Ezekiel: You Shall Know....

...that I am the LORD when...

"the slain shall fall in your midst" (Ez.6:7)

"some among the nations...escape the sword, and when you are scattered through the countries" (Ez.6:8)

"all the evil abominations of the house of Israel...shall fall by the sword, by famine, and by pestilence" (Ez.6:11

"my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity. I will punish you according to your ways, while your abominations are in your midst" (Ez.7:9)

"the inhabited cities shall be laid waste, and the land shall become a desolation" (Ez.12:20)

"my hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and who give lying divinations. They shall not be in the council of my people, nor be enrolled in the register of the house of Israel, nor shall they enter the land of Israel" (Ez.13:9)

"I break down the wall that you have smeared with whitewash, and bring it down to the ground, so that its foundation will be laid bar. When it falls, you shall perish in the midst of it" (Ez.13:14)

"I...deliver my people out of your [false prophets] hand" (Ez.13:23)

"I...establish my covenant with you...that you may remember and be confounded, and never open your mouth again because of your shame, when I atone for you for all that you have done" (Ez.16:63)

"I bring low the high tree, and make high the low tree, dry up the green tree, and make the dry tree flourish" (Ez.17:24)

"I...purge out the rebels from among you, and those who transgress against me. I will bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they shall not enter the land of Israel" (Ez.20:38)

"I bring you into the land of Israel, the country that I swore to give to your fathers" (Ez.20:42)

"I deal with you for my name's sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel" (Ez.20:44)

"your [Ezekiel's] mouth will be opened to the fugitive and you shall speak and be longer mute. So you will be a sign to them" (Ez.24:27)

"I gather the house of Israel from the peoples among whom they are scattered, and manifest my holiness in them...they shall dwell securely in it, and they shall build houses and plant vineyards...when I execute judgments upon all their neighbors who have treated them with contempt" (Ez.28:25-26)

"I break the bars of their yoke, and deliver them from the hand of those who enslaved them" (Ez.34:27)

"like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts, so shall the waste cities be fillee with flocks of people" (Ez.36:38)

"I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land." (Ez.37:14)

"the name of the city from that time on shall be 'The LORD Is There'." (Ez.48:35)

I am the LORD. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the LORD GOD.

Ezekiel 24:14

I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice.

Ezekiel 34:16

March Quotes

A real Christian is an odd number, anyway. He feels supreme love for the One whom he has never seen; talks with familiarly every day to

Someone he cannot see; expects to go to heaven on the virtue of Another; empties himself in order to be full; admits he is wrong so he

can be declared right; goes down in order to get up; is strongest when he is weakest; richest when he is poorest and happiest when he feels the worst. He dies so he can live; forsakes in order to have; gives away so he can keep; sees the invisible; hears the inaudible' and knows that which passeth understanding.

- A.W. Tozer

Fairy tales are more than true — not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten. 

-G.K. Chesterton

The moment that we take a significant step of obedience, we will be tested.

-Unknown

If we have learned to be silent before the Word, we shall also learn to manage our silence and our speech during the day."

-Bonhoeffer

When Jesus Christ is magnified, Believers are unified.

-Chad Johnson

There is sweet joy in feeling that God knows all and, notwithstanding, loves us still.

-J. Hudson Taylor

Peace is not a gift that passes from Christ the giver to us the receivers. His peace is ours because he is ours, and the peace he is experiencing we are experiencing. Our experience of peace is his peace in us because he is in us. Similarly his strength. Paul says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10). Being “in the Lord” is the same as the branch being in the vine. The strength of the Lord is not merely a gift from him to us. When we are strong against the devil and sin, our strength is his strength. He is being strong in us. We are being strong "in the strength of his might."

-John Piper

Walking by faith will cause all of us to recognize that as children of God we are just pilgrims and strangers down here on this earth.

-J. Vernon McGee

If we followed you for a thousand years, we would need your grace just as much the next day, the next moment, as we did the first day we believed.

-prayer by Paul Tripp

It is easier to serve God without a vision, easier to work for God without a call because then you are not bothered by what God requires, common sense is your guide, veneered over with Christian sentiment. You will be more prosperous and successful, more leisure hearted, if you never realize the call of God. But if once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God wants will always come like a goad, you will no longer be able to work for Him on the common-sense basis.

-Oswald Chambers

December Quotes

Christianity preaches the infinite worth of that which is seemingly worthless and the infinite worthlessness of that which is seemingly so valued.

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

You never go away from us, yet we have difficulty in returning to You. Come, Lord, stir us up and call us back. Kindle and seize us. Be our fire and our sweetness. Let us love. Let us run. 
-St. Augustine

“Is it true, O Christ in heaven, that the highest suffer the most?

That the strongest wander furthest and most hopelessly are lost?

That the mark of rank in nature is capacity for pain?

That the anguish of the singer makes the sweetness of the strain?” 

-John Milton

A holy woman's object in life is a perfect union with the will of God, perfect conformity. And as we are conformed to the image of Christ and conform our wills to God, we will find that our joy is greater and greater. Humility and surrender can be your gateway to joy.

-Elisabeth Elliot

Pray that this year you may be holy, humble, zealous, and patient and have closer communion with Christ. Pray that you may be an example and blessing to others, and that you may live more for the glory of your Master… Let January open with joy in the Lord, and December close with gladness in Jesus.

-Charles H. Spurgeon

I choose to believe the Bible because it is a reliable collection of historical documents, written by eyewitnesses during the lifetime of other eyewitnesses. They report supernatural events that took place in fulfillment of specific prophecies, and they claim to be divine rather than human in origin.

-Dr. Voddie Baucham

Here we have a picture of God’s ideal woman…Faith in God that sees beyond present bitter setbacks. Freedom from the securities and comforts of the world. Courage to venture into the unknown and the strange. Radical commitment in the relationships appointed by God… It is a beautiful thing to watch a woman like this serve Christ with courage.

-John Piper

The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His. 

-Francis Chan

Let us banish every fearful thought, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, in the prospect that this year we shall begin to be "forever with the Lord. 

-C. H. Spurgeon

But friends, as we face a new year, let us take heart! Let us find courage! -not in the strength of our own arms, but in the power of our resurrected Lord who sits in the heavens and does whatsoever He pleases (Ps.115:3)! Let us persevere in hope! -not because we see the light at the end of the tunnel, which we may not--but because our King has guaranteed a harvest in due season if we faint not (Gal.6:9). And when we do feel like fainting, let us remember that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, but to those who are weak in Christ--because when we are weak, then are we strong (2 Cor.12:10).
-Neil Craig

September Quotes

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable. 

-CS Lewis

Christ clothes us with the cloak of His righteousness, covering our nakedness and shame, and says to us, “Neither do I condemn you.

-R.C. Sproul

What makes a warrior is not his ability to escape fear, but to look death in the face absolutely terrified and still move forward. 

-Unknown

We work for a glorious future which we are not destined to see. We are only morning-stars shining in the dark, but the glorious morn will break.

-David Livingstone

If we are not in Christ, we are born losers. If we are in Christ, we are reborn victors.

-R.J. Rushdoony

God wants to bring us to the end of ourselves so that we would see our need for a relationship with him as well as with others. Every painful thing we experience in relationships is meant to remind us of our need for him. And every good thing we experience is meant to be a metaphor of what we can only find in him.

-Timothy Lane and Paul David Tripp

No half-heartedness and no worldly fear must turn us aside from following the light unflinchingly.

-J.R.R. Tolkien

There are endless treasures of grace waiting for those who will make even the most feeble attempts to pray. The weakest prayers yield grace.

-Paul Washer

Treat a man as he is and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he can and should be and he shall become as he can and should be.

-Johann von Goethe

By judging others we blind ourselves to our own evil and to the grace which others are just as entitled to as we are.

-Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Don’t ignore the Spirit’s attempts to engage you, my friend. The conviction, the stirring, is the call of your Father, drawing you back to Himself, inviting you to put an end to your running, to start what needs to happen for things to get turned back around. 

-Priscilla Shirer

The truth is that the more intimately you know someone, the more clearly you’ll see their flaws. That’s just the way it is. This is why marriages fail, why children are abandoned, why friendships don’t last. You might think you love someone until you see the way they act when they’re out of money or under pressure or hungry, for goodness’ sake. Love is something different. Love is choosing to serve someone and be with someone in spite of their filthy heart. Love is patient and kind, love is deliberate. Love is hard. Love is pain and sacrifice, it’s seeing the darkness in another person and defying the impulse to jump ship. 

-Unknown

The high noon of God’s glory will be the second coming of Christ. And that is where the sun will stay forever. 

-John Piper

Great men are forged in fire. It is the privilege of lesser men to light the flame.

-movie quote, unknown

If you know why you believe what you believe, then leadership is inevitable. 

 -Dr. Jeff Meyers

November Quotes

Forgiveness is the key which unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness. The forgiveness of Jesus not only takes away our sins, it makes them as if they had never been.

-Corrie ten Boom

My trust is in the mercy and wisdom of a kind Providence, who ordereth all things for our good.

-Robert E. Lee

For every look at self, take ten looks at Christ.

-Robert Murray McCheyne

You are what you want to become long before you get there.

-Steve Riddell

If you let something steal your thanksgiving, you let something steal your joy, and if you let something steal your joy, you let something steal your strength.

-Unknown

The choice before us is: Do we only give glory to God for the part of our lives that's going the way we want? Or do we worship Him, trust Him, and GIVE HIM THANKS, just because He is God—regardless of the painful, incomprehensible places we encounter in our journey?

-Nancy Leigh DeMoss

When you love those who hurt you by praying for them, in that process you are being washed by the love of Christ and no unforgiveness is allowed to stay.

-Jim Staley

The thought that there beats a heart in heaven that is always loving us, that there moves a tongue in heaven that always pleads for us; that there is an arm in heaven that always fights for us; and that there is a foot in heaven that will be swift to run for our defense--oh! this is a precious consolation.

-Spurgeon

Grace that cannot be seen, like light, and tasted, like salt, is not grace, but hypocrisy. 

-J. C. Ryle

We are the people who can't distinguish between doctrine and application, in terms of saying one thing and doing another.

-Albert Mohler

Although it is very right to think about the future, it is very wrong to be controlled by it.

-Martyn Lloyd-Jones

The clouds must break somehow, and the sun is always behind them!

-George MacDonald

Surrender=Freedom

One of my posts was featured on Amy's blog this week. I had originally written it for her newsletter, but that was discontinued some time ago, so she kindly shared it on her blog. You can check it out HERE. :) 

My post for this week was written specifically for my Bible study group. Of the three Communities that our group participates in (prayer, Scripture memorization, and Scripture reading), I am the moderator of the Scripture reading community. And for the purposes of encouraging one another to stay in the Word, I write out a (sometimes short ;) encouragement post on a monthly basis. Several of those posts I've shared here already. And today's post provides yet another reason to faithfully read Scripture: to teach us to surrender. 

*****

We read Scripture to bring our minds into line with God’s Word. So often we tend to take control of every single detail of our lives that we forget Who’s really ruling the events of this universe. I’m not saying that we release all responsibility for everything we do, that would also be wrong. Surrender is a mental practice more than anything. It’s a willingness to take responsibility for what we do, do the best in everything we do, but yet release the results and future of it to God’s care. It’s a purposeful, conscious decision to submit to God’s ordering of our lives knowing that He can use the sinful and the righteous to fulfill His design for each of us.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)

Sometimes we surrender big things…careers, jobs, performance opportunities, relationships, finances, fears, etc. And sometimes surrender is needed for the smallest things, too: your daily schedule, that phone call, that social outing, the spoken word, the to-do list that didn’t get done. We surrender to find freedom, because holding tightly to things that aren’t ours to control will only hurt us and others. Surrender is a reminder to us that God gave us a will and charged us with responsibility in this life, but He’s still God. He’s the one on the throne. Surrender doesn’t change God; it changes us. It reminds us that we’re not in control of everything, that we don’t have to be either. The world doesn’t rest on our shoulders. It held in the hands of Jesus. Surrender reminds us that it’s God who works in us, and at the end of the day, it’s God who makes and will make all things good. Surrender reminds us of our position under Christ.

Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)

Surrender is not giving up. Sometimes it means fighting for what’s right even when there isn’t any hope in sight. Surrender means yielding everything you have to Christ and letting Him create the end result. Sometimes that means burning yourself out in doing what God has commanded you to do, and then standing aside and praying that the Holy Spirit shows you the results.

Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12b-13)

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. (Philippians 3:12) 

Perhaps one of the best visible ways (though certainly not the only way) we surrender is through forgiveness. Forgiveness is releasing a person from the debt they owed you. A debt they couldn’t repay. Forgiveness means that you don’t bring up the offense to yourself, to that person, or to others. It means releasing that person from their bondage to you (whether or not they acknowledge it) and not expecting “payment”.

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)

But whether surrender is shown through forgiveness or whether it’s a prayer in the middle of the night, surrender is a giving up of ourselves to Christ. After all, we are called to be “little Christs”, and He not only demonstrated surrender to His Father’s will, but He also demonstrated surrender when He said “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”. In that surrender, He found victory. No, He created the victory that we would live in. We read Scripture to bring our hearts and minds into surrender. In the words of life we find that the Holy Spirit is the one who brings our wills into line with God’s will. In surrender you find freedom, you find victory, because you’re not in control. God is.

For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. (1 John 5:4)

And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will." (Matthew 26:39) 

Tough Faith

I've been reading through the Psalms for the past four days, and I will finish it in three days. Spending a week in the Psalms is one of the parts of my Bible reading schedule that I look forward to the most, as they are the praises and pleadings of God's children.

One phrase from the notes from my study Bible summed up one of the themes of Psalms: Tough faith will not let go. We see examples continually of the Psalmists when they're in the deepest valleys struggling with depression, despair, and discouragement. Their fears are real, and God knows that. He doesn't condemn them for their sorrow and hurt, but rather responds to their faith that would not let go. God brings them comfort and relief in Him--not necessarily relief and comfort by removing the difficult circumstances.

One of the first examples comes in Psalm 3, when David flees from his son Absalom.

O Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising against me; many are saying of my soul, there is no salvation for him in God. 

David was often in physical, mental, spiritual, or emotional trouble, and this setting is no different. Yet in the next two verses, he is instantly reminded of who God is, and he finds his salvation in God. Tough faith doesn't let go, but consciously reminds oneself of God's faithfulness. God met David where he was and provided strength even in the presence of his enemies.

But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head. I cried aloud to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy hill. 

Psalm 13:1-2 gives another example of David's pleas to God when he feels like he can't endure any longer:

How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long mustI take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

 That's how David begins the Psalm, but because tough faith doesn't let go but rejoices in trusting God, he ends the Psalm very differently.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. 

Psalm 27 shows the contrast of fear and faith in almost each line. Tough faith takes courage in God's past, present, and future protection and rests in the knowledge of a glorious future with Christ.

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? ...Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident...For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock....I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!

Psalm 35 is one of David's pleas to God for vindication from those who maliciously accuse him, but again David's tough faith won't let go, but chooses to rejoice in a God who will restore justice and righteousness for him.

Malicious witnesses rise up; they ask me of things that I do not know. They repay me evil for good; my soul is bereft....But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered; they gathered together against me; wretches whom I did not know tore at me without ceasing; like profane mockers at a feast, they gnash at me with their teeth....Vindicate me, O Lord, my God, according to your righteousness, and let them not rejoice over me! ...Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.

Psalm 71 is another lament by an unknown author. Here tough faith doesn't let go, and chooses to hope in a God who has always been greater than the discouragement of fear. 

O God, be not far from me; O my God, make haste to help me! May by accusers be put to shame and consumed; with scorn and disgrace may they be covered who seek my hurt. But I will hope continually and will praise you yet more and more. My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. Wiht the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone.

But it was from on of the Psalms written by the sons of Korah that this phrase ("tough faith will not let go") comes from. Psalm 88 describes a person who is consumed with troubles so much so that even his closest friends avoid him. This isn't a Psalm that even "ends well", but rather describes the severe sorrow, pain, and discouragement that God's people often face. But even in the suffering tough faith will not let go, but chooses to continually cry out to God for mercy, refuge, and healing. 

You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape; my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call upon you, O Lord; I spread out my hands to you. 

Even in the troubles that overwhelmed his soul, tough faith chose to relentlessly pursue God through prayer. Each day he called upon God pleading with him through the darkness for salvation. 

Tough faith never gives up. 
Tough faith never loses heart. 
Tough faith never breaks faith. 
Even in the valleys. 

July Quotes

Don’t put a question mark where God put a period.

-Unknown

God does not call men to futility. Those who follow him are part of a master plan. But some tasks take more than one generation to accomplish....I know that he will give me the grace to see this through. My faith is in the One who calls and my confidence is doing what He lays before me to do. The results must be in His hands, for this task is beyond my strength.

-Pendragon, movie

Contentment is a choice. True joy is not the result of having everything I want, but of gratefully receiving exactly what God has given me....If we’re not content with what we have, we will never be content with what we think we want....The deepest needs and longings of our hearts cannot be filled by any human being, but only by God Himself....The key to joyous living is to embrace the will of God and to receive with gratitude whatever He has given us.

-Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Yes, the work was very hard, possibly the hardest that human muscles are ever called on to perform in this toiling world; but again we say that David Trevarrow did not think so, for he had been born to the work and bred to it, and was blissfully ignorant of work of a lighter kind, so that, although his brows frowned at the obstinate rock, his compressed lips smiled, and his thoughts were pleasant and far away.

-R.M. Ballantyne, "Deep Down"

Every sinner has a future; every saint has a past.

-Unknown

Of the lesser of two evils, choose neither.

-Charles Spurgeon 

O that writer and reader may be fully assured of God’s promises and embrace them: living on them, walking by faith in them, rejoicing over them, for He is faithful who has promised. Heaven and earth shall pass away before one word of His shall fail.

-A.W. Pink, "Elijah"

Nine-tenths of the difficulties are overcome when our hearts are ready to do the Lord’s will. 

-George Mueller

If we let ourselves, we shall always be waiting for some distraction or other to end before we can really get down to our work. The only people who achieve much are those who want knowledge so badly that they seek it while the conditions are still unfavorable. Favorable conditions never come. 

-C. S. Lewis

Lord, whatever you want, wherever you want it, and whenever you want it, that’s what I want.

-Richard Baxter

To him that obeys well, the truth comes easy; to him who does not obey, it comes not at all, or comes in forms of fear and dismay. The true, that is the obedient man, cannot help seeing the truth, for it is the very business of his being—the natural concern of his soul.

-George MacDonald, "The Laird's Inheritance"

He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent. 

-Augustine of Hippo

His World and His Word!

This week's Bible reading schedule took me through the whole book of Psalms. And while I love them all, two of my favorites would be Psalm 18 and 19. Psalm 18 describes David's love for the Lord who consistently delivers him. He speaks of God's awesome power over the earth when he cried out to the Lord, and he tells of how God has protected him and enabled him to walk in integrity.

Psalm 19 begins with a description of the Creator's creation, as well, saying that "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork" (Psalm 19:1). While we as Christians are commanded to share the gospel with the unsaved, creation itself merely shows the God of heaven on its own. In response to the Pharisees who were criticizing Jesus followers for proclaiming His glory, Jesus responded, "I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out." (Luke 19:40) Creation points to a Creator, and because creation is all over the world, the message is spread to all the corners of the earth. "For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse." (Romans 1:19-20) God's world since the six days of creation have shown the glory of Christ, and David often describes the majesty of the earth in his Psalm, as he did in Psalm 19:1-6. And one day our Creator will create a new heavens and a new earth where we will reign with Him and glorify Him for all of eternity.

In the rest of Psalm 19, David describes the Word of God using four different words: law, testimony, precepts, and commandment. Each of these have specific definitions and describes part of what God's Word does. As the law of God, Scripture directs, instructs, and shows us truth from error. Scripture's testimony is that which points back to the Divine Author. Precepts show us how God governs men's hearts (and all of creation), and commandments in the Word of God are divine orders that we are called to obey. The fear of the Lord imparts wisdom, and in that wisdom we realize that God's rules are righteous, just, and eternal, which leads us to desire them over any temporal, earthly thing. The Word of God also warns and directs, commanding us to deal with the sin in our life as God reveals it, so that it doesn't have dominion over us. David ends with a prayer and a plea that his words and thoughts would be pleasing to a holy Creator. Realizing that he is accountable to the One who made and sustains him, David desires that his life would be a living sacrifice to His Lord--his Rock and his Redeemer.

May we, too, be able to pray as David did, that our words and thoughts would be found to be in line with God's truth. For as our Creator, we are accoutable to Him who gives us our life. By His grace He has granted us mercy by giving us His Word, so that we might know the fear of the Lord that gives wisdom.

His Power!

     Since last week's post, I've read through the last chapters of Jeremiah up to the end of Amos. And most of these books describe the judgment, destruction, and rebellion of the Israelite nation. There is redemption and restoration promised, but they are sobering books nonetheless.

     However, one theme that I noticed mentioned by all the major and minor prophet authors was the power of God. And today I'm going to let Scripure speak for itself.

Their Redeemer is strong; the LORD of hosts is his name. He will surely plead their cause, that he may give rest to the earth, but unrest to the inhabitants of Babylon.

Jeremiah 50:34

It is he who made the earth by his power, who established the world by his wisdom,

and by his understanding stretched out the heavens. When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth.

He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Jeremiah 51:15-16

The LORD gave full vent to his wrath; he poured out his hot anger, and he kindled a fire in Zion that consumed its foundations.

Lamentations 4:11

But you, O LORD, reign forever; your throne endures to all generations.

Lamentations 5:19

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I, even I, am against you. And I will execute judgments in your midst in the sight of the nations.

Ezekiel 5:8

But behold, some survivors will be left in it, sons and daughters who will be brought out; behold, when they come out to you, and you see their ways and their deeds, you will be consoled for the disaster that I have brought upon Jerusalem, for all that I have brought upon it. They will console you, when you see their ways and their deeds, and you shall know that I have not done without cause all that I have done in it, declares the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 14:22-23

And my holy name I will make known in the midst of my people Israel, and I will not let my holy name be profaned anymore. And the nations shall know that I am the LORD, the Holy One in Israel.

Ezekiel 39:7

Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons;

he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things;

he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him.

Daniel 2:20-22

All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?”

Daniel 4:35

But I am the Lord your God from the land of Egypt; you know no God but me, 

and besides me there is no savior.

Hosea 13:4

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the Lord your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.

Joel 2:27

"Prepare to meet your God, O Israel!" For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth--the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!

Amos 4:12b-13

     And we see God's power meet mankind's weakness at the cross, for there Christ demonstrated that He was given power over all things--even sin and death. And now He is seated at the Father's right hand, awaiting the Day of Judgment when He will gather together all His chosen and rejoice with them for all eternity. 

This is The Power of the Cross.

"I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all."

(Ephesians 1:16-23)

Who Shall Not Fear Him?

Who shall not fear thee, O Lord,

and glorify thy name?

for thou only art holy:

for all nations shall come and worship before thee; 

for thy judgments are made manifest.

Revelation 15:4

As I finished reading through the Bible again in June, this verse stood out to me. I recognized it because it was included in a song I had recently sung in a chorale group. And truly, when 250+ voices are raised in song towards the Lord, it is only a small part of what I imagine heaven will be like when all the ransomed ones sing praise to the risen Lamb. 

But I also recalled the scene in the last book of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia. Aslan and those loyal to him have finally defeated the White Witch and her allies, and it is time for a new age to begin. Yet, there is one final act of separation between good and evil. As Aslan stands in the doorway, all the creatures of Narnia meet face to face with the King of Creation one last time. They all looked; they had no choice. And as they did so one of two things happened. Those who turned to Aslan's left were those who looked into his face and feared and hated the one standing in front of them. They fled from his presence into the darkness and were never seen again. But those who turn to his right were those who looked at him in fear, yes, but they also loved him, even though they were also frightened. These chosen few who feared but loved Aslan walked through the golden gates into his kingdom. 

Both kinds of animals feared the Lion, but there were two different kinds of fear. One was of utter terror and hatred, the other of reverence and awe. And it was to me a small reminder of the ending of this world. When the Lord returns and His feet rest on the Mount of Olives, who shall not fear thee, O Lord? We all will fear Him; we all should fear Him. The Creator of our life, the One who holds our very breath in His hands, the One whose righteous wrath would destroy every single person on the planet, the One who will divide the sheep from the goats on the Last Day. Yes, He is worthy of our fear. 

There will be a dividing of those faithful and true to the Lord and from those who served the Devil. The judgment is certain, and it will be just. Those who face Him with their own works and doings will find no mercy. Those who have given their loyalty to other masters will find no second chances at the foot on the Great Judgment Day. Those who have hated His commands and refused to submit their lives to the Creator of it all will be sent into everlasting misery. 

But those who have placed themselves under the blood of Christ have nothing to be ashamed of, for we have learned to love Him, too. We contrast His holiness with our filthiness and we stand in awe and love at the One who carried the weight of our sin to set us free. We love Him. We glorify Him. 

All the nations shall worship Him. Every single creature, race, ethnic group, gender, kind, religion, background, and nationality will bow down to Him as Creator. As Judge of His world. There will be those who bow out of sheer terror, and there will be those who cast themselves down at His feet out of humble gratefulness in their Savior. 

Which group will you belong to? You will fear Him; that is certain. Who shall not fear thee, O Lord?You will be judged; that is also certain. Thy judgments are made manifest. But will you be forced to bow or will you join the thousands of redeemed ones who will raise the cry of "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing!" 

*****

A very happy Canada Day to all my fellow Canadians! May God keep our land glorious and free. May our country return to the Lord. 

O Canada! Our home and native land!

True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise, 

The True North strong and free!

From far and wide, 

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada! Where pines and maples grow.

Great prairies spread and lordly rivers flow.

How dear to us thy broad domain,

From East to Western sea.

Thou land of hope for all who toil!

Thou True North, strong and free!

O Canada! Beneath thy shining skies

May stalwart sons, and gentle maidens rise,

To keep thee steadfast through the years

From East to Western sea.

Our own beloved native land!

Our True North, strong and free!

Ruler Supreme, who hearest humble prayer,

Hold our Dominion in thy loving care;

Help us to find, O God, in thee

A lasting, rich reward,

As waiting for the better Day, 

We ever stand on guard.

God keep our land glorious and free!

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

*****

Blessings,

Kaleigh

Be Ready Always

 
“Watch therefore, for you know neither the day
nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.” 
~Matthew 25:13

We hear a lot about the predictions made by man as to when Jesus is really coming back for His followers and the “signs” that point to our being in the end times. How should we respond to these predictions? Should we dress in white and stand on our roof tops waiting for Christ to swing down and pick us up? Should we believe that major, destructive storms mean that His return is nigh? Well, whether we believe in such predictions or not, we should not let these predictions or possible “signs” determine when we will be ready.

“Let your waist be girded and your lamps burning; and you yourselves be like men who wait for their master, when he will return from the wedding, that when he comes and knocks they may open to him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching. Assuredly, I say to you that he will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them.” ~Luke 12:35-37.

No matter when the end times start, no matter when Jesus will return, no matter what signs are predicted, and no matter how hard secularists bash us in our belief of His return, we need to be the sheep whom our Shepherd will “find watching”. We cannot honestly be leading Christian lives if we only get concerned about how we are living based on the predictions. Our lives should be lived in accordance with God’s Word at all times and in all seasons. Because it’s going to be one scary event to be left behind to face the Anti-christ and think about how we could have made a difference after Christ has already returned for that faithful.

“Then Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?’ And the Lord said, ‘Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.” ~Luke 12:41-43

One thing that I would like to add here, is that we should not be worried about the signs of the end times nor the predictions; rather, we should be concerned about how we are making a difference in the lives of those around us. How do they view us as different, in a positive way, from the world? Do even our “acquaintances” see Christ’s love shining through us? We need to understand how important our witness is, because eternity is forever: Heaven or hell. One will be a glorious eternity and the other will be a place of bitterness forever and ever with no end.   

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” ~John 3:17-18

In closing, I would like to share with you a testimony which Sarah Mally gave in her sister, Grace Mally’s book “Will Our Generation Speak”. This book was given to me last year by three of my friends and I have slowly been going through the book as I find the time.

“The Cost”

“I imagined myself as a spectator watching a scene unfold before my eyes. First, I saw a man who was helping others--yet not simply in the way that any man might help someone else. This was much different. It was as if tenderness and kindness were just flowing out of Him. I could tell He was a good man--GOOD in a way that I had never seen before. Every single thing He did was good. His face was so pure. I had never seen honesty like that, never seen love like that. It’s like I finally knew what love was--now that I saw Him. All I wanted to do was to keep watching Him because everything He did was so amazing. Even the simple normal acts of service that He was doing--I was astonished by them...by Him, I mean. The way He spoke...I could just tell He was right, that He spoke the truth, that everything He said was right by definition. And the way He looked at people. I wished He would look at me, but He never did. I was just a spectator. But I knew I would never forget this goodness that I had seen. It was almost as if I was in a daze, not quite able to comprehend it, stunned that this kind of righteousness could even exist. I wanted to just keep watching him. I felt that I would be content if I could simply watch Him for the rest of my life.

But then suddenly the scene changed before my eyes. I didn’t want to believe what I was seeing. People were looking at Him with angry stares. It was more than mere anger; it was rage; He was looking back at them with such..such..I don’t even know the word..it was as if He was on a totally different playing field. There was such tenderness in HIs eyes. A touch of sorrow, an ocean of love. Their rage turned into vehement shouting and accusations, and then I began to watch the most horrible scene of my life. The whips they were holding were cruel and scourging unbearable to watch. But how could this be? He was so good, so pure, so tender. He was the best person I had ever known. This must stop. I tried to yell out for someone to help, for someone to stop this. But I realized, again, I was only a spectator. Lash after lash. Blow after blow. I couldn’t look--especially because it was Him. It was the worst possible injustice I could imagine. This could not be happening. It had to stop.”

She went on to say…

“Stunned and traumatized, I stepped back. I forced myself to breathe. I tried not to comprehend what I had just seen: One so deserving of glory and praise, yet receiving such punishment. I’m not sure how long it was before I realized that I was holding something: I also had a whip in my hand. It was then I understood that my hand also was on the rod that fell on Him. Was I responsible? For this? I realized that I had not been merely a spectator.

At last it was over. It was finished. It--was--finished, for all eternity! It is done! God the Father has seen the anguish of His soul and has been satisfied. Never would I have dreamed that justice would have been this costly. How vast is the extent of my sin--that this was the price. And how immeasurable the extent of His love--that this much He would pay.”

~Sarah Mally (from “Will Our Generation Speak?” by Grace Mally, 2012)

In Christ,

Anna

Leap of Faith

          "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
                                                              Hebrews 11:1


To start off this week's blog post, I'd like to share a story with you. A story that had me both laughing and contemplating on how we sometimes would rather stand back than take the leap of faith.

"A man once went with a friend for a ride out in the country. They drove off the main road and through a grove of orange trees to a mostly uninhabited piece of land. A few horses grazed there amidst a couple of old shacks. Walter stopped the car and began to describe vividly the things he was going to build on the land. He wanted his friend Arthur to buy some of the acreage surrounding his project. Walter explained to his friend, "I can handle the main project myself. It will take all my money, but...I want you to have the first chance at this surrounding acreage, because in the next five years it will increase in value several hundred times." Arthur thought to himself, Who in the world is going to drive twenty-five miles for this crazy project? His dream has taken the best of his common sense. He mumbled something about a tight-money situation and promised to look into the deal later. "Later on will be too late," Walter cautioned. "You'd better move on it right now." Arthur failed, however, to act. And so it was that Art Linkletter turned down the opportunity to buy the land that surrounded what became Disneyland, the land his friend Walt Disney had tried to talk him into. Most opportunities take a step of faith whether for financial or relationship investments."

I laughed as I thought about how Art Linkletter missed out on the opportunity to buy into that "crazy project" that had "taken the best of Walt Disney's common sense". But really, this is a common occurence isn't it? How many times do we have the opportunity to do something worthwhile, but think it's not worth the trouble or that it's a "risky venture"? Experiences may vary from not giving someone advice who really needs it to not witnessing to someone, though God might have opened their hearts on a particular day to hear the gospel. From not lending money to a friend in need to not inviting a poor family over for a meal, because their clothes are dirty. God opens up many different doors of opportunities to us, but we have to be willing to take the leap.

When studying about faith, you're most likely to find it talked about in detail throughout the New Testament. Although, there are numerous stories in the Old Testament that reflect true faith as well. Such an example would the story of Noah. "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith." (Hebrews 11:7) Noah knew that God would send the flood. Most likely, when he was mocked and ridiculed by his friends and neighbors, doubts crossed his mind. When we stand up for something we believe to be pleasing to God (such as homeschooling or courtship), we may get jeered by people who say we'll never be socially adjusted or that no person wants to go through the "supervised" and "protected" way to finding a partner. It just doesn't happen. Of course, we know better. But it's through firm faith in knowing that God is in control of the outcomes, will we be able to overcome those thoughts of doubt and dismay to "fit in" with the world's way of thinking.

Which brings us to this point. Though we may not know what lies ahead after taking that "leap of faith", it will truly be faith when we can't see the ending to the story as Hebrews 11:1 says, ""Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." We can't see germs (with the naked eye), but we know they are there. There are millions and millions of constellations in space, but we will never see them all; however, we know they are out there. Nor can we see the wind, yet we feel it hit our faces. Neither can we see God; but, we can see Him through His marvelous creation. You don't need to see germs or the wind in order to believe they really do exist. It takes faith to believe in things we can't see.

There are many verses that we could cover through studying faith in the Bible, but a few might include:

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love." Galatians 5:6

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible."
Hebrews 11:1-3

"But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith."
Hebrews 11:6-7

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
1 Timothy 4:12

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
James 2:26

Considering the last two verses especially, we're told that we are to exemplify faith by what we say and do. Also, that if we have faith, but fail to do Christian acts--planting the seeds of kindness and truly living a life pleasing to Christ--that this faith is worth nothing. We cannot have faith and only do good works. Without faith, good works are worthless.

Just as Art Linkletter missed out on a huge financial deal, what are we missing out on doing today? How can we take the step towards doing a kind deed or saying an encouraging word today? No matter how our responses turn out, how can we use a situation today that requires us to take a leap of faith?

In Christ,
Anna

When God's Plans Are Not Ours...

                                                      

               Proverbs 16:1 "We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer."



When we think of being in the Lord's will, we usually think of His plan for our lives. We consider that before  we were even born, God had our lives mapped out. He decided how we were going to look, if we would graduate from high school, if we were going to go on to college and pursue a degree, and He even decided who we would marry and how many children we would have. When we think of the depth of His love and His careful planning for our lives, we realize just how wonderful it is to have a great God Who is in charge of our earthly lives. Proverbs 16:3: "Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed". 

There is no need to worry, God knows our every thought, our every desire, our every need. And He meets every one of them. Whether He meets them the way that we want Him to, is not guaranteed. But since He knows what the "road" looks like up ahead, we need to trust His "road map" for our lives. Proverbs 16:9 "We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Whatever He has planned for us, we can be sure that He is in complete control of whatever happens.

Psalm 139:7-12:

"(7)I can never escape from your Spirit!
I can never get away from Your presence! 
(8) If I go up to heaven, you are there;
if I go down to the grave, you are there. 
(9) If I ride the wings of the morning,
 if I dwell by the farthest oceans, 
(10) even there Your hand will guide me,
and Your strength will support me. 
(11) I could ask the darkness to hide me
and the light around me to become night-- 
(12) but even in darkness I cannot hide from You.
To You the night shines as bright as day. 
Darkness and light are the same to You."


We can never get away from His love, His power, His might. His grace is constant, His words never lie. We have nothing to fear and nothing to hide from where our futures are concerned. There is nothing up ahead that is too great to face with the Shepherd walking by our side. An example I often like to use, is when we see that hill and don't know what is on the other side. Between every two hills is a valley; a dip or trial period. When it seems that we get over one problem (the hill), we have nothing but a valley to walk through. Sometimes, it's a small valley--like losing a test; but sometimes, it's a large space between the two hills--such as the loss of a loved one. And getting from point A to point B is enough of a challenge to make us wonder where God is. Where did He go and why did He just leave us walking this rocky path alone?

But He's always there. Just as you can't see the wind, you know it's there. There are billions of stars never seen by man; but we know they're out there. We may have never seen our hearts or our brains; but we know we have them. If the wind, stars, hearts, and brains have never been seen, and yet we believe they are all there, why is it so hard to believe that the Creator of these things does not exist when He Himself is not visible to us?

No matter how well we think we have our futures planned out, it's God who decides the outcome. Proverbs 16:33 "We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall."

God is in control; whether we are aware of His guiding hand and presence or not. What we can know for certain about the future, is that whatever outcomes He has planned ahead, He planned them for our own good. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Don't be discouraged, my friend. What we can't see, God sees. And what we don't know, He knew even before the creation of the world.

"Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." ~Isaiah 40:26

Blessings on your walk with our Lord and Savior this day,

Anna