What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately LXI (61)…
Greetings My Friends~
As a simple pilgrim
being undeservedly discipled by the Lord Jesus
through the rainforests and deserts of this earthly life,
I would like to humbly share
some of what God has been bubbling up in my mind/heart lately.
I pray that these thoughts are
cushions in your shoes,
balm to your burns,
umbrellas for the rain,
and shade to the scorching heat
as you too follow the Lord Jesus each day.
(please click on the Bible books/chapters/verses below
to read the actual Scripture passages)
(December 1st–15th, 2016)
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God’s Presence Or His Presents?
A. If we seek gifts before the Giver
we’ll worship whatever’s near the gifts we seek,
whatever seems responsible for getting them for us–
e.g. a person staying on the couch sitting in a certain position
(even an uncomfortable one!)
because their team is now starting to win…
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B. Like 2,500 years ago we often follow/believe/worship
whatever we think gives us the results we want–
Seek the Cause not the effect…
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Numbness Keeps Us From Feeling Pain AND Joy…
Spiritual leprosy:
It’s a terrible sign to never have a holy fear–
and deep conviction of sin & repentance–
when reading the Bible.
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The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts
The spiritual gifts of the Holy Spirit highlight the LORD’s salvation,
not a local church, an individual Christian or his/her spiritual gifts.
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What Exactly Are We Inviting People To?
A. LORD, help us to be disciplers as the Church body,
not just inviters to the church building;
disciple-makers outside (going)
not just invite-givers inside (bringing).
Help us do both for Your fame…
B. May the LORD provide–and may we pray & plan for!–
Paul/Timothy & Naomi/Ruth discipleship relationships
(not just casual friendships or convenient acquaintanceships)–
setting examples for & teaching doctrine to each other!
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Eyes On The Road
Not paying attention to the road when driving
causes us to drift into terrible accidents.
Same with not paying attention to the Bible.
Hebrews 2:1-3, Psalm 119:104-105
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The Unabridged Bible
A. God uses all of His Word–
about heaven & hell,
pardon & punishment,
ransom & wrath–
to enable people to repent & receive the Lord Jesus as Savior & be saved.
Jeremiah 36:1-4, 2 Timothy 3:15
B. Is not my word like fire,” declares the Lord,
“and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”–Jeremiah 23:29.
Oh Father help us not to make Your Word “safe”…
Help us not to turn the roaring/purifying bonfire of Your Word
into a safe/pleasant candle!
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Get the Truth to Get True Profit, True Success
In the Old Testament,
the Word of the LORD came to God’s prophets for God’s people (Jeremiah 33:19);
in the New Testament,
God’s people go to the Word of the LORD for profit (2 Timothy 3:16).
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The Purpose of Sunday Morning
A church worship service as nourishment from the Word
attracts us to the Lord Jesus’ face, the Bread of Life;
after, the worship continues & we face our problems full of Him.
A church worship service as entertainment from the world
only distracts us from problems;
when the show’s over we must face them with empty stomachs still hungry.
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Can’t Bury This Treasure
Though Jeremiah’s chained-body was stopped from going to God’s Word,
the bonds couldn’t stop God’s Word from coming to him (Jeremiah 33:1).
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Parenting
Christian Parents: the best trust fund we can leave our children tomorrow
is for us to choose to trust the LORD & fear Him today–Jeremiah 32:38-39
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He Alone Understands Our Suffering
A. LORD Almighty, please comfort those who ask–“How could You let this happen to me?”
Show them the manger & cross so they ask–“How could You let that happen to You?”
B. LORD, please help us desire, and cry out to You for,
endurance in our suffering
more than an end to our suffering.
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God’s Love Often Hurts Before It Heals
A. Teaching Christians all of the Bible–sound doctrine–
involves encouragement & rebuke
(correcting sinful beliefs & behavior).
Not only one or the other–both.
B. Oh for humility like Jeremiah!
“Discipline me, Lord, but only in due measure—
not in your anger, or you will reduce me to nothing.”
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Full Grace, Biblical Grace
God’s grace not only offers salvation to all
& teaches us to say “yes” to godliness;
His grace also teaches us to say “no” to sin.
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No Editing Allowed
We don’t make God’s Word attractive by changing it;
God makes His Word attractive by changing us.
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God’s Results Are Not Always Seen On Earth
Jeremiah faithfully told God’s Word to all Judah for 23 years…
and no one listened, repented, returned to the LORD. Wow.
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True Prophets
A. “‘Let the [prophet] who has my word speak it faithfully…’ declares the Lord.”
Help Your people, LORD!
B. Prophets who reject God’s Word:
1. tell others their sin is no big deal/wont have serious consequences;
2. aren’t ashamed of their sin.