Go together

A line in the 1955 Frank Sinatra song ‘Love and marriage’ was Love and marriage, Love and marriage go together like a horse and carriage, another line stated: this I tell you brother, you can’t have one without the other.

Psalm 37:5 shows two other things that must go together for a good result.

(1) Commit your way unto the LORD, (2) trust also in HIM and (then)HE will bring it to pass Psalm 37:5

Psalm 37 continues to say, “And HE shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Psalm 37:6

Committing or rolling a problem, a goal, a situation to GOD without trusting that the LORD knows what HE is doing, and HE will oversee it to the best end, nullifies and cancels out your commitment. 

As in James 1:5-7, the only way you are going to get GOD to bring something to pass is to trust HIM and let HIM do it HIS way. We need to trust HIS wisdom in what to do, trust HIS knowledge of when to do it, and to trust HIS ability and faithfulness to do what HE says HE will do.

When you are willing to depend on GOD and roll the ball to GOD in trust HE promises not just to work what needs to be done but also HE promises that HE will bring forth your righteousness (by giving you the light to see how to do right) and your judgment will be clear (for there are no shadows at noon) Psalm 37:6.

What is holding us back? I think for me it happens when I feel it is all up to me so don’t claim what GOD is promises.  Therefore, I have memorized Psalm 37:5-6 to remind me to claim GOD’s promise.

Hugs

Sharon

Is surrender on your to do list

Today I read,  “Has 2020 shaken your confidence in the things of this world? Good! Let’s celebrate the death of our worldly desires. (see 1 John 2:16)”/Cole.

Then I came across an old song (below) they seem to go together.

We bring the sacrifice of praise, into the house of the LORD      

We bring the sacrifice of praise, into the house of the LORD

We offer up to YOU the sacrifices of thanksgiving

We offer up to YOU the sacrifices of joy.

Why would it be a sacrifice (something that cost you something) to bring PRAISE to the LORD?

If you perceive something as bad happens, is it hard to push those thoughts aside and praise the LORD?

What about a sacrifice of THANKSGIVING?  WHEN is giving THANKS a sacrifice?  And if it is a real sacrifice HOW is it done?

We are told in 1 Thessalonians 5:18-In everything (the good, the bad and the ugly) give thanks: for this is the will of GOD in CHRIST JESUS concerning you. (Please note it does not say feel thanks but give thanks.)

Let’s say someone talks trash to you, HOW do you give thanks and not give back the same?

1 Thessalonians 5:24 says, HE (GOD) who calls you (tells you to do something) is faithful, who also will do it.

But WHY does GOD allow or put problems in our lives?  WHY doesn’t HE protect us?

2 Corinthians 4:15-18 15 For all things are for your benefit…Therefore, we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light (by comparison) affliction, which is but for a moment, is working (achieving) for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen (our situation), but at the things which are not seen (what GOD is achieving for us through our situation). For the things which are seen (our situations) are temporary, but the things which are not seen (all GOD is achieving for us through the problems of today) are eternal.

Isaiah 55:8-9 “For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways MY ways,” says the LORD.  “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways, and MY thoughts than your thoughts.

Under the Old Testament when giving a sacrifice they killed the animal and then burnt it on an altar.  But in the New Testament Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (spiritual worship).

In other words GOD asks us not to lean on our own understanding or be wise in our own eyes but to trust HIM fully and obey believing that HE loves us and that HIS plan is best (Proverbs 3:5-7).  Will you surrender all to follow HIM and offer that sacrifice of thanksgiving?

hugs

Sharon

Why doesn’t HE answer?

I have asked why doesn’t GOD show me the way? 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge HIM and HE will direct your path.  Be not wise in your own eye, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:5-7

We hear the Word of the LORD and believe that GOD in HIS great love sent JESUS to die for our sins and we believe (Romans 10:17, John 3:16).  Then we call upon the name of the LORD JESUS and are saved (Romans 10:13).  But then life happens and we don’t have the answers.

We are in danger of getting into a bargaining spirit with GOD when we come to HIM with our struggles (that everyone has)— we want GOD to give HIS approval before we have done what GOD tells (nudges) us to do.  And we always know one thing we should do.

Why doesn’t GOD reveal HIMSELF? HE cannot. Because you are in the way as long as you won’t abandon yourself to HIM in total surrender trusting that HE knows best.  Yet once you surrender (I will go where you want me to go dear LORD, I will do what you want me to do), immediately GOD speaks or moves you to act (Philippians 2:13).  

For when you act on the basis of trust and stop the disrespectfulness of debating with GOD your ears are open to hear, HE immediately gives HIS confirmation by a knowing what you should do. As soon as you abandon your own reasoning and arguing, GOD speaks.

If you are debating as to whether or not GOD can deliver you or someone you love from sin you are of a double mind and don’t think GOD will give you anything for you are unstable in all your ways (James 1:6-8).

Simply obey Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden….” 

Hebrews 11:6 “and without faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who comes to HIM must believe (1) that HE is and (2) that HE rewards those who diligently seek HIM.”

“Ask and it shall be given you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be open to you” Luke 11:9.

I know from experience that it really works.

Hugs

Sharon