O’ Great Mountain

O’ Great Mountain, how great you are.  You are high and wide, massive as I stand before you.  You tower over me relentlessly.  But not for long! In Zechariah Chapter 4:6-7 states;   {6} Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts. {7} Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain: and he shall bring forth the headstone thereof with shoutings, crying, Grace, grace unto it.” Now re-read Zechariah Chapter 4, verse 7 out loud and replace Zerubbabel’s name with yours. Did you hear that O’ Great Mountain, thou shalt become a plain (flat).

We all have had mountains in our life and will continue to have them until the day we leave this earth. I just wanted to give some encouragement and a reminder that our God will forever be greater than anything we face.  For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone (Psalms 86:10).

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related Scripture:

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Matthew 21:21 Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.

Job 36:26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

Psalms 31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Psalms 48:1 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

Psalms 71:19 Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!

Psalms 77:13 Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?

 

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Bear the Burden

Who wants to be burdened? Who wants to carry a load that is difficult, grievous, or wearisome? I’m sure no one does. In Numbers, Chapter 11 Moses knew exactly how it felt to be burdened by the children of Israel. The children of Israel lusted after things they used to have, which kindled the LORD’s anger and also displeased Moses.

Moses voiced his concerns to the LORD; (Numbers 11:10-15) “Then Moses heard the people weep throughout their families, every man in the door of his tent: and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly; Moses also was displeased. {11} And Moses said unto the LORD, Wherefore hast thou afflicted thy servant? and wherefore have I not found favour in thy sight, that thou layest the burden of all this people upon me? {12} Have I conceived all this people? have I begotten them, that thou shouldest say unto me, Carry them in thy bosom, as a nursing father beareth the sucking child, unto the land which thou swarest unto their fathers? {13} Whence should I have flesh to give unto all this people? for they weep unto me, saying, Give us flesh, that we may eat. {14} I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. {15} And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.”

The LORD helped Moses, but perhaps not in the way Moses would have thought; (Numbers 11:16-17) “And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee. {17} And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.”

In times when we are feeling burdened our prayers to the LORD are often asking Him to remove the burden(s), but maybe the prayers should be LORD help me or give me the strength to carry the burden(s). That is exactly what God did with Moses; He didn’t remove the burden, He sent him help to bear it.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related Scripture:

Psalms 55:22  Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Blessed be the LORD God

As the year 2018 comes to a close and I reflect on these 365 days, all I can say is blessed be the LORD God. He has kept us from seen and unseen danger.

Psalm 119:114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.

Psalm 3:3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

May the LORD continue to keep us all in the coming year.

Back Seat Driver

Are you a back seat driver? You know someone that tries to instruct the actual driver who is driving how to drive. The usual instructions likely being; “Can you drive a little faster, can you slow down, turn here so we can get there faster, watch the road, and etc.” I do understand that being in the back seat can be uncomfortable and the view from the back isn’t as clear as the drivers. When I thought about it I can honestly say I’m not a back seat driver, but then I had to think a little deeper.

As Christians we know that the LORD is our shepherd (Psalms 23:1) which would indicate that we follow Him, He’s in the front and we’re in the back. The journey along the way at times are uncomfortable and can be very confusing to us, so then we want the LORD to move a little faster, or to slow down out of fear. We are looking for things and promises along the way, but they are nowhere in sight. Which may cause us to start to question if we are going in the right direction since our view isn’t as clear as His.

In Exodus Chapter 13, verse 21 the LORD led His people to safety; And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night.  Isaiah Chapter 42, verse 16 states; And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. Jesus is the good shepherd and He will never lead us astray, He knows exactly what He is doing. Keep following, keep trusting, and keep hoping no matter what it looks like. Psalms 48:14 For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related Scriptures:

Proverbs 5:21  For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Psalms 139:10  Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

Psalms 23:1-4  “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. {2} He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. {3} He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. {4} Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

John 10:11  I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Psalms 32:8  I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Romans 8:25  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Habakkuk 2:3  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Job 28:23-24  “God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. {24} For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;”

Declutter Your Heart

Decluttering, it may be on a list of things to do for some of us. You know the delightful or dreadful process of removing unwanted or unnecessary things (mess) in order to make a change or to be more organized. Over time we can collect and store things we don’t even need. Similarly, just like our surroundings/space, our hearts can be cluttered in need of a clean.

We know from the Bible that out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murderers, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies (Matthew Ch. 15:19). We also know as Christians our lives should be an example of Christ. Christ stated in 1 Peter Chapter 1:16, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” In Matthew Chapter 15:8 it states, “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” In Ezekiel Chapter 14: 6 God spoke and said, “Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.”  We need to live in a way that honors Him and REPENT from those things that cause us to do the opposite.

Our hearts focus should only be on pleasing God, but how can that be with all the other clutter taking up space. Of course, the only one who can declutter our heart is Jesus. I think the process of decluttering can be hard for us if Jesus is trying to clean our heart and we are still holding on to things or doing things we shouldn’t be doing. The Spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). There are some things we can do to make the process easier. Immersing ourselves in the Bible, getting involved in godly activities, watching and listening to things that will edify our Spirit. In other words, put more of God in your heart where there will be no more room for anything else.

All Scriptures are KJV only.

Related Scripture:

Psalms 51:10  Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Matthew 22:37  “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

Ezekiel 18:30  Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.

1 Corinthians 6:15-20  “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. {16} What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. {17} But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. {18} Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. {19} What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? {20} For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

2 Timothy 2:19-22  “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. {20} But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. {21} If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. {22} Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

My Father

My Father, it all began with Him. He gave me life. I love my Father very much, but not as much as He loves me, which is clearly demonstrated through His only begotten Son Jesus (John 3:16). There is so much to love about my Father and one of the things I love the most is that He keeps His promises (Titus 1:2). He never lies; He can’t (Numbers 23:19).  I spend time with Him every day and read His inspired word daily (2 Timothy 3:16). My Father is the author of the greatest book to ever be written. A true masterpiece, guides me in all truth (Psalms 119:105).

He has always provided for me just as a good Father should. He knows me so well; He even knows what I’m going to say before I say it (Psalms139:1-4). I can tell Him anything and not be embarrassed. I can openly express all my mistakes and failures and all of my hopes and dreams. I can always ask Him for guidance, just so you know He is always right (Psalms 33:4) and I’m not just saying that because He is my Father. He always knows what to say to encourage me when I’m feeling down or when I’m struggling to understand the why’s of life. I recall His words “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

I know my Father has expectations of me and sometimes I know I have disappointed Him, but He never gives up on me. He continues to show me grace and mercy every day. “O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever.” (Psalms 118:1)

I’m so grateful to be blessed with a Father like mine.

All Scripture is KJV only.

Related Scripture:

(John 3:16) “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

(Titus 1:2) In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

(Numbers 23:19) God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

(2 Timothy 3:16) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

(Matthew 4:4) But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

(Psalms 119:105) “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”

(Psalms 139:1-4) “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.  {2} Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  {3} Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  {4} For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.

(Psalms 147:5) “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”

(Psalms 33:4) For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

(2 Chronicles 16:9) “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

(Psalms 68:11) The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

(Psalms 119:160) Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

(Proverbs 30:5) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

 

New Year, New Me?

It’s a New Year and with that comes a new me, at least that is the many notions of people today. The New Year for many represents a time for a change, a time for a new beginning, out with the old, and in with the new. I’m glad to know that my new me didn’t come from a New Year but from a loving God who sent His only begotten Son to die for my sins. The day I made the decision to put my hope and trust in the LORD I was made new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 states, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

I know the hope of a New Year excites us all and it should as we reflect on our lives and see the things we would like changed but the biggest change should start with your soul. If you are reading this and you don’t know that you need salvation for your soul and that salvation can only come from Jesus I invite you to read the Romans Road to salvation. The Romans road to salvation begins with the acknowledgment that we all have sinned stated in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” and there are consequences of sin stated in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” You don’t have to die spiritually and spend an eternity in hell because God demonstrated His own love toward us stated in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” His death paid the price for our sins. Romans 10:9 states, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)

The final aspect of the Romans Road to salvation is the results of salvation. Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” Romans 8:1 states, because of Jesus we will never be condemned to hell because of our sins, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” The final scripture ends with a promise, “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

I pray that you decide to put your hope and trust in Jesus and become new.

 

Related Scripture:

Hebrews 10:12   “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”

Psalms 86:13   For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Ephesians 4:22-24   “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; {23} And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; {24} And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Colossians 3:10   And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

 

All Scriptures are KJV only.