I am with you

The longer I live the more aware I am, and the more I treasure the characteristic of GOD called longsuffering. Many prefer the word patient, but to me the word longsuffering gives a clearer description of GOD putting up with me as I learn and grow and HIS waiting until I’ve grown to where I need to be (Isaiah 30:18). I yearn to show HIS longsuffering to others.

Opening my Bible, the 1^st words that caught my attention this morning were, “the LORD his GOD was with him.”  Instantly I knew I was being nudged to put aside my reading until I’d shared with you.  As Pastor Dave preached on Psalm 73 a phrase from verse 23, “I am continually with YOU” flooded me with memories and awakened my understanding that I needed to share this with you.

There was a very worldly person who over and over did much that hurt me deeply.  But forgiveness and prayer came easy for this one did not know the LORD.  But 41 years ago through a dark time in his life he reached out to JESUS and was saved. I was so happy!

I expected his ways to change in relation to me and for him to at least say I am sorry.  But it didn’t happen and I became angry and complained to the LORD about it.  GOD said, “reread what you were reading.”

I had been in Luke 15 but being angry and unforgiving the story I’d heard and read countless times didn’t speak to me.  But I went back in obedience to the HOLY SPIRIT’s leading.  The story is often called the Prodigal Son.

It tells of a man having 2 sons and the younger asked for his inheritance and when his father gave it, the young man took off to a far country and lived recklessly and sinfully until all his money was gone and a terrible famine hit and he was forced to go feed pigs for a man yet he was constantly hungry. One day he came to his senses and realized that his dad’s servants always had more than enough and determined to go back to his dad and ask to be his servant. The younger son humbly went back and when his father saw him from afar off and ran to meet his son.  Rejoicing to have his son back, he hugged and kissed his son.  The younger son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no longer worthy to be called your son.”  But the dad told a servant to clothe his boy with the best robe, put a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet and prepare a party for him. “For this my son was dead (in sin and trespasses) and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.” So they began to be merry.

What an awesome picture of GOD our FATHER’s heart to a repentant sinner coming to GOD through believing in JESUS (Hebrews 7:25).

The older brother came in from working in the fields and heard the music and dancing. So he asked a servant what was going on.  Being told, he refused to go in.  His father came out and encouraged the older brother to come in.  But angrily his son declared, “Your son took your money and went and blew it on riotous, sinful living and now he comes back and you give him a party?  I have been faithful to work for you day in and day out and yet you never even gave me a calf to have a party with my friends!  The father said, “It is right that we should be merry for your brother was dead and is alive again and was lost, and is found” (Luke 15:32).

Wow, its an amazing picture of GOD our FATHER’s heart for one who comes to HIM by seeing his sin and need of Savior and believing and calling on the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST to save him (Romans 10:9-10, 13).

But that is not what I need to share.  What hit me that day the LORD told me to reread Luke 15 is the next to the last verse when the father said, “Son, you are always with ME, and all that I have is yours.” (Luke 15:31).

Then I understood what the LORD was telling me.  I was the older brother.  While GOD had always walked with me, comforting, encouraging, leading and providing for me each step of the way, even though I was far from perfect.  But the one who had often hurt me had struggled, always seeking some fulfillment but never really finding it had been without GOD to help.  Now he had GOD on his side, but he was still just a baby in the things of GOD and needed time to grow which meant when he learned to walk there would be falls.

To you who know JESUS remember HE says, “I have always been with you…” (Luke 15:31) and HE promises, “…I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Hugs

Sharon

To say or not to say that is the question

JESUS said that the world would believe that GOD the FATHER sent JESUS when HIS believers were one (John 17:20-21).  Yet a very sad thing has occurred. There has been ugly fights, divisions and broken relationships (defriending on Facebook and other social media) this past year as controversial opinions were expressed by believers in JESUS, some in ugly ways over social media while unbelievers watched and often were stirred up with anger or smugly smirked.

We believers in JESUS are the body of CHRIST (1 Corinthians 12:13,27) and when each part is working properly, it makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:16).  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify (build up) another (Romans 14:19).

We are warned: charging them before the LORD that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers (2 Timothy 2:14).  But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the LORD must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (2 Timothy 2:23-24).

That explains why the LORD recently answered my query if I should write a post on HIS response to my question in how I should pray on a certain issue. (There was a little niggling of hesitation that caused me ask that question- thank YOU HOLY SPIRIT). Instantly GOD spoke the answer by bringing a verse to my mind.

“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you” (Matthew 7:6). 

What GOD conveyed to me with that verse is explained best in how JESUS answered Peter.  “But HE turned and said to Peter, “Get behind ME, Satan! You are a stumbling block to ME; for you are not setting your mind on GOD’s purposes, but men’s” (Matthew 16:23 NASB).

Many believers still have their minds set on the purposes and thought patterns of man and are not open to hear GOD’s side even though it is outlined in the Word of GOD.

Although we must never shy away from witnessing of our LORD and HIS saving power (John 3:16, Romans 10:9-10, 13). We are commanded by the LORD JESUS HIMSELF to witness of JESUS (Acts 1:8). But just as a kindergarten student is not ready to do algebraic equations, not everyone has grown to the point that they are willing to hear GOD’s take on HARD ISSUES.  

For GOD’s ways are not our ways and HIS thoughts are not our thoughts they are higher than the heavens than ours but HIS ways always produce what needs to be done (Isaiah 55:8-11), of that we can be sure.  Praise the name of JESUS!

Hugs

Sharon