Both speak of a truth

This evening, I stopped by a friend’s to drop off some papers she had requested. I rang the doorbell so when no one answered the door I left the papers in her screen door and sent a text telling her what I had done.  A couple hours later but just minutes ago, she text me and asked why I hadn’t rung the bell.  She was perplexed when I told her I had.

55 years ago, today the good LORD took my little infant son to be with HIM in heaven. As much as losing Little Mac hurt it is what brought me back to GOD and I’ve never been the same.

My LORD took him to benefit me/ to achieve for me (2 Cor 4:15-18 and Hebrews 12:10-11) and if you’ve heard how the LORD showed me a cloud shaped like a lion with a baby on HIS back holding on to HIS mane and laughing and how I heard the words  “don’t weep  for him, he is having the time of his life,” then you will understand why I know GOD took him to bless my 1st little boy as well.

What does NOT hearing the doorbell this evening have to do with our LORD taking my son to heaven? Both scenarios declare a Biblical truth.  “We know GOD works all things together for good to those who love HIM” (Romans 8:28). JESUS explained this divine principle as, “you do not understand now what I am doing but later you will understand” (John 13:7).

The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is good and loves us (John 3:16).  HE works all things according to HIS own counsel (Ephesians 1:11) and we would spare ourselves much anguish if we would just remember that GOD is in control, but “HIS ways are not our ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Hugs,

Sharon

Whose way?

It is written that the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is always in control (Ephesians 1:11) though HE may not engineer a struggle, one cannot happen without HIS permission (see Job chapters 1 and 2). Although the LORD may allow trouble to come from an outside source it is never without a cause (Proverbs 26:2). The MOST HIGH always has a plan and HIS intent for allowing something difficult is always to achieve a necessary good (Genesis 50:20).

GOD’s ways are not our ways, HE does not think like we do, and HIS thoughts are light years beyond our capacity to comprehend (Isaiah 55:8-9). For that reason, we are told to live by faith, that is to trust the LORD’s wisdom, power and love.

I know that, yet I still find I must remind myself of that when things look bad!  The way I remind myself is by running to GOD and pouring out my heart to HIM.  Then HE whispers (impresses on me) a verse or reminds me of a time HE delivered out of trouble. Whatever HE says stills my soul and returns my peace.

“This I recall therefore I have hope, it is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed because HIS compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is YOUR faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:21-23).

“The LORD is good to them that wait for HIM (to work), to the soul that seeks HIM. It is good that one should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD…For the LORD will not cast off forever, though HE cause grief, yet HE will have compassion according to the multitude of HIS mercies.  For HE does not want to afflict or grieve” (Lamentations 3:25-26, 31-33).

But as a loving FATHER HE must discipline the one HE accepts (those who have come to HIM through JESUS Hebrews 7:25, John 1:12-13).  The LORD does it for their profit that they may be partakers of HIS holiness. We are urged not to despise the discipline of the LORD. No discipline at the time it happens is fun but hard and painful nevertheless afterwards it yields (produces) the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them who are exercised by GOD through their struggles (see Hebrews 12:5-7, 10-11).

It is through our struggles that GOD pleads for us redeeming us from our own sinful nature (Lamentations 3:58).

Disciple from GOD will continue until the child learns.  We as parents do the same with our children. If a child refuses to change though disciplined, harsher discipline must follow.  In that way they cause their own troubles.

“they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way” (Judges 2:19).

“Therefore, shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices” (Proverbs 1:21).

We are told in Isaiah 58:13 that IF we stop going our own way, stop trying to find our own pleasures and stop speaking our own words it is then that we delight in the LORD. 

Delight yourself also in the Lord: and HE shall give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).

Hugs

Sharon

What time is it?

So much is happening all around the world, yet we know what time period we are in, for GOD the FATHER tells us in Hebrews 1:1 that previously HE spoke to people through prophets but now in these last days HE speaks to us through HIS SON (JESUS CHRIST our LORD).

Now the (HOLY) SPIRIT speaks expressly that in the latter time (this time we are now in) will be a time of seducing spirits and the doctrines of devils (1 Timothy 4:1).

Have you ever pondered the truth JESUS proclaimed when HE rebuked Peter declaring man’s thinking comes from Satan (Matthew 16:23)? Ephesians 2:2 also states the world’s way of thinking, its wisdom is from the prince of the power of the air working within them. The world’s thinking comes from and is what the devil thinks!

JESUS emphatically declared, “Why do you not understand MY words? Even because you cannot hear MY word.  You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do” (John 43-44)

2 Corinthians 4:³ But, if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:  ⁴ In whom the god of this world (the devil) has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of CHRIST, who is the image of GOD, should shine unto them.

We become blind when we turn away from what GOD says to what Satan says. Satan’s deception of Eve, which caused her blindness, was simply telling her what he himself thought. “I will be like the Most HIGH” (Isaiah 14:14).  The devil told her, “you shall be like GOD” (Genesis 3:5).  You see HE gives men his very own thoughts, but he does not reveal his aim for he is a deceiver and a liar.

In the New Testament the Greek word, daimonia, refers to the gods of the world. It’s not surprising that this Greek word for gods in the New Testament is actually the same word translated as “demons.” There is a very important revelation here and one to be taken very seriously.

The gods of the world are embodiments and representatives of demonic beings. That doesn’t just go for ancient religions; the modern world has its gods, too. Doors are opened to the demonic in the form of materialism, alcoholism, sensuality, lust, pornography, love of money, greed, position (jealousy) and control (anger and manipulation). When you indulge in these things, you are actually worshipping and serving demons (1 Corinthians 10:21, Revelation 9:20)

That is a horrible thing! You should have nothing to do with it. Any idol is a god, and any god except for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY of the Bible is a demon. The very thought that you are serving the demonic should be enough to make you get any unclean, unholy thing or thought out of your life once and for all! There is only One True and Living God who is the source of everything good (James 1:17). Every other source is just demonic.

The natural mind, the worldly mind, is under the influence of Satan and thinks GOD’s words are foolishness (1 Corinthians 1:18-23). It cannot understand GOD’s words without the HOLY SPIRIT’s conviction explaining sin, what is right, and the coming judgment to them (John 16:8).  

Only GOD knows what HE is thinking.  No one, not even believers in JESUS can understand GOD’s thoughts without GOD the HOLY SPIRIT explaining them to us (1 Corinthians 2:10-14).  If you question that statement, check out Acts 1:2.

The 1^st time I really saw what Acts 1:2 said, it blew me away.  JESUS, GOD the SON, was giving the apostles, one HE had personally chosen, commandments. But only as the HOLY SPIRIT explained JESUS meaning to them, did they know what JESUS meant.  Wow!

Satan is included in that no one can understand the words of GOD (even though he knows and misquotes the bible) without GOD the HOLY SPIRIT explaining GOD’s word to him. For the devil is a created being and not GOD (1 Corinthians 2:11,14).

Although Satan is very intelligent and has thousands of years of experience, and knows man well, the devil cannot understand GOD’s plans or GOD’s Word. That is clearly shown in 1 Corinthians 2:8 “Which none of the princes (demons) of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the LORD of glory.”

I encourage you, every morning go to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16) and ask GOD  in JESUS name to keep you from all deception.  For we are commanded to: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Hugs

Sharon

Dropping things

Usually, dropping things is accidental and frustrating. But I want to tell you about two who believe in dropping things, good things on purpose and why they did and do. 

Boaz was a rich owner of some fields that were being harvested. Now a young woman named Ruth needed food so went behind the harvesters in the field as the law allowed. She was picking up whatever she could find in order to gather enough grain for her mother-in-law and herself to eat and stay alive. Now Boaz took notice of her and was pleased with her so 1st her told her to stay in his field and follow his harvesters. Then he told his harvesters to drop hands full of grain on purpose so that could gather much grain (Ruth 2:15-16).

We learn from the word of GOD that the infinite LORD GOD ALMIGHTY’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways but are far above ours and that they always achieve what GOD wants done (Isaiah 55:8-9, 11).  So, it stands to reason HIS paths often go in a different direction than our limited understanding can perceive. 

Once HE made a way through the sea, and a path in the mighty waters (Isaiah 23:16) a path no one could see or ever would have known was there unless they followed the directions of the LORD. But because they followed the LORD’s instructions, they found HIS path and escaped their enemies (Exodus 14:15-30).

It is written that GOD’s paths drop fatness (Psalm 65:11).

The word fatness speaks of fruitfulness, of blessings, it speaks of good things.

So we see a picture here much like that which we saw in Ruth.  For we see our Lord walking down a path, and dropping good things as HE goes. If we are traveling down the same path behind HIM- by letting the Holy SPIRIT lead us and directed by HIS nudges (impressions on our heart and mind), then as we follow behind HIM, we will find good things along the path. Things meant to blessing us, things GOD has intentionally dropped specifically for us. 

Awesome thought, isn’t it?  What a mighty GOD we serve! 

Hugs,
Sharon

One of GOD’s ways

Most will agree that we live in troubling and violent times. Some of what we see and hear about is heartbreaking yet, I was greatly encouraged as I was reminded (John 14:26) of one of GOD’s ways.

We are told that GOD’s ways and thoughts are not like our ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). As we learn more and more about our Creator in HIS word and watching HIM at work we see patterns revealing some of HIS ways.  Just as an artist’s work can be recognized by something particular found in his work, so we discover GOD’s signature when we find a star at the base of every rose and in the center of every apple. In a like manner, the repetition of the way the LORD handles similar events point to one of HIS ways.

I was reminded of how GOD has acted before bringing destruction, I was encouraged this morning as I read in 2 Chronicles 34 of GOD speaking a promise to King Josiah. 

“Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shalt be gathered to thy grave in PEACE, neither shall your eyes see all the destruction that I will bring upon this place and upon the inhabitants of the same” (2 Chronicles 34:28).

Noah came to mind and how GOD shut the door of the ark to protect him before opening the floodgates that deluged the earth and killed all life outside the ark (Genesis 7:16, 21-22).

Then my thoughts flew to Lot and how GOD sent angels to take Lot by the hand and get him out of Sodom before fire and brimstone fell and destroyed that city and all surrounding area and it was said destruction could not be done until Lot was safe (Genesis 19:16, 22).

Just for good measure the LORD directed my thoughts to Hezekiah who also was taken in PEACE before destruction fell (Isaiah 39:8).

JESUS said of us who believe in HIM,  “For GOD has not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our LORD JESUS CHRIST” (1 Thessalonians 5:9).

I am writing this in obedience to 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18 where believers in JESUS are told to ENCOURAGE one another with the truth at JESUS is going to gather all who believe in HIM by calling us to come to HIM in the clouds and go to be with HIM forever. HE is going to gather us up to HIMSELF before all hell breaks loose.  Up until we are gathered to JESUS (Raptured) we are the light of the world (Philippians 2:15) sharing the truth of the saving faith in JESUS work on the cross, in hope some will believe.  Until we are gathered to JESUS we are holding back the complete release of evil on earth.  Though I know it seems like it has already happened but what we are seeing are just birth pains that come before the actual birth.  For we must be taken, (gathered unto JESUS) before the Antichrist can be revealed (2 Thessalonians 2:6-8) and the 7 years of Tribulation called Jacob’s trouble can begin.

So be encouraged as with Noah, Lot and Josiah had to be taken before destruction could come, so must every believer in JESUS be gathered to HIM in the clouds before that last 7 years of the wrath of GOD can begin.  So, hang in there and tell everyone you can about the love of GOD and how JESUS saves. Remember it is the longsuffering of GOD and HIS amazing goodness that leads people to repentance and salvation (Romans 2:4).

Hugs

Sharon

Add and Subtract

This old snapshot (1951) is of a one room schoolhouse in June Lake, California.  The students, grade 1 through 8, and our teacher was my dad, Charles F McIntire. On the stairs in the middle (the short one) is me and my sister Rosie is directly below me sitting on a step.  It was Dad’s 1st teaching job, after leaving the ministry.  It was my 1st school and Dad taught me my first 3 grades. It is where I learned to reason, to read and write and to add and subtract.

There were field trips where we gained an appreciation for beauty and the wonder of GOD’s creation but in the classroom after our A B C’s, adding and subtracting were two essentials we were taught. But although they are things we need to know and use daily, today I read verses that warn against adding and subtracting in certain situations.

Throughout the book of Judges, the clause “everyone did what was right in their own eyes” was used several times. As you read what happened you can see how dangerous it is to step out and do what is right in your own eyes because it can result in division and consequences that I for one don’t want. 

Proverbs 14:12 NKJV verifies that truth, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”

On the other side of the coin, this morning I came to 3 verses, Deuteronomy 12:26, 28, 13:18 that spoke of the need of ‘doing what is right in GOD’s eyes’ by hearkening to HIS voice and obeying HIS commands. The only way we can do that is to find out what is right in GOD’s eyes and that sends us to read HIS word, to listen for (be alert to) GOD the HOLY SPIRIT’s  still small voice (that knowing you really should do something), and expect GOD to answer when you ask HIM something.

Right smack in the middle of those verses I read the warning, “don’t add to or subtract from HIS word”.

Deuteronomy 12:32 “whatsoever I command you observe it and do it, you shall not add nor diminish (subtract) from it.”

Although Deuteronomy 4:2, Joshua 1:7, and Proverbs 30:6 speak of not adding to GOD’s word, it is in the last book of the Bible that we find the same warning in the strongest terms.

“For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, GOD shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away (subtract) from the words of the book of this prophecy, GOD shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” Revelation 22:18-19

This doctrine to hearken/listen to the voice of the LORD and to do what is right in GOD’s eyes is one we are quick to give lip service to. But when it comes down to the nitty gritty/ the actual situations we find ourselves in, it is horrifyingly easy to lose sight of what is right in GOD’s sight and go back to doing or asking (even praying for) what is right in our own eyes.

Why is that?

I think it is because the devil is loud and makes himself heard. Like in the Garden of Eden, the Accuser is still in the business of planting doubts about GOD and HIS ways into our minds and making us think they are our own ideas.

So beware, be on the alert, and watch against the devil’s subtle schemes of planting of doubts in your mind concerning GOD’s ways. Be like JESUS and counter the devil’s lying fiery darts of doubts with GOD’s Holy Word.

hugs

Sharon

GOD cannot lie

GOD draws pictures and gives details of HIS ways, eternal principles in the Old Testament stories, just as JESUS spoke in parables that illustrated truth.

“Now the SPIRIT speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to (teachers influenced by) seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1).

“that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).

The best way to avoid being deceived is to know the truth.  The best way to do that is to check what is said with the Bible (Isaiah 8:20).  For the Bible is true and teaches us about GOD.  As we see GOD the FATHER and JESUS interact with people we learn things concerning HIS nature and HIS ways.

GOD knows all things. “Now are we sure that YOU (JESUS) know all things…” (John 16:30).  I love the way Psalm 139 states that before we were formed in our mother’s womb, GOD saw everything we would ever do, knew every word we would ever speal, yes, even each day of our life HE has seen as if on a schedule.  Crazy thing is HE knew all this and yet HE loves us.  AMAZING!  Acts 15:18 KJ “ Known unto GOD are all HIS works from the beginning of the world.”  There is not one thing GOD will ever learn for HE knows everything that has, is or will happen. 

That does not mean that HE forces it to be, but rather that GOD has seen what we will do before we do it, just as GOD enabled Elisha to see the horrors Hazael would do when he became king over Syria (see 2 Kings 8:7-14) when Hazael had no clue that he would even become a king.  

Now there is an underlying truth about GOD, each of HIS virtues compliment all of HIS other virtues. 

One thing seen throughout Scripture is that GOD is faithful to keep HIS word/ HIS promises.  What HE says, HE will do (Numbers 23:19).  GOD has foreknowledge (GOD knows things before they happen).  GOD’s foreknowledge preceded HIS decrees (1 Peter 1:2). Being the LORD knows all things, the LORD is able to make promises for HE has already seen what will occur and so HE never has to redo or recalculate anything.  There is no plan 2.  Yet, through it all our Sovereign LORD does not override the abilities to choose and reason that the LORD gave man when HE created man in HIS very own image (Genesis 1:27).

GOD is eternal.  “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, says the LORD, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the ALMIGHTY” (Revelation 1:8). Therefore, GOD’s faithfulness is eternal as HIS promises are eternal.

GOD cannot lie. “in hope of eternal life, which GOD, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” Titus 1:2.  Therefore, HE must be able to do whatever HE says HE will do or HE will not say it.

GOD cannot change. “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore, you sons of Jacob are not consumed” Malachi 3:6.

Now that brings us to a horrendous lie that has risen up within Christendom.  The lie says that because Israel was so evil that GOD has changed HIS mind and has taken all the promises that HE gave to Israel away from them and transferred them to the church.  That lie is called “Replacement theology.”

If GOD did that, HE cannot be trusted to keep HIS word.  HE would not be the GOD of the Bible. Therefore, we know replacement theology is a lie, a doctrine of devils.

Just one example: The very fact that in May of 1948 the unbelieving Jews were drawn back to the Promise land and then Israel became a nation for the 2^nd time, in one day just as GOD it would happen (Isaiah 66:7-8) shows GOD knows what HE is talking about and that HE keeps HIS word. 

Why would a holy GOD keep a promise to unbelievers?  #1 because what HE says HE will do besides when GOD made that promise to Israel HE already knew what they would do.  #2 HE knows that the 1/3 Jews that will survive the 7 years of Jacob’s trouble (spoken of as the 7-year tribulation) will come to believe in JESUS when they see HIM (see Zechariah 13:9).

Will the Jews always be a nation? No. 

But they will remain a nation as long as THIS earth exists.

“Thus says the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divides the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is HIS name:  If those ordinances (sun, moon, stars, seas and waves) depart from before ME, says the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before ME forever. Thus, says the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

So, you see as long as THIS earth remains with the sun and the moon and the stars and the sea Israel will be a nation.

But after the 1,000-year reign of CHRIST (that follows the battle of Armageddon- Revelation 19:11-20:2), GOD will rain down fire from heaven against all those gathered by Satan who are attacking Jerusalem.  At that time the earth explodes, the heavens flee and nothing is visible but a great white throne for all the elements have melted (Revelation 20:7-11, 2 Peter 3:10-13). 

After the judgment of unbelievers and their being thrown into the eternal lake of fire, there is a new heaven and a new earth but we are told there will not be a sun, moon or sea.  On the new earth JESUS and GOD the FATHER will live with all believers.   No longer will there be an Israel or any other nation.  There will be neither Jew nor Gentile.  We do not know all that awaits us there. But clues in Scripture tell us what is coming will be beyond awesome, beyond amazing!

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which GOD has prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Will you be part of it?  Do you know JESUS?

Hugs

Sharon

Seek the LORD

Ever ask someone, “What is your name?” Often when you meet someone new that is the 1st thing you want to know about him. It is a point of reference.  My pastor has an uncanny ability to remember names and it makes you feel important. 

In the Bible names are even more important. GOD often changes the name of a person when HE is going to use him/her in an identifiable way to reflect something about him or the work he is to do.  So, names in the Bible, often tell us something specific about the person. 

In the case with Naomi after she suffered much loss she told others: “Don’t call me Naomi (pleasant) call me Mara (bitter) for the Almighty has dealt with me very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20)

GOD is called by many names and even addresses HIMSELF by different names.  When HE told Moses tell them I AM (YHWH/ YAHWEY) sent you.  HE actually was saying “the eternal source of all things sends you.”  HIS name I AM is verb to be and it implies “I was, I am and I will be.”

JESUS is called the Word and was in the beginning with GOD the FATHER (John 1:1, 14) and then in Revelation 1:9 JESUS says: “I am Alpha and Omega  (1^st and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet), the beginning and the ending, says the LORD, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the ALMIGHTY.”  By that HE clearly declares HIMSELF GOD and one of the triune GODHEAD that started everything-the eternal source of all and the ONE who will always be.

If you examine the context wherein a certain name is used for the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, it speaks of how GOD is relating to people at that time.  This is spectacularly obvious in the 1st 3 chapters of Revelation where JESUS (GOD the Son) refers to HIMSELF using an enormous variety of names showing how HE is relating to a person because of how that person is acting.  And when we are asking for something specific we can call on a name of GOD that depicts a specific attribute of GOD that deals with our issue.  Like asking the GOD of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) to comfort someone hurting.

One name to refer to GOD the FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST is LORD.  LORD is not just another name for GOD it means Master= the One who has the right to tell you what to do.  JESUS asked, “Why do you call ME LORD, LORD and do not do the things that I say” Luke 6:46.

Therefore, when we read:

When JESUS said, “ask MY name and it will be given to you” (John 14:13), HE was saying ask according to what I am like.  That is evident in 1 John 5:14 “And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE hears us”

To ask in that way we must know what GOD is like and therefore need to seek HIM in HIS Word to find out.

Psalm 105:1 “Oh give thanks to the LORD, call upon HIS name” (call on HIS qualities, character, nature) make known HIS deeds among the people. 3 Glory in HIS holy name (what HE is like/ HIS character, attributes) and let the hearts of those rejoice who seek HIM.  4 Seek the LORD and HIS strength, Seek HIS face forevermore.”

“Seek the Lord while HE may be found, call upon HIM while HE is near” Isaiah 55:6.

For GOD says, “And you shall seek ME, and find ME, when you search for ME with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:13.

Regardless of what I am facing I find rest and joy as I seek the LORD and HIS strength.  Do you?

Hugs

Sharon

Does she pass sin on?

A gal asked a question: “Are our sins passed down from us to our children?”

I know of 3 aspects to that question, but the most pertinent/ relevant one is the last so read to the end.

1-The sin nature is passed down through the man for he was not deceived but fully aware that he sinned.  Adam was not created with a sin nature but chose to sin and from that point on not only had a sin nature but passed it on to his children (1 Timothy 2:14, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Genesis 5:3). This is an important point for having no human father it shows that our LORD JESUS did not have a sin nature and furthermore although tempted in all ways HE never sinned (Hebrews 4:15).

2-We humans generally (for there are a few exceptions) can only see things visible.  Yet the Bible tells of a spirit realm where angels and demons are around us.  Angels are for our protection and act on the orders of GOD.  But demons generally interact with us as whispers just as their boss did with Eve in the garden of Eden.  They come to destroy  They lie (John 8:44). They suggest actions to us (tempt us), they accuse others and us to us and they know us very well. Some even believe that since every child has a guardian angel assigned to them by GOD, so each of us has a demon assigned to us by the devil.

The term “familiar spirits” is used nine times in the King James Version of the New Testament in reference to demons. The idea literally refers to demons that are close or familiar to a person.  Now if a parent or ancestor has allowed an evil spirit to lead or control him, after the death of the ancestor, that familiar spirit may go after an offspring to attach themselves to harass or tempt him/her.

That is one of the reasons why in Nehemiah the people confessed not only their sins but the sins of their parents (Nehemiah 9:2).  For if you are a believer and you confess your sins GOD is faithful to forgive sin because JESUS paid for them (1 John 1:9).  Where there is not sin, the demons are disarmed (have no power).

“When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, GOD made you alive with CHRIST. HE forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; HE has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.  And having disarmed the powers and authorities (demons), HE made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Colossians 2:13-15 NIV).

3-The most practical or apropos reason children follow in the steps of their parents is that children learn by observation.  What a child sees they try to duplicate.  That is how they learn to walk and talk and why even little children have similar mannerisms of their parents.  Even when they don’t like something they see, later on in life it may show up in their lives.  So, since a woman must suffer pain in childbirth she does not pass down her sin nature in her genes, but she can pass it down through her actions (1 Timothy 2:15).

Hugs

Sharon

Why did HE do that?

Have you ever wondered why GOD did something?

I was reading in the Bible and a question rose in my mind.  “Why did GOD anoint Saul king fully knowing he would disobey HIM?”

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written beforetime (the Bible) were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

2 Peter 1:20-21 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of GOD spoke (and wrote) as they were moved by the HOLY GHOST.

2 Peter 1:1-4 GOD gave us HIS word so that we could learn about HIM and HIS ways for it is through our knowledge of GOD the FATHER and our LORD JESUS CHRIST that we obtain all things necessary for living this life and godliness.  In fact, we are told that if we will use (apply) the great and precious promises within the Word of GOD we will be changed bit by bit (here a little/ there a little) into the likeness of JESUS (2 Corinthians 3:18) and take on the divine nature.

So, there is a reason that GOD appointed Saul even though GOD who knows all things knew how Saul would act.  Therefore, I asked GOD, “What were YOU teaching us about YOURSELF in placing Saul as king?” Then I went back and reread.

Saul was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward (1 Samuel 10:23).  That would make him look strong, definitely a good choice to lead the people.  But Saul on different occasions chose to do things he thought best instead of obeying clear directions from GOD. That did not set well with GOD (1 Samuel 15:11) and Saul was told  “But now your kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought HIM a man after HIS own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over HIS people, because you have not kept that which the LORD commanded you (1 Samuel 13:14).

GOD sent Samuel on a mission. GOD told Samuel to go to Jesse and make a sacrifice and anoint one of Jesse’s sons as king (1 Samuel 16:1-3).  Samuel went and told Jesse to gather his sons for the feast and one by one 7 of Jesse’s son’s were brought before Samuel beginning with the oldest Eliab.  Samuel look at him and thought “he is the one!”

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Look not on his appearance or on the height of his stature because I have refused him. For the LORD doesn’t see what man sees.  Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

Jesse had 7 of his sons pass before Samuel but none of these were the one.  So, Samuel asked Jesse, are these all your sons?  There was one more, the youngest but he wasn’t there for he was in the fields watching over the sheep.  Samuel told Jesse to get him and the moment Samuel saw David GOD spoke, “Arise and anoint him for this is he.”

Why was David chosen?   

“And when HE(GOD) had removed him (Saul), HE raised up David to be their king; to whom also HE (GOD) gave this testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after MINE own heart, which shall fulfill all my will (Acts 13:22).

But why LORD, did you make Saul king since YOU knew how he would not do what YOU commanded?

The LORD replied, “To teach you MY ways and not to judge.  Because the only basis of your judgments are on appearances (unless, I personally show you something more).  Appearances can be deceiving and besides you only have part of the facts, so wait.”

I Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the LORD come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of GOD.

Hugs

Sharon