe in Jesus or is it actually a sin not to believe in Jesus?

 

When I first pondered this I came down on the side of not a sin.  If you didn't believe in Jesus then by choice you were going to hell but it was still simply a choice.

 

But then I read this.

 

John 16:5-11(NKJV)

“But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ 

But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. 

And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: 

of sin, because they do not believe in Me; 

of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; 

of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.

 

Hmm, if anyone but Jesus had said this I might discount it but when the words come straight from Jesus I've got to accept it.

 

It still didn't "feel right" but I can understand the logic. 

Wow, wow, wow….just wow!

 

I so love how Scripture can just talk to you.  It is uncanny some times! 

 

I was feeling a bit unsettled this morning.  A subtle disruption of the spirit so to speak.  Nothing serious, just one of those mornings where you just feel a bit pensive and off.

 

As you know, I read a chapter from the OT and a chapter from the NT and then try to discern what God is saying to me that day through His word.  I opened to where I had left off in John.

I started in chapter 13 and thought I read this last time so I turned to chapter 14.  Here are the first words I saw!

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me (Jesus)."

 

Wow!!!!  Talk about God speaking directly to me!  The cool things is that I felt an immediate calming of the spirit.  Didn't mean that my concerns were immediately taken care of or anything.  Just meant that I could chill out about it because I know God has my back.  I could stop feeling unsettled and just start working though the issues at hand in a clam and logical manor. 

That may seem simplistic to some but I've got to tell you it sure works for me!  It is that "peace that surpasses all understanding" that you hear about.
 

Would you like to experience that peace for your self?  All you have to do is ask Jesus to come into your life.  Just have a conversation with Jesus.  "Dear Jesus…."