A God Who Cares

   I found a bit of encouragement in my reading of God’s word today. Since we all are in a time of much needed encouragement, I thought I might share. Maybe someone else can be encouraged.

   I read from the passage in Exodus where God comes to Moses to give him an assignment, but it was what He said to Moses about why he was getting this assignment that encouraged me.

   Exodus 2:23-25 says: Now it happened in the process of time that the king of Egypt died.  Then the children of Israel groaned because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry came up to God because of the bondage.  So God heard their groaning, and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob.  And God looked upon the children of Israel, and God acknowledged them.

   God heard their groaning. Nothing escapes God’s notice. He acknowledged them.  So, God has a chat with Moses and He says:  Exodus 3:7  “I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt, and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters, for I know their sorrows."  God said about Himself, “I see, I hear, and I know." 

   In some ways this pandemic is like a cruel taskmaster. It can steal away our health, our livelihood, our freedom, our way of life, and our peace of mind. But be encouraged our God does not change.  He still sees, He still hears, and He still knows.  And He still cares about the groaning of His children.

  It is comforting to know that almighty God truly cares about us. Our God sees, our God hears and our God knows.  He hears our groaning and He acts on our behalf.

Jeremiah 29:12-13  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

 

  I am encouraging you to have a heart to heart with the God who hears, who sees, who knows and who cares.  God Bless.

P.S.  Exodus 4:31  So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

Climate Change, No Worries

Climate Change? No Worries

   I would like to bring some calming words to the climate change dialogue for folks who may be distraught and panicked about climate change and the possible horrific things to come.  Listening to some politicians you might start to think the sky is falling.

   Fear not.  Please keep in mind that the awesome, omnipotent, One and Only God who made this world and everything in it, including all life forms, all the water and all the air, and every dust particle is still diligently watching over it.  He has absolute control of all things and every part of this earth that we live on.  He placed the sun and moon and earth in their precise places, and it is by His wisdom that they revolve bringing day and night and seasons.

   Every plant, every insect, every reptile, every animal and every human are all designed and created by Him and are at His beck and call.  To get the attention of a heathen king He used frogs, lice, flies, disease, hail, locusts, and even a penetrating darkness.  And, by the way He knows full well that cows pass gas.

   He caused edible manna to fall from the sky.  He caused water to come from a rock.  He caused a donkey to speak and a large fish to swallow a man and then to transport that disobedient man to exactly where God wanted him to be. (Maybe obedience is better.)

  Scripture says:  The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.”  It is also foolish to assume that God is not in control. 

  There is something that is a much greater threat to the world’s climate than cows or SUVs or factory smokestacks.  In a word it is SIN.

   God uses all kinds of things to get man’s attention and to remind us Who is in charge and Who it is that gets to make the rules. This attempt to get man’s attention includes at times weather and climate changes.  All of that is in His control.

   In the book of Genesis God tells Noah, “And behold, I Myself am bringing floodwaters on the earth, to destroy from under heaven all flesh in which is the breath of life; every thing that is on the earth shall die.”

   “Why?” you ask would God do this?  Because of SIN.  Scripture also says, “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

   And, by the way, just in case you don’t believe in Noah, I challenge you to do a genealogy search.  The scriptures carefully document the linage from Joseph (earthly father of Jesus) all the way back to Adam and on the way back you will find (because it has to) it goes thru Noah.

   Back to climate things.  We also know that God withheld rain or caused it to rain according to His will.  He also caused it to rain down fire and brimstone on a couple of cities (Sodom and Gomorrah).  The reason given for the destruction of these two cities is this, And the Lord said, “Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grave.

   Do not look to your political leaders to fix climate issues.  We best be looking to God, the one who really controls the climate.  We have a sin problem that needs to be fixed not a climate problem. There are not too many cars or too many cows.  There is too much sin. God is God and He gets to make the rules.  He makes them according to His wisdom.  We don’t get to make the rules and we cannot change His rules to suit our lifestyles. He does not, has not, and will not adjust to us.  We must adjust our lives to Him.

   Sin will destroy a life, a home, a country.  We, here in the United States, have allowed a climate of sin to penetrate every corner of our country.  There will be some climate change when God has had enough.  He will warn us by way of His past actions, but He will not coddle us.  Sin is sin and it is offensive to Him. He is holy.

   In the book of Genesis, it tells us that after Cain killed his brother Able, God spoke to  Cain.  He asked him “Where is Able thy brother?”  And Cain responded with that well known phrase, “I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?”  Then God said to him, “What has thou done?  The voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.”

   Wow, ponder on that.  Does it not make you wonder if the blood of murdered innocents still cry out to God?  What must He be hearing from the blood of innocent aborted children?  It must be deafening.

   God has given guidelines of His desire for how we should live.  Well, we’ve come a long way baby.  A very long way from those God given wise paths.  Most people are on their own path carved out from their own wisdom.  We forget that His ways are higher than our ways.  His thoughts are higher than our thoughts.  We should probably go with His.

   This whole climate change thing is a distraction from the real problem.  Those cars parked in garages are not the problem.  That sin parked in the hearts of mankind…that is the real problem.  The sin that takes men and women off the path that God lays out.

   God has a solution for all the sin parked in all the hearts all over the world.  He has a plan for all those who want to forge their own path instead of finding the one that God lays out.  The blood of God’s Son, Jesus, was shed to bring atonement and forgiveness for all of them. It opens a door to relationship with God.  He can lead people to have lives that honor Him, lives that bring blessings and not judgement.

   I do not lose one minute of sleep worrying about climate change.  I do grieve over the spiritual erosion in our country. People do what is “right” in their own eyes without regard to God’s view of things. Do I think His judgement will come?  Yes, I do.  Because He is holy, and this is His world not ours. It is sin that is corrupting it, it is sin that is the greatest threat to our lives, our homes, and our country.

   Do I believe that revival (an enlightenment to and a hunger for the ways of God) could happen?  Yes, I do, and I pray for that. I pray that people  will find that salvation for their soul that Jesus brings.  I pray for strong healthy homes with mom’s and dad’s who introduce their children to the Savior.

  For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  John 3:16

  

Fruitless Trees

Fruitless Trees

   I was examining my two peach trees this week to see if there were any peaches on them.  From my kitchen window I had not yet seen any.  For the last two years, late frosts have prevented any fruit.  I planted these trees for fruit not for decoration.

   Although we have had lots of rain and cooler weather, I don’t think we have had frost during the time of blossoming.  Nevertheless, my diligent branch by branch searching discovered only one lone peach. In frustration I decided I was ready to cut these unfruitful trees down. If I had found 20 or 30 peaches, it would be different, but 1. What good is 1 peach.

   All this vain searching for tiny growing peaches caused me to remember something from the book of Genesis. It is a conversation between Abraham and God. (By the way, these are very real persons.  We have the whole nation of Israel to authenticate Abraham, and we have a whole universe to authenticate God.)

  Anyway, God told Abraham that “the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is so great and their sin so grievous that I will go down and see.”  Abraham knew destruction was on its way. 

  He bravely spoke his concern to God.  “Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?”  What if there are 50 righteous people in that city?”  God told him if there are 50 righteous people, I will spare it.  I guess Abraham wasn’t sure there would be that many righteous persons because he continued.  “How about 40?”  God replied, “I will spare it for 40.” 

  “Ummmm, how about 30?”  “I will spare it for 30.”

“20?”  “I will spare it for 20.”

  “Ahh, Lord please don’t be angry, but how about 10?  Will you spare it for 10?”   God answered, “For the sake of 10 I will not destroy it.”

   Well, we know the rest of that bit of history. There were not 10 righteous persons to be found and the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed.  It is a very sad thing when society heads in a direction away from God.

  Our God, the one and only true God, is a God of great and mighty love and is slow to anger, but He does get fed up with sin. God created us to have relationship with Him. Sin separates us from God.  No wonder He hates sin.  But, God provided a way for us to be holy and connect with Him.  That way is Jesus Christ.

    Be a tree that bears fruit. Psalms chapter 1 says: “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.  He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water; that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.

   Jesus is that nourishing fountain.  Plant yourself near to Him.

    Back to my peach trees that I was ready to cut down. Those trees that seem to have quit producing fruit.  

    As I was searching among the branches for peaches, I happened upon a sweet little bird nest.  I like birds as much as peaches, maybe more.  The trees will stay.

The Heart of Jabez "Help Me Not Cause Pain"

   While making another journey through the scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, I once again came across that wonderful little jewel found hidden amongst the rather tedious documentation of genealogies found in First Chronicles chapter 4. 

   Maybe God knows and understands that our attention span seems to shrink with the less than exciting portions of scripture.  So, He inserts this wonderful little account that is filled with wisdom and encouragement and stimulates the sluggish brain.

   Starting with verse 9 of chapter 4, here is the story:

 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”

And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

    The name Jabez means grieve or sorrowful.  We are not told if the pain this mother carried was physical from the actual birth process or if it was mental anguish for some reason.  Whatever the reason, she burdened the innocent child with a name that was a daily reminder that somehow he brought pain to his mother.

   I was most taken by the last part of his prayer. “that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.”

   With a name like that, poor Jabez may have felt like he was the cause of every pain in the entire world.  Somehow, he was to blame.

   He did have one thing right.  There is a connection between evilness and pain.  God calls for us to be holy as He is holy.  God’s laws and directives point us toward light and life and peace and joy.  Our enemy, (the enemy of our soul) directs us toward evil which always brings pain. Then he somehow convinces us that if we inflict pain on someone else it will relieve our own pain.

   Jabez may have hated his name and what it meant.  He did not want to be a source of pain to his mother or anyone else.  He knew the wise solution.

   As I read this account, I got curious about who were these brothers that Jabez was more honorable than.  I scanned back through the passages just prior and those after his prayer.  Not a single word about who begat Jabez, or who Jabez begat.  I am still curious and intrigued.  This I do know.  God inserted a jewel of wisdom in an interesting place. 

   A Christian counselor I know often says, “hurting people hurt people.  Maybe Jabez was praying for God’s strength to help him heal from his hurts instead of lashing out and hurting others.  Maybe he realized he needed more than just his own strength.  So do we and so do our children.

   Just this week we learned of another young man who lashed out by killing school mates in Texas.  Maybe it would help if we taught our children to call on God to help and heal when they hurt, if we taught them to call on God to help when they need strength to hold back from lashing out their pain on others. Maybe it would help if we taught them to pray like Jabez….  “that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!”

   A closing thought, God granted him what he requested.

God Loves You

  This is a simple message to anyone who might not know this.  God loves you.  The One True God, the maker of Heaven and Earth, the One who created you with design and purpose loves you.

   The world is becoming messed up and confusing, people fighting each other, missiles being shot into the air and coming down who knows where.  It can be frightening.

   There are floods and devastation from hurricanes and fires burning out of control.  There is hunger and pain and fear. Terrorists attack innocent people as they go about their lives.  In the midst of these things please know that God loves you.  He genuinely and desperately loves you. 

   The Holy book says:  John 3:16-17…For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  God want's to save you not condemn you.

  It was God’s plan to demonstrate His love by sending His Son.  How did His Son react? He came willingly. He came knowing He would have to die to bring us this gift of everlasting life.   Romans 5:8 says:  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 

   Yes, God loves you and Jesus Christ loves you.  They have made a way for you to have relationship with them.  Open your heart to this love.  Ask forgiveness for your sins.  Allow the shed blood of Jesus to cover your sins and make you an adopted child of the King.

   Romans 8:16 says: The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. 

   May God bless you.

Sending Prayers

Sending Prayers

  I have been noticing something lately that causes me some concern. On social network places, on news broadcasts, or articles, I hear and see the phrase “sending prayers out to you.”

  The common phrase used to be “I am, or we are praying for you.” Maybe they mean the same, but maybe not. If a person sends out prayers to you are they asking you to somehow fix your situation? Are we our own God?

  The meaning of prayer according to the New Oxford American Dictionary is, a solemn request for help or expression of thanks addressed to God or an object of worship. Prayer is intended to bring in the help of a higher power because the situation is too big for mere mortals.

  Prayer is a truly wonderful thing. The idea that God, the one who created us, loves us, and desires relationship and communication with us is rich and mind boggling. Prayer is a gift. Prayer is powerful when connected to the right source. A prayer sent out willy nilly connects to nothing and has no value. A prayer sent out to the one and only true God has infinite power.

  Prayer, however, can be intimidating because if we get serious and really get on our knees and talk to God, we sense that He might be taking note of us and all our failings and imperfections. The nearer we draw to Him and His perfection the more we become aware of our own sinfulness. Maybe there needs to be some house cleaning before we start making requests of God. No wonder people want to simply toss out a simple “sending prayers to you dear.”

  Scripture (the authoritative source for knowing about God and prayer) tells us that no one can come to the Father unless they come thru the Son. John 14:6 says: Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

  When we pray to the Father we must go through His son Jesus. We cannot take a message to the Father without the Son. The Son is clean and sinless. Instead of hearing requests from an unclean vessel God hears the request from a clean one. His Son. Always take Jesus with you when you pray. It is the blood of Christ that covers our sin and makes us worthy of relationship and communication with the Father God.

  If you want your prayers to have power and truly make a difference in someone’s life search out the scriptures and learn how to access God’s power. Search and find what Jesus Christ has done for you.

  “Sending prayers out to you,” is like tossing out a life raft made of cotton candy. Looks good, sounds good, even smells good, but quickly melts away and changes nothing.

I Love Rocks

  I love rocks. I really do. I guess it’s a good thing since there is no shortage of rocks in these Ozark Mountains of Arkansas where I live. It seems that they grow and multiply like weeds.  My lawn mower doesn’t appreciate them as much as I do.  They come in all different sizes, different colors, with different characteristics, but all are interesting.

   I come by this love and appreciation for rocks quite honestly.  My mother and grandmother were rock collectors, although they called themselves and folks like them “rock hounds”.  It's a good description.  Eyes always to the ground scouting for any worthy to be added to their collections like bloodhounds on the hunt.

   In addition to the family heritage of rock hounding, I have other reasons for this interest in rocks.  I find them fascinating.  Though they are quiet things, rocks really do tell stories.  Well now, that just reminded me of a scripture verse. Sorry, but this happens all the time. Luke 19:40…But He (Jesus) answered and said to them, (the Pharisees) “I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out.”  Jesus was making His triumphal entry to Jerusalem just before His crucifixion. The multitude of His disciples were praising God saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” 

   The Savior of the world would get praise that day even if it came from the rocks.  I hope I praise Him enough with my voice and my life that my rocks don’t have to cry out.

   Back to why I like rocks.  Like I said, sometimes they have stories to tell, sometimes they are part of the story and sometimes they are the whole story.

   Regarding rocks with stories to tell, this would be the interesting fossils that I find. We have found what appear to be clams encapsulated in rock.  This discovery would make a person wonder if at some time in the past water covered the tops of these mountains.  According to Genesis 7:19-20, it did.  (19. And the waters prevailed exceedingly on the earth, and all the high hills under the whole heaven were covered.  20.  The waters prevailed fifteen cubits upward, and the mountains were covered.)  I am confident that my rocks, if they could talk, would have very interesting stories to tell us.  I think they might whisper to us “Heed the word of the Lord.”

   I love the story of young David before he became king, and how he chose five smooth stones from a brook and went to do battle with the enemy, a feared enemy who was fiercer and bigger and who brought with him a sword, a spear, and a javelin to this battle.  David had his slingshot, five rocks and God.  David told this enemy, “I will win and then all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel.”  David did win with one rock and they and we can know there is a God.

   Sometimes rocks have a story, sometimes they are in the story, and sometimes they are the whole story.  My favorite rock is the Rock of my salvation, the stone the builders rejected. 

Psalm 61:1-2:  Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer; From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

   By the way this Psalm was written by David, the same boy with the slingshot and the same man who became King David.  He might have been king but he knew who was higher than him.  

   This rock that is higher than I.....this is my favorite.