Jeremiah 29
~ All of us at one point in time feels like we have been exiled from our home, but even during those times God is still protecting us and providing for us.
~ Just as the Isrealites were exiled to Babylon there God sent word to them by the prophet Jeremiah. There were some instructions in the message God sent thorugh Jeremiah. (The Israelites had been exiled by Nebuchadnezzar.)
1) The first instructions God gave them was actually a set of instructions.
* (verse 5-7) Build homes and plan to stay.
~ God was letting them know they would be there for awhile and to make sure they had a place to live.
~ But it was up to the Isrealites to build the house. They had to be active. They had to do the building.
* Plant gradens and eat the foods they produce.
~ God made sure they would have food during the 70 year stay.
~ Even during the exile God still made sure to give instructions for them so that way no one could say, "I didn't know."
~ If they didn't plant the gardens then they didn't eat and that was their fault if they didn't eat.
* Marry and have children and then find them spouses. MULTIPLY!!!!
~I can only think of the promise God made to Abraham, "I'll make you a father of many nations."
* God told them, "Work for peace and prosperity of the city I sent you into exile."
~First notice the last couple of words. God sent them into Babylon for exile.
~ Even though the Israelites were sent into exile God already knew and made sure that all the land would be good for them to live there for 70 years.
~ See they may have been complaining about being exiled there but God made sure hte land wasn't desolate.
~ They are told to work for peace and prosperity. We all know that to prosper you have to work. Now there are some that seem to prosper without working but in the end all that they have is lost.
~ And they were instructed to work for peace. They are foreigners in this land. They have to work at having peace because they are in someone else's city.
~ Many people fool themselves by thinking that just because they are new to a certain place they will have peace. When the truth is you have to work at having peace.
***** But see God let htem know that not only did they have to work for it they had to pray for it as well.
~ Why did they have to pray for it because their welfare depended on it.
~ MEANING THAT THEIR LIFE DEPENDED ON THE PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
2) God instructed them not to listen to the false prophets and fortune tellers because God already had their fate in His hand.
* In the time of exile the Israelites were probably looking to understand why they were exiled whey they had to leave Jerusalem and began to search for the answer in the wrong places.
*** How many of us have been in our exiled place adn we don't understand why so we begin to look for answers and then we end up believing someone else's lie about why we are in that place?
~ See God wanted to make sure that they didn't feed into or even search for the answer from the wrong people.
* Remember even though they were exiled God said in verse 7 that htey are in the land He exiled them too. See sometimes we are exiled to a place because God has ordained it. (Usually its time for you to build trust, get to know God and to just follow God's instructions.)
* But God warned the Israelites not to entertain their foolishness because He already knew the fate of the false prophets and fortune tellers. DEATH......
3) God lets them know to look for him and seek him whole heartedly during the 70 years of exile.
* He gave them a promise that if they looked for and seeked him whole heartedly they would find him and he would end their captivity.
** Sometimes you have to be exiled so God can get through to you.
God bless
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Are You An Abigail?
1 Samuel 25
Nobal means fool.
See there are some things we can learn from Abigail, Nabal's wife.
1) She was married to a fool but she remained humble.
~ Nabal was a cocky rich arrogant man
~ We can see from the text that he was the type of person who only looked out for himself
2) She had a heart for others.
~ When Nabal refused to send anything to David and his men after they kept his sheep and people safe, Abigail knew that Nabal was wrong (just as Nabal's solider that told Abigail about Nabals arrogance.)
~ Abigail sprung into action she didn't wait for someone else to make a plan.
3) She took responsiblity for the arrogance of her husband, Nabal.
~ Now Abigail had no interaction with the men when they came to Nabal, neither did she see them but she knw that she had to do something.
~ She packs an abundance of supplies for David and his men.
~ Not only did she send food and drink she went with the men to deliver it to David and his men.
* Here's the point many will just look over. She accepted responsibility for Nabal's actions, even though she wasn't the one who spoke the words.
~ She knew that if Nabal said anything else he would make matters even worse so she stood in his place humbly.
~ While taking responsibility for her husbands actions she pleaded with David and even told David that he didn't want that blood on his hand.
~ She wasn't to proud to fall down on her face in front of David.
* ABIGAIL WENT OUT TO MEET DAVID WITH SUPPLIES AND PLEAD FOR HIM NOT TO KILL NABAL SO THE BLOOD WOULDN'T BE ON DAVIDS HANDS.
4) She didn't go back bragging to Nabal that she had saved his life while he was drunk.
~The Bible says that Abigail waited until Nabal was sober to tell him these things.
~ It doesn't say she was throwing it up in his face or had an attitude with it.
~ She pointed out to him that in his drunkness that he had made a bad decision.
~ I don't think she was being arrogant or trying to make him feel like less of a man.
* Notice that even though she knows that her husband is a drunken fool she is still able to stand for him.
**How many would've been like I can't stand his drunk butt let him fight his own battles?
~ She understood that sometimes a battle just isn't worth it.
5) She remained humbled.
~ Even after Nabal died and David sent for her she didn't act arrogant. (which we know some would've because her and Nabal had wealth.)
~She didn't argue that her carriage was a donkey. She got right on the donkey and went to David.
** This says alot about her character because how many would get on a donkey today if the man who wanted to marry you sent a donkey?
EVEN WHEN SHE REALIZED THAT SHE WASN'T THE ONLY WIFE DAVID HAD WE DON'T READ THAT SHE ACTED A FOOL. She remained humble.
Abigail was a humble, loving, devoted, loyal women. Now many can say that she has at least one of these attributes but how many can say that they have them all? We should strive to be like Abigail in our everyday life.
God bless
Nobal means fool.
See there are some things we can learn from Abigail, Nabal's wife.
1) She was married to a fool but she remained humble.
~ Nabal was a cocky rich arrogant man
~ We can see from the text that he was the type of person who only looked out for himself
2) She had a heart for others.
~ When Nabal refused to send anything to David and his men after they kept his sheep and people safe, Abigail knew that Nabal was wrong (just as Nabal's solider that told Abigail about Nabals arrogance.)
~ Abigail sprung into action she didn't wait for someone else to make a plan.
3) She took responsiblity for the arrogance of her husband, Nabal.
~ Now Abigail had no interaction with the men when they came to Nabal, neither did she see them but she knw that she had to do something.
~ She packs an abundance of supplies for David and his men.
~ Not only did she send food and drink she went with the men to deliver it to David and his men.
* Here's the point many will just look over. She accepted responsibility for Nabal's actions, even though she wasn't the one who spoke the words.
~ She knew that if Nabal said anything else he would make matters even worse so she stood in his place humbly.
~ While taking responsibility for her husbands actions she pleaded with David and even told David that he didn't want that blood on his hand.
~ She wasn't to proud to fall down on her face in front of David.
* ABIGAIL WENT OUT TO MEET DAVID WITH SUPPLIES AND PLEAD FOR HIM NOT TO KILL NABAL SO THE BLOOD WOULDN'T BE ON DAVIDS HANDS.
4) She didn't go back bragging to Nabal that she had saved his life while he was drunk.
~The Bible says that Abigail waited until Nabal was sober to tell him these things.
~ It doesn't say she was throwing it up in his face or had an attitude with it.
~ She pointed out to him that in his drunkness that he had made a bad decision.
~ I don't think she was being arrogant or trying to make him feel like less of a man.
* Notice that even though she knows that her husband is a drunken fool she is still able to stand for him.
**How many would've been like I can't stand his drunk butt let him fight his own battles?
~ She understood that sometimes a battle just isn't worth it.
5) She remained humbled.
~ Even after Nabal died and David sent for her she didn't act arrogant. (which we know some would've because her and Nabal had wealth.)
~She didn't argue that her carriage was a donkey. She got right on the donkey and went to David.
** This says alot about her character because how many would get on a donkey today if the man who wanted to marry you sent a donkey?
EVEN WHEN SHE REALIZED THAT SHE WASN'T THE ONLY WIFE DAVID HAD WE DON'T READ THAT SHE ACTED A FOOL. She remained humble.
Abigail was a humble, loving, devoted, loyal women. Now many can say that she has at least one of these attributes but how many can say that they have them all? We should strive to be like Abigail in our everyday life.
God bless
I Know Him For Myself
What is that you say?
That my pain will never go away
That the shame is mine to keep
And the guilt will always run deep
That's not what I've been shown
Nor is that what I've been told
I've seen for myself that He's a restorer
For I know him for myself
Who do you say
That tears will forever stain my face
That I'll find no peace in any place
That the anger will always burn deep within
That's not what I've been shown
Nor is that what I've been told
I've seen for myself that He's a peacemaker
For I know him for myself
Who gave you the authority to say
Who will be happy
Who will be burdened
Who won't be restored
That's not what I've been shown
Nor is that whta I've been told
I've seen for myself that Jesus is the way
For I know him for myself
That my pain will never go away
That the shame is mine to keep
And the guilt will always run deep
That's not what I've been shown
Nor is that what I've been told
I've seen for myself that He's a restorer
For I know him for myself
Who do you say
That tears will forever stain my face
That I'll find no peace in any place
That the anger will always burn deep within
That's not what I've been shown
Nor is that what I've been told
I've seen for myself that He's a peacemaker
For I know him for myself
Who gave you the authority to say
Who will be happy
Who will be burdened
Who won't be restored
That's not what I've been shown
Nor is that whta I've been told
I've seen for myself that Jesus is the way
For I know him for myself
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Dust Your Feet Off & Move On....
Acts 13:44-52
See many times the very people you feel you need to minister to won't accept what you have to say or even believe what you have to say. There will be many people in your life that claim themselves to be Christians but they feel they are holier than thou or that you can't effectively minister to them because of where you 've been or what you've done.
It's in this type of situation that you have to be truly plugged into God because if not their rejection of you can cause you to doubt what God has ordained you to do.
See just as the Jews didn't listen to Paul and Barnabas, they didn't let that get to them they were plugged into God and was able to hear when God said to preach to the Gentiles.
Now what did the Jews do? They got mad and got others hyped up with them to cause a big scene that ran Paul and Barnabas out of town.
But what did the Gentiles do? They received the message & was glad that Paul and Barnabas preached the word.
See where some may reject you know that God has people waiting on you that will receive and welcome you and what you have to say with open arms and open hearts.
See there will be times that you will just have to do just off your feet and keep it moving from amongst those you started with.
1) See there will be some who are jealous of you and your destiny.
2) There will be some who don't want to hear what you have to say.
3) There will be some who are only out to discredit you.
**BUT NO MATTER WHAT YOU JUST KEEP RIGHT ON DOING WHAT GOD HAS TOLD YOU TO DO AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE PLUGGED INTO THE SOURCE OF LIFE. GOD WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO GO AND WHO'S WAITING TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY IF YOU STAY PLUGGED INTO HIM.
Don't get discouraged because you have to dust your feet off on some folks that you once considered to be a root in your life because the truth of the matter is that sometimes the very people you considered to be a root only turned out to be a stubborn leaf that wouldn't fall from the tree.
God bless
See many times the very people you feel you need to minister to won't accept what you have to say or even believe what you have to say. There will be many people in your life that claim themselves to be Christians but they feel they are holier than thou or that you can't effectively minister to them because of where you 've been or what you've done.
It's in this type of situation that you have to be truly plugged into God because if not their rejection of you can cause you to doubt what God has ordained you to do.
See just as the Jews didn't listen to Paul and Barnabas, they didn't let that get to them they were plugged into God and was able to hear when God said to preach to the Gentiles.
Now what did the Jews do? They got mad and got others hyped up with them to cause a big scene that ran Paul and Barnabas out of town.
But what did the Gentiles do? They received the message & was glad that Paul and Barnabas preached the word.
See where some may reject you know that God has people waiting on you that will receive and welcome you and what you have to say with open arms and open hearts.
See there will be times that you will just have to do just off your feet and keep it moving from amongst those you started with.
1) See there will be some who are jealous of you and your destiny.
2) There will be some who don't want to hear what you have to say.
3) There will be some who are only out to discredit you.
**BUT NO MATTER WHAT YOU JUST KEEP RIGHT ON DOING WHAT GOD HAS TOLD YOU TO DO AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE PLUGGED INTO THE SOURCE OF LIFE. GOD WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO GO AND WHO'S WAITING TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY IF YOU STAY PLUGGED INTO HIM.
Don't get discouraged because you have to dust your feet off on some folks that you once considered to be a root in your life because the truth of the matter is that sometimes the very people you considered to be a root only turned out to be a stubborn leaf that wouldn't fall from the tree.
God bless
Sunday, June 5, 2011
FAKING & FRONTING
Many times in life you think that you have everything all under control when you don't. See though things may look good on the outside the turmoil is truly on the inside. See you've learned to dress up the outside so that everything looks ok, but God knows that you are faking and fronting.
Take Juda Isacriot, he walked with Jesus and had the fasad that he was on the up and up. He sat with the other 11 disciples listening to Jesus learning His ways. Everything looked good on the outside but see Judas was a tax collector and a thief and he was struggling with that on the inside. See the true him showed through his words when he was upset that Mary had poured the expensive oil onto Jesus' head. (Mark 14:1-11) See Judas was only thinking about how much the oil was worth. Do you see the internal struggle? He sat and watched Jesus get annointed with oil and instead of Judas rejoicing or trying to understand the reason she did it, he was upset because the oil wasn't sold. I can almost guarantee that none of the other disciples knew that Judas was thinking about stealing some of the money if the oil had been sold.
See people are good at acting like everything is ok when on the inside they are troubled. Then there aer soem who just want to keep up mess. Their intentions are to cause mess and hurt others, but they are the first ones to claim to have all their ducks in a row.
Again take Judas. He knew that he was going to betray Jesus for the 30 pieces of silver but what did he do? Even after he agreed to betray Jesus he went right back with Jesus and the disciples and acted as though nothing was wrong. He even tried to look puzzled when Jesus called him out. Now aint that how people do? They know they have did something and when someone calls them out on it they get that bewildered look on their face like they dont' know what you are talking about.
See Jesus knew that everything wasn't as it seemed with Judas. That is why Jesus explained why the oil wasn't sold and the money given to the poor. Even though Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him Jesus still prayed for the disciples and Judas was even present at the Lords supper. Judas walked with Jesus and didn't understand that Jesus already knew what Judas would do.
How many times have you pretended that everything was ok but on the inside you were battling? How many times hav eyou acted like everything was ok but you were planning and plotting to hurt someone, get revene or looking to prosper yourself from someone else's earnings? I know not many will be honest to admit they have done this but I have done it. I knew that not only was I lying but I was out for me. Though I knew God was the all seeing God I convinced myself or blinded myself to the fact that God saw all that mess I was doing.
See by Judas pretending that everything was ok on the outside but inside he was plotting and planning. He hurt himself as well as Jesus. See what Judas didn't understand was that Jesus had come to go to the cross and die and that Jesus was determined to complete his destiny. But who did Judas end up hurting worst was himself.
Judas thought that 30 pieces of silver would be worth it, but in teh end it caused him to kill himself. See pretending that everything is ok on the outside while internally you are in turmoil (whether intentionally or unintentionally) you end up hurting yourself more than whoever your target is.
Jesus knows everything about you. He knows when you are plotting evil. He knows when you are faking. He knows when you plan to do harm to folks. Jesus came so that you and me could have PEACE. He doesn't want you to pretend that all is well when you know that you are plotting evil or hurting. So instead of pretending and determining to steal, kill, discredit, slander, judge, lie, etc.. on someone ask God to help you because with HIm you don't have to pretend.
HE KNOWS ALL AND SEES ALL. THAT INCLUDES THE INSIDE OF YOU AND YOUR HEART. DON'T END UP LIKE JUDAS..
GOD BLESS
Take Juda Isacriot, he walked with Jesus and had the fasad that he was on the up and up. He sat with the other 11 disciples listening to Jesus learning His ways. Everything looked good on the outside but see Judas was a tax collector and a thief and he was struggling with that on the inside. See the true him showed through his words when he was upset that Mary had poured the expensive oil onto Jesus' head. (Mark 14:1-11) See Judas was only thinking about how much the oil was worth. Do you see the internal struggle? He sat and watched Jesus get annointed with oil and instead of Judas rejoicing or trying to understand the reason she did it, he was upset because the oil wasn't sold. I can almost guarantee that none of the other disciples knew that Judas was thinking about stealing some of the money if the oil had been sold.
See people are good at acting like everything is ok when on the inside they are troubled. Then there aer soem who just want to keep up mess. Their intentions are to cause mess and hurt others, but they are the first ones to claim to have all their ducks in a row.
Again take Judas. He knew that he was going to betray Jesus for the 30 pieces of silver but what did he do? Even after he agreed to betray Jesus he went right back with Jesus and the disciples and acted as though nothing was wrong. He even tried to look puzzled when Jesus called him out. Now aint that how people do? They know they have did something and when someone calls them out on it they get that bewildered look on their face like they dont' know what you are talking about.
See Jesus knew that everything wasn't as it seemed with Judas. That is why Jesus explained why the oil wasn't sold and the money given to the poor. Even though Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him Jesus still prayed for the disciples and Judas was even present at the Lords supper. Judas walked with Jesus and didn't understand that Jesus already knew what Judas would do.
How many times have you pretended that everything was ok but on the inside you were battling? How many times hav eyou acted like everything was ok but you were planning and plotting to hurt someone, get revene or looking to prosper yourself from someone else's earnings? I know not many will be honest to admit they have done this but I have done it. I knew that not only was I lying but I was out for me. Though I knew God was the all seeing God I convinced myself or blinded myself to the fact that God saw all that mess I was doing.
See by Judas pretending that everything was ok on the outside but inside he was plotting and planning. He hurt himself as well as Jesus. See what Judas didn't understand was that Jesus had come to go to the cross and die and that Jesus was determined to complete his destiny. But who did Judas end up hurting worst was himself.
Judas thought that 30 pieces of silver would be worth it, but in teh end it caused him to kill himself. See pretending that everything is ok on the outside while internally you are in turmoil (whether intentionally or unintentionally) you end up hurting yourself more than whoever your target is.
Jesus knows everything about you. He knows when you are plotting evil. He knows when you are faking. He knows when you plan to do harm to folks. Jesus came so that you and me could have PEACE. He doesn't want you to pretend that all is well when you know that you are plotting evil or hurting. So instead of pretending and determining to steal, kill, discredit, slander, judge, lie, etc.. on someone ask God to help you because with HIm you don't have to pretend.
HE KNOWS ALL AND SEES ALL. THAT INCLUDES THE INSIDE OF YOU AND YOUR HEART. DON'T END UP LIKE JUDAS..
GOD BLESS
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