“That was a #bitter #pill to #swallow!” That is a cliche which I have heard and said all my life. How about YOU? Maybe you have said, “Just take it with a grain of #salt” or “A spoonful of #sugar makes the medicine go down” We know life has many circumstances that require some needed HELP. However, pills can have the ultimate fatal solution. I observe a society that thinks drugs will not only give them relief, but let them escape into another place by simply taking a bitter pill adding some salt, and then sprinkling it with sugar! The LORD SWALLOWED that bitter pill for you so you can be reconciled to Him with a fulfilled life and eternal joy. Isaiah 25:8,9 “HE WILL SWALLOW UP DEATH IN VICTORY; (1Corth.15:54-57 “Death is SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY. O death, where is thy sting: O grave, where is thy victory: The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.) and the LORD GOD WILL WIPE AWAY TEARS FROM OFF ALL FACES; and the rebuke of His people shall He take away from off all the earth: for the LORD HAS SPOKEN IT. It shall be said in that day Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us; this is the LORD; …we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 26:3,4 “Thou will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusts in Thee. Trust in the LORD FOREVER, for in the LORD JEHOVAH IS EVERLASTING STRENGTH” That is no placebo (medicine given merely to satisfy a patient or just a soothing word) “TASTE AND SEE that the LORD IS GOOD; blessed is the man that trusts in Him” Ps.34:8
Author: Barbara Jones
THE LIVING GOD #BLESSES
“Words, Words, Words, I’m so sick of #words” (quote from My Fair Lady) That is what I am feeling with all the bannering of words with no substance, but constant degradation on others’ character bombarding us day and night. Have we as a society degenerated to the stage that the wearing away from Truth is accepted? I see everyone making their words up as they speak all the while saying their truth is changeable depending on the circumstances. What or Who do you believe today? There is a standard which God set in HIS WORD and it does not change! When God says it – it happens – it is Truth – I believe it. Is.19:22-25 “The LORD shall smite Egypt: He shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the Lord, and He shall be entreated of them, and shall heal them. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third party with Egypt and with Assyria, even a BLESSING in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall BLESS, saying BLESSED be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel mine inheritance.” Eph.2 “God, who is full of mercy..love..even when we were dead in sins, has given us life together with Christ….that in ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace we are saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them….Remember the time you were without Christ being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now through Christ Jesus you who were far off are made nigh(close) by the blood of Christ. For He is our peace who has made both one and has broken down the division between us….Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God….In Jesus Christ we are built together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Now these are God’s Words of Truth which are a constant reminder of His Love, Correction, Direction, Purpose, Prophesy, Forgiveness and Blessing. These words from our Lord and Savior do not make us “sick”, but fill us with blessed everlasting Truth..the same yesterday, today, and forever!
THE LIVING GOD #PURPOSED
Do you have a #purpose? Do you have #intentions to do something or do you just go with the flow? As a child, I always had plans for the weekend to skate, swim, tennis, play softball, go to the library, ride horses, Saturday matinee movie, over-nights with girlfriends, and then Sunday School and Church on Sunday. Those were some of my favorite ways to spend my time which required making plans and scheduling with my parents permission. I could only do one or two things on my list weekly, but over time I enjoyed it all. As I matured, I realized I needed God’s guidance through His Word to make purposeful productive choices in my life. Today, as I read from the Holy Bible, I see how God has always had intentions for our good and purposed to love us by redeeming through His Son, Jesus and comforting by the Holy Spirit. Isaiah 14 tells us that the Lord’s purpose is still unfolding as His intentions are told, “The LORD of hosts has sworn, saying Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I HAVE PURPOSED, SO SHALL IT STAND; …The LORD has broken the staff of the wicked, and the sceptre of the rulers. ..How are you fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how are you cut down to the ground, which did weaken the nations!…LORD will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke be removed and his burden depart from off their shoulders. This is the PURPOSE that is PURPOSED UPON THE WHOLE EARTH: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the LORD OF HOSTS HAS PURPOSED IT.” Jesus said in Luke 9:56,59 “For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them”.. . … “FOLLOW ME”
THE LIVING GOD #VICTOR
“The victor is the #winner in any #test of #skill or #strength in any #struggle. #Victory is the defeat of one’s opponent by conquest producing subjugation.” as defined in Webster’s dictionary. I see our society backing away from promoting individual victors and national victory. Many just follow the yellow brick road without a clue where they are going as long as there is entertainment and the promise of sustenance.(Pied Piper Syndrome) Yet, God’s Word promotes Victory for us individually and as a nation “if” we turn from our wicked ways (Jer.18:8) and turn to the only true living Lord, our creator, sustainer, and Savior. It is written in the old testament Isaiah 42:1-4 and new testament Matthew 12:20,21 what Esaias the prophet said prophetically about Jesus, “A bruised reed shall He not break, and smoking flax shall He not quench, till He send forth judgment unto Victory, and in His name shall the Gentiles trust.” 1John 5:1,4-5 “Whosoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: …Whoever is born of God overcomes the world and THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES THE WORLD, even our FAITH. Who is he that overcomes the world, but HE THAT BELIEVES THAT JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD.” Be a WINNER, c h o o s e JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD….Share in His Victory. “THANKS BE TO GOD, WHO GIVES US THE VICTORY THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST” 1Corth15:57 As you enjoy the fireworks and music on this 4th of July, remember there is an Eternal Victory to celebrate!
THE LIVING GOD #STATUTES
“#Listen, my friends, I’m here to tell you…We’ve got #trouble..Trouble right here in River City” (famous line from the ‘Music Man’) My friends, I believe we have even more turmoil today than yesterday! Why? Because the Bible tells me so and sheds some light on our distress. The Lord made us in His own image and then gave us some statutes (personal laws) to observe/keep/respect. Our society seems to delight in breaking any resemblance of obedience to order. God gave us commands for our own good and the good of others. I have observed our society does not know or care to know God’s Word or to obey the word ‘no‘. I see people that are proud of breaking rules and living any way they choose. God’s personal laws for us are recorded in Leviticus 19. “You shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another. You shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shall you profane the name of thy God: I AM the LORD. You shall not curse the deaf, or put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear thy God: I AM the LORD. You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment….You shall not go up and down as a gossip against your neighbor: I AM the LORD,…You shall love your neighbor as thyself: I AM the LORD. You shall keep my STATUTES (obey my laws) You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks upon you: I AM the LORD. You shall keep my sabbaths, and reverence (honor) my sanctuary: I AM the LORD. Do not turn to mediums or spiritists: do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I AM the LORD YOUR GOD. You shall not rise up against the greyheaded , but honor the aged and you shall revere your God: I AM the LORD. . . . You shall observe all MY STATUTES, and all My ordinances, and do them: I AM THE LORD” God has red and green lights depicted in His word for us to follow His directions for our journey through life, but He gives us the choice to STOP or GO.
THE LIVING GOD #FATHER
Where’s your father today? My earthly father died when he was only 57; however, my #heavenly #Father is #everlasting! No matter our age, we all need a loving Father who calls, comes, stands and directs us just the way the Lord did with Samuel in 1 Samuel 6:20 “The Lord came, stood there, and called as before ‘Samuel, Samuel!’ Samuel responded, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening” There are so many voices speaking at all times over the air waves that I think it is blasting over the word of the Lord. Many people today do not know or have contact with their earthly fathers which makes them think, “I have no need of a Father”. Yes, you can live without the presence of a earthly father, but you really cannot live a productive fulfilling eternal life without God the Father. Is.9:6 “a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us: and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Didn’t you always want your father to be strong, important, helpful, peaceful, and a Prince? Well, He is! “A FATHER to the FATHERLESS…is GOD in His holy habitation.” Ps.68:5 “…that He might be the Father of all them that believe...”Rom.4:11 I believe and pray that you will too! In John 5:19,26 “Jesus said, ‘The son can do nothing of himself but what he sees the Father do…Father loves the son and shows him all things that He himself is doing….for just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself.” Our son was only a young boy when the phone rang in our home next to the chair where he had dozed off . …startled he answered the phone saying, “Dear God Heavenly Father” That’s the way he fell asleep and woke up! When God calls, comes, stands and directs do you listen? May we strive to do what Jesus taught us in His Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5:16 “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN”
THE LIVING GOD #CALLS
How many calls, #texts, #tweets, and #messages do you get in a day? I loose count; however, I remember my call from the Lord. Do You? I was only nine years old when I heard the call of the Lord in a Sunday School class asking me to turn from my selfish ways, seek forgiveness, and accept His call to become His converted disciple. That call is as audible to me today as it was seventy years ago. Luke 5:31-32 “Jesus said, they that are healthy do not need a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to CALL the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Have you answered your call? “God has distributed to every man, as the LORD HAS CALLED EVERY ONE, so let him walk.”1Corth 7:17 “the eyes of your understanding being illuminated (even on your cell phone); that you may know what is the HOPE OF HIS CALLING and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance ….greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also into that which is to come.” Eph.1:18-21 What does 1Peter 5:10 say about today’s call? “GOD OF ALL GRACE, who has CALLED US TO SHARE HIS ETERNAL GLORY by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered awhile, makes you perfect (complete), established, strengthened,and settled.” “Brethren, you have been CALLED UNTO LIBERTY; only do not use liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but serve one another.” Gal.5:13
Have you responded to GOD’S CALL – TEXT – TWEET – MESSAGES? Do it Now! ……. for GOD IS CALLING!
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THE LIVING GOD #REWARDS
Do you enter every #sweepstake hoping to win the #prize #rewards of #money/new#car/beautiful #house/#vacation in #paradise? I get mail promotions with a special key which could win the car of my dreams if it unlocks the car door, but I would have to go in person to the dealership to find out! We all make choices constantly; some profitably – some “forgetable” ! At my age, I realize more and more how our choices affect our rewards. We can sit an dream about our dream, but never take the first step to make it a reality. God gave us the key to the kingdom of God in His Son, Jesus Christ, but have you gone to Him in person? Peter answered Jesus in Matt.16 when Jesus asked him , “whom say you that I am?” –(Peter) Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God..…(JESUS)I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven” Will you choose the only key that opens the heavenly gates of eternity with God? “Without FAITH it is impossible to please Him; for ‘the one’ that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a REWARDER of them that diligently seek Him.“Heb. 11:6 “the just shall live by his faith.” Hab.2:4 What choices are you making today? “What are you entering into and now (will) you turn to God from idols to serve the living and true God; and wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, who delivered us from the wrath to come.” 1 Thess.1:10
Claim Your REWARD.