Keeping the Peace

Isaiah 48:18

 

18Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.

 

The prophet Isaiah received a stern word of correction from the Lord for the people of Israel. Israel had become idol worshippers and rebellious but wanted to "give the appearance of being religious" as the NKJ Study Bible notes. But to think that God could not see was very bold and not bright at all. Yet, the Lord deferred His anger as the word says. The people of Israel brought on their own drama and turmoil because of their refusal to obedient. God allowed the lack of peace.

 

If you ever want less drama and more peace in your heart and life, the best way is to be obedient to God and continue to seek Him and sit before His face. Psalm 119:2 says, "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, Who seek Him with the whole heart!  Many do not seek God and wonder why there is no peace. What is peace? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines peace as 1) a state of calm and quiet; esp: public security under law 2) freedom from disturbing thoughts or emotions 3) a state of concord (as between persons or governments); also an agreement to end hostilities.  In other words, if you want to keep things agreeable between you and God and everything in your life, just lovingly follow His direction for your life. When you don't, you upset your own balance of emotions because stubbornness is the doorway for the drama to take over the peace in your life. Yes, God will allow situations to work together for your good as said in Romans 8:28 meaning He will use the drama to teach you. Some drama is not of your doing but is a storm for God to show His glory. The condition is that you have to be willing to learn. Either way, submission to God at some point will bring about greater peace. Taking hold of the peace and keeping it requires seeking God. Whether it's now or later, is up to you.

Desire to Serve

Mark 10:38

 

38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"

 

The brothers James and John asked Jesus if they could sit at His right hand. They admired the power and authority Jesus had as the Son of God. Jesus made a point to share with them that they really didn't know what they were asking for. Jesus' entire 33 years was about service and sacrifice. Jesus traded His riches in Heaven with the Heavenly Father to become the sacrificial lamb for you and I. His entire existence on earth was about serving just as He serves even now by interceding on our behalf each time we sin. His blood is remembered and as long as you and I grab hold of it, our full judgment is spared.

 

There are so many who say they want to lead or be a leader. Real leadership means serving. Real leadership means putting others before yourself. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines serve as 1)to work as a servant 2)to render obedience and worship God 3)to comply with the commands or demands 4) to work through or perform a term of service (as in the army) 5)Put In (served five years in jail) 6)to be of use: answer 7)Benefit 8)to prove adequate or satisfactory for 9)to make ready and pass out 10)to furnish or supply with something 11)to wait on ~a customer 12)to treat or act toward in a specified way 13) to put the ball in play. Two of the thirteen definitions are about doing or performing something for someone other than yourself. Many want a seat of honor like the disciples James and John. A seat of honor in the eyes of Jesus has nothing to do with your title or ranking but has everything to do with are you willing to serve someone other than yourself? The NKJ Study Bible notes, "He illustrated genuine greatness and spiritual ranking in His own life as He served others rather expecting other to wait upon Him. He covered His glory for a time and assumed the humble role of a lowly servant." It takes humility to serve. Jesus had every right to be served based on who He is alone but His purpose for coming to earth was not about Him being served. His mission was to be a servant so that you and I could have a relationship with God the Father so He could look upon us again. If your mission in life and in Christ is to sit at a seat of honor or to receive special treatment, yet you do not wish to serve, you missed the point and have shown you are not worthy of a title. God does not care about titles if you cannot serve.  Revelation 3:1 says "And to the angel of the church in Sardis write, 'These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: "I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead." The NKJ Study Bible notes, "Its citizens zealously promoted emperor worship and were known for their luxurious, indulgent lifestyles." But it doesn't say they were willing to serve. A title with no desire to serve is the same as having a name that you are alive but you are dead. The Word of God said it.

God Made You

2Chronicles 8:22-23

 

22So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 23And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart.

 

King Solomon's kingdom at the time of his reign was from the Euphrates River to the border of Egypt. And for anyone who is not aware, Egypt is in Africa. King Solomon was given the throne by God himself. God told King David who was going to take his place. Before David made the public announcement of what God shared with him, Solomon's older brother, Adonijah, attempted to exalt himself and make himself king. Adonijah even held a banquet to this effect but God did not appoint him.  Jesus said himself that one ought not invite himself to the seat of honor. David recounted God's revelation to him about Solomon in 1Chronicles 22. When God first revealed to David who would succeed him, Solomon had not yet been born. Just as God told Jeremiah in the first chapter, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you," so He knew Solomon. King Solomon did not appoint himself. God exalted him to the place where he sat. God told King David that his son's name would be Solomon, but more importantly would also be His son and that Solomon would call Him Father. Solomon was already predestined to know God. And because He sought God with a willing heart, so God gave him wisdom and exalted him. Solomon did not obtain the wisdom himself, if it were not for God, Solomon would know nothing nor have nothing. Not only did Solomon inherit the wealth of the kingdom God handed over to him through his father David, the wisdom of God was so powerful that he was sought out. And for every visit, the earthly kings shared their wealth. So it was what Solomon obtained from God that led to his increased wealth.

 

What does this mean to you? 1)God truly does know who you are even if you don't. He's waiting for you to seek Him out so He can show you who you are. He knew you before your parents knew you. 2)God gives the wisdom, knowledge and power to get wealth. The wisdom from God created the greater wealth. So again, apart from God, no one knows anything nor has anything no matter how many degrees are behind your name or what is in the bank account. God made you. 3)God is the one who exalts you at the time He deems. And if you appoint yourself to something He didn't say was yours, God will reveal otherwise at the time He deems which may not be a convenient time for you.

Showing Gratefulness

Good Morning,

 

Like many who have saw #The Best Man upon its release in 1999, I was excited to see #Best Man Holiday last Friday, November 15th. I planned for the laughter; what I didn't plan for was the tears and the lesson on how a woman's love could inspire a man, her children and all the friends she adored. The central characters were still the same with a few additions that stirred a pot of gossip and jealousy but the love of God prevailed which is what the character, Mia, always displayed. Overall, it was an awesome movie that I highly recommend. There's a reason for this today.

 

We are officially in the Holiday season and not because the commercial ads are talking about Black Friday. We are in this season because you see the Christmas decorations up and people are preparing their homes for guests. Since the passing of my late Dad, this season was the hardest for me. His birthday is December 14th. When December would hit I would be full of tears, crying everyday because I missed him and it was his favorite time of year, not just because of his birthday either. My late Dad was a loving and giving person. For a few years I stopped decorating my house and even putting up a Christmas tree. After my own near death, which I talk about in my book, Get Your JOY In The Morning!, I had a change of heart. I stopped looking at what I lost as such a bad thing. I remembered the second chance God gave me because He didn't have to give it. The Lord could've taken me in March 2008 like he took my late Dad in March 2005, sudden and during the same period of time. I was reminded and decided it was time to be grateful and give thanks. Like King Hezekiah who pleaded for his life in Isaiah 38, I pleaded in tears for mine and God answered. I realized through God's Word that obedience and thanksgiving is the way to show gratefulness to Him. When you are grateful for what someone has done for you, you show them as much as you can and you respect them, thank them and show them. Showing isn't just in words, showing is action. The apostle Paul said that love is an act. So it brought new meaning to what Jesus said in John 14:21 "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me." Obedience to God ought not to be out of some ritualistic belief. But ought to be out of love. God wants our love because He is love and first loved us as said in 1John 4. I am understanding at a new level that obedience is my reasonable sacrifice for one who has saved my life not just spiritually but physically when He didn't have to. I am grateful.

Not Ready to Admit

Proverbs 28:13

 

13He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

 

The translation of this verse in the NKJ Study Bible uses King David as the example. Did you know King David tried to cover his sin of sleeping with Bathsheba knowing she did not belong to him? When she turned up pregnant he devised a plan to have her husband brought back from the war and sleep with her so it would look like she conceived with him. David thought he could sleep with Bathsheba one time and get away with it but the pregnancy was the result of God bringing forth the truth. When Bathsheba's husband refused to sleep with her because he wanted to continue fighting the war, King David had her husband killed on the battlefield.  David thought he covered his tracks but God saw it and revealed it to the prophet assigned to him. The NKJ Study Bible notes that David's attempt of not admitting his sin "led to negative physical, emotional and spiritual consequences." The sin showed in his physical appearance. It also created havoc with him emotionally. Have you ever seen what happens to a person who attempts to cover a sin? Have you ever watched what happens to them emotionally and physically? Pride keeps many from admitting sin but the apostle Paul says we are to confess our sins to one another. If to no one else, confess it to God. Not admitting guilt does not help a situation because God will expose the error to many if need be to get your attention. Our Bible Study conference call last week talked about humility. Lack of humility is what causes many from admitting a mistake. You cannot pretend or think you can hide something when God knows more than you and He is the God who sees or Jehovah Roi and will know that you blundered. He will humble you however He has to at the time He deems. God may even allow you to prosper for a time but the Word is the Word and He will bring to light what is done in the dark. But confessing your sins to God allows the blood of Jesus Christ to work in your favor and obtain mercy when you do not deserve it and forgiveness is what you receive.

 

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Warrior

Psalm 144:1

 

1Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle-

 

David wrote this Psalm after the Lord brought him and the people of Israel through another battle with victory. David did not go to war without consulting God. He was well aware that it was God who would determine his victory not the strength and number of people. God is the trainer for any warrior He sends into battle. He gives strategies that the enemy is not aware of. He gives strategies based on His mighty right hand not yours or mine. As David said, He trains your hands.  If you do not consult God before you take up any matter, victory is not guaranteed to be yours. God should be the one who gives you direction as to whether you ought to fight or walk away. If you are following the instructions of God then when your enemies attack you, they are also attacking God. And you know that God will defend His name, His works, His people who He sent in His name. He will allow your enemies to stumble and fall as said in Psalm 27. They will not be able to fight against God and win. They may attempt to plot against you but God will strike them. The battle truly is not yours if you are operating according to God's direction. Let God direct your steps always and you shall be a victorious warrior in His sight.

A Team in the Spotlight

Amos 3:2

 

2Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?

 

The people of Israel were God's special people, set apart from the rest. God made to them promises that He did not make to others. But as the NKJ Study Bible states with covenant promises there are covenant responsibilities. As said in worship service repeatedly, "there are conditions." The people of Israel assumed that because they were God's special people they were excluded from judgment for their misdeeds or didn't have to pay a price. But God said, "I will punish you for all your iniquities." To walk with God is a covenant relationship. But to stay with God you have to uphold your part. God is always in the same place as He was when you left Him. The key is, "you walked away." You cannot walk together if you walk away. And you cannot walk away from God and think you will not incur difficulty when you were the one who initially agreed to be part of His set apart people, His special people. To walk together you have to be in agreement. It's like teamwork. The people of Israel were collectively off because of their choice to disregard the agreement. So they were not in sync and God had to call them out.

 

When I was in high school we had a performing dance group called Modern Dance Theatre or MDT. It was a six period class followed by two to three hour rehearsals. Performances were done at half time for basketball and football games, the school talent show and we put on our own full length school concert in the spring. We often had six weeks or less to learn a full dance routine for half time shows. But everyone had to learn it which meant you had to know every step, every slight movement of the arm, neck, shoulder, hip, etc. You had to learn how to step together, turn together, stop together. Everything had to be in complete sync. Any deviation by anyone from the routine could easily throw off the dance. We were even in the same costume. We made an agreement even in auditions that you had to work as a team. In other words, it wasn't just about you.  If you did not step right, Mrs. Feinberg had permission to call you out.  I learned not only to see my own strengths and weaknesses in a routine but my teammates could see them as well and vice versa. We had to learn how to show one another the right way so the dance routine would be right in front of hundreds of people. To be in a spotlight and set apart, it had to be right. It is the same when you are one of God's people. You are in the spotlight whether for the right reason or not both individually and collectively.