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"THEY ARE WATCHING OVER YOU"
Elisha was a prophet of Israel. One day he and his servants were found surrounded by an army of Syria riding on horses and chariots bent on destroying them all. When the servants of Elisha saw this great army that had surrounded them, one of them said, "Alas my Master, what shall we do"? II Kings 6:15 Too the amazement of his servant, Elisha made a remarkable reply when he said, "DO NOT FEAR, FOR THOSE WHO ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THOSE WHO ARE WITH THEM!"
WOW, WHAT A STATEMENT!
BUT, what in the world was he talking about? Was he having a stroke or some mental disorder because of the power and presence of the enemy? He and his servants were but a few compared to the army of Syria. Was he trying to give them false courage to sustain them until they were all killed by the invaders or taken captive?
THE ANSWER IS A DEFINITE NO!
God had revealed to Elisha something of which his servant was totally unaware. Knowing full well how God was already dealing with this mammoth problem, Elisha prayed and said, "Lord, open his eyes that he may see... "Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, THE MOUNTAIN WAS FULL OF HORSES AND CHARIOTS OF FIRE ALL AROUND ELISHA." vs. 16-17 THIS WAS THE ARMY OF THE LORD! The Syrian Army was struck with blindness, defeated and brought into captivity.
O Friend, the Children of God, redeemed by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB, JESUS CHRIST, have resources beyond our greatest imagination. All believers in Christ have a tremendous resource in times of difficulty and warfare against the fiery darts and cunning of Satan. We do not face our battles alone, although we often forget this powerful truth. There is a mighty host of Angels whom the Lord sends to watch over His redeemed ones. "ARE THEY NOT ALL MINISTERING SPIRITS SENT TO SERVE THOSE WHO SHALL BE HEIRS OF SALVATION?" Hebrews 1:14 You and I will never know until we are at last home with our Savior, how many times our Heavenly Father has sent His Angels to watch over us to protect us in our times of need.
Never surrender to the relentless onslaughts of Satan, for WE NEVER FACE OUR OBSTACLES ALONE. NEVER! Our blessed Savior Jesus Christ promised, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU." Christian Friend, whenever you are overwhelmed with problems, fears, anxiety and all spiritual battles, remember, Jesus assures us, "LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN TO THE END OF THIS AGE."
“GREATER IS HE, CHRIST, WHO IS IN YOU
THAN HE, SATAN, WHO IS IN THE WORLD!”
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""WHAT LIES BEHIND US, AND WHAT LIES BEFORE US,
ARE TINY MATTERS COMPARED TO
WHAT LIES WITHIN US!"
Ralph Waldo Emerson
"WHAT TYPE SHADOW ARE YOU CASTING?"
It was April 13, 1865 the Faith of two women, Margaret MacLachian and Margaret Wilson was on trial for Refusing to take the Oath of Abjuration, which stated that the CHURCH OF GOD IS A DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE. Found guilty of Rebellion, they were ordered to receive their sentences on their knees. When they Refused to Bow before anyone but God, they were forced down to their knees and then sentenced to DEATH BY DROWNING! On May 11, 1865, the two Faithful Women were tied to posts and staked in the sea as the tide was rising. They were given many chances to Recant their beliefs, but they stood Firm and Resolute.
Margaret MacLachian was staked farther out in the sea and remained in Prayer before the Lord she loved until the water covered her head leading to her death. Margaret Wilson, just EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE, began to sing Psalms unto the Lord, and recited the Words of Romans 8,
"WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM WHO LOVES US!"
When the water began to cover her head, the soldiers pulled her out of the water and again pleaded with her to Recant and Respond to the King's demand, but she prayed, "LORD, GIVE HIM REPENTANCE, FORGIVENESS AND SALVATION, IF IT BE THY HOLY WILL!" The angry soldiers threw her back into the water, and she soon joined her Christian Friend in the very presence of Jesus Christ!
"ABSENT FROM THE BODY, PRESENT WITH THE LORD."
There was a Soap Advertisement that depicted a little fellow looking at his "SHADOW" that fell across his pathway. Underneath the picture of this lad was a slogan that read, "THAT'S THE ONLY THING I CAN'T WASH OUT!" Seeing this clever bit of sales promotion for "SOAP" I was reminded of the "INDELIBLE SHADOW OF INFLUENCE we cast on others day by day by our EXAMPLE. Failing to take a positive stand for Christ can engrave an impression on the minds of those we encounter day after day in our own little world that can be so difficult to ERASE. However, just as we can permanently leave a MARL OF EVIL, so we can also leave a Lasting MARK FOR GOOD!
Writing about the Christians in the City of Thessalonica, the Apostle Paul made this wonderful comment of the "SHADOW BELIEVERS THERE WERE CASTING ON OTHERS" He wrote: "YOU BECAME FOLLOWERS OF THE LORD, HAVING RECEIVED THE WORD IN MUCH AFFLICTION WITH JOY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, SO THAT YOU WERE "EXAMPLES' TO ALL THAT BELIEVE. FOR FROM YOU SOUNDED OUT THE WORD OF THE LORD, AND IN EVERY PLACE YOUR FAITH TOWARD GOD IS SPREAD ABROAD!" I Thessalonians 1:6-10
WE KNOW SO WELL, THAT JESUS CHRIST IS THE ONLY PERFECT EXAMPLE, BUT WE MUST REMEMBER THAT
WE MAY BE THE ONLY BIBLE SOME PEOPLE WILL EVER READ.
O
CHRISTIAN, REMEMBER, YOU BEAR HIS DEAR NAME, YOUR LIFE WILL BY OTHERS BE VIEWED.
A LIVING EXAMPLE, MEN PRAISE YOU OR BLAME, AND WILL MEASURE YOUR SAVIOR BY YOU!
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THE FIRST STEP IS MOST IMPORTANT
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We all can testify to the fact that "CRITICISM" does touch our lives every now and then. I don't believe anyone, whether in the top EXECUTIVE POSITIONS or LOWEST OF THE LOW can go through life without tasting the bite of criticism. Need I say, that most of us don't take criticism very graciously, in fact, we usually take it personally and often react with a tone of resentment. AM I RIGHT? Even when the criticism is justified, we are often found ready to fight back. When was the last time you criticized someone? DID YOU DO IT TACTFULLY? The Apostle Paul had some strong words of criticism for the Body of Believers at Corinth.
He wrote: "I COULD NOT WRITE TO YOU AS TO SPIRITUAL BELIEVERS, BUT AS TO CARNAL, AS TO BABIES IN CHRIST. I FED YOU WITH MILK AND NOT WITH SOLID FOOD, FOR UNTIL NOW YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO RECEIVE IT, AND EVEN NOW YOU ARE NOT ABLE, FOR YOU ARE STILL CARNAL. FOR WHERE THERE IS ENVY, STRIFE, AND DIVISIONS AMONG YOU, ARE YOU NOT CARNAL, AND BEHAVING LIKE MERE MEN? I Corinthians 3:1-3
However, it is important to note that "BEFORE" Paul wrote these words, in a spirit of "LOVE" he wrote: "I THANK MY GOD ALWAYS CONCERNING YOU, FOR THE GRACE OF GOD WHICH WAS GIVEN TO YOU BY CHRIST JESUS, THAT YOU WERE ENRICHED IN EVERYTHING BY HIM, EVEN AS THE TESTIMONY OF CHRIST WAS CONFIRMED IN YOU." I Corinthians 1:4-5
Some people are gracious enough to TACTFULLY CRITICIZE, but others sometimes hit pretty hard, like being hit by a Raging Bull. However, no matter how it comes to us, we "ALL" can learn to accept criticism in a MATURE FASHION. We can learn to control our reactions and respond with a spirit of acceptance. After all, none of us is PERFECT and we all know there are areas in our lives that always need improvement. We must never be so filled with resentment that we cannot take good help when it is sincerely given to make us stronger in our walk and service for the Lord.
There is no question that there are times when the criticism is unjustified, and INTENDED TO WOUND RATHER THAN HEAL. God help and forgive such whose hearts are so hardened that their motive is to HARM AND NOT TO HELP! "HE WHO DOES WRONG, WILL BE REPAID FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE, AND THERE IS NO PARTIALITY." Colossians 3:25 Remember, we only hurt ourselves and destroy our joy when we allow unjustified criticism to make us "BITTER" and ready for "RETALIATION!" Bitterness harbored within drives people into the ground. When you harbor BITTERNESS in your heart, you pour "POISON" into your system that can only destroy.
Hear the admonition of the Holy Scriptures: "DEARLY BELOVED, AVENGE NOT YOURSELVES, NOR GIVE PLACE TO WRATH; FOR IT IS WRITTEN, "VENGEANCE IS MINE, SAYS THE LORD, I WILL REPAY." The best thing we can do is to leave it all in the hands of the Lord who can deal with the matter far beyond what we can do. "LET ALL "BITTERNESS" AND "WRATH: AND "CLAMOR" AND "EVIL SPEAKING" BE PUT AWAY FROM YOU, WITH ALL "MALICE" AND BE "KIND" ONE TO ANOTHER, "TENDERHEARTED", AND "FORGIVING" ONE ANOTHER EVEN AS GOD FOR CHRIST'S SAKE HAS "FORGIVEN" YOU!" Ephesians 4:31-32 One thing is for sure, Nothing DEFLATES a CRITIC faster than to accept the criticism with the LOVE OF CHRIST and to truly seek to become stronger for Christ by the help that was given.
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"BEHOLD! THE LAMB OF GOD!"
A precious song I love to sing pictures a father with his two sons walking toward JERUSALEM with their little lamb to observe "THE PASSOVER!" Think upon the words the father shares with his sons, and the challenging moment he would soon face in JERUSALEM!
Walking down the road to Jerusalem, the time had come to sacrifice again. My two sons, they walked beside me on the road, the reason that they came was to WATCH THE LAMB. Daddy Daddy what will we see there, for there's so much we don't understand. So I told them of Moses and Father Abraham, and then I said, "Dear Children, WATCH THE LAMB!" There will be so many in Jerusalem today; we must be very sure our lamb doesn't run away. Then I told them of Moses and Father Abraham, and then I said, "Dear Children, WATCH THE LAMB!
When we reached the City I knew something must be wrong; there were no joyful worshipper's, no joyful worship songs. I stood there with my children in the midst of angry men, and then I heard the crowd cry out CRUCIFY HIM!
We tried to leave the City, but we could not get away; forced to play in the drama a part I did not wish to play. Why upon this day were men condemned to die? Why were we standing here when soon they would pass by? I looked and said, even now they come; the first on cried for mercy, but the people gave him none. The second one was violent, he was arrogant and loud; I still can hear his angry voice screaming at the crowd. Then someone said, "There's JESUS! I scarce believed my eyes; a Man so badly beaten He barely looked alive. I watched Him as He struggled, I watched Him as He fell; the Cross came down upon His back and the crowd began to yell. In that moment I felt such agony, in that moment I felt such loss, until a Roman Soldier grabbed my arm and screamed, "YOU! CARRY HIS CROSS!"
At first I tried to resist him but then his hand reached for his sword; so I knelt down and took the Cross from the Lord. I placed it on my shoulder and started down the street; the blood that He'd been shedding was running down my cheek. They led us to Golgotha, they drove nails into His hands and feet, and yet upon that Cross He prayed, "FATHER FORGIVE THEM!"
O never have I seen such LOVE in any other eyes, "INTO THEY HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT" He prayed and then He died. I stood it seemed like ages, I lost all sense of time; until I felt two tiny hands holding tight to mine. I saw my children weeping and I heard the oldest say, "Father please Forgive Us, Our Lamb Ran Away. Daddy, Daddy, what have we seen here today, there's so much that we don't understand So I took them in my arms and we turned and faced the CROSS, and then I said, "Dear Children, WATCH THE LAMB!
One day, John the Baptist, seeing JESUS coming toward him, shouted: "BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD WHO TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD." John 1:36 The Apostle Peter wrote: "We are not Redeemed with perishable things as silver and gold, but with the Precious Blood of CHRIST, as of a "LAMB" without Blemish and without Spot!" I Peter 1:18-10
Friend, because of this most precious day "GOOD FRIDAY" there will come a day when every person who has placed a LIVING FAITH in the LIVING LORD JESUS CHRIST, will sing with the multitudes in Heaven "WORTHY IS THE "LAMB" WHO WAS SLAIN TO RECEIVE POWER AND RICHES AND WISDOM AND STRENGTH AND HONOR AND GLORY AND BLESSING BE TO HIM WHO SITS ON THE THRONE AND TO THE "LAMB" FOREVER AND EVER!"
When I survey the wondrous Cross, on which the Prince of Glory Died. My richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. See from His head, His hands, His feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e're such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown. Were the whole realm of nature mine; that were a present far to small.
LOVE SO AMAZING SO DIVINE DEMANDS MY SOUL, MY LIFE, MY ALL!
TRUST HIM NOW AS YOUR LORD AND SAVIOR!
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"HI NEIGHBOR"
One day, Jesus was confronted by a man who was an expert in the
law.
He asked Jesus a very important question.
“What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life?”
Have you ever asked that question? I sincerely believe everyone has thoughts about what comes next after this life is over. Is it just back to earth, as many believe? Is there more to follow? Is there life after death? Will I be held accountable before God for my actions in this life? Well, Jesus turned
things around and responded with a question. He asked the “EXPERT IN
THE LAW” "WHAT IS WRITTEN IN THE LAW? HOW DO YOU READ IT?"
The Expert replied,
"YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH “ALL” YOUR HEART,
AND WITH “ALL” YOUR SOUL, AND WITH “ALL” YOUR STRENGTH,
AMD WITH “ALL” YOUR MIND, AND, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS
YOURSELF.” Luke 10:25
WOW! Did he ever say a mouth full quoting that Scripture. Jesus then said,
YOU HAVE ANSWERED CORRECTLY,
DO THIS AND YOU WILL LIVE."
It's obvious the Lord's answer made this “EXPERT” very uncomfortable because we read, “Hearing these words, he wanted to “JUSTIFY” himself!” WHY? There is no doubt this expert knew that he did not fulfill in his own life what he had just quoted about “Loving the Lord with “ALL” his Heart, Soul, Strength, Mind, and Loving his Neighbor as Himself.” And by the way Friend, NEITHER HAVE I, AND NEITHER HAVE YOU.
That's why Jesus came into our world! He knew we could not inherit eternal life by keeping the Law! We all fall far short in our “VERTICAL” relationship with God and in our “HORIZONTAL” relationship with those around us. "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23 Furthermore, it is "By grace we are saved, through Faith, and that NOT of ourselves, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 We cannot work for the “GIFT” of Salvation! All we can do is “ACCEPT” it. If we have to ”WORK” for it, it is no longer a “GIFT” but a “DEBT” just as the Scripture declares.
“NOW TO HIM THAT WORKS IS THE REWARD NOT
RECKONED OF “GRACE” BUT OF “DEBT! Romans 4:4
How marvelous is the Grace of God that not only gives to us Eternal Assurance that we are the Redeemed Children of God, but also the Divine Strength to openly manifest the Reality of our Faith by daily living in obedience to His Word.
“WE BECOME HIS “WORKMANSHIP” CREATED IN
CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS!” Ephesians 2:10
Now, in this Bible account, Jesus reveals how a person truly saved by
the GRACE OF GOD through the redeeming sacrifice of Christ “REACTS” toward his neighbor when a need arises. You know the story of the Man on his way from Jerusalem to the city of Jericho who was way laid by robbers. They badly beat him, stripped him of his possessions, and left him half dead on the ground. A Priest, a man of the cloth, passed by, and then later a Levite also happened to pass by. Jesus said, each one, seeing this beaten and half dead man, PASSED BY ON THE OTHER SIDE. Then, the Lord Jesus said, a Samaritan approached the scene, and seeing the man, had “COMPASSION” on him. He cared for his wounds, put the man on his donkey, took him to an Inn and watched over him. The next day, he paid the Inn Keeper and said, when I return I will pay for any further expense that is required to get this man back on his feet. WHAT A STORY! How real to life. Let's ask ourselves some questions. What was the philosophy of each one who was involved with this account?
“THE ROBBERS PHILOSOPHY”
"WHAT IS MINE IS MINE! WHAT IS YOURS WILL
BE MINE IF I CAN GET MY HANDS ON IT!”
O yes, there are many people here in our own Country and around the World who have this kind of philosophy. We read and hear about them in the Daily News and on TV every day. We know such criminal action is taking place in Cities across the USA as witnessed by the fact that for every “100” persons in our land, there is “ONE” in PRISON! WHAT A SAD STATEMENT! Now they are saying do not imprison individuals who have committed lesser criminal acts. GREAT! Put them out on the streets so they can do their thing again with the feeling they will not be punished!
“LET HIM THAT STOLE STEAL NO MORE, BUT RATHER
LET HIM LABOR, WORKING WITH HIS HANDS THE THING
WHICH IS GOOD, THAT HE MAY HAVE TO GIVE TO HIM
THAT HAS A NEED.” Ephesians 4:28
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“THE PRIEST AND LEVITE'S PHILOSOPHY”
“WHAT IS MINE IS MINE AND I WILL KEEP IT FOR MYSELF”
To be sure, there are many today who have this philosophy of life. They
see a need and walk right past it. Too busy to be bothered! Too selfish to use whatever they have to reach out to meet a need! Self-centered! Self-gratification is their key word! IT’S ME FIRST AND ALWAYS! IT’S SUMMED UP WITH ME, MYSELF, AND I.
“LOOK NOT EVERY MAN ON HIS OWN THINGS, BUT
EVERY MAN ALSO ON THE THINGS OF OTHERS!” Philippians 2:4
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“THE GOOD SAMARITAN’S PHILOSOPHY”
“WHAT IS MINE IS MINE ONLY BY THE GRACE AND GOODNESS
OF GOD TO BE USED WISELY FOR GOD’S GLORY!”
This man clearly recognized that "A man has nothing but that which he has received from above." And that "Every good and perfect gift is from above coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights." Seeing the man lying on the ground, he had “COMPASSION ON HIM” and did everything he could possibly do to meet his need. He could not “PASS BY” on the other side and leave him there to die.
“Beloved, let us love one another; for Love is of God; and every
one that love’s is Born of God. He who does not love does not know God
FOR GOD IS LOVE!
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God
Sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through
Him. Herein is love, NOT THAT WE LOVED GOD, BUT THAT HE LOVED
US, AND SENT HIS SON TO BE THE COVERING FOR OUR SIN.
Beloved, if GOD so LOVED us, we ought also to Love One Another.”
I JOHN 4:7-11
WELL,
FRIENDS, WHERE DO WE FIT IN THIS PARABLE?
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FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS
ONLY BEGOTTEN SON THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHALL NOT PERISH BUT HAVE
EVERLASTING LIFE."
John 3:16
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"HAVE YOU EVER PLAYED THE GLAD GAME?"
I
read an article about the film
"Pollyanna."
It is a very touching story about a young girl
whose parents were killed serving as missionaries in Africa. Pollyanna spoke of
a quote from Abe Lincoln that she wore in a locket that her father had given to
her. It read,
"WHEN YOU LOOK FOR THE BAD IN OTHERS EXPECTING TO FIND IT, YOU
WILL!"
She went on to say, after my Father heard that quote, he only looked for
the good in people and made up the
GLAD GAME."
This was a game her father started, to
cover up the disappointments of a life of poverty, as the only clothes they had
were to be found in the barrels of charity sent to Africa from America.
Pollyanna went on to recall her father saying,
"If God took the trouble to tell us in
the Bible 800 times to be glad and happy, He must have wanted us
to do it."
WOW! ISN'T THAT POWERFUL?
Listen, we all have our share of disappointments in life, and we all could very easily have a continuous
PITY PARTY
BUT, we must discipline ourselves to combat the negativity that can bombard our
minds that can keep us in a state of deep depression and defeat. If anyone could have had a continuous “PITY PARTY” it was Joseph, the son of Jacob who gave him that well known COAT OF MANY COLORS.
Sold into slavery by his own jealous brothers; imprisoned by his Master Potiphar because of the “LIES” of his wife who accused Joseph of something he did not do; BUT, through it all, Joseph refused to yield to a “PITY PARTY” and remained faithful to the Lord. He steadfastly trusted the Lord for his deliverance, and in God’s timing, Joseph was miraculously raised from the "PRISON TO THE PALACE" to become the Second in Command over all of the Land of Egypt! YES, second only to “PHAROAH!”
Through the Tough times he endured, he refused to fill his mind with negativity, and when the day came to face his own brother’s who came to Egypt for food because of the famine in the land, Joseph said to them, “DO NOT FEAR, I AM JOSEPH, YOUR BROTHER. ALTHOUGH YOU MEANT IT FOR EVIL, GOD MEANT IT FOR GOOD.” He rejoiced in the faithfulness of God through the tough times and God rewarded him for his Steadfast and Unwavering faith. I love the opening words that are often spoken at the beginning of Worship Services.
"THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!”
Friend, every day is the day the Lord has made, Soooo: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH GLADNESS! CHOOSE TO BE GLAD AND REJOICE IN IT!
HAPPINESS IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF TROUBLE
BUT THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST IN YOUR LIFE.
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