What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately LXIV (64)…
Greetings My Friends~
As a simple pilgrim
following 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
through the Bible.
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)
(January 16th—February 28th, 2017)
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Best Blessing
What is the ultimate blessing of repenting of our sin & the LORD healing us?
“That we may live in His presence”–Hosea 6:1-2.
Ultimate blessing is not a what but a Who–God Himself.
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God’s Defines Blessing Differently Than We Do
a. In Revelation 1:9, what does John highlight
as part of our inheritance/blessings in Christ?
“Suffering, the kingdom, and patient endurance.”
b. Even Abram had much to learn–
in Genesis 15:1-2, God reveals that He Himself is Abram’s “very great reward.”
Abram immediately wants something else…
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Heat Is Needed For Faith To Rise
The best tasting & smelling loaf is fresh from a hot oven–
same with our faith in Christ Jesus & suffering:
Comfortable/easy faith is dough, not bread.
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Faith & Focus Are Interconnected
Though tiny in movement, what our eyes focus on matters:
the sunset or the shadows.
Let’s fix our eyes on the Lord Jesus–not the waves He stands on.
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True Today And Yesterday
“Falsehood and not truth has grown strong in the land;
they proceed from evil to evil,
and they do not know me, declares the Lord.” (Jeremiah 9:3 ESV)
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Accurate Diagnosis Is Needed For An Absolute Cure
Many think they’re healthy but still accept a multi-vitamin;
only those who know they’re mortally ill accept a heart-transplant.
Same with receiving the Lord Jesus as our Savior & King:
we must agree that we are mortally sick (indeed, spiritually dead!).
The Lord Jesus is open-heart surgery not an open-mouth supplement.
Ezekiel 11:18-20
Ezekiel 18:30-32
Ezekiel 36:24-27
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What We Really Need To Live
Even worse than not having physical food & water
is not having spiritual food & water:
God’s Word, the Bible
Are We Honoring The King Or Entertaining The Subjects?
Humbled by Amos 5:21—
“I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to Me.”
Help us LORD to honor You & have no idols!
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God Is Both Tender & Fierce
If we don’t repent of our sinfulness,
God’s presence can make us mourn–
“Therefore this is what the Lord, the Lord God Almighty, says:
There will be wailing in all the streets
and cries of anguish in every public square.
The farmers will be summoned to weep
and the mourners to wail.
There will be wailing in all the vineyards
for I will pass through your midst says the LORD“ Amos 5:16-17.
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Give Credit Where It’s Due
So cool: in Genesis 14:18-20,
even when Melchizedek blessed Abram,
Melchizedek mostly talked about the LORD
& gave Him the credit for Abram’s victory!
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Submission, Not Ambition
Subtle & important difference: Genesis 11:4—
humans tried to make their name great & God scattered them.
Genesis 12:2–God chose to make Abram’s name great & gathered him.
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God’s Definition Of Love Is Better Than Ours
Many love by lowering the Bible’s flame
so none get burned (offended)–
this only keeps us from being warm & having sight.
We dont get burned but die of frostbite instead…
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Joy In Suffering
In a real pit of suffering
we can live in a more real fortress of hope in Christ.
Zechariah 9:12: “Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope.”
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Prayer
Many will wake up early for their vacation to play;
few will wake up early for their vocation to pray.
Help us, Lord Jesus, help us…
Please click HERE for multiple Bible passages on always praying…
A blessings to this soul here. Thank you for sharing. I like ‘The Lord Jesus is open-heart surgery not an open-mouth supplement,’ well put.