“Who died and made you #king?” That is a saying one might overhear when someone in a group takes charge and starts giving others orders. As a child did you ever play ‘king of the #hill’? Today our society is not really aware of the autonomous authority and power that a king has over his #kingdom. I have always lived in a democracy where we all have a vote to determine our leader; however, many in the world do not have a say in their present abode. If you watch the Hallmark channels you will have a romantic picture of the handsome king of a small domaine falling in love with an American girl. Then there is reality…about God’s Kingdom! Just turn the pages of the Bible to read about His coming kingdom where we can abide forever and ever. Ps.145:1 “I will extol thee, my God O king and bless thy name forever. 10-13 the saints shall speak of the glory of thy kingdom and talk of thy power to make known…His mighty acts and glorious majesty of His kingdom. Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom and thy dominion endures throughout all generations“ John 3:3 “Jesus said, I say unto you, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 5, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit; he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”16.”For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” Luke12:31″Seek the kingdom of God Col.1:12-15″Give thanks unto the Father who has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins who is the image of the invisible God.” In Revelation 11:15 we are fore told -“the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven saying, ‘The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign forever and ever” Mt 6:9-13 Jesus said, “Pray, Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors. and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen”
from Barbara’s Bible
THE LIVING GOD’S JUDGEMENTS
WHO GETS THE LAST WORD? Do you? Years ago a #popular #TV show was #’Father knows best’. My how our society mores have changed. As I observe our present day demeanor, I watch all ages thinking ‘they know best’. On TV so many programs are contests with a panel of judges while all of us sit leisurely by watching and then we vote hoping to have the final word. Are your judgments of others always right? You’ve heard it said, “Often in doubt, but never wrong!” We all make choices moment by moment in our lifetime – some good ones and for others we suffer the consequences of bad decisions. In this chaotic time how can you make right decisions? I say, “Stop, Look, and Listen to the words of the Living God in the Bible” Psalm 19 “The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; THE JUDGEMENTS OF THE LORD ARE TRUE AND RIGHTEOUS ALTOGETHER. More to be desired are they than gold, yes than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great reward…..Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.” GOD HAS THE FINAL WORD!
LIVING GOD’S MERCY ENDURES FOREVER
All over the world people have anxiously watched the young boys and their coach who were trapped in the underground labyrinth of caves and water. I have been amazed by the tenacious dedicated cave specialists, divers, and workers who accomplished the completed rescue of all involved. What a miraculous recovery unfolded before our eyes which enabled all of them to have a life to live because volunteers had mercy on them. I know one omnipotent volunteer who is all seeing yet His mercy goes on and on – just read Psalms 136 “O give thanks to the LORD; for He is good: for HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER. Give thanks to the GOD of gods: for HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER. Who alone does great wonders. To Him that by wisdom made the heavens..and stretched out the earth above the waters…made great lights..the sun to rule by day…the moon and stars to rule by night: for HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER…with a strong hand and with a stretched out arm: for HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER.. led His people through the wilderness..and gives food to all flesh for HIS MERCY ENDURES FOREVER…give thanks the GOD of heaven” Ps.138:8 “The LORD will accomplish that which concerns me: THY MERCY O LORD ENDURES FOREVER “ Now may we give thanks to the LORD of lords!
THE LIVING GOD – LIFTER
#Storms happen! The news is filled with pictures and accounts of tragic #tornadoes, #hurricanes, #floods, #fires, #landslides and #volcanic eruptions. Recently heavy rains and high winds brought down two huge pecan trees that flattened my garage with the metal roof forming an inverted teepee crushing all contents with the walls leaning off the foundation! After the shock of it all, I had to start one step at a time. Ps.4:1 “Hear me when I call, O GOD of my righteousness: thou hast relieved me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” First came prayer being thankful no one was injured then asking for wisdom to give me discernment to handle details and that I needed God’s strength through it all. Next step was to call the tree removal service. That took almost two weeks, because the rains continued and their heavy equipment would get bogged down. They did a fabulous job removing and grinding those heavy pecan trees; however, then I could see that inverted roof and leaning walls with all the crushed belongings. Who or what could be a lifter of that heavy roof? What a mess! As I was feeling very overwhelmed, God’s Word just picked me up as I read…Psalm 3:3-5 “O LORD thou are a shield for me; my glory, and THE LIFTER UP OF MY HEAD. I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. I laid me down and slept; I awaked; FOR THE LORD SUSTAINED-SUPPORTED ME.” We all have storms that impact our lives and we all need God’s supporting hand to lift us up when we have been crushed.
THE LIVING GOD – RECONCILING
Have you ever done something #stupid? Today wrong appears to be right and right seems wrong. #Satan can be disguised as a helper all the while being a #robber in sheep clothing. God is very aware of our shortcomings and has the power to overcome the evil attacks that Satan slings at us. Where do I go when being confounded by satanic words? 11Corth.6:7 “by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by love unfeigned by the word of truth, by the power of God. 10:4 (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) God is in control. When I make wrong choices, I asked forgiveness and turn to the Lord. 11Corth.5:18,19 “All things are of GOD, WHO HAS RECONCILED US TO HIMSELF BY JESUS CHRIST, AND HAS GIVEN TO US THE MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION; that is to say, GOD WAS IN CHRIST, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO HIMSELF, not reckoning or imputing their trespasses unto them; and has committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” Where do you put your shame and quilt? Are you stewing in remorse, distress, or uncertainty? It pleases our Father and Lord when we come to Him. Colossians 1:1921 “It pleased the Father that in Him should all fullness dwell having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him – whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.. You were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now has HE RECONCILED” God is reconciling with open arms…”faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. Bow your knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…that He would grant you..to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith so you may be rooted and grounded in love.” Eph.3:14-17
THE LIVING GOD – REVELATION
Have you ever had a revelation of facts about someone or something? It seems to me that news today is filled with information whether true or false which has been leaked to sway listeners into their personal ideology. While trying to watch the news, I fill as if I am the the ping pong ball being hit back and forth with every serve challenged. While everyone emphatically pronounces their superiority, I change the channel. How about you? Where do you go for the truth – the whole truth? God’s Word does not fail. God’s Word is eternal. God’s Word is truth. If you are looking for a revelation ‘that which was before unknown to them’, Webster’s Dictionary states ‘revelation is that which is revealed by God to man’. When facts which I am told do not fit the actions, I read the Bible. How amazing, God knows it all. “THE GOD OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF GLORY, MAY GIVE YOU THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM AND REVELATION IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM: THE EYES OF YOUR UNDERSTANDING BEING ENLIGHTENED; THAT YOU MAY KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE OF HIS CALLING, AND WHAT THE RICHES OF THE GLORY OF HIS INHERITANCE…AND THE EXCEEDING GREATNESS OF HIS POWER TO US WHO BELIEVE ACCORDING TO THE WORKING OF HIS MIGHTY POWER, HE BROUGHT IN CHRIST WHEN HE RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD AND SET HIM AT HIS OWN RIGHT HAND IN 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 IN THAT WHICH IS TO COME” Eph.1:17-21 Now that is the LIVING GOD’S REVELATION FOR US.
THE LIVING GOD – THE SAME
Do words take on new meanings with the passing of time? Just in my lifetime, I hear words used with completely different contexts. Does anything stay the #same? I can attest that I have seen and observed many changes in people, governments, churches, countries, landscapes, and weather! It seems to me that the worldwide internet has brought about changes in all areas of our lives. We have become very dependent on wireless technology. Long before all this computer connection, we had and have a connection to “the live – living God” who never fails! I find it so comforting to have as my source the Lord who never changes! Yes, I have a lifetime warranty written in God’s holy word – the Bible. Do You? “THE SAME LORD OVER ALL IS RICH UNTO ALL THAT CALL UPON HIM and whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”Rom.10:12,13 He actually listens to you. ” GOD IS THE SAME, and thy years shall have no end.” Ps. 102:27 God’s word was true in yesteryears and it is the same truth today – never changing! “JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY, AND TODAY, AND FOREVER” Heb.13:8
THE LIVING GOD – SHIELD
With all the #catastrophes happening today, do you ever think it would be nice to have a #protective #shield around you at all times? There are #wars and rumors of war! Then we have devastating mass #shootings in #schools and on assembled #crowds of the unaware! Seems to me that more and more #storms, floods, hurricanes, tornados, volcanos, and earthquakes are happening with regularity. These are devastating disasters beyond our control. I just had two huge pecan trees to break during rain/wind and flatten the garage. What can you do? To whom do you turn? I knew I had to deal with the circumstance by humbly thanking God for His shield of protection and then asking for His wisdom. My situation is minor compared to all that President Trump is facing; however, GOD ALMIGHTY has the answer for the great and the small. “EVER WORD OF GOD IS PURE: HE IS A SHIELD UNTO THEM THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM.” Prov.30:5 What time I am afraid, I will trust in the LORD. “GOD IS MY HIDING PLACE AND MY SHIELD: I hope in His word…Uphold me according to thy word, that I may live: and not be ashamed of my hope. Hold me up, and I shall be safe.” Psalm 119:114-117