“Simply True”
Proverbs 1:32-33
For the turning away of the simple will slay them,
And the complacency of fools will destroy them;
But whoever listens to Me will dwell safely,
And will be secure, without fear of evil. (NKJ)
In the first chapter of The Book of Proverbs, King Solomon, the son of David, gives us a clear picture of where we should look for sound and reliable wisdom, which brings true purpose and meaning to this difficult life and why it is so critical for every person to have the ability to discern the foolishness of manmade, worldly wisdom (which leads to death and destruction) from the only true Wisdom that brings life to the fullest (1 Kings 4:29-30). God’s wisdom is both concise and made simple for everyone to understand. When people live their lives guided by the wisdom of God they experience the kind of satisfaction and joy that is unknown to those who pursue the ways of the world, because God’s people know where the Lord is leading them (Psalm 73:24). By heeding the words of God’s wisdom we are able to learn life’s truths and teach our children what is right and just and fair so they, too, can learn how to live a life that brings honor and glory to God. And in return, God will surely honor and glorify them as well. When people simply reject God’s Way and live only to satisfy their own selfish needs and feelings the end result is anything but glorious and honorable, for the wisdom of this fallen world only leads to death and destruction for all those who heed its call of sinful living. When wise people walk alongside of God, listening and meditating and following His wisdom for life, they walk this life-journey in peace knowing they are safe by walking fearlessly in God’s presence knowing that God will never withhold His sovereign power to fight the evil that threatens them and consumes the foolish people of a world gone astray—a world which groans daily for its redemption and restoration from Christ Jesus, our Lord and Mighty Savior.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am the Voice of all Wisdom…dear child. Do not listen to the call of rebellion that threatens your very soul by drawing you into darkness of this misguided world. The foolish and sin filled wisdom of this fallen world pursues you with a vengeance against Me, and if the words of My Infinite Wisdom are ignored and not followed—your demise is justly inevitable.
1 Kings 4:29-30
And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. (NKJ)
Psalm 73:24
You will keep on guiding me with Your council,
leading me to a glorious destiny. (NLT)
Romans 8:21-22
All creation anticipates the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (NLT)
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
“Gracious Mercy”
Psalm 6:1-2
O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. (NKJ)
It is never an easy task to break the old habits of sinfulness, for it is simply our nature to oppose God (Romans 8:7). Nor is it easy to admit our weakness to resist the nature to sin by our own power alone. I find that the closer I am drawn to the Lord, the more I learn about my own inherent weakness to restrain from sin and how easy it is to fall prey to its temptations without much thought or struggle. And when I, once again, mindlessly fall short of God’s standard, I am made even more aware of my weaknesses and how desperate I am for God’s mercy and grace. It is obvious that without God’s gracious mercy I would justly receive the condemnation I deserve. What a blessing it is that we can seek God’s forgiveness and gain yet, another chance to do it right. It is never easy living a righteous life in this ungodly world that demands our conformity to its ways. We cannot escape the temptations to find pleasure in the things that God despises, for it surrounds us from every side, beating on the door of our frail human weakness; relentless to gain entrance and get a foothold on our lives. If we are to win the battles for our minds and souls, we need God’s Power and Wisdom, for without them, we are no match for the powers of darkness that rule this world. No matter how good or godly we aspire to be, we will always sin and deserve God’s rebuke; not so much for condemnation, but for conviction and sanctification (Jeremiah 10:24); to keep us from being crushed and defeated. When we humble ourselves before God, sincerely seeking His incredible transforming Power, God’s amazing grace will always be sufficient for all our needs. When your heart is right with God, my friends, He gives abundantly the mercy and grace you do not deserve and cannot earn (Titus 3:4-6), for Jehovah our God is both a loving and faithful God… even when you are not.
A Whisper of Hope
I came into this world…to give you life in abundance—one that is filled with hope that brings peace and joy in spite of what this evil and perverse world does or condones. Only in Me will you find the mercy and grace you need until I return to make all things right and dispose of what is not. Be faithful and courageous, My child, for what I offer you does not depend on you—but on Me!
Romans 8:7
For the sinful nature is always hostile to God.
It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. (NLT)
Jeremiah 10:24
O LORD, correct me, but with justice;
Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing. (NKJ)
Titus 3:4-6
But when the kindness of the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. (NKJ)
Psalm 6:1-2
O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger,
nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure.
Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak;
O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. (NKJ)
It is never an easy task to break the old habits of sinfulness, for it is simply our nature to oppose God (Romans 8:7). Nor is it easy to admit our weakness to resist the nature to sin by our own power alone. I find that the closer I am drawn to the Lord, the more I learn about my own inherent weakness to restrain from sin and how easy it is to fall prey to its temptations without much thought or struggle. And when I, once again, mindlessly fall short of God’s standard, I am made even more aware of my weaknesses and how desperate I am for God’s mercy and grace. It is obvious that without God’s gracious mercy I would justly receive the condemnation I deserve. What a blessing it is that we can seek God’s forgiveness and gain yet, another chance to do it right. It is never easy living a righteous life in this ungodly world that demands our conformity to its ways. We cannot escape the temptations to find pleasure in the things that God despises, for it surrounds us from every side, beating on the door of our frail human weakness; relentless to gain entrance and get a foothold on our lives. If we are to win the battles for our minds and souls, we need God’s Power and Wisdom, for without them, we are no match for the powers of darkness that rule this world. No matter how good or godly we aspire to be, we will always sin and deserve God’s rebuke; not so much for condemnation, but for conviction and sanctification (Jeremiah 10:24); to keep us from being crushed and defeated. When we humble ourselves before God, sincerely seeking His incredible transforming Power, God’s amazing grace will always be sufficient for all our needs. When your heart is right with God, my friends, He gives abundantly the mercy and grace you do not deserve and cannot earn (Titus 3:4-6), for Jehovah our God is both a loving and faithful God… even when you are not.
A Whisper of Hope
I came into this world…to give you life in abundance—one that is filled with hope that brings peace and joy in spite of what this evil and perverse world does or condones. Only in Me will you find the mercy and grace you need until I return to make all things right and dispose of what is not. Be faithful and courageous, My child, for what I offer you does not depend on you—but on Me!
Romans 8:7
For the sinful nature is always hostile to God.
It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. (NLT)
Jeremiah 10:24
O LORD, correct me, but with justice;
Not in Your anger, lest You bring me to nothing. (NKJ)
Titus 3:4-6
But when the kindness of the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. (NKJ)
“Wisdom for Life”
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night. (NKJ)
There is no doubt that God blesses those who are faithful to Him. There is also no doubt that those who follow the sinfulness of this wicked world will, one day, regret their choices (Proverbs 28:20). When our life-journey is under God’s gracious direction—when we follow His commands—our lives are, indeed, filled with blessings that bring joy. While walking in obedience to the only true and Holy God, we learn to avoid the crafty and sin-filled devices of this wicked world, which if unabated, will trap us in the abyss of darkness that it so boldly embraces. God’s Word teaches us and His Holy Spirit empowers us to not only be gracious with those who have chosen to follow the world’s ungodly ways, but to also be a witness to God’s goodness and healing touch, rather than conforming to the ways of the world in order to be accepted among them. Even though we, too, are sinners by nature and continue to sin, we have been set apart from the wicked by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). And by the power of His Spirit we are able to discern the company we keep so that we can remain justified by God’s grace and continue growing in our sanctification to live and love like Jesus (2 Peter 1:3). God’s people find no rest, nor pleasure in the company of the atheist and his scornful mocking of God and Christianity, of Heaven and Hell, and of sin and eternity, because God’s people have learned a much better philosophy that brings life to the fullest. Take heed, my friends, for the seat in which the scoffer sits is dangerously close to the gate that leads into eternal Hell. You must stay clear and flee from its grasp, because this seat of evil, that seems comfortable enough, will eventually swallow up those who wallow in it. Our gracious and loving God knows the way of the righteous even though it is often engulfed in fog and darkness. He knows that we all live under the cloud of storms and affliction, but still—He knows the hearts of those who truly love Him and seek to follow His Way. Embrace your Savior, dear ones, and He will surely embrace you in return, blessing greatly your life-journey with Him. This… is His never ending and never changing Promise!
A Whisper of Hope
Listen not, My child…to the voice of the wicked, nor to those who embrace the world. I know the pull is strong because of your sinful nature, but by embracing My Truth and My Power, you will find the wisdom and strength to do what I have called you to do—that is; be holy as I Am holy. Stand firm in your faith and experience My blessings, which are, indeed, joy filled!
Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. (NKJ)
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you. who once were far off,
have been made near by the blood of Christ. (NKJ)
2 Peter 1:3
As we know Jesus better, His divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. (NLT)
Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night. (NKJ)
There is no doubt that God blesses those who are faithful to Him. There is also no doubt that those who follow the sinfulness of this wicked world will, one day, regret their choices (Proverbs 28:20). When our life-journey is under God’s gracious direction—when we follow His commands—our lives are, indeed, filled with blessings that bring joy. While walking in obedience to the only true and Holy God, we learn to avoid the crafty and sin-filled devices of this wicked world, which if unabated, will trap us in the abyss of darkness that it so boldly embraces. God’s Word teaches us and His Holy Spirit empowers us to not only be gracious with those who have chosen to follow the world’s ungodly ways, but to also be a witness to God’s goodness and healing touch, rather than conforming to the ways of the world in order to be accepted among them. Even though we, too, are sinners by nature and continue to sin, we have been set apart from the wicked by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). And by the power of His Spirit we are able to discern the company we keep so that we can remain justified by God’s grace and continue growing in our sanctification to live and love like Jesus (2 Peter 1:3). God’s people find no rest, nor pleasure in the company of the atheist and his scornful mocking of God and Christianity, of Heaven and Hell, and of sin and eternity, because God’s people have learned a much better philosophy that brings life to the fullest. Take heed, my friends, for the seat in which the scoffer sits is dangerously close to the gate that leads into eternal Hell. You must stay clear and flee from its grasp, because this seat of evil, that seems comfortable enough, will eventually swallow up those who wallow in it. Our gracious and loving God knows the way of the righteous even though it is often engulfed in fog and darkness. He knows that we all live under the cloud of storms and affliction, but still—He knows the hearts of those who truly love Him and seek to follow His Way. Embrace your Savior, dear ones, and He will surely embrace you in return, blessing greatly your life-journey with Him. This… is His never ending and never changing Promise!
A Whisper of Hope
Listen not, My child…to the voice of the wicked, nor to those who embrace the world. I know the pull is strong because of your sinful nature, but by embracing My Truth and My Power, you will find the wisdom and strength to do what I have called you to do—that is; be holy as I Am holy. Stand firm in your faith and experience My blessings, which are, indeed, joy filled!
Proverbs 28:20
A faithful man will abound with blessings,
But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. (NKJ)
Ephesians 2:13
But now in Christ Jesus you. who once were far off,
have been made near by the blood of Christ. (NKJ)
2 Peter 1:3
As we know Jesus better, His divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. (NLT)
“In God We Hope”
Psalm 146:5
Happy are those who have the God of Israel for their helper,
whose hope is in the LORD their God. (NLT)
Putting your hope in anyone else but the LORD—the Almighty Sovereign God, is not only foolish, but is very dangerous as well. For when we put our hope in other human beings who could die at any moment, what we get most is a false sense of security that will inevitably lead us to disappointment and discouragement, which eventually weakens our spirits and leaves us prey to the Enemy of our souls; the Devil. And likewise, whenever we put our hope in this fallen world, we are again putting our hope in something dying; a world that is not only reliably unstable, but whose god is Satan himself; the destroyer of all that is good. Your best hope, my friend, is your only Hope—the God who always was and always will be (Revelation 1:8); the only true and living God (Daniel 6:26). When we put our hope in the living God of all creation, we are able to find rest from the heavy burdens of living in this dying world—allowing us to find a peace that brings true and lasting joy to our lives. Our loving and compassionate God has graciously given us His prophetic Word so that we would know what lies ahead in the future for both a warning and an encouragement. When you have God as your Helper, your Provider, and your Redeemer, how can you not be happy (Psalm 144:15)? And when you are truly happy in the LORD, how can you not share this phenomenal news of our Great Helper with those who either rely on the false hope of a dying world, or have absolutely no hope at all? When you have the One who defeated sin and death as your only God, His Hope will give you a peace so unlike the world’s peace. For when you have the peace of God, my friends, you can walk fearlessly, day by day, towards a glorious future with the Lord your God (John 14:27). He has great plans indeed, for all those who call on Him for help and hope.
A Whisper of Hope
Call on Me, My child…for there is nothing I cannot help you with. I have all the knowledge you need to live a good life that honors Me. When you have Me as your Helper, you need not ever fear what tomorrow may bring, for I Am God and I Am with you always. I provide all that you need, including protection from your enemies and comfort when you fall. I will forgive you when you ask, because I Am your Redeemer. There is none greater than I, dear child, and the peace I give is far too wonderful for human words to explain.
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord God.
“I am the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One.” (NLT)
Daniel 6:26
For He is the living God, and He will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end. (NLT)
Psalm 144:15
Happy indeed are those whose God is the LORD. (NLT)
Psalm 146:5
Happy are those who have the God of Israel for their helper,
whose hope is in the LORD their God. (NLT)
Putting your hope in anyone else but the LORD—the Almighty Sovereign God, is not only foolish, but is very dangerous as well. For when we put our hope in other human beings who could die at any moment, what we get most is a false sense of security that will inevitably lead us to disappointment and discouragement, which eventually weakens our spirits and leaves us prey to the Enemy of our souls; the Devil. And likewise, whenever we put our hope in this fallen world, we are again putting our hope in something dying; a world that is not only reliably unstable, but whose god is Satan himself; the destroyer of all that is good. Your best hope, my friend, is your only Hope—the God who always was and always will be (Revelation 1:8); the only true and living God (Daniel 6:26). When we put our hope in the living God of all creation, we are able to find rest from the heavy burdens of living in this dying world—allowing us to find a peace that brings true and lasting joy to our lives. Our loving and compassionate God has graciously given us His prophetic Word so that we would know what lies ahead in the future for both a warning and an encouragement. When you have God as your Helper, your Provider, and your Redeemer, how can you not be happy (Psalm 144:15)? And when you are truly happy in the LORD, how can you not share this phenomenal news of our Great Helper with those who either rely on the false hope of a dying world, or have absolutely no hope at all? When you have the One who defeated sin and death as your only God, His Hope will give you a peace so unlike the world’s peace. For when you have the peace of God, my friends, you can walk fearlessly, day by day, towards a glorious future with the Lord your God (John 14:27). He has great plans indeed, for all those who call on Him for help and hope.
A Whisper of Hope
Call on Me, My child…for there is nothing I cannot help you with. I have all the knowledge you need to live a good life that honors Me. When you have Me as your Helper, you need not ever fear what tomorrow may bring, for I Am God and I Am with you always. I provide all that you need, including protection from your enemies and comfort when you fall. I will forgive you when you ask, because I Am your Redeemer. There is none greater than I, dear child, and the peace I give is far too wonderful for human words to explain.
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord God.
“I am the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One.” (NLT)
Daniel 6:26
For He is the living God, and He will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end. (NLT)
Psalm 144:15
Happy indeed are those whose God is the LORD. (NLT)
“The Face of God”
Psalm 143:7
Answer me speedily, O LORD; my spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like
those who go down into the pit. (NKJ)
For all Christian people who live their life knowing and believing that they truly belong to God, there will always be those times when we need to humbly and prayerfully cry out for God’s help. There will always be times in this life when our circumstances are beyond our control to fix—when we feel as if our life is ebbing away; where each moment is critical and it feels like we may soon succumb. And when we come to the end of ourselves our spirits will soon follow suit and become distraught. It is during these moments that our fellowship with God is not only of the utmost importance for our very survival, but the personal relationship it creates with our Creator becomes very precious indeed. For we know that God’s withdrawal from our life not only brings much despair to our hearts and souls, but it also zaps our strength for living. We know that when God is absent in our lives that His absence enables our enemy’s to gain entrance with little or no restraint what so ever. Therefore, it is wise for God’s people to remain in His presence so that He can defend us and reveal the way of His will, for when we have God’s countenance, we live! If He turns His back on us, we will surely die! When God’s favor looks upon anyone’s life, they will, undoubtedly, be blessed! But if He refuses to shine His Face upon our lives, then we labor in vain! My dear friends; your prayerful plea to God should be the faith in which you live by. Although God may not always give you what you ask for when you ask for it, you can be sure that when you remain faithful, always looking to Him for your rescue, our awesome God (who never fails) will hold you steady (Psalm 18:18) and comfort you until that time when His will for your life is accomplished (Psalm 145:13). For God’s people can always be sure that His mercy has wings when misery is extreme (Psalm 18:10) !
A Whisper of Hope
Without Me guiding your life, dear child… you will surely become lost and confused. Without your Savior you will blindly stumble through this dark world in vain. Without My knowledge determining your path you will certainly be led astray; only to fall into a pit of darkness, forever separated from My Light. Without the Truth holding you firm, you will succumb to the evil forces that control this world.
Psalm 18:18
They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest,
But the LORD upheld me. (NLT)
Psalm 145:13
The LORD is faithful in all He says; He is gracious in all He does. (NLT)
Psalm 18:10
And He rode upon a cherub, and flew; He flew upon the wings of the wind. (NKJ)
Psalm 143:7
Answer me speedily, O LORD; my spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me, lest I be like
those who go down into the pit. (NKJ)
For all Christian people who live their life knowing and believing that they truly belong to God, there will always be those times when we need to humbly and prayerfully cry out for God’s help. There will always be times in this life when our circumstances are beyond our control to fix—when we feel as if our life is ebbing away; where each moment is critical and it feels like we may soon succumb. And when we come to the end of ourselves our spirits will soon follow suit and become distraught. It is during these moments that our fellowship with God is not only of the utmost importance for our very survival, but the personal relationship it creates with our Creator becomes very precious indeed. For we know that God’s withdrawal from our life not only brings much despair to our hearts and souls, but it also zaps our strength for living. We know that when God is absent in our lives that His absence enables our enemy’s to gain entrance with little or no restraint what so ever. Therefore, it is wise for God’s people to remain in His presence so that He can defend us and reveal the way of His will, for when we have God’s countenance, we live! If He turns His back on us, we will surely die! When God’s favor looks upon anyone’s life, they will, undoubtedly, be blessed! But if He refuses to shine His Face upon our lives, then we labor in vain! My dear friends; your prayerful plea to God should be the faith in which you live by. Although God may not always give you what you ask for when you ask for it, you can be sure that when you remain faithful, always looking to Him for your rescue, our awesome God (who never fails) will hold you steady (Psalm 18:18) and comfort you until that time when His will for your life is accomplished (Psalm 145:13). For God’s people can always be sure that His mercy has wings when misery is extreme (Psalm 18:10) !
A Whisper of Hope
Without Me guiding your life, dear child… you will surely become lost and confused. Without your Savior you will blindly stumble through this dark world in vain. Without My knowledge determining your path you will certainly be led astray; only to fall into a pit of darkness, forever separated from My Light. Without the Truth holding you firm, you will succumb to the evil forces that control this world.
Psalm 18:18
They attacked me at a moment when I was weakest,
But the LORD upheld me. (NLT)
Psalm 145:13
The LORD is faithful in all He says; He is gracious in all He does. (NLT)
Psalm 18:10
And He rode upon a cherub, and flew; He flew upon the wings of the wind. (NKJ)
“God and You”
Psalm 139:1
O LORD, You have examined my heart
And know everything about me. (NLT)
The Almighty God, Jehovah, is not only an all knowing God, but He is also ever present in our lives; it is simply His nature (Jeremiah 23:23-24). The LORD knows each and every living being personally and completely, just as if He probed into the deepest depth of who we are (Hebrews 4:13). He knows exactly the kind of persons we are; He knows both our nature and our character to the fullest. Never doubt God’s divine knowledge, which is extremely thorough and searching, for He could not be otherwise and be God. Although God’s omniscience and omnipresence and omnipotence puts Him so far above us, He still remains an up-close and personal God, which means He perfectly watches over His creation and is deeply involved in the most minute area’s of our existence. When we come to understand and believe these incredible attributes about our Creator, it only makes sense that we have a personal relationship with Him, rather than trying to alienate ourselves from His Presence and live as if He is not there. When we finally admit and understand that it is impossible to hide anything from the LORD, is it not quite frivolous that we even try? When we know that God is always present and always watching, it becomes quite essential to confide in Him, because He understands us completely. And you need not feel embarrassed about sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings with Him, because He already knows the things that are good about us and the things that are not so good. We need not be afraid of how God may feel or react towards us (as we do with other people), because His love and compassion is holy and complete and He never changes (Malachi 3:6). Our gracious and merciful Lord not only knows, but will tell you exactly what is needed in order to live a righteous life that will bring you joy and peace. He also knows and will tell you about the things you need to stay away from, for they are not only deadly, but will bring much sorrow and hopelessness to your life. Our God is always with you, my friend, to be your everything for all eternity. He is a complete Provider and your personal Life Giver; the only One who will never, ever let you down.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am God, My child…I can be nothing less. I Am perfect in every way. And I loved you first; long before you ever loved Me. This is why you must draw close to Me, for I cause all things to happen for the good of My Kingdom. I made you to have a relationship with Me, dear one, for this way I can provide and protect you from all harm so that you can live in joy and peace. It is Me and you against the world—a world I have overcome!
Jeremiah 23:23-24
“Am I a God who is only in one place?” asks the LORD. “Do they think I cannot see what they are doing? Can anyone hide from Me? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” asks the LORD. (NLT)
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. (NLT)
Malachi 3:6
“I am the LORD, and I do not change. (NLT)
Psalm 139:1
O LORD, You have examined my heart
And know everything about me. (NLT)
The Almighty God, Jehovah, is not only an all knowing God, but He is also ever present in our lives; it is simply His nature (Jeremiah 23:23-24). The LORD knows each and every living being personally and completely, just as if He probed into the deepest depth of who we are (Hebrews 4:13). He knows exactly the kind of persons we are; He knows both our nature and our character to the fullest. Never doubt God’s divine knowledge, which is extremely thorough and searching, for He could not be otherwise and be God. Although God’s omniscience and omnipresence and omnipotence puts Him so far above us, He still remains an up-close and personal God, which means He perfectly watches over His creation and is deeply involved in the most minute area’s of our existence. When we come to understand and believe these incredible attributes about our Creator, it only makes sense that we have a personal relationship with Him, rather than trying to alienate ourselves from His Presence and live as if He is not there. When we finally admit and understand that it is impossible to hide anything from the LORD, is it not quite frivolous that we even try? When we know that God is always present and always watching, it becomes quite essential to confide in Him, because He understands us completely. And you need not feel embarrassed about sharing your deepest thoughts and feelings with Him, because He already knows the things that are good about us and the things that are not so good. We need not be afraid of how God may feel or react towards us (as we do with other people), because His love and compassion is holy and complete and He never changes (Malachi 3:6). Our gracious and merciful Lord not only knows, but will tell you exactly what is needed in order to live a righteous life that will bring you joy and peace. He also knows and will tell you about the things you need to stay away from, for they are not only deadly, but will bring much sorrow and hopelessness to your life. Our God is always with you, my friend, to be your everything for all eternity. He is a complete Provider and your personal Life Giver; the only One who will never, ever let you down.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am God, My child…I can be nothing less. I Am perfect in every way. And I loved you first; long before you ever loved Me. This is why you must draw close to Me, for I cause all things to happen for the good of My Kingdom. I made you to have a relationship with Me, dear one, for this way I can provide and protect you from all harm so that you can live in joy and peace. It is Me and you against the world—a world I have overcome!
Jeremiah 23:23-24
“Am I a God who is only in one place?” asks the LORD. “Do they think I cannot see what they are doing? Can anyone hide from Me? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” asks the LORD. (NLT)
Hebrews 4:13
Nothing in all creation can hide from Him. Everything is naked and exposed before His eyes. This is the God to whom we must explain all that we have done. (NLT)
Malachi 3:6
“I am the LORD, and I do not change. (NLT)
"Choice Wisdom”
Deuteronomy 30:19, 20
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey Him and commit yourself to Him, for He is your life. (NLT)
Although this message from God (spoken through Moses) is directed to His people Israel, it is also, I believe, a message for everyone, including those who believe in the LORD our God; the One and only true God; the One who created everything that exists. The choice that stands before God’s created people today involves our God in the flesh, Christ Jesus. We must choose either Jesus or the world as our pathway for life; a choice that is not easily made for many of us. Just like the people of Israel, our sinful natures tend to point us first to the world for both our needs and to fulfill our desires; until that is, the day when we discover that the world only leaves us empty and desperate for something better—something that it can never give us—Hope and Peace! As far as I can tell, our gracious and mighty God desires nothing more than to give all His children the gift of eternal life (1 Timothy 2:3-4). For just as God desired to give His people Israel the land of milk and honey, so too, does God want all His created people to enjoy our true Home in Heaven with Him. And just as Jehovah choose Abram to Father the nation of Israel to be His chosen people (Genesis 12:1-2, Deuteronomy 14:2), Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, has come on our behalf and made it possible, through His sacrificial death on the cross, for many peoples of all nations to become God’s chosen people as well (Ephesians 2:12-13).
A Whisper of Hope
Choose wisely, My child…for it is a matter of life and death. The world with all its temptations will try and draw you away from the Truth, but fear not; because I have overcome the world for you, whom I call My own. The immediate pleasures that the world is able to deliver for you can feel good now, but the end results are indeed deadly in themselves. Do not focus on the here and now, dear child, instead, patiently look forward to the wonderful future I have promised for you.
1 Timothy 2:3-4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (NKJ)
Genesis 12:1-3
Then the LORD told Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you. (NLT)
Deuteronomy 14:2
“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” (NKJ)
Ephesians 2:12-13
In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from God’s people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to Him because of the blood of Christ. (NLT)
Deuteronomy 30:19, 20
Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the LORD your God and to obey Him and commit yourself to Him, for He is your life. (NLT)
Although this message from God (spoken through Moses) is directed to His people Israel, it is also, I believe, a message for everyone, including those who believe in the LORD our God; the One and only true God; the One who created everything that exists. The choice that stands before God’s created people today involves our God in the flesh, Christ Jesus. We must choose either Jesus or the world as our pathway for life; a choice that is not easily made for many of us. Just like the people of Israel, our sinful natures tend to point us first to the world for both our needs and to fulfill our desires; until that is, the day when we discover that the world only leaves us empty and desperate for something better—something that it can never give us—Hope and Peace! As far as I can tell, our gracious and mighty God desires nothing more than to give all His children the gift of eternal life (1 Timothy 2:3-4). For just as God desired to give His people Israel the land of milk and honey, so too, does God want all His created people to enjoy our true Home in Heaven with Him. And just as Jehovah choose Abram to Father the nation of Israel to be His chosen people (Genesis 12:1-2, Deuteronomy 14:2), Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior, has come on our behalf and made it possible, through His sacrificial death on the cross, for many peoples of all nations to become God’s chosen people as well (Ephesians 2:12-13).
A Whisper of Hope
Choose wisely, My child…for it is a matter of life and death. The world with all its temptations will try and draw you away from the Truth, but fear not; because I have overcome the world for you, whom I call My own. The immediate pleasures that the world is able to deliver for you can feel good now, but the end results are indeed deadly in themselves. Do not focus on the here and now, dear child, instead, patiently look forward to the wonderful future I have promised for you.
1 Timothy 2:3-4
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior,
who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (NKJ)
Genesis 12:1-3
Then the LORD told Abram, “Leave your country, your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. I will cause you to become the father of a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and I will make you a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you. (NLT)
Deuteronomy 14:2
“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” (NKJ)
Ephesians 2:12-13
In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from God’s people, Israel, and you did not know the promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you belong to Christ Jesus. Though you once were far away from God, now you have been brought near to Him because of the blood of Christ. (NLT)
“Eyes That See”
Psalm 123:1
Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens. (NKJ)
As finite human beings we naturally look beyond ourselves for something or someone we can look up to—something or someone that can give us hope while living in these uncertain times that are undoubtedly getting more difficult by the day. Those of us who have been blessed with spiritual eyes should be utterly grateful to the Lord (Colossians 2:7), because there are billions of spiritually blind people in this world that cannot see our God (Ephesians 4:17, 18). There are so many lost souls in this darkened world who, because of ignorance or pride, are more inclined to look downward at the hopelessness of it all, or inward for some hidden inner strength to survive, or anywhere else they can rather than looking to the LORD our God; the only One who knows the Way out of the darkness that consumes our world. You may not see God the Savior at first glance (much like I and many others have done), but with persistent gazing into the heavenly realms, searching for that one piece of hope that can make sense of it all and bring you comfort and peace, God will allow your spiritual eyes to begin to focus more clearly so that you can see the Creator of the universe, our God and Savior, Christ Jesus —the only One who is able to rescue you from the hopelessness we all face without God in our lives. Our God is very real, my friends, and He resides in one place, and that place is in Heaven. How blessed we are that our God is always Home with His door opened wide. The One that is never out on a journey, but always close at hand. He is forever there where you can find Him, always looking your way and longing for your glance—
Prayer is but the burden of a sigh,
The shedding of a tear,
And the upward glance of an eye
When no one but God is near.
He is your Sovereign Keeper, the One who never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121: 3, 5); the forever Watchful One, who has eyes that see all and a heart for you.
A Whisper of Hope
I see it clearly, My child…all that goes on, both in the past and in the future, and most urgently the very present age. You have nothing to fear, dear one, as long as you look up to Me, your Creator and Keeper. For as long as you put your life in My hands and trust the outcome to Me, you are safe—Safe from the death and destruction this world and all those who belong to it are headed for. You need only to look up into the heavens to find help and hope. I Am always home, always ready to save.
Colossians 2:7
Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done. (NLT)
Ephesians 4:17, 18
Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. (NLT)
Psalm 121:3, 5
He who keeps you will not slumber. (NKJ)
The LORD is your Keeper. (NASB)
Psalm 123:1
Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens. (NKJ)
As finite human beings we naturally look beyond ourselves for something or someone we can look up to—something or someone that can give us hope while living in these uncertain times that are undoubtedly getting more difficult by the day. Those of us who have been blessed with spiritual eyes should be utterly grateful to the Lord (Colossians 2:7), because there are billions of spiritually blind people in this world that cannot see our God (Ephesians 4:17, 18). There are so many lost souls in this darkened world who, because of ignorance or pride, are more inclined to look downward at the hopelessness of it all, or inward for some hidden inner strength to survive, or anywhere else they can rather than looking to the LORD our God; the only One who knows the Way out of the darkness that consumes our world. You may not see God the Savior at first glance (much like I and many others have done), but with persistent gazing into the heavenly realms, searching for that one piece of hope that can make sense of it all and bring you comfort and peace, God will allow your spiritual eyes to begin to focus more clearly so that you can see the Creator of the universe, our God and Savior, Christ Jesus —the only One who is able to rescue you from the hopelessness we all face without God in our lives. Our God is very real, my friends, and He resides in one place, and that place is in Heaven. How blessed we are that our God is always Home with His door opened wide. The One that is never out on a journey, but always close at hand. He is forever there where you can find Him, always looking your way and longing for your glance—
Prayer is but the burden of a sigh,
The shedding of a tear,
And the upward glance of an eye
When no one but God is near.
He is your Sovereign Keeper, the One who never sleeps nor slumbers (Psalm 121: 3, 5); the forever Watchful One, who has eyes that see all and a heart for you.
A Whisper of Hope
I see it clearly, My child…all that goes on, both in the past and in the future, and most urgently the very present age. You have nothing to fear, dear one, as long as you look up to Me, your Creator and Keeper. For as long as you put your life in My hands and trust the outcome to Me, you are safe—Safe from the death and destruction this world and all those who belong to it are headed for. You need only to look up into the heavens to find help and hope. I Am always home, always ready to save.
Colossians 2:7
Let your lives overflow with thanksgiving for all He has done. (NLT)
Ephesians 4:17, 18
Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against Him. (NLT)
Psalm 121:3, 5
He who keeps you will not slumber. (NKJ)
The LORD is your Keeper. (NASB)
“Simple but True”
Psalm 119:130
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple. (NKJ)
As soon as God’s words find their way into the soul, the light of His Truth begins to shine through the darkness of any troubled heart, bringing both hope and understanding. It is often out of deep desperation that many lost people will open the Bible in search of something that will comfort their weary soul and give them hope, but if the person does not allow these enlightening words to seep deep into their soul, its light will dimly flicker and they will lose their way again, only to remain in the darkness that is holding them captive (v. 105). When we allow the true words of God to penetrate the hardness of our hearts that living in this difficult world brings, it will open up our minds to its life-saving instructions, which are clear and easily understood, for in God’s providence and grace He will shine His eternal Light upon its pages for you to absorb (2 Peter 1:19). One cannot merely see or hear the words of God and experience the transforming power it brings, for unless they shine brightly in both the heart and the soul, these words will remain foreign and impossible to understand. Mankind has proven over and over again, throughout the ages, that when we are disconnected from our Creator we are oblivious to His words of truth, leaving ourselves unprotected and in the hands of Satan and this dark and evil world he reigns in, causing much chaos and destruction in its wake. Without God’s Word and the Holy Spirit dwelling in your heart this life becomes a very lonely and hopeless place, and the longer you live the more proof you have that God is indeed faithful and longs for your salvation. See it, touch it, read it, and feel the power of its Truth, my friends, for the Light that it shines will surely, as the dawns coming light, subdue any darkness in your life, so that you will be able to see the Way that leads to Life (1 John 1: 1-2).
A Whisper of Hope
I Am the Light of the World…I Am the Word that brings life to My people. My Word was given so that you would find life in Me—the Light that brightens your life-journey’s path; that will keep you out of the darkness so you will not fall into the pits of hell. Remember, dear child; that My Light brings you hope and joy; the darkness brings only pain and sadness.
Psalm 119:105
Your Word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (NKJ)
2 Peter 1:19
So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. (NASB)
1 John 1:1-2
The One who existed from the beginning is the One we have heard and seen. We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands. His is Jesus Christ, the Word of Life. This One who is life from God was shown to us, and we have seen Him. And now we testify and announce to you that He is the One who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then He was shown to us. (NLT)
Psalm 119:130
The entrance of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple. (NKJ)
As soon as God’s words find their way into the soul, the light of His Truth begins to shine through the darkness of any troubled heart, bringing both hope and understanding. It is often out of deep desperation that many lost people will open the Bible in search of something that will comfort their weary soul and give them hope, but if the person does not allow these enlightening words to seep deep into their soul, its light will dimly flicker and they will lose their way again, only to remain in the darkness that is holding them captive (v. 105). When we allow the true words of God to penetrate the hardness of our hearts that living in this difficult world brings, it will open up our minds to its life-saving instructions, which are clear and easily understood, for in God’s providence and grace He will shine His eternal Light upon its pages for you to absorb (2 Peter 1:19). One cannot merely see or hear the words of God and experience the transforming power it brings, for unless they shine brightly in both the heart and the soul, these words will remain foreign and impossible to understand. Mankind has proven over and over again, throughout the ages, that when we are disconnected from our Creator we are oblivious to His words of truth, leaving ourselves unprotected and in the hands of Satan and this dark and evil world he reigns in, causing much chaos and destruction in its wake. Without God’s Word and the Holy Spirit dwelling in your heart this life becomes a very lonely and hopeless place, and the longer you live the more proof you have that God is indeed faithful and longs for your salvation. See it, touch it, read it, and feel the power of its Truth, my friends, for the Light that it shines will surely, as the dawns coming light, subdue any darkness in your life, so that you will be able to see the Way that leads to Life (1 John 1: 1-2).
A Whisper of Hope
I Am the Light of the World…I Am the Word that brings life to My people. My Word was given so that you would find life in Me—the Light that brightens your life-journey’s path; that will keep you out of the darkness so you will not fall into the pits of hell. Remember, dear child; that My Light brings you hope and joy; the darkness brings only pain and sadness.
Psalm 119:105
Your Word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path. (NKJ)
2 Peter 1:19
So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. (NASB)
1 John 1:1-2
The One who existed from the beginning is the One we have heard and seen. We saw Him with our own eyes and touched Him with our own hands. His is Jesus Christ, the Word of Life. This One who is life from God was shown to us, and we have seen Him. And now we testify and announce to you that He is the One who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then He was shown to us. (NLT)
“Joy in Obeying”
Psalm 119:7-8
When I learn Your righteous laws,
I will thank You by living as I should.
I will obey Your principles.
Please don’t give up on me. (NLT)
For most people, especially those who have lived the majority of their lives obeying only the laws of the land, it is much more difficult to follow the laws of our Creator than it is to comply with the multitudes of complex manmade laws that the average person cannot even understand. It is not because God’s laws are more numerous and difficult to understand, but it is because we are all born with a rebellious nature that loves to sin (Romans 8:7) even though it causes us much guilt and shame. One of the best used lies of the Enemy is that living God’s way takes the fun out of life; that we cannot enjoy this life when we are bogged down with righteous rules that we cannot bend. How far from the truth this is, my friends. For what I have discovered in my new life-journey with Christ is that by living under God’s powerful protection and knowledge is when a person finds the true meaning of their existence and with this simple truth by itself, is what gives us the desire to obey God’s Law, which in return, brings us life and everlasting joy. The Lord has created many earthly things that bring us joy, but we, in our fallen state, take the very things God gave us to enjoy and make them our very reason for living. And so many people, in spite of the possible consequences, will end up doing almost anything to get them, often ignoring what is good and what is not. The first command that our God has given us is to love Him above all else. This is not an easy task when you live apart from Him. But when He teaches you about Himself and how you should live our life, it becomes your first nature to love Him and live your life in ways that bring Him honor and glory. For God’s Word will teach us the best way of living, the honorable way of suffering, and the most comfortable way of dying. When we truly know the Lord, loving and praising Him becomes our highest goal and the reason we live. It is humanly impossible for us to live a sin free life while we occupy these weak and fallen bodies and it is for this reason that we must depend on the mercy and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For when He forgives our sins they are completely washed away and forever forgotten by Jehovah, the LORD God Almighty (Jeremiah 31:34). The Lord knows first hand how weak we are, and as long as we have the breath of life in these mortal bodies He will never give up trying to draw His children closer to Himself in order to protect their precious lives from destruction. Knowing His Grace, dear friends, will keep you on the straight and narrow with a smile that shines and a heart filled with joy.
A Whisper of Hope
Unlike the world…I will not force My will upon you. But know this, dear child, following the world’s way will bring you much pain and destruction, but following God’s Way will bring you much joy and everlasting life.
Romans 8:7
For the sinful nature is always hostile towards God.
It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. (NLT)
Jeremiah 31:34
“For I will forgive their iniquity and their sin
I will remember no more.” (NKJ)
Psalm 119:7-8
When I learn Your righteous laws,
I will thank You by living as I should.
I will obey Your principles.
Please don’t give up on me. (NLT)
For most people, especially those who have lived the majority of their lives obeying only the laws of the land, it is much more difficult to follow the laws of our Creator than it is to comply with the multitudes of complex manmade laws that the average person cannot even understand. It is not because God’s laws are more numerous and difficult to understand, but it is because we are all born with a rebellious nature that loves to sin (Romans 8:7) even though it causes us much guilt and shame. One of the best used lies of the Enemy is that living God’s way takes the fun out of life; that we cannot enjoy this life when we are bogged down with righteous rules that we cannot bend. How far from the truth this is, my friends. For what I have discovered in my new life-journey with Christ is that by living under God’s powerful protection and knowledge is when a person finds the true meaning of their existence and with this simple truth by itself, is what gives us the desire to obey God’s Law, which in return, brings us life and everlasting joy. The Lord has created many earthly things that bring us joy, but we, in our fallen state, take the very things God gave us to enjoy and make them our very reason for living. And so many people, in spite of the possible consequences, will end up doing almost anything to get them, often ignoring what is good and what is not. The first command that our God has given us is to love Him above all else. This is not an easy task when you live apart from Him. But when He teaches you about Himself and how you should live our life, it becomes your first nature to love Him and live your life in ways that bring Him honor and glory. For God’s Word will teach us the best way of living, the honorable way of suffering, and the most comfortable way of dying. When we truly know the Lord, loving and praising Him becomes our highest goal and the reason we live. It is humanly impossible for us to live a sin free life while we occupy these weak and fallen bodies and it is for this reason that we must depend on the mercy and grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ. For when He forgives our sins they are completely washed away and forever forgotten by Jehovah, the LORD God Almighty (Jeremiah 31:34). The Lord knows first hand how weak we are, and as long as we have the breath of life in these mortal bodies He will never give up trying to draw His children closer to Himself in order to protect their precious lives from destruction. Knowing His Grace, dear friends, will keep you on the straight and narrow with a smile that shines and a heart filled with joy.
A Whisper of Hope
Unlike the world…I will not force My will upon you. But know this, dear child, following the world’s way will bring you much pain and destruction, but following God’s Way will bring you much joy and everlasting life.
Romans 8:7
For the sinful nature is always hostile towards God.
It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. (NLT)
Jeremiah 31:34
“For I will forgive their iniquity and their sin
I will remember no more.” (NKJ)
“Rescued by Grace”
Galatians 1:3-5
May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.
That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of eternity. (NLT)
Every breath we take should be breathed in thanksgiving, because without the grace of God, which was poured out in His blood, there would be absolutely no hope nor joy for any human being, because without Christ’s sacrificial death on the Cross every living soul would face an eternity of darkness, forever separated from God’s Light; the only Light that gives us life (John 8:12). The free will of mankind was given because the LORD did not want puppets for children—people that He could control into obedience and love. God graciously gave everyone the ability to freely choose either to live in obedience that would honor Him or to live in disobedience that would eventually bring them into destruction (Genesis 2:15-17). And like God’s created angels who had this same free will, we, too, make the fatal error of disobedience, thinking we can please our sinful nature and get away with it. But unlike the fallen angels, our gracious God has given every man, woman, and child the opportunity for redemption; for God so loved His created children that He provided the Way that we could regain our righteous standing before Him. But again, He gives us the freedom to make that choice—to choose His forgiveness and salvation or remain the way we are and suffer the dire consequences of eternal darkness. This life or death choice is one we must all make; God will not make it for us. There is no time to waste, dear friend, for your life could end at any moment and this decision must be made before it ends. This life is the only chance anyone has to make this eternal decision, and although most will choose the path of the world that leads into darkness, the LORD our God will keep His promise and honor His Word to those who choose to trust in His grace for their salvation. It is never too late while you breathe the breath of life to choose the eternal gift of God’s grace—the grace that saves—the grace that brings us peace (Ephesians 2:8).
A Whisper of Hope
Accept My grace, dear child…because without it there really is no hope of escaping the coming night. When you walk in the grace of My Truth you will not only be saved from the punishment you deserve, but you will find the peace and joy that brings comfort in all earthly circumstances—even the most unbearable ones. Remember always, dear child, that this earthly life-journey is but a moment compared to eternity, so live it wisely by choosing to live in My Grace.
John 8:12
Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the Light that leads to life.” (NLT)
Genesis 2:15-17
The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. But the LORD God gave him this warning: “You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except frit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die.” (NLT)
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (NKJ)
Galatians 1:3-5
May grace and peace be yours from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ. He died for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.
That is why all glory belongs to God through all the ages of eternity. (NLT)
Every breath we take should be breathed in thanksgiving, because without the grace of God, which was poured out in His blood, there would be absolutely no hope nor joy for any human being, because without Christ’s sacrificial death on the Cross every living soul would face an eternity of darkness, forever separated from God’s Light; the only Light that gives us life (John 8:12). The free will of mankind was given because the LORD did not want puppets for children—people that He could control into obedience and love. God graciously gave everyone the ability to freely choose either to live in obedience that would honor Him or to live in disobedience that would eventually bring them into destruction (Genesis 2:15-17). And like God’s created angels who had this same free will, we, too, make the fatal error of disobedience, thinking we can please our sinful nature and get away with it. But unlike the fallen angels, our gracious God has given every man, woman, and child the opportunity for redemption; for God so loved His created children that He provided the Way that we could regain our righteous standing before Him. But again, He gives us the freedom to make that choice—to choose His forgiveness and salvation or remain the way we are and suffer the dire consequences of eternal darkness. This life or death choice is one we must all make; God will not make it for us. There is no time to waste, dear friend, for your life could end at any moment and this decision must be made before it ends. This life is the only chance anyone has to make this eternal decision, and although most will choose the path of the world that leads into darkness, the LORD our God will keep His promise and honor His Word to those who choose to trust in His grace for their salvation. It is never too late while you breathe the breath of life to choose the eternal gift of God’s grace—the grace that saves—the grace that brings us peace (Ephesians 2:8).
A Whisper of Hope
Accept My grace, dear child…because without it there really is no hope of escaping the coming night. When you walk in the grace of My Truth you will not only be saved from the punishment you deserve, but you will find the peace and joy that brings comfort in all earthly circumstances—even the most unbearable ones. Remember always, dear child, that this earthly life-journey is but a moment compared to eternity, so live it wisely by choosing to live in My Grace.
John 8:12
Jesus said to the people, “I am the light of the world. If you follow Me, you won’t be stumbling through the darkness, because you will have the Light that leads to life.” (NLT)
Genesis 2:15-17
The LORD God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and care for it. But the LORD God gave him this warning: “You may freely eat any fruit in the garden except frit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat of its fruit, you will surely die.” (NLT)
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. (NKJ)
“Days in Wisdom”
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. (NKJ)
As finite human beings living in a fallen world with an easily sinful nature we are more inclined to put our energies into finding ways that we can selfishly enjoy this life while we can rather than dwelling on the reality of our days end and the possibilities thereafter. Because of our limited ability to look beyond this life we need God to teach us the true value of the short time He has given us here on this earth (Psalm 103:15-16). We need the Lord’s infinite wisdom to teach us the truth about who He is and who we are, because it is only by understanding God’s purpose in creation that we can joyfully number our days and gladly look forward to the rewards of salvation, which He has so graciously provided. If your heart truly desires godly wisdom from the Creator, then ask Him; believing He will answer you with everything you need to know (James 1:5-6). God calls His people to reflect deeply on the brevity of time, for by doing so we are more apt to pay closer attention to the eternal consequences of life, rather than seeking only the temporal desires, which if gone unchecked, will walk us straight into the eternal pits of Hell. It can be a very humbling experience to look into the grave that will one day hold your body, because the earthly things our bodies lust for tend to lose there grip in the presence of mortality. So be of wise mind, my dear friend, and ask the Spirit of God to fill your living heart, which will one day cease its beating, with the wisdom of eternity. Every moment of this very short life should be wisely spent discerning the eternal from the temporal, for we know not the number of days we have left. There is not enough time to justify misuse or idleness, nor is it wise to procrastinate thinking there is always tomorrow. Living with the wisdom that God has so graciously offered you is much more satisfying and rewarding than the foolishness that comes from the deceitful heart of man, who knows (in his own mind) that he is wise (1 Corinthians 3:19).
A Whisper of Hope
The wisdom of this world…is foolishness at best, My child. It is I, your Creator and Savior, who holds the key that opens the door of knowledge that brings life to the fullest. Do not believe the lies of Satan’s world, for this kind of foolish wisdom brings only ignorance to the Truth and death as its consequence. I AM your only Source for Truth—the world is not.
Psalm 103:15-16
Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here. (NLT)
James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (NKJ)
1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”, and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” (NKJ)
Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom. (NKJ)
As finite human beings living in a fallen world with an easily sinful nature we are more inclined to put our energies into finding ways that we can selfishly enjoy this life while we can rather than dwelling on the reality of our days end and the possibilities thereafter. Because of our limited ability to look beyond this life we need God to teach us the true value of the short time He has given us here on this earth (Psalm 103:15-16). We need the Lord’s infinite wisdom to teach us the truth about who He is and who we are, because it is only by understanding God’s purpose in creation that we can joyfully number our days and gladly look forward to the rewards of salvation, which He has so graciously provided. If your heart truly desires godly wisdom from the Creator, then ask Him; believing He will answer you with everything you need to know (James 1:5-6). God calls His people to reflect deeply on the brevity of time, for by doing so we are more apt to pay closer attention to the eternal consequences of life, rather than seeking only the temporal desires, which if gone unchecked, will walk us straight into the eternal pits of Hell. It can be a very humbling experience to look into the grave that will one day hold your body, because the earthly things our bodies lust for tend to lose there grip in the presence of mortality. So be of wise mind, my dear friend, and ask the Spirit of God to fill your living heart, which will one day cease its beating, with the wisdom of eternity. Every moment of this very short life should be wisely spent discerning the eternal from the temporal, for we know not the number of days we have left. There is not enough time to justify misuse or idleness, nor is it wise to procrastinate thinking there is always tomorrow. Living with the wisdom that God has so graciously offered you is much more satisfying and rewarding than the foolishness that comes from the deceitful heart of man, who knows (in his own mind) that he is wise (1 Corinthians 3:19).
A Whisper of Hope
The wisdom of this world…is foolishness at best, My child. It is I, your Creator and Savior, who holds the key that opens the door of knowledge that brings life to the fullest. Do not believe the lies of Satan’s world, for this kind of foolish wisdom brings only ignorance to the Truth and death as its consequence. I AM your only Source for Truth—the world is not.
Psalm 103:15-16
Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die.
The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here. (NLT)
James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. (NKJ)
1 Corinthians 3:19
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their own craftiness”, and again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” (NKJ)
Saturday, December 3, 2011
“Justice Reigns”
Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation
of Your throne.
Mercy and truth go before Your face. (NKJ)
As God’s created people it only makes sense that we would belong to Him. And for all of those who believe in this, we are able to rejoice in the fact that He is not only a righteous and just Lord, but He is also filled with mercy and truth as well. Since the Lord our God is both Holy and Sovereign we can trust in His divine governorship, for He is far too holy to have any unrighteousness in Him and far too wise to make any mistakes (Deuteronomy 32:4). What better reason is there for believers to be filled with the kind of peace that brings comfort and joy to our grieving souls, whatever the appearance of His providence may be? The Lord foreshadows the message of who He is and how He deals with us—His guilty and sinful people. He makes His perfect attributes known through His Son, Jesus Christ, and it is in Christ Jesus that all repentant guilty sinners can stand blameless in the presence of the Almighty, Holy, and Righteous LORD. There are those unfortunate souls who believe there is no place as hell, nor any punishment from God for the disobedience and evil done in this life. But Scripture tells a different story, my friends. The Word tells us in truth; that there will be terrible consequences in Hell for the unrepentant sinner and glorious rewards in Heaven for those who seek forgiveness and repentance (Jeremiah 23:5). Everyone borne of this world is sinful in nature and no person can ever work hard enough or be good enough to stand blameless before God. And so it can be said; that on our own accord we all deserve God’s final wrath. But because we have been created by a righteous and just and mercy filled God who chose to share His Truth with us; only those who refuse His Truth and His righteous redemptive plan will justly end up were they belong.
A Whisper of Hope
Do not believe, My child…the manmade doctrine of salvation. Instead, believe in My Truth, for the Truth will bring an everlasting joy to your grieving soul. You live in a world that hates Me and all that I Am. Therefore, the world also hates you and strives for your demise. Be glad, dear child, for I have overcome the world and you shall follow suit when you ask for My forgiveness and live out your days with a repentant heart.
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He. (NKJ)
Jeremiah 23:5-6
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,
“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely;
Now this is His name by which He will be called:
Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation
of Your throne.
Mercy and truth go before Your face. (NKJ)
As God’s created people it only makes sense that we would belong to Him. And for all of those who believe in this, we are able to rejoice in the fact that He is not only a righteous and just Lord, but He is also filled with mercy and truth as well. Since the Lord our God is both Holy and Sovereign we can trust in His divine governorship, for He is far too holy to have any unrighteousness in Him and far too wise to make any mistakes (Deuteronomy 32:4). What better reason is there for believers to be filled with the kind of peace that brings comfort and joy to our grieving souls, whatever the appearance of His providence may be? The Lord foreshadows the message of who He is and how He deals with us—His guilty and sinful people. He makes His perfect attributes known through His Son, Jesus Christ, and it is in Christ Jesus that all repentant guilty sinners can stand blameless in the presence of the Almighty, Holy, and Righteous LORD. There are those unfortunate souls who believe there is no place as hell, nor any punishment from God for the disobedience and evil done in this life. But Scripture tells a different story, my friends. The Word tells us in truth; that there will be terrible consequences in Hell for the unrepentant sinner and glorious rewards in Heaven for those who seek forgiveness and repentance (Jeremiah 23:5). Everyone borne of this world is sinful in nature and no person can ever work hard enough or be good enough to stand blameless before God. And so it can be said; that on our own accord we all deserve God’s final wrath. But because we have been created by a righteous and just and mercy filled God who chose to share His Truth with us; only those who refuse His Truth and His righteous redemptive plan will justly end up were they belong.
A Whisper of Hope
Do not believe, My child…the manmade doctrine of salvation. Instead, believe in My Truth, for the Truth will bring an everlasting joy to your grieving soul. You live in a world that hates Me and all that I Am. Therefore, the world also hates you and strives for your demise. Be glad, dear child, for I have overcome the world and you shall follow suit when you ask for My forgiveness and live out your days with a repentant heart.
Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect;
For all His ways are justice,
A God of truth and without injustice;
Righteous and upright is He. (NKJ)
Jeremiah 23:5-6
“Behold, the days are coming,” says the LORD,
“That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness;
A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgment and righteousness in the earth.
In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely;
Now this is His name by which He will be called:
“A Saving Face”
Psalm 80:3
Restore us, O God;
Cause Your face to shine,
And we shall be saved! (NKJ)
Only our Shepherd is able to heal the brokenness and restore our sin filled lifestyles in ways that will make us both acceptable and blameless before the LORD our God. All is well when we are well, for the most important area in His restoration is in our character, not our circumstances, for when the Lord restores the person; their circumstances will surely follow suit. This divine restoration and conversion can only come from One Source, my friends, and this powerful Source is our Creator Savior, Christ Jesus. And it is during His restoration that His face will shine favorably upon you, blessing your life in ways you could never have imagined without Him. The Lord’s favor is what brings all people to salvation (Psalm 30:5) no matter how fierce the Enemy fights for your soul, or how far you have fallen from God’s plan for your life. God’s shinning face ensures both victory and liberty from the snares the world sets for you. Satan wants to trap you in your sin so you will believe that God will never forgive you. Do not be fooled by this soul killer. He has been and always will be a murdering liar (John 8: 44) and in order for us to defeat Satan’s sin and death we must rely on the Truth that sets us free. Aside from the Holy Spirit Himself, God’s Word is the most powerful and life changing tool we have if we are to learn how and why we need God’s favor shinning upon us. God’s Word is like nothing else in this troubled world and has the incredible wisdom and power to transform any life (Hebrew 4:12) no matter who you are or what you have done or what you may believe in. When you have the face of Jesus shinning His favor upon your life it will be a life-saving experience you will never regret.
A Whisper of Hope
Come to Me, dear child…and I will give you live to the fullest. Search diligently in the Word I have written for you, for with in its holy pages you will find the Truth about who I Am, who you are, and the deception this fallen world wants you to believe. For without the living God of the universe and His Word, your life will have been lived in vain. Because it is not all about you, dear one, but about your God and the glorious restoration plan I have put together for all of My creation to enjoy!
Psalm 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (NKJ)
John 8:44
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (NASB)
Hebrews 4:12
For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJ)
Psalm 80:3
Restore us, O God;
Cause Your face to shine,
And we shall be saved! (NKJ)
Only our Shepherd is able to heal the brokenness and restore our sin filled lifestyles in ways that will make us both acceptable and blameless before the LORD our God. All is well when we are well, for the most important area in His restoration is in our character, not our circumstances, for when the Lord restores the person; their circumstances will surely follow suit. This divine restoration and conversion can only come from One Source, my friends, and this powerful Source is our Creator Savior, Christ Jesus. And it is during His restoration that His face will shine favorably upon you, blessing your life in ways you could never have imagined without Him. The Lord’s favor is what brings all people to salvation (Psalm 30:5) no matter how fierce the Enemy fights for your soul, or how far you have fallen from God’s plan for your life. God’s shinning face ensures both victory and liberty from the snares the world sets for you. Satan wants to trap you in your sin so you will believe that God will never forgive you. Do not be fooled by this soul killer. He has been and always will be a murdering liar (John 8: 44) and in order for us to defeat Satan’s sin and death we must rely on the Truth that sets us free. Aside from the Holy Spirit Himself, God’s Word is the most powerful and life changing tool we have if we are to learn how and why we need God’s favor shinning upon us. God’s Word is like nothing else in this troubled world and has the incredible wisdom and power to transform any life (Hebrew 4:12) no matter who you are or what you have done or what you may believe in. When you have the face of Jesus shinning His favor upon your life it will be a life-saving experience you will never regret.
A Whisper of Hope
Come to Me, dear child…and I will give you live to the fullest. Search diligently in the Word I have written for you, for with in its holy pages you will find the Truth about who I Am, who you are, and the deception this fallen world wants you to believe. For without the living God of the universe and His Word, your life will have been lived in vain. Because it is not all about you, dear one, but about your God and the glorious restoration plan I have put together for all of My creation to enjoy!
Psalm 30:5
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (NKJ)
John 8:44
He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (NASB)
Hebrews 4:12
For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJ)
“Our Guiding Light”
Psalm 73:22-24
I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You.
Yet I still belong to You; You are holding my right hand.
You will keep on guiding me with Your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. (NLT)
Prior to my new life in Christ Jesus I lived much like the animals do—driven by my fallen nature and desperately trying to satisfy my hungry needs in order to survive. Even though I had (as everyone has) the God given sense of right and wrong and good and bad (Genesis 1:26), the difference was confusing at best, for much of what the world saw as right and good was in fact, in God’s sight, both wrong and bad. And the longer I lived my life abiding in the world’s ways, the more confused and hopeless I became. Finally, after many years of groping in confusion, I gave up trying to understand the purpose of this cruel and unfair life. And in my hopelessness and self-pity, I set my sights on death and whatever came after that, for I believed there were no other options for me. What I find so amazing about our God and Savior is that He never gave up on me, no matter how far I strayed from His Truth. Because of His incredible and incomprehensible mercy and grace He never fully stopped trying to draw me out of the darkness of this dying world and into His life-giving Light. And once the Lord had my full attention and I humbly and gratefully surrender my broken life to His will. When we give up our sin filled life for one of righteousness, the Lord will never stop guiding our journey Home (Psalm 48:14) where we will live with Him, forever freed from sin and suffering. Whatever it may be that is keeping you from trading your guilt and shame for His forgiveness, let it go and surrender your brokenness to the LORD. Do not be duped into believing there is no hell, because the enemy of your soul wants to take as many of us as He can into the Lake of Fire when Jesus descends from Heaven to sit on the Great White Throne to judge all those who have refused to follow and obey Him (Revelation 20:11,15). There is no time to waste, my friends, for the last day is quickly approaching. We know neither the day nor hour, but God’s warnings are clear and concise with many signs that have already come and gone throughout the ages.
A Whisper of Hope
Believe in the Words I have spoken…My child, for there is no other Truth. I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; there is no other. The world will tell you different, sometimes convincingly, but stand steadfast in the Truth I have given you, for it will save your life and keep you from falling into the everlasting pits of Hell.
Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make people in our image, to be like Ourselves. (NLT)
Psalm 48:14
For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever,
And He will be our guide until we die. (NLT)
Revelation 20:11, 15
And I saw a great white throne, and I saw the One who was sitting on it.
And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life
was thrown into the lake of fire. (NLT)
“Heaven Bound”
Psalm 71:19-21
Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with You, O God?
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater
honor and comfort me once again. (NLT)
There is none in all of existence that can compare to God’s flawless holy character. His glorious plan for our righteousness and redemption has literally snatched us from the hands of Satan and the darkness of hell and set us gently down in God’s Light at Heaven’s gate. The greatest achievements of mankind are a mere drop in the ocean compared to the Lord’s act of creation, His providence, and His incredible plan for redeeming all that He created (1 Corinthians 1:22-25). In the light of all God’s omnipotent attributes and His abundant mercy and grace it is hard for us to understand the suffering and pain that we all attribute to living in a world that holds us hostage to God’s goodness and love. As for myself, there have been times when I have really disliked God for the hand of life that was dealt to me. I could never really pinpoint why this life was so hard on so many, and why so many turned to medicating their pain of living with so many joy robbing addictions; or why so many delusional people lashed out to violently destroy other lives. The human flesh is both weak and vulnerable and God’s ways are so far above ours that we will never fully understand His reasoning for allowing what He allows to happen while we are living this side of Heaven. I have tried to reason with both my own personal circumstances and the evilness that grips our world and all it brought me was the darkness of depression and a hopeless existence. But thankfully, the sorrow and uncertainty I came to live by literally drove me into the arms of our God and Savior, Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 7:10). He planted the seed of salvation into my soul; carefully nurturing it along, giving me the faith to confidently trust in the promises of His Word—that He would rescue me from death and hell, and restore my life as it was meant to be—giving me a hope and a future even while living in a world that is out to destroy me. God’s plan has given me what it offers everyone, a true peace and an indescribable inner joy that is securely implanted in the heart and Heaven bound.
A Whisper of Hope
Hold steadfast, My child…to the Hope you find in Me. It is the only Hope that gives you life; all other hope is foolishness, and futile. Do not depend on mankind’s wisdom, for it only leads to death.
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Since God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never find Him through human wisdom, He has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. God’s way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the Mighty Power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 7:10
For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. (NLT)
Psalm 71:19-21
Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens.
You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with You, O God?
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again
and lift me up from the depths of the earth. You will restore me to even greater
honor and comfort me once again. (NLT)
There is none in all of existence that can compare to God’s flawless holy character. His glorious plan for our righteousness and redemption has literally snatched us from the hands of Satan and the darkness of hell and set us gently down in God’s Light at Heaven’s gate. The greatest achievements of mankind are a mere drop in the ocean compared to the Lord’s act of creation, His providence, and His incredible plan for redeeming all that He created (1 Corinthians 1:22-25). In the light of all God’s omnipotent attributes and His abundant mercy and grace it is hard for us to understand the suffering and pain that we all attribute to living in a world that holds us hostage to God’s goodness and love. As for myself, there have been times when I have really disliked God for the hand of life that was dealt to me. I could never really pinpoint why this life was so hard on so many, and why so many turned to medicating their pain of living with so many joy robbing addictions; or why so many delusional people lashed out to violently destroy other lives. The human flesh is both weak and vulnerable and God’s ways are so far above ours that we will never fully understand His reasoning for allowing what He allows to happen while we are living this side of Heaven. I have tried to reason with both my own personal circumstances and the evilness that grips our world and all it brought me was the darkness of depression and a hopeless existence. But thankfully, the sorrow and uncertainty I came to live by literally drove me into the arms of our God and Savior, Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 7:10). He planted the seed of salvation into my soul; carefully nurturing it along, giving me the faith to confidently trust in the promises of His Word—that He would rescue me from death and hell, and restore my life as it was meant to be—giving me a hope and a future even while living in a world that is out to destroy me. God’s plan has given me what it offers everyone, a true peace and an indescribable inner joy that is securely implanted in the heart and Heaven bound.
A Whisper of Hope
Hold steadfast, My child…to the Hope you find in Me. It is the only Hope that gives you life; all other hope is foolishness, and futile. Do not depend on mankind’s wisdom, for it only leads to death.
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Since God in His wisdom saw to it that the world would never find Him through human wisdom, He has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. God’s way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the Mighty Power of God and the wonderful wisdom of God. This “foolish” plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength. (NLT)
2 Corinthians 7:10
For God can use sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek salvation. We will never regret that kind of sorrow. (NLT)
“Only One Savior”
Psalm 68:19-20
Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior!
For each day He carries us in His arms.
Our God is a God who saves!
The Sovereign LORD rescues us from death. (NLT)
I believe that those of us who have humbly accepted God’s saving grace of salvation will never be able to praise and thank the Lord our God enough for saving us from the bottomless pit of hell (Colossians 1:13-14). If you feel as undeserving of God’s incredible mercy and grace as I do, you will understand how inadequate human praise can seem in the scope of what Jesus Christ has given us poor and helpless sinners. The power that sin has over everyone’s life is the same evil power that had once separated us from the Holiest of Holies—our Almighty God and Creator. But because our Sovereign God knew that it was only He who had the power to defeat sin and death and again bring us into His Holy Presence, He gladly did what He had to do in order to save His people—the very people He created for His eternal glory. We will never be able to comprehend the magnitude of God’s amazing grace this side of heaven, but as we grow in our sanctification God will help us understand as much as He wants us to know and can handle. I adamantly believe that no matter what this fallen world may put you through, the one thing you should never do is underestimate God’s love for you. Since the fall of mankind into sin our Creator has pursued us no-stop to return to Him and be holy (Ephesians 1:4-5). He paid dearly for our freedom from sin and death; not because He had to, but because this is who He is; perfect and holy in every way. It must give Him great joy whenever one of His redeemed children instinctively praises and honors Him from the grateful depths of their worshiping hearts. Considering who God is and what He did to save us from our foolishness and death, I think it is just plain wrong to only praise and honor Him when He is blessing our lives, for He deserves much more than that. His undying love and compassion for you, my dear friend, is reason alone to praise and honor Him even in your darkest hour, because without your Savior, Jesus Christ, you would be forever dead in your sin with no hope of escape.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am the only Light, My child…that can lead you safely Home. There is no other with whom you can trust your life with. When you see the only Light that saves, your heart will shout with joy and praise. When you understand how futile this life is without Me, you will never be able to praise Me enough. And when you praise Me in the darkness of uncertainty I will know you are truly Mine.
Colossians 1:13-14
For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness,
and He has brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased
our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins. (NLT)
Ephesians 1:4-5
Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. (NLT)
Psalm 68:19-20
Praise the Lord; praise God our Savior!
For each day He carries us in His arms.
Our God is a God who saves!
The Sovereign LORD rescues us from death. (NLT)
I believe that those of us who have humbly accepted God’s saving grace of salvation will never be able to praise and thank the Lord our God enough for saving us from the bottomless pit of hell (Colossians 1:13-14). If you feel as undeserving of God’s incredible mercy and grace as I do, you will understand how inadequate human praise can seem in the scope of what Jesus Christ has given us poor and helpless sinners. The power that sin has over everyone’s life is the same evil power that had once separated us from the Holiest of Holies—our Almighty God and Creator. But because our Sovereign God knew that it was only He who had the power to defeat sin and death and again bring us into His Holy Presence, He gladly did what He had to do in order to save His people—the very people He created for His eternal glory. We will never be able to comprehend the magnitude of God’s amazing grace this side of heaven, but as we grow in our sanctification God will help us understand as much as He wants us to know and can handle. I adamantly believe that no matter what this fallen world may put you through, the one thing you should never do is underestimate God’s love for you. Since the fall of mankind into sin our Creator has pursued us no-stop to return to Him and be holy (Ephesians 1:4-5). He paid dearly for our freedom from sin and death; not because He had to, but because this is who He is; perfect and holy in every way. It must give Him great joy whenever one of His redeemed children instinctively praises and honors Him from the grateful depths of their worshiping hearts. Considering who God is and what He did to save us from our foolishness and death, I think it is just plain wrong to only praise and honor Him when He is blessing our lives, for He deserves much more than that. His undying love and compassion for you, my dear friend, is reason alone to praise and honor Him even in your darkest hour, because without your Savior, Jesus Christ, you would be forever dead in your sin with no hope of escape.
A Whisper of Hope
I Am the only Light, My child…that can lead you safely Home. There is no other with whom you can trust your life with. When you see the only Light that saves, your heart will shout with joy and praise. When you understand how futile this life is without Me, you will never be able to praise Me enough. And when you praise Me in the darkness of uncertainty I will know you are truly Mine.
Colossians 1:13-14
For He has rescued us from the one who rules in the kingdom of darkness,
and He has brought us into the Kingdom of His dear Son. God has purchased
our freedom with His blood and has forgiven all our sins. (NLT)
Ephesians 1:4-5
Long ago, even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. (NLT)
“Glorious Master”
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord God.
“I am the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One.” (NLT)
This brief proclamation from the Lord our God tells us that He Himself is the beginning and the end of all things; that Jesus Christ is both our Creator and Redeemer; that nothing exists that He did not make (John 1:3). From this one verse we find the absolute truth about who God is, with nothing added, nor anything taken away. But with that said; who are we in relationship with the Creator? Although I have pondered this question many moments during my life-journey, it has only been recently that God has reveled what I believe the truth to be. For those who believe existence is nothing more than random chance—no explanation is needed. But for those of us who believe in something greater than ourselves it is vital that we understand where we came from and who we are if we are to have any true purpose and value other than ourselves. And this is where the relationship with our Creator is so important to understand. Believers in God have been classified as many things; creatures, human beings, mankind, children, but what sets the Christian believer apart from all others is that the Lord God bought us for the price of His blood, making us His very own possessions (Ephesians 1:13-14). If we are to fully understand how to relate to our Lord and Savior we must voluntarily take the position of a slave to Christ Jesus—one who has no rights or will, aside from the Glorious Master. Being Jesus’ slave means obedience and loyalty and has a Master, Jesus loves and takes care of all our needs. We own nothing, for all we have belongs to Him who has given us everything. We do what He commands us to do and we do our best with what He has given us. We rely on His Truth and trust Him in all things. We cannot survive and maintain life without Him. We can do nothing good apart from Him. This is, my dear friends and fellow saints, the Truth that sets us free. As mere humans we all find ourselves in bondage to something—bondage to worldly things (good or bad) or bondage to the Lord our God. The first leads nowhere but emptiness, the latter leads to the Glory of the Son and the fullness of the life which He has so graciously given.
A Whisper of Hope
You belong to Me, dear child…for a paid the ultimate price to set you free from the bondage of sin and death that is leading this evil and fallen world and all who belong to it into eternal destruction . I do not force you to become My slave, but when you commit your life into My hands you must surrender all that you are to My control and care. And the moment you become Mine alone, I provide all you will ever need, both now and forever more.
John 1:3
He created everything there is. Nothing exists that He did not make. (NLT)
Ephesians 1:13-14
And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us everything He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. (NLT)
Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord God.
“I am the One who is, who always was, and who is still to come, the Almighty One.” (NLT)
This brief proclamation from the Lord our God tells us that He Himself is the beginning and the end of all things; that Jesus Christ is both our Creator and Redeemer; that nothing exists that He did not make (John 1:3). From this one verse we find the absolute truth about who God is, with nothing added, nor anything taken away. But with that said; who are we in relationship with the Creator? Although I have pondered this question many moments during my life-journey, it has only been recently that God has reveled what I believe the truth to be. For those who believe existence is nothing more than random chance—no explanation is needed. But for those of us who believe in something greater than ourselves it is vital that we understand where we came from and who we are if we are to have any true purpose and value other than ourselves. And this is where the relationship with our Creator is so important to understand. Believers in God have been classified as many things; creatures, human beings, mankind, children, but what sets the Christian believer apart from all others is that the Lord God bought us for the price of His blood, making us His very own possessions (Ephesians 1:13-14). If we are to fully understand how to relate to our Lord and Savior we must voluntarily take the position of a slave to Christ Jesus—one who has no rights or will, aside from the Glorious Master. Being Jesus’ slave means obedience and loyalty and has a Master, Jesus loves and takes care of all our needs. We own nothing, for all we have belongs to Him who has given us everything. We do what He commands us to do and we do our best with what He has given us. We rely on His Truth and trust Him in all things. We cannot survive and maintain life without Him. We can do nothing good apart from Him. This is, my dear friends and fellow saints, the Truth that sets us free. As mere humans we all find ourselves in bondage to something—bondage to worldly things (good or bad) or bondage to the Lord our God. The first leads nowhere but emptiness, the latter leads to the Glory of the Son and the fullness of the life which He has so graciously given.
A Whisper of Hope
You belong to Me, dear child…for a paid the ultimate price to set you free from the bondage of sin and death that is leading this evil and fallen world and all who belong to it into eternal destruction . I do not force you to become My slave, but when you commit your life into My hands you must surrender all that you are to My control and care. And the moment you become Mine alone, I provide all you will ever need, both now and forever more.
John 1:3
He created everything there is. Nothing exists that He did not make. (NLT)
Ephesians 1:13-14
And now you also have heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, He identified you as His own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom He promised long ago. The Spirit is God’s guarantee that He will give us everything He promised and that He has purchased us to be His own people. This is just one more reason for us to praise our glorious God. (NLT)
“Silent Salvation”
Psalm 62:1
Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation. (NKJ)
A truly silent soul is one that confidently puts its faith in God alone, for it is only God who provides all the essentials for life (Proverbs 8:35). It is only the presence of our merciful and gracious Almighty God that can awe our hearts into quiet submission, for there is no better place to find a much needed rest and the true peace that brings comfort to our eternal souls. There is an old proverb that has stood the test of time which tells us, “Speech is silver but silence is gold”. What a profound and simple truth this is, for there is nothing more meaningful in this hectic world that waits for no one, than the silent patience of God’s children. Charles Spurgeon, one of the world’s greatest Christian theologians, explained it this way: “It is an eminent work of grace to bring down the will and subdue the affections so that the mind lies before the Lord like the sea beneath the wind, ready to be moved by every breath of His mouth.” It is when you quiet your heart and wait patiently for God that you will hear His small still voice leading you in the only direction that will bring you close to Him, where He can protect and provide for you during your entire life-journey (Revelation 3:20). There is absolutely nothing of this world that is able to offer you the lasting salvation that your soul longs for. Only our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, has that ability. When your faith in God is both true and silent you can actually feel the gift of salvation in your entire being; that is, the promises of God that you are so eagerly waiting for. Salvation can only come from one source, my friends, and that is from our omnipotent Creator. The world has created an onslaught of temporary solutions to sustain your earthly life—ones that will ease your fear for a while and carry you through, but in the end this world cannot save you from an eternity of darkness, forever separated from the Light that brings forth eternal life—the King of kings, the Lord of lords; your personal Creator and Savior, Christ Jesus. No manmade god or anything else in all of creation has a better offer for salvation, and when you receive your silent salvation from the Lord you can hold it tightly in your heart every moment of the day and sleep peacefully through the night because of its heavenly protection!
A Whisper of Hope
Quiet your heart, My child…and you will hear My voice calling you to Myself, for there is no One more capable a Provider than I. When you walk through this life-journey with Me you can be sure that I will always be with you providing the Truth and the Way to an everlasting life with Me—a life that exceeds anything you can possibly imagine. Be patient, My child, and quietly wait for salvation, which I personally paid for with My blood.
Proverbs 8:35
For whoever finds Me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD. (NKJ)
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (NKJ)
Acts 4:12
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (NKJ)
Psalm 62:1
Truly my soul silently waits for God;
From Him comes my salvation. (NKJ)
A truly silent soul is one that confidently puts its faith in God alone, for it is only God who provides all the essentials for life (Proverbs 8:35). It is only the presence of our merciful and gracious Almighty God that can awe our hearts into quiet submission, for there is no better place to find a much needed rest and the true peace that brings comfort to our eternal souls. There is an old proverb that has stood the test of time which tells us, “Speech is silver but silence is gold”. What a profound and simple truth this is, for there is nothing more meaningful in this hectic world that waits for no one, than the silent patience of God’s children. Charles Spurgeon, one of the world’s greatest Christian theologians, explained it this way: “It is an eminent work of grace to bring down the will and subdue the affections so that the mind lies before the Lord like the sea beneath the wind, ready to be moved by every breath of His mouth.” It is when you quiet your heart and wait patiently for God that you will hear His small still voice leading you in the only direction that will bring you close to Him, where He can protect and provide for you during your entire life-journey (Revelation 3:20). There is absolutely nothing of this world that is able to offer you the lasting salvation that your soul longs for. Only our Lord and God, Jesus Christ, has that ability. When your faith in God is both true and silent you can actually feel the gift of salvation in your entire being; that is, the promises of God that you are so eagerly waiting for. Salvation can only come from one source, my friends, and that is from our omnipotent Creator. The world has created an onslaught of temporary solutions to sustain your earthly life—ones that will ease your fear for a while and carry you through, but in the end this world cannot save you from an eternity of darkness, forever separated from the Light that brings forth eternal life—the King of kings, the Lord of lords; your personal Creator and Savior, Christ Jesus. No manmade god or anything else in all of creation has a better offer for salvation, and when you receive your silent salvation from the Lord you can hold it tightly in your heart every moment of the day and sleep peacefully through the night because of its heavenly protection!
A Whisper of Hope
Quiet your heart, My child…and you will hear My voice calling you to Myself, for there is no One more capable a Provider than I. When you walk through this life-journey with Me you can be sure that I will always be with you providing the Truth and the Way to an everlasting life with Me—a life that exceeds anything you can possibly imagine. Be patient, My child, and quietly wait for salvation, which I personally paid for with My blood.
Proverbs 8:35
For whoever finds Me finds life, and obtains favor from the LORD. (NKJ)
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. (NKJ)
Acts 4:12
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (NKJ)
“Life in Truth”
Jude 3-4
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (NASB)
Just as it was then, when the apostle Jude wrote this letter of warning to the Church, so it is today as well. For there are multitude of churches who claim to be Christian churches, that do not teach the Gospel of our Living God, Jesus Christ. The evil domination of this world that is headed up by Satan is touching everything and everyone, including God’s Holy Church (Jude 17-19). The New Age Church is successfully being pulled away from the unchanging Truth of God (2 Timothy 3:1-5). The Truth we find in God’s Holy Word cannot be compromised in order to fit in with this changing world that is, indeed, changing for the worse. It is not healthy for the soul when we choose and pick and interpret passages from the Bible to justify your sinful behavior. As the world around us changes, so too, will our live styles, but we cannot allow the world to dictate how we live out our faith. The world’s new age church wants us to believe that God’s grace allows us to satisfy our sinful natures, because we are, after all, saved by grace. And what the world’s Church does not want us to believe is that along with God's grace there must also be sacrifice and sanctification. Just as God rescued Israel out of Egypt but destroyed those who were unfaithful; just as God cast out of heaven all the disobedient angels, and just as God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their immorality, so too, will God judge the false churches. Be careful, dear ones, and remain steadfast in your faith in God and the Truth, just as Noah did before God destroyed all living things in the Flood. Just as God warned Noah, so to has Christ Jesus warned us about the End of Times. Believe the God's unchanging Truth, for it will protect you from the final wrath that is yet to come.
A Whisper of Hope
I say to you, My child…walk your life-journey with the Truth as your Guide. The evil forces of this world are so powerful and convincing that you must stay focused on the only Truth that never changes, for your very life depends upon it. God’s mercies for this evil and violent world will indeed come to an end, and so I call on you to warn others that My final judgment of the world is near!
Jude 17-19
But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you, that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable. Now they are here, and they are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They live by natural instinct because they do not have God’s Spirit living in them. (NLT)
2 Timothy 3:1-5
You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that. (NLT)
Jude 3-4
Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. (NASB)
Just as it was then, when the apostle Jude wrote this letter of warning to the Church, so it is today as well. For there are multitude of churches who claim to be Christian churches, that do not teach the Gospel of our Living God, Jesus Christ. The evil domination of this world that is headed up by Satan is touching everything and everyone, including God’s Holy Church (Jude 17-19). The New Age Church is successfully being pulled away from the unchanging Truth of God (2 Timothy 3:1-5). The Truth we find in God’s Holy Word cannot be compromised in order to fit in with this changing world that is, indeed, changing for the worse. It is not healthy for the soul when we choose and pick and interpret passages from the Bible to justify your sinful behavior. As the world around us changes, so too, will our live styles, but we cannot allow the world to dictate how we live out our faith. The world’s new age church wants us to believe that God’s grace allows us to satisfy our sinful natures, because we are, after all, saved by grace. And what the world’s Church does not want us to believe is that along with God's grace there must also be sacrifice and sanctification. Just as God rescued Israel out of Egypt but destroyed those who were unfaithful; just as God cast out of heaven all the disobedient angels, and just as God destroyed the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah for their immorality, so too, will God judge the false churches. Be careful, dear ones, and remain steadfast in your faith in God and the Truth, just as Noah did before God destroyed all living things in the Flood. Just as God warned Noah, so to has Christ Jesus warned us about the End of Times. Believe the God's unchanging Truth, for it will protect you from the final wrath that is yet to come.
A Whisper of Hope
I say to you, My child…walk your life-journey with the Truth as your Guide. The evil forces of this world are so powerful and convincing that you must stay focused on the only Truth that never changes, for your very life depends upon it. God’s mercies for this evil and violent world will indeed come to an end, and so I call on you to warn others that My final judgment of the world is near!
Jude 17-19
But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ told you, that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to enjoy themselves in every evil way imaginable. Now they are here, and they are the ones who are creating divisions among you. They live by natural instinct because they do not have God’s Spirit living in them. (NLT)
2 Timothy 3:1-5
You should also know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control; they will be cruel and have no interest in what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that. (NLT)
“Light Living”
1 John 1:5-6
God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all.
So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God
But go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. (NLT)
When we surrender our lives over to the care and control of the LORD and invite His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, He sheds His Light upon the world around us so we can truly see the darkness it embraces and the utter hopelessness it offers (John 12:46). Just as light and darkness cannot share the same time and place, neither can we live in God’s Light while embracing the darkness of this world. The apostle John goes on to tell us: “Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves” (1 John 2:13-17). It is certainly not sinful to enjoy the good things that God has given us to enjoy, but where we go wrong is when we begin to lust after those things and make them a priority over our Lord and Creator. Our sinful nature craves after the sensuous pleasures that are a result of Satan’s clever handy work throughout the ages and many unsuspecting souls are sucked into believing that if it feels good it’s okay. Whenever we deny the holiness of God and all that He stands for we are living in spiritual darkness, and will easily fall prey to the kind of worldly pleasures that will not only wreak havoc in our lives but the darkness it brings will, one day, consume us forever. But when we strive for God’s light living we become better equipped and are able to see the Truth, so we can escape the consequences that living in darkness brings. Be on your guard, my dear friends, for it can be so easy (thanks to Satan) to be convinced that we are living in God’s light when, in fact, we are really living to satisfy our selfish desires first rather than pleasing God. It is so important in our sanctification process that we not compromise our commitment to God by taking pleasure in the worldly things that pull us into darkness and away from God. We cannot expect God’s approval or help if we continue living in sin and darkness (Romans 8:7-8). Our Living God must come first in our lives, for He will not accept being anything less. It is either God’s Way or the highway. You are either with Him or against Him. There can be no grey area when it comes to living in the Light! You are either in or you are not!
A Whisper of Hope
Be of sober spirit, My child…and let My light expose the darkness that surrounds you. Pay close attention to My Word, for in it you will find the Truth that will keep you from being pulled into the darkness that consumes all those who do not have the Light of Life shinning in their heart. Let My Light shine through you so others can see, but always stay alert to this fallen world’s traps, for they may look good, but they all end in darkness and death.
John 12:46
I have come as a light to shine in this dark world,
so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the darkness. (NLT)
Romans 8:7-8
For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That is why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. (NLT)
1 John 1:5-6
God is light and there is no darkness in Him at all.
So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God
But go on living in spiritual darkness. We are not living in the truth. (NLT)
When we surrender our lives over to the care and control of the LORD and invite His Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, He sheds His Light upon the world around us so we can truly see the darkness it embraces and the utter hopelessness it offers (John 12:46). Just as light and darkness cannot share the same time and place, neither can we live in God’s Light while embracing the darkness of this world. The apostle John goes on to tell us: “Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves” (1 John 2:13-17). It is certainly not sinful to enjoy the good things that God has given us to enjoy, but where we go wrong is when we begin to lust after those things and make them a priority over our Lord and Creator. Our sinful nature craves after the sensuous pleasures that are a result of Satan’s clever handy work throughout the ages and many unsuspecting souls are sucked into believing that if it feels good it’s okay. Whenever we deny the holiness of God and all that He stands for we are living in spiritual darkness, and will easily fall prey to the kind of worldly pleasures that will not only wreak havoc in our lives but the darkness it brings will, one day, consume us forever. But when we strive for God’s light living we become better equipped and are able to see the Truth, so we can escape the consequences that living in darkness brings. Be on your guard, my dear friends, for it can be so easy (thanks to Satan) to be convinced that we are living in God’s light when, in fact, we are really living to satisfy our selfish desires first rather than pleasing God. It is so important in our sanctification process that we not compromise our commitment to God by taking pleasure in the worldly things that pull us into darkness and away from God. We cannot expect God’s approval or help if we continue living in sin and darkness (Romans 8:7-8). Our Living God must come first in our lives, for He will not accept being anything less. It is either God’s Way or the highway. You are either with Him or against Him. There can be no grey area when it comes to living in the Light! You are either in or you are not!
A Whisper of Hope
Be of sober spirit, My child…and let My light expose the darkness that surrounds you. Pay close attention to My Word, for in it you will find the Truth that will keep you from being pulled into the darkness that consumes all those who do not have the Light of Life shinning in their heart. Let My Light shine through you so others can see, but always stay alert to this fallen world’s traps, for they may look good, but they all end in darkness and death.
John 12:46
I have come as a light to shine in this dark world,
so that all who put their trust in Me will no longer remain in the darkness. (NLT)
Romans 8:7-8
For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That is why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. (NLT)
“Restoration”
Psalm 51:10, 12
Created in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. (NKJV)
The human heart is indeed where evil begins (Matthew 15:19). For sin travels from the heart to the mind and from the mind we decide to take action. Every living person has allowed their flawed and sinful heart to drag them into sin; maybe not the physical adultery and murder as in the case of David, but we sin nevertheless and many have and will commit adultery or murder in their minds. It is not hard for a true and faithful Christian to understand how shame filled and guilty David was for this terrible sin against God, because he was, after all, a man after God’s own heart; specially chosen by God to be Israel’s King (Acts 13:22) in the family lineage with whom our Lord Jesus Christ was to be borne. David’s sin is a clear warning for all of God’s people; even those who believe they are too strong in their faith to fall, because we all have moments when our guard is down, thus leaving a window ajar just enough for the Enemy to sneak in and take advantage of the weaknesses found in our sinful hearts (1 Peter 5:8). But because we are saved by the grace of God and are going through the sanctification process, we can be confident that our merciful and gracious God will hear our repentant cry’s for restoration whenever we fall short of His standard for our lives. It is because we humbly cry out that our righteous and just God is both able and willing to create within us a new heart—something we are unable to accomplish for ourselves—for only God can create a new heart. Our Omnipotent Creator knows that if our old sinful heart is not rectified, the rest of our human nature will follow suit and go astray as well. The heart is the rudder of the soul, my friends, and unless the Lord takes it into His loving and restoring hands, we can be sure that the evil in our hearts will steer us off course so that we may never find our way Home. We must humbly remember that only God can remove evil from the heart and renew our guilt stricken spirit. It is possible that anyone can lose the joy they once had in the Lord’s salvation because of sin, but through the power and grace of the Holy Spirit our joy can be restored and maintained. Our incredibly gracious God does all these things not only for His glory, but for the repentant sinners benefit as well. Our Creator delights in His creation and one day He promises to renew it all so that people everywhere who have received His gift of salvation with a repentant heart will be able to live with Him forever (Revelation 21:1).
A Whisper of Hope
My grace is always sufficient…For neither your will nor your strength is a match for the dark world in which you live. You are borne with deceit and evil in your heart and if gone unchecked will lead you into eternal darkness. It is only by My Omnipotence that you can receive a new heart, and it is because of My loving nature and abundant mercy and grace that you can be saved from the wrath of God’s anger.
Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. (NASB)
Acts 13:22
He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony
and said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart,
who will do all My will.” (NKJV)
1 Peter 5:8
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the Devil,
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NASB)
Psalm 51:10, 12
Created in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit. (NKJV)
The human heart is indeed where evil begins (Matthew 15:19). For sin travels from the heart to the mind and from the mind we decide to take action. Every living person has allowed their flawed and sinful heart to drag them into sin; maybe not the physical adultery and murder as in the case of David, but we sin nevertheless and many have and will commit adultery or murder in their minds. It is not hard for a true and faithful Christian to understand how shame filled and guilty David was for this terrible sin against God, because he was, after all, a man after God’s own heart; specially chosen by God to be Israel’s King (Acts 13:22) in the family lineage with whom our Lord Jesus Christ was to be borne. David’s sin is a clear warning for all of God’s people; even those who believe they are too strong in their faith to fall, because we all have moments when our guard is down, thus leaving a window ajar just enough for the Enemy to sneak in and take advantage of the weaknesses found in our sinful hearts (1 Peter 5:8). But because we are saved by the grace of God and are going through the sanctification process, we can be confident that our merciful and gracious God will hear our repentant cry’s for restoration whenever we fall short of His standard for our lives. It is because we humbly cry out that our righteous and just God is both able and willing to create within us a new heart—something we are unable to accomplish for ourselves—for only God can create a new heart. Our Omnipotent Creator knows that if our old sinful heart is not rectified, the rest of our human nature will follow suit and go astray as well. The heart is the rudder of the soul, my friends, and unless the Lord takes it into His loving and restoring hands, we can be sure that the evil in our hearts will steer us off course so that we may never find our way Home. We must humbly remember that only God can remove evil from the heart and renew our guilt stricken spirit. It is possible that anyone can lose the joy they once had in the Lord’s salvation because of sin, but through the power and grace of the Holy Spirit our joy can be restored and maintained. Our incredibly gracious God does all these things not only for His glory, but for the repentant sinners benefit as well. Our Creator delights in His creation and one day He promises to renew it all so that people everywhere who have received His gift of salvation with a repentant heart will be able to live with Him forever (Revelation 21:1).
A Whisper of Hope
My grace is always sufficient…For neither your will nor your strength is a match for the dark world in which you live. You are borne with deceit and evil in your heart and if gone unchecked will lead you into eternal darkness. It is only by My Omnipotence that you can receive a new heart, and it is because of My loving nature and abundant mercy and grace that you can be saved from the wrath of God’s anger.
Matthew 15:19
For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries,
fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. (NASB)
Acts 13:22
He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony
and said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart,
who will do all My will.” (NKJV)
1 Peter 5:8
Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the Devil,
prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (NASB)
“Not So For Your Soul”
Psalm 49:1, 8
Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world!
Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough
to live forever and never see the grave. (NLT)
Our earthly death (which is inevitable) is not a subject that most people are inclined to discuss but it happens to be a reality in which all peoples throughout the world are concerned. Sadly, the world view has duped the vast majority of its western population into believing and teaching that life came about by chance and like animals we are without a soul; that our earthly life is all there is and death is our end. God’s absolute truth and wisdom about life are not attributes easily accepted by mankind these days, nor are they easily obtained. Manmade truth and wisdom is utterly foolish when compared to that of the LORD’s, for all human truth and wisdom eventually changes with time. But the Creator’s truth and wisdom are not only absolute and eternal, but they never change. And for this reason they will stand strong long after this world has passed away (1 Peter1:23-25). It is far easier to conform in a world that seemingly ends with your life than it is to live against its grain by believing this life is only the beginning. When we equal ourselves with animal and plant life it falsely becomes survival of the fittest. When you believe this life is all you have your teachable abilities are compromised and you become so prideful in your worldly view that your heart will harden and the distance between you and your Creator will grow until that day arrives (and it will) when His door will close forever and there will be no more opportunities to live in His Light forever. The conscious darkness of the grave will never end for those who turn their back on God in order to gain all the temporal pleasures this world has to offer. We must remember, my friends, that anything and everything that is good in this world comes from our God in heaven (James 1:17). All other things come from the evil heart of fallen mankind (Mark 7:21-23) with Satan, the father of lies and deceit, as its head. God created us (His beloved people) a little lower than His angels (Psalm 8:5), but for humans (unlike the angels who rebelled against God) He has offered us the gift of redemption and salvation—the eternal gift of life that is always available for anyone who is still alive and breathing the air of this earth. Your earthly life will soon end (maybe within the next few moments or years), but not so for your soul. This Truth which is given in love, is the wisdom that has no end, and it is God’s unchanging and absolute truth and wisdom that this world needs most; not more foolishness from a prideful and fallen mankind’s world view.
A Whisper of Hope
Listen not, My child…to the heartless mindset of this fallen world view. Instead, listen to My voice that speaks into your heart and soul. Like the angels you were created to live forever, but unlike My created angels you have the chance for redemption. Don’t ever let the world’s view cloud the truth of who I Am and who you are. I Am your Creator, you are My child; created for eternity. You may think you know what is best for you, but don’t be fooled by the lies from the Enemy of your soul. Only I know what is best and I gladly share it all with you.
1 Peter 1:24-25
For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls off, but the Word of the LORD endures forever. (NASB)
James 1:17
Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven’s lights. Unlike them, He never changes or casts shifting shadows. (NLT)
Mark 7:21
For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. (NLT)
Psalm 49:1, 8
Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world!
Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough
to live forever and never see the grave. (NLT)
Our earthly death (which is inevitable) is not a subject that most people are inclined to discuss but it happens to be a reality in which all peoples throughout the world are concerned. Sadly, the world view has duped the vast majority of its western population into believing and teaching that life came about by chance and like animals we are without a soul; that our earthly life is all there is and death is our end. God’s absolute truth and wisdom about life are not attributes easily accepted by mankind these days, nor are they easily obtained. Manmade truth and wisdom is utterly foolish when compared to that of the LORD’s, for all human truth and wisdom eventually changes with time. But the Creator’s truth and wisdom are not only absolute and eternal, but they never change. And for this reason they will stand strong long after this world has passed away (1 Peter1:23-25). It is far easier to conform in a world that seemingly ends with your life than it is to live against its grain by believing this life is only the beginning. When we equal ourselves with animal and plant life it falsely becomes survival of the fittest. When you believe this life is all you have your teachable abilities are compromised and you become so prideful in your worldly view that your heart will harden and the distance between you and your Creator will grow until that day arrives (and it will) when His door will close forever and there will be no more opportunities to live in His Light forever. The conscious darkness of the grave will never end for those who turn their back on God in order to gain all the temporal pleasures this world has to offer. We must remember, my friends, that anything and everything that is good in this world comes from our God in heaven (James 1:17). All other things come from the evil heart of fallen mankind (Mark 7:21-23) with Satan, the father of lies and deceit, as its head. God created us (His beloved people) a little lower than His angels (Psalm 8:5), but for humans (unlike the angels who rebelled against God) He has offered us the gift of redemption and salvation—the eternal gift of life that is always available for anyone who is still alive and breathing the air of this earth. Your earthly life will soon end (maybe within the next few moments or years), but not so for your soul. This Truth which is given in love, is the wisdom that has no end, and it is God’s unchanging and absolute truth and wisdom that this world needs most; not more foolishness from a prideful and fallen mankind’s world view.
A Whisper of Hope
Listen not, My child…to the heartless mindset of this fallen world view. Instead, listen to My voice that speaks into your heart and soul. Like the angels you were created to live forever, but unlike My created angels you have the chance for redemption. Don’t ever let the world’s view cloud the truth of who I Am and who you are. I Am your Creator, you are My child; created for eternity. You may think you know what is best for you, but don’t be fooled by the lies from the Enemy of your soul. Only I know what is best and I gladly share it all with you.
1 Peter 1:24-25
For all flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls off, but the Word of the LORD endures forever. (NASB)
James 1:17
Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who created all heaven’s lights. Unlike them, He never changes or casts shifting shadows. (NLT)
Mark 7:21
For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. (NLT)
“Soul Thirst”
Psalm 42:1, 2
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (NKJV)
Amidst every human life, in spite of any circumstance, and no matter what religion or belief, there will come seasons of drought; times when we feel as if our lives are being scorched and drying up as we live in dire need of divine intervention; desperate for that one drop of living water that will give us hope. Every living soul has times when everything done only brings forth fruitless efforts and we long for some kind of relief. Even seasoned Christians who rely on God and His redemptive plan have found themselves in times of hardship, feeling abandoned by God. My dear friends, whether we depend on God or not, the world has many ways of making life tough and difficult to handle; when all things seem to work against us and we long for something good to happen. This longing, my dear friends, is really the soul thirsting for a miracle from God that not only saves, but also refreshes and strengthens us for the days ahead (John 16:33). Whenever we experience God’s saving grace it is only natural to eagerly praise Him with songs of thanksgiving amidst our gratefulness. And in our excitement we often want to share with others what God has done, so that they, too, will know where to find the only living water that not only brings relief but gives us life as well (Psalm 66:1-2). God honors us when we call out to Him in our times of need (Psalm 91:15), but even better, our praise brings Him glory. Do you long for the Living God in both times of distress and in times of plenty? Do you miss hearing His Word and gathering with His people when you isolate in your misery? Do you long to see His face and feel His healing touch at any cost? Do you long to hear His calming voice that will bring some peace into your troubled life? Is the deepest desire of your heart to be fully quenched with the living water that brings relief and gives eternal life? If you can answer yes to these simple questions then you will understand what the psalmist is expressing in this song proclaiming the glory of God. You know you are experiencing soul thirst when you cannot get enough of the Savior of our soul, because the more you know about who He is and what He does, the more you will realize just how in need you are of His saving grace.
A Whisper of Hope
Come to Me, dear child…and I will give you living water, for only I can quench the thirst that you have in your soul. I know this life for you is one drought after another, but when you come to Me I will replenish what you have lost and give you hope. This world cannot always give you what you need to even survive, but when you rely on Me as your Provider, you will find relief for your battered soul and enough to carry you through.
John 16:33
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT)
Psalm 66:1-2
Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!
Sing about the glory of His name! Tell the world how glorious He is. (NLT)
Psalm 91:15
The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those
who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. (NLT)
Psalm 42:1, 2
As the deer pants for the water brooks,
So pants my soul for You, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. (NKJV)
Amidst every human life, in spite of any circumstance, and no matter what religion or belief, there will come seasons of drought; times when we feel as if our lives are being scorched and drying up as we live in dire need of divine intervention; desperate for that one drop of living water that will give us hope. Every living soul has times when everything done only brings forth fruitless efforts and we long for some kind of relief. Even seasoned Christians who rely on God and His redemptive plan have found themselves in times of hardship, feeling abandoned by God. My dear friends, whether we depend on God or not, the world has many ways of making life tough and difficult to handle; when all things seem to work against us and we long for something good to happen. This longing, my dear friends, is really the soul thirsting for a miracle from God that not only saves, but also refreshes and strengthens us for the days ahead (John 16:33). Whenever we experience God’s saving grace it is only natural to eagerly praise Him with songs of thanksgiving amidst our gratefulness. And in our excitement we often want to share with others what God has done, so that they, too, will know where to find the only living water that not only brings relief but gives us life as well (Psalm 66:1-2). God honors us when we call out to Him in our times of need (Psalm 91:15), but even better, our praise brings Him glory. Do you long for the Living God in both times of distress and in times of plenty? Do you miss hearing His Word and gathering with His people when you isolate in your misery? Do you long to see His face and feel His healing touch at any cost? Do you long to hear His calming voice that will bring some peace into your troubled life? Is the deepest desire of your heart to be fully quenched with the living water that brings relief and gives eternal life? If you can answer yes to these simple questions then you will understand what the psalmist is expressing in this song proclaiming the glory of God. You know you are experiencing soul thirst when you cannot get enough of the Savior of our soul, because the more you know about who He is and what He does, the more you will realize just how in need you are of His saving grace.
A Whisper of Hope
Come to Me, dear child…and I will give you living water, for only I can quench the thirst that you have in your soul. I know this life for you is one drought after another, but when you come to Me I will replenish what you have lost and give you hope. This world cannot always give you what you need to even survive, but when you rely on Me as your Provider, you will find relief for your battered soul and enough to carry you through.
John 16:33
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me.
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.
But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (NLT)
Psalm 66:1-2
Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!
Sing about the glory of His name! Tell the world how glorious He is. (NLT)
Psalm 91:15
The LORD says, “I will rescue those who love Me. I will protect those
who trust in My name. When they call on Me, I will answer;
I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. (NLT)
“The Cure”
James 4:7-10
So humble yourselves before God.
Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hears, you hypocrites.
Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done.
Let there be sorrow and deep grief.
Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.
When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him,
He will lift you up and give you honor. (NLT)
If we are to escape the coming night of darkness and judgment we must first and foremost acknowledge that God exists and that He is the One who created the universe and everything in it, and that He has an ultimate plan for His creation. We must, if we are to share in God’s glorious plan, separate ourselves from the world’s view, which is man created and Satan directed. It’s never easy to admit that there is One who is bigger and better than we are and that it is He who is in control and not ourselves. Many of us, like myself, who were shaped by the worlds take on life, failed to discover a valid and meaningful reason for life in this cruel and unforgiving world. And many, like myself, have had the joy and hope of living sucked right out of our very being; leaving us miserable and hopeless and barely hanging on. Without the hope our glorious God has given us through our Lord, Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians (5:9, 10), there is no hope. All this world has to offer you in the end, my friends, is death; not an unconsciousness type of death but an eternity of conscious darkness and hopelessness. God has been more than gracious since the dawn of creation, but in order to know how and why you must first believe God is real and that He has a wonderful plan in place. All of His creation will one day be restored to its fullest glory and you can share in His glory when you live by His terms and not that of the worlds. Even though God leaves this choice up to you, you can believe that He will never stop reaching out to save your life as long as you breathe and live in this world.
A Whisper of Hope
Your belief in Me…will save your life, My child. It is the only way. There is no other!
1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10
For God decided to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ,
not to pour out His anger on us.
He died for us so that we can live with Him forever. (NLT)
1 Peter 1:9
Your reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls. (NLT)
James 4:7-10
So humble yourselves before God.
Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.
Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hears, you hypocrites.
Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done.
Let there be sorrow and deep grief.
Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.
When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on Him,
He will lift you up and give you honor. (NLT)
If we are to escape the coming night of darkness and judgment we must first and foremost acknowledge that God exists and that He is the One who created the universe and everything in it, and that He has an ultimate plan for His creation. We must, if we are to share in God’s glorious plan, separate ourselves from the world’s view, which is man created and Satan directed. It’s never easy to admit that there is One who is bigger and better than we are and that it is He who is in control and not ourselves. Many of us, like myself, who were shaped by the worlds take on life, failed to discover a valid and meaningful reason for life in this cruel and unforgiving world. And many, like myself, have had the joy and hope of living sucked right out of our very being; leaving us miserable and hopeless and barely hanging on. Without the hope our glorious God has given us through our Lord, Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians (5:9, 10), there is no hope. All this world has to offer you in the end, my friends, is death; not an unconsciousness type of death but an eternity of conscious darkness and hopelessness. God has been more than gracious since the dawn of creation, but in order to know how and why you must first believe God is real and that He has a wonderful plan in place. All of His creation will one day be restored to its fullest glory and you can share in His glory when you live by His terms and not that of the worlds. Even though God leaves this choice up to you, you can believe that He will never stop reaching out to save your life as long as you breathe and live in this world.
A Whisper of Hope
Your belief in Me…will save your life, My child. It is the only way. There is no other!
1 Thessalonians 5:9, 10
For God decided to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ,
not to pour out His anger on us.
He died for us so that we can live with Him forever. (NLT)
1 Peter 1:9
Your reward for trusting Him will be the salvation of your souls. (NLT)
“Be Still and Listen”
James 1:19-22
My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight. So get rid of all the filth and evil
in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong
enough to save your souls. And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to.
If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself. (NLT)
Living in this fallen world, which teaches people to focus first on themselves and what is pleasing to them, comes directly from Satan himself; the greatest deceiver this world has ever known. And because this world is under the domain of Satan’s rule and the fact that everyone is born with a rebellious and sinful nature, it is very difficult for many of us to hold our tongue and listen without getting angry and obstinate. For when we let our sinful nature control the way we think and speak and act the results are anything but godly or pleasing to the Lord; instead our ungodliness not only please the Enemy of our souls, but it also draws us further away from God. And the further we are from God the more likely we are to fall into the grips of hell, for without God we are definitely headed into an eternity of darkness; forever separated from God and everything that is good
(2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). And we not only suffer the eternal consequences from our self-seeking, sinful habits, but our immediate life on this earth will be miserably empty and out of control as well. If we are to live a life that has true meaning and lasting value, we the creatures, must rely on our righteous Creator to teach us how it is done. It is by reading God’s Word and by understanding and applying what God teaches us through His Holy Spirit that anyone can find true joy and peace in this unfair and cruel world (Psalm 119:105). As members of God’s family we must be kind and supportive and gracious and forgiving and help one another draw closer to God for His protection, for our only hope of escaping the Lake of Fire is found in Christ Jesus, our gracious Lord; our Mighty God; our Loving Savior. And if you, my friends, are reading God’s Word and not listening, or listening to God’s Word and not applying it to all areas of your life, you are deceiving yourself and allowing the Enemy a foothold on your life which will, sooner or later, destroy you if you’re not mindful (James 2:12-13).
A Whisper of Hope
Rely on Me with faith, dear child…and I will teach you how to live this life in victory. For when you live in obedience to Me, I will reward you with the crown of everlasting life. By faithfully following all of the decrees which I have set in writing will give you both a purpose with value and a life that is easier to bear. The world will try its best to draw you away from Me, but do not be fooled; for you cannot stand alone and survive. It is not enough just knowing the Truth, for you must also live by it and allow My Spirit to transform you one day at a time. Be still, my child, and hear My voice so that I can lead you safely Home.
2 Thessalonians 1: 7-9
He will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power. (NLT)
Psalm 119: 105
Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (NLT)
James 2:12-13
So whenever you speak, or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law of love, the law that set you free. For there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if you have been merciful, then God’s mercy toward you will win out over His judgment against you. (NLT)
James 1:19-22
My dear brothers and sisters, be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
Your anger can never make things right in God’s sight. So get rid of all the filth and evil
in your lives, and humbly accept the message God has planted in your hearts, for it is strong
enough to save your souls. And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to.
If you don’t obey, you are only fooling yourself. (NLT)
Living in this fallen world, which teaches people to focus first on themselves and what is pleasing to them, comes directly from Satan himself; the greatest deceiver this world has ever known. And because this world is under the domain of Satan’s rule and the fact that everyone is born with a rebellious and sinful nature, it is very difficult for many of us to hold our tongue and listen without getting angry and obstinate. For when we let our sinful nature control the way we think and speak and act the results are anything but godly or pleasing to the Lord; instead our ungodliness not only please the Enemy of our souls, but it also draws us further away from God. And the further we are from God the more likely we are to fall into the grips of hell, for without God we are definitely headed into an eternity of darkness; forever separated from God and everything that is good
(2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). And we not only suffer the eternal consequences from our self-seeking, sinful habits, but our immediate life on this earth will be miserably empty and out of control as well. If we are to live a life that has true meaning and lasting value, we the creatures, must rely on our righteous Creator to teach us how it is done. It is by reading God’s Word and by understanding and applying what God teaches us through His Holy Spirit that anyone can find true joy and peace in this unfair and cruel world (Psalm 119:105). As members of God’s family we must be kind and supportive and gracious and forgiving and help one another draw closer to God for His protection, for our only hope of escaping the Lake of Fire is found in Christ Jesus, our gracious Lord; our Mighty God; our Loving Savior. And if you, my friends, are reading God’s Word and not listening, or listening to God’s Word and not applying it to all areas of your life, you are deceiving yourself and allowing the Enemy a foothold on your life which will, sooner or later, destroy you if you’re not mindful (James 2:12-13).
A Whisper of Hope
Rely on Me with faith, dear child…and I will teach you how to live this life in victory. For when you live in obedience to Me, I will reward you with the crown of everlasting life. By faithfully following all of the decrees which I have set in writing will give you both a purpose with value and a life that is easier to bear. The world will try its best to draw you away from Me, but do not be fooled; for you cannot stand alone and survive. It is not enough just knowing the Truth, for you must also live by it and allow My Spirit to transform you one day at a time. Be still, my child, and hear My voice so that I can lead you safely Home.
2 Thessalonians 1: 7-9
He will come with His mighty angels, in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from His glorious power. (NLT)
Psalm 119: 105
Your Word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path. (NLT)
James 2:12-13
So whenever you speak, or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law of love, the law that set you free. For there will be no mercy for you if you have not been merciful to others. But if you have been merciful, then God’s mercy toward you will win out over His judgment against you. (NLT)
“Mourning to Morning”
Psalm 30:4-5
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (NKJV)
For those who honor and love the LORD our God, especially those of us whom He has rescued from the depths of despair, we will never be able to praise and thank Him enough for His incredible mercy and grace (Romans 6:17). And this is reason enough to sing our praises with joy-filled gratitude all the days of our lives. In this psalm David could not personally praise God enough, so He reached out and made an effort to enlist others to do the same in order to glorify the Creator for His great compassion and resolve. And David is not calling the reprobates to sing along in the praise that is due, rather he calls on the sanctified, whom he knows will sing from their indebted grateful hearts. As God’s people, we are His beloved saints, carefully chosen, blood bought, personally called, and divinely set apart for God (Ephesians 1:5-7). But as His flawed children it is inevitable that we will displease our Father, and although His discipline is just, it lasts only for a moment. We die as withered flowers when the Lord’s frown is rightly upon us, but when His favor returns our life is refreshed and our joy renewed. Never loose sight that your nights of sorrow will always end, you saints of His, for the Sun of Righteousness will rise to wipe away your tears and shine His Light (John 8:12) once again upon your saddened heart. So remember, dear friends, that your mourning only lasts to morning, for when the night is gone; so too, will the gloom. So sing from deep within your hearts and let your voices be heard, for when you do it will reach God’s ear and bring a sweet smile of favor upon His Face.
A Whisper of Hope
In this world…dear child, there will always be sorrow, whether it’s from the world or from My discipline. But no matter what the case may be, My children are always protected and cared for when they live their life-journey with Me. When your night is dark and your sorrow is great, be strong and courageous knowing that it will soon pass. For the darkness will dissipate in the Son’s eternal light and you will be able, once again, to sing songs of praise that brings you and I joy as you draw closer to Me on your way Home.
Romans 6:17
The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us,
but all who receive God’s wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness
will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. (NLT)
Ephesians 1:5-7
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself,
according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace,
which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. (NASB)
John 8:12
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (NASB)
Psalm 30:4-5
Sing praise to the LORD, you saints of His,
And give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.
For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life;
Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (NKJV)
For those who honor and love the LORD our God, especially those of us whom He has rescued from the depths of despair, we will never be able to praise and thank Him enough for His incredible mercy and grace (Romans 6:17). And this is reason enough to sing our praises with joy-filled gratitude all the days of our lives. In this psalm David could not personally praise God enough, so He reached out and made an effort to enlist others to do the same in order to glorify the Creator for His great compassion and resolve. And David is not calling the reprobates to sing along in the praise that is due, rather he calls on the sanctified, whom he knows will sing from their indebted grateful hearts. As God’s people, we are His beloved saints, carefully chosen, blood bought, personally called, and divinely set apart for God (Ephesians 1:5-7). But as His flawed children it is inevitable that we will displease our Father, and although His discipline is just, it lasts only for a moment. We die as withered flowers when the Lord’s frown is rightly upon us, but when His favor returns our life is refreshed and our joy renewed. Never loose sight that your nights of sorrow will always end, you saints of His, for the Sun of Righteousness will rise to wipe away your tears and shine His Light (John 8:12) once again upon your saddened heart. So remember, dear friends, that your mourning only lasts to morning, for when the night is gone; so too, will the gloom. So sing from deep within your hearts and let your voices be heard, for when you do it will reach God’s ear and bring a sweet smile of favor upon His Face.
A Whisper of Hope
In this world…dear child, there will always be sorrow, whether it’s from the world or from My discipline. But no matter what the case may be, My children are always protected and cared for when they live their life-journey with Me. When your night is dark and your sorrow is great, be strong and courageous knowing that it will soon pass. For the darkness will dissipate in the Son’s eternal light and you will be able, once again, to sing songs of praise that brings you and I joy as you draw closer to Me on your way Home.
Romans 6:17
The sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over us,
but all who receive God’s wonderful, gracious gift of righteousness
will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. (NLT)
Ephesians 1:5-7
He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself,
according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace,
which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through
His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace. (NASB)
John 8:12
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (NASB)
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
“Friends of God”
Psalm 25:14
Friendship with the LORD is reserved for those who fear Him.
With them He shares the secrets of His covenant. (NLT)
Like good friends who walk side by side sharing the most secret inner parts of their hearts, so it is with God and His children. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross we can once again walk in the presence of God, sharing our deepest secrets, and learning God’s (John 15:15). When you humbly go to the foot of the cross and fully accept the gift of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit will begin to reveal the secrets of God concerning life (Daniel 2:28). It was the covenant of old that kept mankind separated from God by a sacred curtain, but we now live under a new covenant of grace that was paid once for all by the blood of Christ Jesus (the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God). Jesus’ sacrifice tore that sacred curtain in two making it possible for us to come back into God’s Holy Presence so that we could again become His friends. And by becoming friends with God, He fills our heart with His Spirit, giving us understanding (2 Timothy 2:7) as we read and study His Book on His unending love and compassion, and His faithful mercy and grace. When you have true fellowship with the Author of Life, my friends, He will listen closely to your troubled heart and not only speak words of comfort and peace, but He will also give you His secret knowledge and wisdom. And we should never take for granted the mercy and grace of the LORD our God, because without it; this dark world would be even darker and more frightening than it already is—and even more disheartening—there would be no way out!
A Whisper of Hope
I invite you, My child…to come into My Presence. It is when you do that we can become best of friends. Being friends of God will give purpose and understanding to your life, for I will share the secrets that only My friends can know; secrets that will bring the fullness of life to you and those you love. Never doubt the loyalty and faithfulness of My commitment to this friendship, for even though yours may flounder, mine never changes nor will it ever diminish. I value our relationship deeply, because the love I have for you and the sorrow you feel because of your sin filled past is what draws you close to Me and I to you. When we remain in each other there is everlasting life and joy.
John 15:15
“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know
what his master is doing; but I have called you friends,
for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (NASB)
Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets. (NKJV)
2 Timothy 2:7
Consider that I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (NASB)
Psalm 25:14
Friendship with the LORD is reserved for those who fear Him.
With them He shares the secrets of His covenant. (NLT)
Like good friends who walk side by side sharing the most secret inner parts of their hearts, so it is with God and His children. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross we can once again walk in the presence of God, sharing our deepest secrets, and learning God’s (John 15:15). When you humbly go to the foot of the cross and fully accept the gift of forgiveness, the Holy Spirit will begin to reveal the secrets of God concerning life (Daniel 2:28). It was the covenant of old that kept mankind separated from God by a sacred curtain, but we now live under a new covenant of grace that was paid once for all by the blood of Christ Jesus (the perfect sacrificial Lamb of God). Jesus’ sacrifice tore that sacred curtain in two making it possible for us to come back into God’s Holy Presence so that we could again become His friends. And by becoming friends with God, He fills our heart with His Spirit, giving us understanding (2 Timothy 2:7) as we read and study His Book on His unending love and compassion, and His faithful mercy and grace. When you have true fellowship with the Author of Life, my friends, He will listen closely to your troubled heart and not only speak words of comfort and peace, but He will also give you His secret knowledge and wisdom. And we should never take for granted the mercy and grace of the LORD our God, because without it; this dark world would be even darker and more frightening than it already is—and even more disheartening—there would be no way out!
A Whisper of Hope
I invite you, My child…to come into My Presence. It is when you do that we can become best of friends. Being friends of God will give purpose and understanding to your life, for I will share the secrets that only My friends can know; secrets that will bring the fullness of life to you and those you love. Never doubt the loyalty and faithfulness of My commitment to this friendship, for even though yours may flounder, mine never changes nor will it ever diminish. I value our relationship deeply, because the love I have for you and the sorrow you feel because of your sin filled past is what draws you close to Me and I to you. When we remain in each other there is everlasting life and joy.
John 15:15
“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know
what his master is doing; but I have called you friends,
for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. (NASB)
Daniel 2:28
But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets. (NKJV)
2 Timothy 2:7
Consider that I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (NASB)
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