Go to the ant

Go to the ant: GOD’s creation is amazing… the colors, textures and designs are so intricate. In HIS creation GOD left HIS fingerprints all over so that not only would people know there was a Creator but also so we would learn valuable lessons.

Psalm 6:6 tells us to go to the ant to learn our work ethic. He goes and gets his supplies.

In Isaiah 28 the Word of GOD speaks of GOD as teaching the farmer.

Isaiah 28: 26 He knows what to do, for GOD has made him see and understand…

Isaiah 28: 28 speaks of how different things need to be handled in different ways

Isaiah 28: 29 sums it up with “The LORD of Hosts is a wonderful teacher and gives wisdom.”

What good does studying GOD’s Word do us if we don’t to use it in our daily life?  Just learning is not enough.  GOD tells us that we remain babies/ carnal (obeying the old sin nature) unless we put into practice the things HE is showing us (Hebrews 5:14).

Once many years ago I was reading in the Psalms and came to the words, “Don’t be like the horse or the mule” (Psalm 32:9).  They seems to jump off the page.  That spoke to me of stubbornness and I said to the LORD, “Well, I’m not stubborn, but Mac is, so you must want me to pray for him.”  Because, I refused to take what GOD showed me and apply it to myself it took years before GOD could work in my life to get rid of my selfish stubbornness (that I wasn’t even aware was part of me).

GOD gives us all things needed for us to grow in grace through our knowledge of HIM and of JESUS our LORD (2 Peter 1:1-4) and if we use them we will grow and be fruitful for GOD (2 Peter 1:4-10). 

There is a key to practical application of this.  Ephesians 1:3 says that although GOD gives us everything we need, HE stores it in heaven.  Like when we go to the store and buy what we need for several meals.  When we get home, we put the supplies away in the cupboard. 

Then when we need something we go to the cupboard and get it.  In the same way when we need patience or gentleness, whatever the situation demands, we run to the throne of grace and get it.

Hebrews 4:16  “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and get the grace (GOD’s riches at CHRIST’s expense) we need to help in time of need.”   

If you lack wisdom, ask of GOD, who gives to all generously, without scolding or bringing up the past, and it shall be given to you. But be sure you ask expecting GOD to answer and be willing to do as HE says otherwise, you’ll be greatly disappointed, for GOD will give you nothing. (see James 1:5-6).

Are you like the ant, do you go get the supplies you need and use them?

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

the truth will set you free

One of my grandsons had to have his feet amputated and often he must endure bullying. I hate it but I must pray for the offenders for once I was there…a bully.

Probably because my dad had wanted a boy, and I so wanted to please him, I tried to act like a boy. Therefore, growing up, I was a tomboy and a daredevil. On a hot summer day, when I was about six, I joined a group of kids and climbed to the roof top of the one room schoolhouse in June Lake. We were taunting a boy, who was standing on the ground, for being afraid. Blinded by the tears rolling down his bright red face, he defiantly, yet wildly, threw rocks up at us from the ground. We held up a large aluminum trash can lid to protect us as a shield from the onslaught of rocks.

Recklessly, I stepped out from behind the safety of the lid and yelled something down at the boy. As David’s rock found its mark on Goliath, so the rock- the boy threw blindly at me- hit me square between the eyes, severing an artery. Blood gushed out, blinding my vision, I was terrified. I was helpless. I couldn’t see to find the ladder and climb down; besides I was way too scared to try. I needed help. Gone was all my smart-alack impetuousness.

You could say, I had repented of my self-sufficiency. I knew I could not help myself. Praise the LORD, I was not alone, and one of the others shook off his fear long enough to climb down to the ground and run next door to get my mother.

That is a picture of what happens when we come to Christ.  We finally comprehend that we are sinners and recognize there is no way possible to go into the Presence of the Most HOLY ONE- the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY without being condemned.  We know the truth and the truth will set us free (John 8:32)..

Isaiah put it this way, “Woe is me, I am undone” (Isaiah 6:5KJ). But GOD helped him out, just as my mom got me off that roof, placed something over the site so I wouldn’t keep losing blood and sped to the nearest doctor miles away over mountain roads.

My feeling of helplessness is a picture of repentance from dead (useless) works. We recognize that we are helpless/hopeless on our own. There is nothing we can do to makes us right. But GOD did not leave us there.

“For GOD so loved the world that HE gave HIS only begotten SON that whosoever believes in HIM will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

Yes, that is why JESUS the SON of GOD came in a human body to earth; and allowed HIMSELF to be hung on the cross. By paying for our sin, HE makes us right with GOD, when we turn to HIM and believe. GOD’s very own righteousness is placed on us, when we believe in JESUS (Romans 3:20-22).

Have you taken that first step and come to CHRIST? Until you do, the rest doesn’t make much sense.

But once we have come to CHRIST, we don’t stop there. The next step, after salvation, is to go on to maturity. We will look at that another time.

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Truth from a butterfly

Butterflies are not just beautiful and free, they cross pollinate the flowers they touch-causing fruit to be produced.  Besides that, their life cycle explains spiritual truth

Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of GOD’s mercy, to offer up your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to GOD- this is your spiritual act of worship (reasonable service KJ). Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world but be transformed (Greek=metamorphosed) by the renewing of the mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what GOD’s will is- HIS good, pleasing and perfect (lacking nothing) will (Romans 12:1-2 NIV explanation added).

The Old Testament is full of sacrifices, but only one is strongly urged upon the believer in JESUS CHRIST in the New Testament. Notice the wording: Urged, not commanded, for it is not the basis of salvation. Our right standing with GOD comes only from faith in JESUS from beginning to end (Romans 3:20-24). This sacrifice is for another reason.

If offering our entire being to GOD as a living sacrifice is not to gain favor with GOD, what is this sacrifice for? I know it pleases GOD but what we are told it that it will change the way we think so we can know GOD’s will, and therefore know how to cope in each situation we encounter.

The key to knowing what it means to offer up your body as a living sacrifice is seen in the word translated transformed. That word in the Greek is metamorphosed, you know that process of being changed from a larva (worm) into a beautiful and gloriously free butterfly.

The larva is a crawling insect that eats constantly. To accommodate its growth the larva will shed its skin three to ten times. A monarch butterfly larva increases its weight 3,000 times from when it hatches. To put it mildly it is totally self-centered on it quest to be satisfied.

The natural man is much like the larva: on a self-centered quest to be satisfied. He is focused on the lust of the flesh (appetites), the lust of the eyes (things he wants), and the pride of life (what others think) (I John 2:15-16).

Then the larva spins a cocoon- a protective case that surrounds it and enters into its resting stage. No longer is it eating or walking around. NOTE: unless the larva dies by entering into the cocoon, it will never become a butterfly. While inside the cocoon, the insect will excrete digestive juices, to destroy much of the larva’s body, leaving a few cells intact. The remaining cells will begin the growth of the adult, using the nutrients from the broken down larva. During this stage the insect is resting yet experiences a considerable amount of activity as its body tissues reorganize to form wing, legs, new mouth parts. It undergoes a complete transformation.

Examples of changes that modern science is unable to explain:

1-How a lowly crawler (worm) with biting mouthparts can be transformed into a graceful winged insect with built in straw for sipping nectar from flowers.

2-While the caterpillar has six sets (total of twelve) of simple eyes; the emerging adult butterfly has one pair (two) of eyes composed of 1,000s of hexagonal (six sided) lenses.

To enter our cocoon, the believer enters into GOD’s rest through faith and rests from his own works. His work is to believe in the LORD JESUS CHRIST who died for our sins and was raised again for our justification (John 6:28-29, Hebrews 4:3a,10). GOD uses pieces of our past to form us and like science can’t explain changes in the cocoon neither can we explain how GOD changes us.

Then as a totally different creature emerges from the cocoon, there is great struggle and pressure. If however the tiny cocoon opening is enlarged to aid the butterfly’s exit the butterfly will emerge deformed for by GOD’s design- the tremendous pressure of squeezing through the small opening is what forces the butterfly’s body fluids to move into the proper place, for the fore and hind wings are attached and held in place by the veins at the base of the wings. Just as the fire of problems are needed for our growth and strengthening which develops our character. (James 1:2-4).

So when you find yourself having problems, you should be encouraged for you are now on the path to become a beautiful, life-giving butterfly. Those difficult ongoing struggles and pressures are necessary for your development. Without the struggles and pressures, you will not be able to function for what GOD has intended and designed you for.

Don’t be discouraged or envious of those who do not seem to struggle, for we are told that in hell the worm (appetites) dies not. They are forever desiring what they cannot have (Mark 9:48).

Isn’t it marvelous how our Magnificent GOD has placed in HIS material creation, hidden spiritual truths that help us understand what HE is doing in us who believe in JESUS?
hugs
Sharon

 

Refining

Fires are scary and dangerous. Recent fires have caused loss of many lives and much damage. Sometimes what comes into our lives seem like the flames of fire ready to engulf us.

As I was talking with the LORD about my kids, grandchildren, and friends and my concern over their struggles a word came to mind and I knew it was a part of the title of a song.  So, I grabbed my old hymnal and went to the back under 1^st line listings.  The word was “how” and there was only one “how”.  “How firm a foundation”.  Turning to it I began to sing.

“How firm a foundation ye saints (believers) of the LORD is laid for your faith in HIS excellent Word” On and on I sang, each stanza based on a promise given in the Bible.  Then I came to a line that answered the cry of my heart for my loved family and friends who are struggling or are where they should not be.  And GOD said, “See, Sharon, I am at work.”

This is true for you and your loved ones as well. The promise is given and explained in 2 Corinthians 4:15-18, in Hosea 5:15 and Zechariah 13:9.

The words that jumped off the page were: The flames shall not hurt you, I only design your dross to consume and your gold to refine.

What a glorious, awesome truth that whatever comes our way, or to our friends and loved ones, is not allowed for the purpose of hurting us but is being used of GOD to consume (get rid of) the bad in us and/or refine (perfect and polish) the good so we will shine like polished gold.

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Answered prayer

This picture of Corrie Ten Boom reminds me of my grandmother. Momo’s countenance glowed just like Corrie’s. Momo (Pauline McIntire) and Popo (Dad’s biological uncle) adopted my Dad when he was 5. After a stroke while in her 50’s my grandmother’s walk with the LORD grew and grew and she became so sweet. I treasure the memory of those 3 years I spent under her tutelage even though it meant work. Although Momo was a semi-invalid, she refused to be inactive but was limited with only partial use of her right leg and arm. Yet the wisdom and love she poured into me was great but the very best part was that I came to know the LORD JESUS while living with her when I was in Middle school (it was called Junior High way back then LOL.)

She and her friends would pray for me. It wasn’t until I left her protective coverage and went to live with my mother that I got into things I should not have.

At Momo’s each evening we had a group time of prayer. But when I was on my own (so to speak) married at 16 and by 23 had 3 little ones, tragedy hit. One morning my husband handed me my youngest child, he was just a baby and my only son. My husband said, “The baby is dead!”

I was out of fellowship with the LORD, hadn’t gone to church since I had married 7 years before. But I knew I needed the LORD to get me through this nightmare. I began to pray wanting to demand GOD bring my baby back, but as I went to the LORD crying out in my anguish, I was stopped cold. I knew this was GOD’s will. So, I just cried and GOD held me.

Like with King David’s son, my son was taken for a reason, a different reason than the king’s but a reason none the less. You see, Little Mac’s death is what brought me back to the LORD.

From that day 50 years ago on, GOD began to teach me about HIMSELF and how to pray. HE showed me that since HIS thoughts and ways are much higher than mine but always work (Isaiah 55:8-11) I couldn’t always understand why HE does what HE does.

The 1st and primary thing about prayer can be seen in how the HOLY SPIRIT prays for us.

“…the HOLY SPIRIT also helps our infirmities (weaknesses): for we do not know what we should pray for as we ought: but the SPIRIT HIMSELF intercedes for us (Romans 8:26). What does HE ask for? “…HE (the HOLY SPIRIT) intercedes for the saints (believers) according to the will of GOD” (Romans 8:27).

So, we see, we don’t know how to pray and what we should pray is the will of GOD. Now that goes right along with 1 John 5:14-15 that tells us if we ask anything according to GOD’s will HE will do it. But how do we find out GOD’s will in any given situation?

“In all your ways acknowledge HIM (GOD) and HE will direct your path” (Proverbs 3:6)

.

“Thus says the LORD, the HOLY ONE of Israel, and his Maker, ‘Ask of ME concerning my sons, (then you will be able) to command ME concerning the work of my hands’” (Isaiah 45:11).

Man’s job is to prepare his heart, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD (Proverbs 16 :1)

Commit your work unto the LORD and your thoughts will be established. (Proverbs 16:3)

“LORD I come to YOU show me how to pray.”

I don’t understand the purpose of prayer, but I know surrender to HIS will is part of it. I delight in the fact GOD has given me the privilege to co-labor with HIM in prayer to achieve HIS purposes, not mine.

In our once GOD-fearing country evil laws are being passed that allow murder of innocence babies and bills are in the making that mandate the teaching innocent children depravity. We are becoming like Sodom and Gomorrah. We need to pray as never before. But, we must consider GOD’s take. Just as once a nation’s iniquities are filled up (Genesis 15:16) judgment will come, we may be facing judgment.

It’s not been given to me to know GOD’s will or timing but even if the timing is close for judgment to hit, we should not fear. GOD commands us not to walk in the ways of this people nor to fear what they fear nor be afraid. HE promises that if we sanctify the LORD of hosts (armies) HIMSELF (look to HIM alone) let HIM be our fear that HE will be a sanctuary for us (Isaiah 8:11-14).

Will our prayers matter? YES! GOD does not ask us to pray for something HE will not give us. Do you want your prayers answered? I know I do, especially in these terrible days and with so many hurting. If we seek GOD’s will when we pray, (even by just tagging it as JESUS did with the words… “not my will but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42), then we know our prayers will be answered.

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs
Sharon

Stir it all together

When my son was tiny, I’d put him in his walker.  Now this was a long time ago before walkers had extended tables surrounding the child.  John would jet around and one day I was baking a cake and he zoomed past me headed directly to the stove.  I couldn’t get to him in time and although I shouted NO! he reached out and touched the oven door and began screaming.  He had burnt his little finger.  Like him, have you even gotten burned, not by a stove necessarily but maybe being betrayed by a friend, or getting into something you should not have?

Isaiah 14:24 “The LORD of hosts (armies) has sworn, saying, “Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass: and as I have purposed, so shall it stand.”

Without question, when the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY decrees something, it is going to happen!

Romans 8:28 tells us that GOD is stirring the good and bad that comes into the lives of every believer in JESUS who loves HIM together for and end result of good. Then Romans 8:29 continues the thought by describing GOD’s decreed plan for us who believe: to change us so that we take on the divine nature (2 Peter 1:1-4) of JESUS so that HE will be the 1^st of many brethren.

This truth of Romans 8:28-29 has been illustrated as making a cake from scratch.  GOD has a plan for good 😊 Just like you want to make something special for your family 😊You put in dry flour ☹ baking powder ☹ and salt 😊and sugar or stevia😊raw eggs☹ butter😊vanilla 😊then you beat it until smooth ☹stick it in a hot oven☹ for an extended time ☹ and out comes a delicious cake 😊.  See the good😊 the bad ☹ mixed together producing an end result of good 😊?

So, if you find yourself in a dry spot ☹, or a hot oven ☹ remember it is just a part of the process of GOD working on your behalf, achieving awesome things for you 😊.

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Struggles

Writing the homework questions for Romans 8 the purpose for this chapter seems so clear to me.  It deals with the questions raised in Romans 7.

  1)Must a believer in JESUS CHRIST, who truly desires to do what GOD wants spend his whole life on earth frustrated by ongoing defeats to his indwelling sin nature?

  2)If not, how can a Christian live a righteous life without constant struggle to keep GOD’s law? 

The Old Testament Law failed to produce righteousness in man for it relied on imperfect man (Romans 8:3). Is there no power provided a Christian to get victory?  Yes, in the New Covenant GOD provides both the means of forgiveness of sins through JESUS (Hebrew 9:15) and gives each believer HIS HOLY SPIRIT who is the source of divine power. (see the Trinity at work?) 

The HOLY SPIRIT works to teach, and lead believers and is the power behind their sanctification (growth in holiness Hebrews 10:14) and the secret for spiritual victory in daily life. The HOLY SPIRIT increasingly enables believers to do right for one step at a time HE reveals truth about JESUS and enables us to live out that truth (2 Corinthians 3:15). 

As we begin our day submitting to GOD (LORD, if I have sinned, grieved or quenched YOU please forgive me. What do YOU want for me to do today?), the HOLY SPIRIT motives and nudges us along (Philippians 2:13) step by step.  And HE will let us know when the devil steps in to trip us up.  But, we must be on the alert.

Though the goal of a baseball player is to get on base, he doesn’t keep looking at the base, instead he watches the ball when he is up to bat.  It is the same with us. Our goal is to be righteous, but we don’t look at the rules but fix our eyes on JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and respond to the HOLY SPIRIT’s reminders and nudges.

Through whom the GOD of all grace instructs you and makes you a promise concerning this struggle against sin agitated by the evil one.

“Be self-controlled and alert.  Your adversary the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.  Resist him standing firm in the faith (what GOD says is right), because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same sufferings.  And the GOD of all grace, who called you by HIS eternal glory in CHRIST, after you have suffered awhile, will HIMSELF adjust, make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:8-10).  

Hallelujah!  What a mighty GOD we serve!

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the GOD of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Arrows of light

I was talking with a someone this morning about the temptation he is facing.  He has become discouraged and doesn’t think GOD will help him fight.  I told him to go read Psalm 107 that shows us no matter how many times we blow it if we sincerely cry out to HIM for help HE will help.

It is no secret that bows and arrows have been used since the earliest days in battle.  But have you ever considered that the LORD GOD Almighty uses HIS arrows to defeat our enemy?  Since GOD never misses the mark, when HE shoots an arrow it is guaranteed to hit the bullseye every single time.

“But in my distress, I cried out to the LORD” (Psalm 18:6).

    “HE shot out HIS arrows of light (HIS word is sent forth) and scattered the enemy

HIS lightning flashed and confused the enemy” (Psalm 18:14).

What is meant by GOD’s arrows of light?  I believe one aspect of HIS arrows is HIS Word.

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path” (Psalm 119:105).

“The entrance of Thy Word gives light” (Psalm 119:130).

We see our LORD JESUS used those “arrows of light” each time JESUS was attacked with the temptations from Satan’s lips.  When tempted, JESUS simply said, “It is written…” and HE spoke aloud the Word of GOD, nothing more. (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10-11).  After several tries, the devil left for a season.

When the fiery darts of temptation come, cry out to the LORD for help (Hebrews 4:16) and GOD will send forth HIS arrows of light (the Word of truth) and GOD’s truth will come into our minds.  If we speak it out loud and, in that way, resist the devil, the devil will flee from us (James 4:7).

Do you know why that is?

GOD put it this way, “MY word that goes forth from MY mouth it will accomplish all that I send for it to do and will prosper everywhere I send it.” (Isaiah 55:11).

When the fiery darts of the devil’s lies come flying at you, tempting you, take up your shield of faith and ask GOD for help.  Then take the word the HE sends into your mind (Philippians 2:13) and speak it out loud and clear for it is the sword of the SPIRIT (Ephesians 6:17) as well as GOD’s arrow of light and it will hit the bullseye.

I urge you in Christ’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon

Special treat

When I was little, we lived in a rural mountainous area far away from stores, so somethings were not available to us. At Christmas break (Daddy was a teacher) we would travel hundreds of miles and go visit family in Los Angeles. During those visits I can remember how exciting it was to go out and get a soft serve ice cream cone. It tasted so good!

GOD gives us special delights once in a while. One such treat is when GOD allows me to peek behind the scenes, to see HIM at work answering my prayers. It is especially fun when what HE is doing cannot be physically discerned. This morning the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY blessed me in that way.

Today the quality I prayed for those on my list was to be responsible. Then reading in Micah I came to the well-known Micah 6:8, “HE has shown thee O man, what is good and what the LORD requires of thee. But to do justly (do what you know is right) and to love mercy (be compassionate and gentle instead of critical and harshà2 Timothy 2:24-25, Romans 14:4) and to walk humbly with thy GOD (knowing that all you are and have come from GODà1 Corinthians 4:7).”

My heart flooded with joy as I read that verse for in this way GOD assured me that HE had heard and was answering my prayers to show each on my list their responsibilities.

whispers

Ever wonder why we sometimes feel resistance against doing what we know we should do?  Considering Genesis 3:1-5 we can get a pretty good idea of who is behind that resistance in us to what GOD says to do. In the Garden of Eden there was just one law. What did the devil do with that law? He twisted it and lied about GOD and his accusations and lies made Eve question.  Then she chose to believe the lies over GOD and disobeyed.

Now don’t be too hard on her, any resistance we have to what GOD is a replay of her action.

We are told not to love the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-16) those are the things of our old sin nature that has self on the throne.   But if we look at 1 John 5:19 we see it is the evil one who stirs up those values and thoughts in us by whispering them to us?

The apostle Peter had just testified that JESUS was the CHRIST (Mark 8:29).  Then JESUS began telling how HE would suffer and die, and Peter took JESUS aside and rebuked HIM.  What did JESUS say to Peter?  “Get thee behind me Satan!  For you are not setting your mind on the things of GOD but on the things of man” (Mark 8:33). This shows us 2 things.  1)Peter was getting his thoughts from Satan and 2) the things man savors are pushed/ advertised by Satan suggestions.

Years ago, after a great week at camp I came home and became deeply, deeply troubled.  But I had no clue why.  It was not like me to be moody, but I couldn’t shake it.  I prayed, I read the Bible, I asked others to pray but I couldn’t get out of that deep darkness.  Then one day I read John 14:1 and it suddenly Poof the heavy depression lifted.  That was even crazier than being troubled with no reason. I asked GOD about it. Then I felt I needed to go to check out the verse in the original. I opened up my Greek Bible and began translating.  “not let be troubled your heart” I had the answer. The word let be troubled was passive that meant that someone else was stirring me up and troubling me. I knew immediately that it was the unseen battle we are told of in Ephesians 6.  GOD used the enemy’s attack to teach me and make me aware that thoughts that stir up our feelings can easily come from the enemy.  And we won’t have a clue.

When we know what GOD wants, the enemy will come in and whisper accusations against what GOD said just as the devil did to Eve.  We won’t even know he is there for he sounds more like us than we do.  I believe it is these suggestions that stir up our old sin nature to rise up and act. It goes something like this, we hear the command and the enemy stirs up thoughts against what GOD wants and our sin nature chooses to listen and react. 

Why would demons want to stir up rebellion in you and me against GOD? Zechariah 3:1-2 holds a clue.  They do it so they can accuse us of wrong and thereby hurt one of GOD’s beloved children.

The good news is that although they try to trick us, demonic deceptive power over believers was broken on the cross (Colossians 2:11-15). We believers in JESUS have the HOLY SPIRIT to make us and aware of deception (John 16:12-13) and we have the power through the grace of GOD (Hebrews 4:16) to say no to sin.  But we must listen to the HOLY SPIRIT’s warnings and reach out for the grace to help in time of need.

Are you troubled, afraid, feel pressured to sin, you have the right to say no to sin and answer with a Bible verse every temptation that comes your way.  You also can condemn with your mouth all weapons formed against you (Isaiah 54:17) for GOD says it is your right.

I urge you in Christ’s stead to consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding (James 1:5, 1 Corinthians 2:10) as HE guides you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthens you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10), and enables you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16). Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13) Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon