Tell them

Before the ALMIGHTY made anything the GODHEAD had an eternal plan.  GOD chose to make mankind in HIS image.  Of all creation only mankind is said to be made in GOD’s image…male and female made HE them (Genesis 1:27).

One element GOD placed in man was reason with the ability to choose.  Throughout scripture we see GOD giving people choices and then rewarding or punishing them according to their choices.

In Genesis 1 GOD creates the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, and HE said it was good but by Genesis 6 we see that things have changed all due to the choices of mankind.

In Genesis 6:5-6 it is written that GOD saw the wickedness of man was so great on the earth and every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually and GOD heart was grieved.

But one man found favor in GOD’s eyes (Genesis 6:8) and GOD commissioned him with a double calling.  His name was Noah.

GOD told Noah to build a huge ship (ark) and gave him precise directions.  Now this was in a place that had no shipping water source, nor had it ever rained upon the earth at that time.  For it was a stretch for Noah to believe what GOD told him.

GOD also commissioned Noah to preach righteousness (doing right) to the wicked all around him as he built the ark (2 Peter 2:5). 

Now it took Noah a long time to build that ark from Genesis 6:3 many believe it took Noah 120 years. The whole while Noah preached to the wicked around him as they mocked him while he built the ark.  It is written that the long-suffering of GOD waited while Noah built the ark and preached righteousness before HE brought judgment down on mankind.  For 120 years GOD strove with the wicked (calling them to repentance) as HOLY SPIRIT convicted men through Noah’s preaching of righteousness.

GOD who knows all things, knew that none but Noah and his family would believe HIM, but HE waited and gave the people opportunity after opportunity after opportunity to believe through what Noah said.

1 Peter 1:² ELECT according to the FOREKNOWLEDGE of GOD the FATHER,

GOD never grows in knowledge for HE knows all things past, present and future. So, what particular thing did GOD KNOW that caused HIM to elect Noah and others like us. What caused HIM to choose some and not others?

John 3:¹⁶ For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES in HIM (JESUS) should not perish but have everlasting life.

Ephesians 1:¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being PREDESTINATED according to the purpose of HIM who works all things after the counsel of HIS own will:

What was the counsel of GOD own will in electing some/ predestining some for eternal life and to obtain an inheritance but not others?  The counsel of GOD was that WHOSOEVER believes shall receive.  It all depends on a willingness to believe and receive what GOD says. 

Today we are like in the days of Noah.  Global wickedness is growing in unbelievably shocking ways.  The long-suffering LORD GOD ALMIGHTY is waiting until the appointed time to send JESUS to catch away HIS believers, just as HE waited in the days of Noah before unleashing flood waters. 

Until that appointed time, GOD in HIS long-suffering is waiting to unleash HIS wrath on the sinful world just as HE waited for Noah to complete his assignment of preaching to the wicked.  As Noah preached righteousness so we who believe and have come to GOD through JESUS are called witness of JESUS (Acts 1:8) and call people to repentance.

We need to tell others John 3:¹⁶ For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVES in HIM (JESUS) should not perish but have everlasting life. ³⁶ He that believes on the SON has everlasting life: and he that believes not the SON shall not see life; but the wrath of GOD (is already) abiding on him.

Romans 10:⁹ That if you will confess with your mouth the LORD JESUS and will believe in your heart that GOD has raised HIM from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. ¹³ For whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be saved.

Only GOD knows who will choose to believe, so let’s tell everyone we can.

Hugs

Sharon

Put on hold

Ever made a business phone call and been put on hold? The wait gets so long you wonder if they know you are still on the line. Sometimes you have to call back a time or two. That happened to me recently as a scheduler had never called me concerning scheduling me for the procedure the doctor ordered. Finally after over 3 weeks I called again. This time I got a hold of my doctor’s nurse who was able to contact the scheduler and in a couple of hours I received a call, with an apology for the order had never gotten to the scheduler. My calls were needed.

Do you feel like you have been put on “hold” by GOD?  What I mean by that is the LORD has promised something but day after day, week follows week and even year after year goes by and you are still waiting.

Unlike my scheduling situation, delays with GOD are never that lines were crossed.  But it still feels like I’ve been put on hold.

One morning I woke up while it was yet dark, feeling greatly troubled and defeated but not sure why. Then I read, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (Proverbs 13:12).

“Yes,” I agreed, “That’s it!  That is what I’m feeling, my heart feels sick.”

Circumstances looked so wrong, not a bit like my expectations concerning the Promise the LORD impressed on my heart years ago. Rather the situation seemed to mock the promise.

Then the LORD’s whisper came, “Didn’t I promise you?” and the word ‘deferred’ came to mind. 

I pondered that word. Looking it up I saw it has 2 meanings.  1st It can mean delayed, put off for a while, but not denied.

“The LORD is not slack (tardy) concerning HIS promise, as some men count slackness (being late); but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any (of us) should perish, but that all (of us) should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

“Do you despise the riches of GOD’s goodness and long-suffering and forbearance (putting up with things?) Don’t you know that the goodness of GOD leads you to repentance?” (Romans 4:2).

The reminder that this time of waiting has a purpose, and its purpose will help people. This lingering delay is for me as much as the others for during the years of delay GOD has changed me and even now patience has not yet finished its perfecting work in me (James 1:3-4).

Then there is the 2nd meaning of ‘deferred’ to submit to and accept.

LORD, YOU are a faithful GOD who has synchronized the universes, so stars and planets never collide, and autumn follows summer therefore I choose to humbly submit to YOUR timing!  YOU know all things and do all things well, I defer to YOUR wisdom and understanding and completely trust that this delay will achieve things that far surpass anything I can imagine.  I bow before YOU my GOD and defer to YOU as I expectantly await the fulfillment of YOUR word to me, YOUR servant.  Thank YOU, LORD for loving me and sending JESUS to save all who will believe and reconcile us to YOURSELF.  My eyes are on YOU, and I am watching to see YOUR plan unfold.

Are facing a delay like me?  Turn your eyes to JESUS.  Look to GOD, HE has preset the exact times and places for a reason (Acts 17:26-27).  If you have asked the good LORD is neither ignoring the issue you are facing nor is HE late with the answer. HE will get there before the tardy bell rings IF you have asked and continue to remind HIM. 

Remember James 4:2 “You have not because you ask not”

Isaiah 62:⁶ “…never be silent day or night.  You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest ⁷and give HIM no rest till HE establishes”

It is not that GOD needs to be reminded but that by going to HIM continually HE continually assures your heart restores your confidence in HIM, HIS wisdom and that HE is at work behind the scenes.

Because He bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath! (Psalms 116:2 – NIV) 

Hugs

Sharon L Manning

Did GOD really say?

Our enemy whispered the taunt, ‘Did GOD really say?’ So, I asked the LORD, open HIS word and in Matthew 10 was confronted with the truth that a bird cannot land on the ground without GOD permission.  The cross references were amazing and now I ask you

How big is your GOD?

The LORD GOD ALMIGHTY called to Abraham (an idol worshipper) and told him to leave where he was and go where GOD would lead him and GOD promised to give Abraham an inheritance and children but didn’t tell him where he was going.

There was just one tiny glitch: Abraham and his wife were old and couldn’t have children.  For when GOD called Abraham, he was 75 years old and his beautiful wife was 65 years old and barren.

But even with that “impossibility,” Abraham believed GOD and obeyed anyway. Somehow, some way, at some time, he knew that GOD would follow through and do something that made no earthly sense whatsoever.

The years went by one after another until 25 years later when Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 that promised child was born. 

Now that is a lot of waiting!  Waiting is hard! It would have been easy to give in to the tempter’s accusations of “Did GOD really say?” (From experience I can tell you that the devil throws that jab at people frequently)  But Abraham believed GOD.

Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing from a “rhema” word (spoken word within your spirit) of CHRIST.  When you hear that word you either receive it or refuse it.  But once received that kind of faith is permanent.  Oh doubts may come (through the tempter) but HE who is in us who believe (the HOLY SPIRIT) is stronger than he (the tempter) who is in the world and GOD the SPIRIT reassures us that GOD really said.

Because Abraham believed GOD, his faith in GOD prompted him to do what GOD told him to do so Abraham is called the “Father of faith” of all who believe (Romans 4:16).

Has GOD has made you a promise?  If HE has you know it.  Don’t listen if others mock, or if the liar whispers taunts that sound more like you than you. Trust in the LORD like Abraham.  Do not lean on your own understanding or be wise in your own eyes (Proverbs 3:5-7) just trust.

“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of GOD! How unsearchable (you can’t figure it out) HIS judgments, and HIS paths beyond tracing out!” (Roman 11:33 NIV). Many of HIS workings are hidden like the path HE had for the Jews to go through the sea on dry land.

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of GOD, you might receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:35-36).

“GOD is not a man, that HE would lie, Nor a son of man, that HE would change HIS mind; Has HE said, and will HE not do it? Or has HE spoken, and will HE not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19).

Remember everything GOD put in the Bible and every promise HE has spoken to individuals will come to be.  For the LORD who cannot lie says, “I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it” (Isaiah 46:11).

Be encouraged, I am.

Hugs

Sharon

A crock pot not a microwave

Meeting with the LORD in HIS word, a part of a verse stuck me, “Hear all ye people, hearken (pay attention) ye earth and all therein” and although I read the rest of the book nothing more struck home. Then driving home from the store with the radio blaring out a Christian song a man spoke a few words and I understood not only what he said but why GOD told me to hearken.

Since I’m not able to understand words without seeing faces due to the severity of my hearing loss, I paid close attention to those words. “In preparing and developing HIS children GOD uses a crock pot not a micro wave.” 

Those words made me smile and rang so true I got all excited and could hardly wait to get home so I could tell you all about it.

Many years ago, GOD gave me a magnificent promise through HIS word.  HE told me it would happen.  Expecting it to happen soon I kept looking for it.  Then after pestering the LORD concerning the delay the everlasting GOD gave me a “heads up”.

“The vision (promise) is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry (seem to never get here), wait for it; because it will surely come, and (when it does) it will not tarry” (Habakkuk 2:3).

GOD tells us over and over in HIS Word, 90 plus times, to wait and promises great rewards if we do (like in Isaiah 40:31, Hebrews 10:36).   

Well, I have waited and waited, some days full of turbulence when I disarm myself by focusing on the situations. Discouraged I’ll cry out to GOD, “How long?” Other times, like King David I will counsel myself, “Why are you cast down O my soul, hope thou in GOD!”

I’ve learned through the years that those accusing thoughts that bombard my mind and threaten to overwhelm me don’t originate in me. Those insinuating hints that instead of receiving a clear word from the LORD, I’d put 2 and 2 together and got 6,000, are from the liar who is also called the accuser.  When I realize what’s happening, I run to the throne of grace for mercy and to receive grace to help in my need (Hebrews 4:16).

At the throne of grace this morning, grace came through the words from HIS Word “Hear all ye people, hearken (pay attention) ye earth and all therein” which prepared me to listen to HIS still soft voice later in the day and peace enveloped me.

It wasn’t until I was driving home and understood those words, when humanly speaking it was impossible for me to understand, that I knew the encouragement of GOD reminding me it wasn’t time yet but that HE was still at work behind the scene, using a crock pot not a micro wave.

Is a problem going on and on with no hope in sight, are you still waiting for a promise to be fulfilled?  Let me encourage you to remember GOD uses a crock pot (slow cooker) not a microwave (cooks fast).

The difference in cooking time is noteworthy and the quality is often quite different. While we want to rush things, GOD goes slowly for HE is changing us into the image (to have the character qualities) of HIS own dear Son our LORD JESUS CHRIST (Romans 8:29) just like a caterpillar is changed into a butterfly, as well as waiting for all who will believe to come to JESUS.  As 2 Peter 3:8-9 tells us 1 day with the LORD is as 1,000 years and 1,000 years as a day.  The LORD is not slack (late or tardy) in keeping HIS promises for there is a valid reason for every seeming delay.

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

Wait

• Joseph waited 22 years
• Abraham waited 25 years
• Moses waited 40 years
• JESUS is still waiting
• If GOD is making you wait
• you are in good company!

Has the LORD ever spoken to you and assured you that HE was going to act, but the days come, and the days go, and it still has not come to be?  Join the club.  I want to encourage you as you wait for GOD to fulfill HIS word to you. And HE will, for “GOD is not a man that HE should lie,nor the son of man that HE should change his mind. Has HE said it, and shall HE not do it?  Has HE spoken, and shall HE not bring it to pass?” (Numbers 23:19). Refuse the enemy’s lying whispers that GOD did not speak to you or GOD does not care, for having HIS children wait is one of GOD’s mysterious ways, a tool HE uses to develop and prepare us for what lies ahead.

Take for example 17-year-old Joseph was given a promise that he would be in authority and even his family would go to him for what they needed.  Then the opposite took place-he was stripped of his coat of many colors, thrown in a pit, sold as a slave and taken to Egypt.  But GOD was with him and gave him favor and Joseph was put in authority over everything in the house of his master. Then someone tried to get him to sin and when he refused that one lied accusing Joseph of what she tried to do and he was put in jail. Even in jail GOD was with him and gave Joseph favor and he was put in charge of what went on in the jail.  Then two royal prisoners each had a dream but didn’t know what it meant.  Joseph oversaw them and seeing they were sad he asked what was wrong. Learning of the dreams Joseph declared that “interpretations belong to GOD.” He had learned that what one may think a dream means may play out entirely differently than we think it would. 

So, Joseph heard the dreams of the two high ranking prisoners and accurately explained to each what his dream meant. Joseph had learned during his time of trouble and waiting to ask and to listen to GOD. Joseph asked the cup-bearer to remember him when he got out of jail in 3 days, but the royal cup-bearer (probably so excited about being released from jail) didn’t even think about Joseph.  Two more years went by and Joseph was still in jail. During that time GOD’s promise to him tested him (Psalm 105:19) but it also put him in the place and prepared him for the work GOD had called him to do.

At that time Pharaoh had a dream but none of his advisors could interpret it. Then the cup-bearer remembered that Joseph had rightly interpreted his dream, so he told the Pharaoh about Joseph.  Joseph explained not only the Pharaoh’s dream but advised him in what he should do about it. GOD gave Joseph favor in Pharaoh eyes and he believed Joseph and put him over all of Egypt to put into motion that very plan.  Now this is the 3^rd time great authority was given Joseph but still his dreams, his promise from GOD was not completely fulfilled.  It was another 9 years (a total of 22 years of waiting) before that happened.  (See Genesis 37-50 for more details of this amazing story). 

Like Joseph and the Psalmist, I too have cried out, “Stablish (fulfill) YOUR word to YOUR servant who is devoted to YOU” (Psalms 119:38).

“My soul faints (longs) for YOUR salvation; but I hope in YOUR word.  My eyes fail looking for YOUR promise, when will YOU comfort me?… How long must YOUR servant wait?” (Psalm 119:81-82, 84).

“Remember YOUR word to YOUR servant upon which YOU have caused me to hope” (Psalm 119:49).

Some have said that to get a promise and it not being immediately fulfilled and having to wait for years must be discouraging. But I find the opposite is true. Like the Psalmist I find the promise causes me to hope rather than give up in despair in seemingly hopeless situations and it also keeps me praying.

GOD has tested me through waiting but as I turn to HIM, HE encourages me through the Bible and seeing the wisdom, timing and faithfulness of GOD to Joseph and others encourages and helps me as I wait.  I hope it does the same for you too.

Some have said that to get a promise and it not being immediately fulfilled and having to wait for years must be discouraging. But I find the opposite is true. Like the Psalmist I find the promise causes me to hope rather than give up in despair in seemingly hopeless situations and it also keeps me praying.

GOD has tested me through waiting but as I turn to HIM, HE encourages me through the Bible and seeing the wisdom, timing and faithfulness of GOD to others like Joseph encourages and helps me as I wait.  I hope it does the same for you too.

Now, may the LORD guide you with HIS peace (Colossians 3:15), strengthen you with HIS joy (Nehemiah 8:10) and enable you with HIS grace (Hebrews 4:16).  Keep looking unto JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) and talk over your thoughts with HIM (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Hugs

Sharon