At any year’s end it is a positive to shed (pounds) of residue from our lives. Some may actually join a gym or begin a regiment of exercise. Equally beneficial are ridding our imperfections from the “remains” we were born with, attained or attached ourselves to over the years.
God is always seeking those who will allow him to remove the stains of pain and wounds. He yearns to eradicate the ills and deceptions causing us to sin. He pursues the heart so terribly broken to seize the smallest pieces leftover which resonate from past cruel recollections.
We are not born perfect.
Tragic are the people of God who depend on that very instinctive nature to serve him. If God didn’t ordain it, we shouldn’t be doing it. We are not all called to keep the nursery, teach or follow in the footsteps of our ancestors. Anything unplanned by God cannot be fulfilled by unintentional birthrights.
Our natural qualities will never come close to filling the desires of Christ. We were not created to be managed, altered or reformed.
Genesis 1: 26 “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness.”
We are to trade in our scraps of emotional misery for the peace that passes all understanding.(Philippians 4:7”
The merciful “Counselor” (Isaiah 9:6) will take each crumb we have made of ourselves and replace them one by one with the intrinsic nature of Christ resurrected.
If we voluntarily give the fragments of our pathetic lives to the great “Physician” (Luke 4:23) he will form them, one piece at a time into the likeness of the Savior. (Luke 2:11)
The larger than life questions are often not answered to those who quickly turn to reason.
In this realm lie the hearts of those who may seek to do God’s will. When no reply surfaces as they deem fit, walking the other way appears to be the only recourse.
Impatient leanings result in a follower who doesn’t know God for who he really is. He needs time and space to work things out for our benefit.
When the choice arises that one cannot wait to find out his will, then spend that precious time getting closer to God. Get to know him on a level not found yet.
The mysteries of this world can remain that way as long as his saints continue a personal, close relationship with Jesus. (“King of Saints” Revelation 15:3)
Matthew was a tax collector and Judas Iscariot was involved in monetary matters. (Luke 6:13-16)
It has been said the others were types of tradesmen, but no direct reference is made in the Bible of their prior careers.
These men were not schooled in the rabbinical studies nor were they unintelligent.
Jesus mentored them; taught them his sermons and prayed with them.
Observing his daily example gave them the skills, courage and know-how to live the obedient life. (Acts 4:13-14)
It was evident by their actions, behaviors and their loving charisma they had been with Jesus.
Getting to know the “Anointed One” (Psalm 2:2) on a personal level satisfies the soul of many inquiries. Trust is a “given” when a heart is full of the “RIGHTEOUS ONE” (1 John 2:1)
God wants us to live our days in his power being ever aware of his presence. There are times we search, seek and yearn for a sign, a note or a nudge he is near.
Days when there are no words spoken between the closest and dearest, so it is with EL-SHADDAI or The God of the Mountains (Psalm 91:1)
We may hear no sound or whisper. There may be no evidence he is even close by.
The “Writing is on the Wall” or in the news, social media and TV.
The word is God was raising up another Joseph, but in the Middle East. Somehow he must have missed his flight and landed in Louisiana.
Only this time, his brothers aren’t the betrayers; he is a marked man from political insiders, Gay activists and a TV network gone awry.
Who knew he would arrive as a bearded swamp man who loved calling ducks. A man of principal waving his Bible in front of the world as a message of hope, joy and love.
The difference in Joseph of the Bible and the latest copy is the beginning of their lives. One grew up in the family of God; the other veered off the track into sex, drugs and rock- n- roll. Transformation comes in all forms. His was the kind of conversion that shaped the rest of his life.
Who knew what God was planning?
Who knew God was raising up this “swamp man” and his family for the last almost 7 decades to remind America he never left; he hasn’t changed his mind and his word is the truth.
Like Joseph, what began as a work of the devil became one of the greatest stories of forgiveness, grace and vindication.
Who knew God would create a family of long haired, bearded duck callers to become an “industry” within themselves and rock the entertainment world to the core?
Who knew a greedy TV network would contract this family of Louisiana Duck Callers with the plan to get the nation to laugh at them for their religious convictions?
Who knew God had given the hearts of his people the resources to raise up and fight for his religious beliefs?
Who knew the people of God would rally around this family of God by the multitudes in support of his Biblical stance?
And who knew God would allow it to backfire on the greedy in such a big way it would aid in changing the direction of this nation back to Jesus?
Well…..God did.
Isaiah 49:25 “I will contend with those who contend with you.”
The following is an updated photo of the Duck Dynasty family. Look Closely.
Bob Dylan wrote that song in 1963; it was released in 1964. Times were a-changin but not for the better.
Did Bob Dylan know the Supreme Court would outlaw prayer in public school as he wrote those lyrics in 1963?
Around the corner in August of 1969 arrived Woodstock. As a student in high school the rumors were “who is going to Woodstock?” It was the hall-talk, locker-jargon and classroom disruptions. The festival was the “place” to go according to the druggies and rock-n-rollers.
Looking back Woodstock was a festival made in hell organized by Satan himself. His deceptive influence had ushered in a generation of hippies who drank, smoked anything that could burn, free sex and ugly clothes. In the last few years those ugly clothes made it to our stores once again bringing back the memories of that mud filled event.
I didn’t understand what could be so great about going to an outdoor sing-a-long on a dairy farm with no showers, few outhouses and 3 days of simmering heat. The smell must have been rank. The trash was probably piled high of used drug needles, empty beer bottles, cigarette/weed butts and leftover ugly clothes from those who ended up naked. And attendees left announcing they had been a part of the greatest music event in history.
Was God there? Did he attend this music fest of youth subculture?
Probably. But for different reasons.
He was there answering prayers of many parents of those who went.
He brought his angels to ward off demons of death.
He made his presence known to the devil himself as a warning.
2012 marked 42 years since that 3 day bacchanalia.
And the times they are a-changin once again and it has nothing to do with Woodstock.
Sept of 2009 marked a major era of what the Jewish calendar calls the Ayin Season.
There are shifts occurring in the atmosphere. We will be given new vision or open doors that were not there before. God will give us the ability to see above that which we have not seen before.
What have we experienced over the last 12 months? A barrage of corruption gone wrong.
Do you think these fraudulent and dishonest accounts came to light all by themselves?
And what about the men who died in Benghazi? Or Fast and Furious?
As the devil turns up the heat, God is pouring on loads of Holy Spirit fire to stamp him out.
Psalm 34: 15 “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry.” The shift is almost tangible. The air is filled with a new kind of warfare; a battle of supernatural proportions with the “Commander” (Isaiah 55:4) of all humanity leading the way.
According to this Jewish era, this season will bring with it a fresh guidance from God. He will mark the ground before us with his own steps. He will release power unknown before by bringing his people to doors of opportunity.
We will come to closed doors of our faith, health or strength only to be told to open it. On the other side will be strength, might and authority unleashed upon those who follow the “Power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1: 24)
Could it be the “Rewarder” of the faithful has heard our cries? (Hebrews 11: 6)
Could it be the “Spirit of Truth” (John 14:1, 15:26, 16:13) is blowing a wind so forceful people will be knocked over by the love of God!
On the heels of A & E suspending Phil Robertson of Duck Dynasty for speaking the truth, I would like to reflect on this decision.
He spoke his opinion to a magazine interviewer that had nothing to do with the network Duck Dynasty is a part of. For his opinion he has been relieved of his job.
This is more than a direct violation of Free Speech. It is the bias of many in the entertainment industry to spin off any who don’t agree with their beliefs. As this mushrooms, it will be interesting to see if A & E truly support the Gay community when it comes to losing this show and all the money it makes for them.
The divisiveness is due to misunderstanding of what we who follow Jesus believe and the perception of those who disagree with it.
The Bible has a clear stance on homosexuality. It is an abomination to God; it is a sin. (Leviticus 18:22)
The Bible is gender created; male and females. No one is or was born homosexual. No one evolves into a different state of being or humanity. It is a choice one makes.
The choice is no different than choosing to drink alcohol, smoke, lie, cheat, gossip, etc.
The perception has been that those who choose to live such a lifestyle believe that we who disagree with it are bigot hate-filled intolerant hypocrites. A few bad apples in any group doesn’t speak for the majority.
Not only do I have friends and family who have made this choice, I have treated them with respect and shown them nothing but love. I do not agree with their lifestyle, but they are people created by God just like I was.
However, due to this Biblical commandment anyone choosing to become Gay don’t want to be considered wrong or to be sinning. Like other sins, having to dis-avow homosexuality would require change most do not want to accept.
Throughout history homosexuality has occurred but resulted in devastating consequences.
The person who chooses to drink alcohol or smoke on a daily basis will at one point have to decide whether to continue. It comes down to how much they value their life because both are death wishes. But this occurs with any sin.
The alcoholic or drug addict, the compulsive liar or gossip will reap the penalties of their abuse. Whatever the sin, there will be costs to endure.
As far as choosing to be gay, one must first realize it is a sin. Denial isn’t a “river in Egypt” and won’t give anyone a free ticket to do anything against the will of God.
denial
The Bible is the core of determining the difference between good and evil; right and wrong. Whether a person believes in it or not, doesn’t matter. It is kind of like saying, “I don’t believe in war.” That doesn’t mean it won’t happen.
It is the same with God. Just because a group of people choose not to believe in God or do his will doesn’t mean it doesn’t apply to them. It does.
The truth is the Gay community or those who support them have taken what the Bible says and turned it around to make Christians appear to be that which we are not.
The “Phil Robertson’s” of the world who speak the truth are actually the ones who are sharing love.
He represents many of us who are willing to risk losing everything to tell the truth if it means one person finds Jesus.
1 Peter 4: 8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
Antipas has captured, beaten and chained “John the Baptist” to a pole in a smelly, dusty dungeon. Fearing competition, Antipas wants information about this “Messiah” John has been preaching about.
He approaches him as a scathing mocker about to bully his enemy. Antipas asked this “forerunner of the Messiah,”
“So where is this Messiah coming from? When is he coming?”
John looks up at this son of Herod and with a smirk on his face replies,
“He’s already here.”
Yes. He is. Some 2000 years ago John spoke those words and today they are as true as they were then.
Jesus is alive; breathing the Holy Spirit of grace to each and every one who follows him.
His birth was the beginning of the transformation from the Old Covenant of Laws to the New Testament Covenant of the blood of Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3: 6 “He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant–not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.”
The unmerited favor of God; his divine assistance or kindness given to us as a gift. We have done nothing to deserve it. Grace is favor with God through his son Jesus.
If you are like I was, the term “grace” wasn’t in my daily vocabulary. Not because I didn’t like the word, but understanding its true meaning had not been on my to-do list.
But once it is understood, humility takes on a whole new meaning.
The feeling is indescribable. Smallness becomes reality with a covering of unearned affection. Truth becomes a shield through the helplessness we suffer daily. Acceptance releases the strings tied to our sin. Independence is once and for all a thing of the past.
Grace is taking that walk down the Via Dolorosa.
Grace is following his blood stained steps as he carried his own cross.
Grace is believing Jesus did what no one else could ever do.
Grace is the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-4)
We are no longer judged by the law. We are viewed by the “Eternal God” our “Everlasting Father” through the pain and sweat of the one he sent to redeem us, past, present and future.
Grace is an overwhelming love that God established in each of us through Christ. He is rooted and established in our hearts through faith giving us power and strength from Heaven above.(Ephesians 3:14-19)
– You’ve posted an incredible article about introverts, all of which pertains to me. However, with my insecurities combined with my introverted-ness results in a very quiet member of the church, which is considered bad. This makes me ashamed of being introverted, and even more insecure about being insecure. What’s the line between remaining who I am (an introvert) and developing myself into a passionate follower and advocate of Christ? How do I regain confidence in myself?
– I’m not the outgoing type of introvert and I struggle a lot with helping out the fellowship that I am in. I often feel inadequate and that I’m not contributing as much as I should. What’s a good way to get involved? Or what’s a good way to make use of being an introvert? Any advice would help!
Hello fellow introverts! We have found each other. Yay and…
Psalm 19:7 “The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy making wise the simple.”
Perfect words written by an imperfect man. A man who became King and messed up big time.
The lineage of David would bring about the Messiah, “The Lamb of God.” His coming was prophesied more than once in the Old Testament.
The birth of Jesus came along at a specific time and place as God ordained. How he came up with the schedule is anyone’s guess. However with it came the writing of the New Testament.
The event marked history bringing with it correction of the Old Testament laws. God ushered in through Jesus the only way evil could be defeated.
For many doubters understanding God came down from Heaven and became a man through a virgin birth is ludicrous. But the blood had to be “holy and pure” and that could only come from God himself.
1 Corinthians 2:8 speaks of how the “rulers of this age” didn’t understood the wisdom of God. If they had they would never have crucified him. In a word God “duped” the enemy.
Many today believe everyone is under God’s wrath or judgment. If that were true Jesus would be dying over and over for our sins even for those who have accepted him.
Romans 8:7 “The sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law nor can it do so.”
Those who reject God also reject his laws which is where his wrath and judgment appear.
Romans 8:1 “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
History completely changed when Christ was born. 33 years later his death and resurrection became the focal point of our existence.
The depth of what Christ did for us is unseen by many which is tragic. Not only did he save us from “hell” he gave us himself.
A text & video blog striving to honor Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through Bible lessons, devotionals, Sunday School studies and small group studies.
Did Jesus have a Facebook Page? 
You must be logged in to post a comment.