"And it will come about in the last days that the mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, "Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths." For from Zion will go forth the law, even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And He will judge between many peoples and render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they train for war." Micah 4:1-3 NAS
I was thinking last night, as I struggled to reach that peace that seems to allude me lately, just when this fight will be over. I've commented several times that I am getting tired of swinging the sword of God's Truth, without rest it seems, in the daily effort of just living. Doors close, and precious few more open. It seems that more and more of the minority, those who don't care of the commandments and truth of the Gospel message, are gaining ground everywhere I look. And the evangelical Christian community is largely silent.
A song that we sing at Soul Quest imparts a vision that the Lead Pastor and all, if not most, of the congregation believe is the mission of (not only) Soul Quest, but every church that truly follows the Christ. "We speak to Nations". I don't know who it is by, but when I hear it; my soul answers the call to speak. And not be silent.
We don't have to go far to speak to a Nation that needs to hear. California seems to think that it can dictate to the rest of the nation what to do. Of course, its not alone, as organizations such as the ACLU, the minority groups of Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender activists, black liberation theology, and others gain toeholds in the fabric rips of our society. America is gaining speed into the immoral cesspool of sin, depravation, and death as we kill our unborn, support immorality, and demand that we ourselves be God. Who will speak?
The time is coming, soon I hope, but in God's perfect timing, where every nation will submit to the true authority of the Prince of Peace, the One True King. We will reign with the Sovereign One for a thousand years, where swords aren't needed anymore and the art of war will become a lost art.
Until then, we should be pushing each other to learn the ordinances of God, His holy ways, and promote to each other to walk in the ways of the Lord, not according to our own interpretations of what the Bible says, but what God shows it to be. Writing it upon our heart in the script of the Holy Spirit will enable us to truly live in tolerance to those who would remain opposed to God, to promote the good will for all, and to rescue those in sin through redemption and grace enabled by the Holy Spirit.
Then we can stand before the judgment of God and point to our hearts, declaring without words the true Master that lies within. We won't have to call for an adjournment or throw ourselves upon the mercies of the Court. God will look at us; see His Son within our lives and on our faces, living and breathing within our hearts, and cry out, "My child, My child….."
These things, too, will pass. As I remarked to a dear friend of mine today; all of the struggles for finances, vehicle repairs, family crisis, and so on that aren't just unique to me and mine, they will all pass away and the time will come when I wonder why I worried at all.
The church needs to look to its King, its Chief Priest, and seek out an earnestness in preparing for His return, in healing and purification, so that prosperity of the Gospel mission will be completed with all due haste.
We need to be vocal, crying out into the wilderness of the darken hearts of the lost and not be silent anymore. Stand upon the rock of Christ, declaring His law and His truth to those who would represent us in the Nation's government, holding them accountable and responsible to our God for their actions within the walls of power. Then we shall make a mark far beyond our own capabilities, speaking as a Christian Nation to those who would hear of our God's awesome love.
Then another promise of God will come true. We will forget the ability to war amongst ourselves and promote true peace.
Thursday, May 29
Wednesday, May 28
Through faith, movement is possible.
Romans 4:20,21(NAS) "Yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform."
Paul was talking about Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation and ultimately---all who are grafted in the vine of the favored nation. This was the devotional from Worthy News Ministry, and was coupled to a story of a corporal in Napoleon's army who suddenly found himself as the Captain of Napoleon's personal guard. He seized upon the promise of this short statured, but historically great figure, and rose up to the challenges that would face such a major promotion. Movement despite fear.
I look at the challenges that face me as a single parent, and I quake in fear. So many things that I've got to do now, from homework assignments to nurturing. Last night was a prime example of what life is going to be like, with fifty million questions flying around as I tried to get dinner going and make sure homework was done despite being exhausted from 10 hours of work and driving. Worries about finances, vehicle repairs still needed, and so on have sapped my energy to do something I feel led and enjoy doing: writing for this blog.
God promised me, and all of us, that the plans He has for us…that He designed us for, aren't to harm us but to prosper and bless us. Most people look to that as assurance that we will not be poor, but will be able to live comfortably. But prosperity comes in many forms. I know, for I am a richer man than most because I have the love and respect of my children.
It is okay to question, to probe, to wonder about the circumstances that surround us, that demand our attention and cause us stress. To a point. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, where is our focus? Is it on our problems, or on the Creator who has the strength, grace, love, and righteousness to overcome those problems in both little and spectacular ways?
When we allow ourselves to be crippled in fear, we cannot go where God would lead us, to face those trials that God has allowed, sent, or left unaltered. We don't live as people of promise, but as people of fear. We stop moving and begin to die.
When we take assurance that nothing is permanent but the promises of God, then we can move where God calls us to go, confident that nothing can harm us permanently and ultimately God will triumph. It is with that assurance that we can lift our hands up in praise despite the raging seas.
God is good! God is great! And He loves me!
I will praise Him in this storm, and all that follow, until He quiets the seas once more.
In Christ,
Jim
Paul was talking about Abraham, the father of the Israelite nation and ultimately---all who are grafted in the vine of the favored nation. This was the devotional from Worthy News Ministry, and was coupled to a story of a corporal in Napoleon's army who suddenly found himself as the Captain of Napoleon's personal guard. He seized upon the promise of this short statured, but historically great figure, and rose up to the challenges that would face such a major promotion. Movement despite fear.
I look at the challenges that face me as a single parent, and I quake in fear. So many things that I've got to do now, from homework assignments to nurturing. Last night was a prime example of what life is going to be like, with fifty million questions flying around as I tried to get dinner going and make sure homework was done despite being exhausted from 10 hours of work and driving. Worries about finances, vehicle repairs still needed, and so on have sapped my energy to do something I feel led and enjoy doing: writing for this blog.
God promised me, and all of us, that the plans He has for us…that He designed us for, aren't to harm us but to prosper and bless us. Most people look to that as assurance that we will not be poor, but will be able to live comfortably. But prosperity comes in many forms. I know, for I am a richer man than most because I have the love and respect of my children.
It is okay to question, to probe, to wonder about the circumstances that surround us, that demand our attention and cause us stress. To a point. At the end of the day, when all is said and done, where is our focus? Is it on our problems, or on the Creator who has the strength, grace, love, and righteousness to overcome those problems in both little and spectacular ways?
When we allow ourselves to be crippled in fear, we cannot go where God would lead us, to face those trials that God has allowed, sent, or left unaltered. We don't live as people of promise, but as people of fear. We stop moving and begin to die.
When we take assurance that nothing is permanent but the promises of God, then we can move where God calls us to go, confident that nothing can harm us permanently and ultimately God will triumph. It is with that assurance that we can lift our hands up in praise despite the raging seas.
God is good! God is great! And He loves me!
I will praise Him in this storm, and all that follow, until He quiets the seas once more.
In Christ,
Jim
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