Chasing the Wind

I felt rushed and a bit frustrated because I’d gotten behind on writing the homework and had to prepare the lessons for my classes.  Just then someone stopped over and needed to talk. Oh no! After a quick arrow prayer (Hebrews 4:16) to realign my attitude, I remembered that if GOD was giving me that work/classes HE would supply what was needed.  (I Thessalonians 5:24).  Only then did I really see the one who’d stopped by and I really wanted to hear what was on his heart.  It was a special time, I’m so glad I didn’t miss it!

I almost missed out on those precious moments I had been given with my friend.  So, silently I thanked and praised the HOLY SPIRIT for poking me and reminding me of what is really important (John 14:26).

Our lives are made up of moments, we can use them to the fullest, or waste them through selfishness and grumbling.  

Although there is a time and season for all things (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 17), it is as the Preacher (King Solomon) said that our personal desires and attempts to achieve are mere vanity and grasping for the wind (NKJV or vexation of spirit KJV). 

The word vanity can be translated pride, emptiness, or absurdity but the Hebrew word vanity actually means breath or vapor. The word vapor reminds me of how as a young child I thought seeing my breath in the cold winter air looked like I had been smoking.  We see it for a moment but then it evaporates.

The use of that word vanity (literally vapor) indicates that whatever we do is fleeting and will soon just vanish away. Therefore, everything on our TO DO list should be prioritized and gauged on it’s eternal value.  Is it just for now (on earth and GOD gives us good things to enjoy) or for eternity value (things for others as led by the HOLY SPIRIT).

I prefer the term chasing after or grasping for the wind as used in the NKJV to vexation of spirit KJV because it draws such a picture in my mind of running and grabbing after something but just can’t get it.  The Hebrew word is used only in the Hebrew Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes. (See Ecclesiastes 1:14, 17,  2:11, 17, 26,  4:4, 6, 16,  6:9 NKJV) but it speaks graphically of what man’s attempts to achieve are.

For we cannot even see the wind, therefore how in the world can we grasp a hold on it?

Our moments, all of our daily grind and even our achievements are a mere vapor unless JESUS is directing them.  More clearly than ever I see what JESUS meant when HE said, “Without ME you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Do your words seem to vanish just a vapor, disappearing into the air? Do your efforts seem as if you are chasing after or grasping for the wind the goal just out of your reach?  If so stop and “Trust in the LORD with all YOUR heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge GOD (consult with the LORD) and HE will direct your path” Proverbs 3:5-6. And that is a promise from our faithful GOD who cannot lie! (Titus 1:2).

Hugs

Sharon

PS I got the lessons written in record time.  Praise the LORD!

An animated face

My 10-year-old grandson, Zachary, is a double amputee. When he was born Christians told us if we had enough faith GOD would heal Zachary and his feet would not need to be amputated. For two years many prayed and believed. Since Zack could not be kept down by the time he was two his bones were coming through the skin and something had to be done.  

Did GOD not listen? Did we not have enough faith? This weekend we have proof again that GOD listens and that we had enough faith. Our faith is in GOD, not in what we think HE should do, or in how HE should do it, but in GOD HIMSELF and wisdom and power.  

GOD’s word says that HIS ways are not our ways, but that they will accomplish all HE wants done (Isaiah 55:8-11) and that the LORD has planned specific works for each and every believer to do (Ephesians 2:10) plus that the LORD has preset the exact times and places they should be done (Acts 17:26-27).  

One of those works for my GOD-fearing grandson, that GOD equipped him for, came this weekend in a nursing home. There was a grumpy old man with an amputated leg who refuse gifts from some well-meaning ladies on the visiting team from my daughter’s job who came to bless those in that nursing home. Then with a grin animating his face, Zachary in his 2 wildly colorful prosthesis jauntily walked over to the old man and the man’s eyes lit up as he accepted a gift from Zack’s hands.

It is surprising what seeing a happy child in prosthesis will do to inspire one struggling with his loss.   This isn’t the 1st time that Zachary’s amputations have been an encouragement to grown-ups facing or just receiving amputations. GOD knew precisely what HE was doing with our boy and GOD our Creator never makes a mistake. But, like HE says, HIS ways are not our ways.  

When we think of JESUS on the cross, we generally think only about JESUS carrying the sins of the world that those who will receive the truth and believe on JESUS can have forgiveness of sin and eternal life (John 3:16). But, “GOD (the FATHER) was in CHRIST (GOD the SON) reconciling us to HIMSELF by JESUS and has committed to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:19).  

A horrible, shameful death on the cross hardly seems like a way to effect reconciliation or bringing two enemies together as friends. Yet that is what GOD did. For “while we were enemies, we were reconciled to GOD through the death of HIS SON” (Romans 5:10).  

Have you received the gift of forgiveness and eternal life by believing in the LORD JESUS and that GOD our FATHER raised HIM from the dead? If not call, upon the name of the LORD and be saved. (Romans 10:9-10, 13).  

I urge you in CHRIST’s stead to prayerfully consider these things and may the good LORD give you wisdom and understanding and keep you from deception (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 L Manning

Greater Works

And they said unto HIM, “What shall we do, that we might work the works of GOD?”

JESUS answered and said unto them, “This is the work of GOD, that ye believe on HIM whom HE (GOD) hath sent” (John 6:28-29).

“No man can come unto ME, except the FATHER draw him” (John 6:44).

GOD’s work is to draw people to JESUS.  Why?

“GOD so loved the word that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believes in HIM (JESUS) should not perish but have eternal life……. HE that believes on the Son (JESUS) has everlasting life; and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD abides on him” John 3:16, 36).

“Don’t you believe that I am in the FATHER, and the FATHER in ME?  The words that I speak unto you I speak not of MYSELF: a but the FATHER that dwells in ME HE does the works” (John 14:10).

On earth JESUS was the agent for GOD the FATHER to do the work.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, the one that believes on ME, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the FATHER” (John 14:12).

“Nevertheless, I tell you that truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you: but If I depart, I will send HIM unto you.  And when HE is come, HE will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on ME;” (John 16:7-9).

“But you shall receive power when the HOLY SPIRIT is come upon you: and you shall be witnesses of ME both in Jerusalem, and in all Judah and Samaria and unto the uttermost pasts of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

We get the HOLY SPIRIT when we believe (Ephesians 1:13-14), and when we get HIM we get power.  What is that power for?  to witnesses of JESUS.

Just as GOD worked through JESUS while JESUS was on earth to do the work and draw men to HIM, so now the SPIRIT of GOD works through us to do the work and draw men to JESUS as we witness of HIM.

JESUS had around 3 to 3 ½ years of ministry and although crowds followed HIM around to hear and be healed and fed, there were only 120 true believers in JESUS in the upper room awaiting the giving of the HOLY SPIRIT (Acts 1:14-15).

But, after the SPIRIT of GOD was given and Peter, through the power of the HOLY SPIRIT preached one sermon about 3,000 souls were added to their number of true believers (Acts 2:41).

Now I call that greater works.

Question to answer in the comment section: What does the SPIRIT use to draw men to JESUS? (Ephesians 6:17, Romans 10:17).

Ponder these things and may the LORD give you understanding in all things.

Hugs

Sharon