how many of us who would like to control our lives? control the situation of our lives.. control freaks... all of us in some ways we want to control the way we live our lives.. its part our human nature.. control how others perceive us.. and we want to CONTROL GOD..
Genesis 32: 22 - 30 JACOB WRESTLES WITH GOD
I have been wrestling with GOD lately and I knew I had to make it right.. Humbled myself with the Lord and be silent in the face of the Lord..
I submit to the DIVINE PLAN of the Lord in my life but at times I struggled to understand this and I ended up wrestling with the Lord. I have come in a deep desperation with the Lord, just like Jacob had with the Lord. I had confrontation with myself and the Lord.
I believe you cannot face the greatest challenges of life unless you first deal and face your greatest weaknesses. Even in the life like I have where I have deep passion with the Lord, I could still be pre-occupied with my life plans.
JACOB said, " I am not going to let you go unless you bless me."
the SPIRIT of GOD desire you to change inside out.. the work of GOD by your Spirit.. and when we give our attention to the LORD.. he wants to take our IDENTITY AND CHANGE US.. jacob's name was change to ISRAEL.. GOD preserves you.. give you a new perpective in life
PHILIPPIANS 1: 6
IF YOU ARE WILLING TO RUN WITH GOD IN THE WILDERNESS, WHEN YOU ARE WILLING. HE'S GOING TO TURN INTO BEAUTY AND PLAY A SONG IN YOUR LIFE..
JEREMIAH 29: 11
PLANS TO PROSPER YOU..
BIBLE SAYS, YOUR FUTURE IS IN GOD'S HAND.. are you willing to run and get alone for an extended time of SOLITUDE and confronts you in whats hindering you fr listening to GOD's DIVINE plan in your life..
a DESTINY.. if you live submitted to HIS PLAN..
in the name of JESUS, AMEN..
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
BIKE RIDE
(a picture of trusting and relying on GOD based on riding a Bike with Jesus Christ)
At first I see God as my observer, my judge keeping track of the things I did wrong so as to know whether I married in heaven or in hell when I die.
He was out there sort of like a President. I recognized His picture when I saw it but I really didnt know him.
but later on, when I met Christ. it seems as though that LIFE is rather like a BIKE RIDE and then I noticed Christ was in the back helping me PEDAL..
I dont know just when it was that HE suggested that we change places but Life has never been the same since.
When I had control, I knew the way.. it was rather boring but predictable.. it was the shortest distance between two points.
But when he took the LEAD, HE KNEW delightful long journeys...up mountains and through rocky places.. and break next speeds, it was all that I could do was to hang on..
eventough it looks madness, He said.. PEDAL.. and I worried and was anxious, and I asked, " where are you taking me?"... he laughed and didnt answer.. then I started to learn to TRUST.
I forgot my boring life and ended with His adventure and when I say Im scared, HE leaned back and He touched my hand.
I did not trust him at first in control of my life.. But He knows about BIKEs.. He knows when to make it bend around the sharp corner.. knows to jump clear.. clear to high rocks.. fly in short scary passages.. and I am learning to shut up and PEDAL in the strangest places..
I am beginning to enjoy the view and cool breeze on my face in my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.
and when Im sure I cannot take it anymore, He just smiles and says, PEDAL..
(Are you still in control of the Bike? Are you still in front side? Have you made that switch? Are you relying on Him or yourself?)
by
Tom HOLLADAY
Pastor, Saddleback Church
the REAL FAITH
in general, ALL MEN HAVE FAITH.. however FAITH is defined differently.. some say FAITH as being positive attitude.. or is it religion.. or FAITH as a name?
real faith that works.. that makes the difference in everyday life.. what does it really mean? what does it do? what does the difference when they say they're living in faith and one who doesnt?
FAITH is so big and its hard to put ur arms around..
Proverbs 3:5-6
New International Version (NIV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
There are FOUR PHRASES to understand FAITH:
1. TRUST GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART::: FAITH IS RISKING.
everytime you trust, it involves RISK. you need to RISK in order to TRUST. If you want to do something there is always a RISK involved.. especially in a relationship.. MEN always have an issues in risking their lives to trust another PERSON.. So the challenge that Jesus asked from us is to take that risk and TRUST HIM..
Ecclesiastes 10: 8 (the Living Bible)
There is risk in each stroke of your axe!
THERE IS NO GREATER RISK BUT THE RISK OF RELATIONSHIPS.. But Jesus said in Mark 12:30
(NIV)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a
TAKE THE RISK TO LOVE GOD.. it is worth it .. the greates mistake in your life is not to take the risk of not loving GOD..
Matthew 16:25
New Living Translation (NLT)
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
When you take a step out to TRUST JESUS rather than yourself, that is having FAITH. If you did not respond to TRUST or take that RISK to TRUST Jesus, then there is no FAITH at all. To Trust him with your family, decision, work.. anytime you step out and reach to JESUS, thats a leap of FAITH..
Now as you walk through RISK and taking that step in FAITH.. HOW?? .. HOW would you know that you are taking the risk that is not self-inflicted and you are taking the risk that God is showing you? there is an 80/20 PRINCIPLE
if you'll do the 80% of GOD's will that is extremely clear and rightfully interpreted from the BIBLE, then God will then show you the 20% that is not so clear.
80% -- the verse in Mark 12: 30 Love the LOrd your GOD with all your heart, soul and mind.. if you practice this principle it reflects on this Bible verse is clear on you and it acts in every dealing with your self and your relationship.. speaking genetleness and kindness (fruit of the holy spirit).. if you spend time with the Word of God then it will give you an understanding on how will your character be transformed by the power of His words.. Spending your 80% of your time with the word of God then you are going to know the 20% that God would want you to take the risk in Faith in God.. e.g. Where you will live? How are you going to handle a situation?
2. LEAN NOT ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING::: FAITH IS RELYING
FAITH IN GOD is also relying on HIM.. Not relying on ourselves on my idea or my reasoning. GOD IS FAITHFUL.. Leaning on HIm.. FAITH is admitting that there is something bigger than me.. that you are not absolutely right.. Humbling moments of life...
Proverbs 14: 12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
human intuition is not always right but it may lead to DEATH if you rely only on yourself.. GOD has more insights on what is going to happen... more than your understanding, emotions and reasons.. there are things that is above and beyond our intuition.. Human intuition is not always reliable.. GOD knows us.. GOD knows what we want and need.. GOD would like to get you to the significance of what life is all about.. but we get messed up? if what God wants for us is not the one we want.. the moment you would like to get hold of your life and want to be the HERO that you made it all up there.. we want to get all we need and become the HERO ALL THE WAY ALONE.. so GOD at times get us to pain all the way and humble us to make himself present..
Mark 10: 43 Today's English Version
If anyone of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest..
Jesus wants us to become great and learn the significance of life.. but JESUS said in Mark 10: 43 you must serve other people.. In general, MEN doesnt like that.. but TRUE GREATNESS IS SERVING PEOPLE.. make an impact to other people.. that's greatness.. SERVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERs.. If you show and become an example to SERVE (Feeding the 5000) If you can more of that, then more people are coming.. people will follow you..
IF YOUR FAITH IS ALLOWING YOU TO BE HUMBLE AND DOES NOT UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING IN YOUR HAND, THAT'S TRUST.. that's FAITH.. You've got GOD who has the best interest in your heart.. will give greatest joy of my life.. that is FAITH.. somebody you can trust and rely on... that is GOD.. that is FAITH..
It is at times scary when you rely on somebody else.. but JESUS IS TRUSTWORTHY AND RELIABLE.. He is not just somebody else.. but HE IS JESUS...
HOW DO YOU RELY ON JESUS? THIS IS THE 90/10 PRINCIPLE, and practice this. It has to be something I do and not just the way we think..
Proverbs 3:9 (NLT) Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
The 90/10 Principle... GOD can do more w 90% of your life by trusting Him the first 10%... just like FINANCES, business, integrity, family, decisions.. FINANCES or money is a part of LIFE and making JESUS a part of your Finances must be a part of your life.. To say that I have a faith in GOD but not making JESUS a part of FINANCES.. then its pretty meaningless.. JESUS must be a part of EVERYTHING in your life..
Malachi 3:10(New Century Version) Bring to the storehouse a full tenth of what you earn so there will be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord All-Powerful. "I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the blessings you need.
this 10% gets to be practical.. Why 10%? I dont know why.. except I do know that 10% is enough to challeng my faith and thats the point.. Jesus challenges to see and test him what He can do with 10%...
FAITH IS RISKING
FAITH IS RELYING
FAITH IS _____
3. iN ALL YOUR WAYS, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE HIM:: FAITH IS OBEYING.
Because He has our best interest, you must acknowledge the way He is.. BY OBEYING HIM.. FAITH is something you do and activated when you ACT..
Proverbs 28:14(NLT)Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
God is not wanting you to obey and make your life miserable.. GOD wants you to experience TRUE HAPPINESS and ETERNAL.. but when we are STUBBORN, it gets us into trouble.. (A REALITY)..
It is easy to get stubborn and be prideful in our ways.. The longer you are stubborn the further you get from where GOD wants you to be.. BUT THE MOMENT YOU STOP BEING STUBBORN, you submit to GOD make a U-TURN and realize all the good stuff where you are supposed to be.. but there is always something about us that gets us to be STUBBORN.. OBEY GOD and He wants to bring happiness into your life..
James 1:22 (NLT)But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
You dont get SPIRITUAL by listening to SPIRITUAL VERSES.. you get spiritual, by doing something on the message... Just because you went to Church and hearing the WORD that makes you feel emotional is NOT SPIRITUALITY.
HOW TO DO THIS IS TO PRACTICE THE 100% PRINCIPLE. It is giving 100% of your life to GOD..
ALL YOUR WAYS AND NOT JUST MOST OF YOUR WAYS.. ALL YOUR WAYSSSS...
Colossians 3:17 (NCV)Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
The question is which part of your life you are not giving to our Lord Jesus.. is it your business, relationship, sexuality, your enternatinment, your finances, habits..just this part that you say ITS YOURS.. not w JESUS..
if there is one are that you are holding off it becomes a CANCER that affects all the rest.. 100%... what is one thing that holds you out over there?? if there is ONE THING, that means you already thought about it... GOD has put it in your mind.. why does he keeps bugging you with that one thing??? ... NOT TO RUIN YOUR LIFE... its because HE LOVES YOU..
If you give HIM that one thing, then GOD WILL OPEN A GREAT DOOR FOR YOU.. God keeps on bugging you out on this is because HE KNOWS that there is a GREAT PATH awaiting you... the SECRET IS THAT WE ARE NOT PERFECT.. GOD knows we are not PERFECT that's why HE KNOWS WE NEED HIM...
FAITH IS RISKING, RELYING, OBEYING, EXPECTING
4. he will make your paths straight:: EXPECTING.
The SIGNIFICANT LIFE. faith is expecting GOD to work and keep his promise.. that is a blessing of a straight path.
Psalm 34:8(NLT)Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Faith is expecting that God is going to work.. Trust GOD might lose a friend, might lose a lot of stuff.. might lose the fun or habit you are thinking of.. instead of thinking what you might lose when you have FAITH.. but rather think what are you going to lose if you dont have FAITH.. what are you going to lose on if you dont trust GOD... what are you gonna miss? what joy, life, eternity, salvation, success, what gift you are give on eternity?
I may not see it immediately but FAITH IS EXPECTING because there is always ETERNAL RELEVANCE THAT COMES WITH IT..
At times I dont understand... I run to HIM and expecting HIM to act.. sometimes I see it clearly and sometimes i dont but GOD HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN.. Everytime I have step a leap of faith.. and trust HIM with everything... HE MAKES MY LIFE STRAIGHT.. LIFE OPENS UP.. When life is not fast enough for me.. When I dont like what is happening because of waiting that when the issues comes in.. thats when LIFE GET TWISTED when I try to understand it on my own.. but GOD is faithful.. He will make our path straight.. We are a full if we say we can understand whats going on in our life.. but GOD is faithful.. HE CAN BE TRUSTED..
This has been true not just in our lives but eversince the beginning of the world..
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT) Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
Based on that, I can expect GOD to act on my behalf as I trust him even in the greatest difficulties of my life.. I cant expect Him to make circumstances the way I always want it to be.. I cant expect Him to force another person to choose what he doesnt want to choose.. BUT I CAN EXPECT HIM TO LOVE ME.. I CAN EXPECT HIM TO USE EVEN THIS IN MY LIFE.. I CAN EXPECT HIM TO KEEP HIS PROMISE.. IN ETERNITY..
HOW CAN I DO THAT? ONE- DAY -AT - A -TIME...
FAITH can grow one day at a time.. FAITH is given TODAY,, EVERYDAY...ONE PROBLEM AT A TIME.. ONE RELATIONSHIP AT A TIME.. ONE STEP AT A TIME.. ONE DAY AT A TIME... it is not a LEAP in the DARK.. it is a STEP INTO THE LIGHT.. What reasonable STEP for me to see the Light of GOD..
IT MAY NOT LIKE DOING IT.. IT MAY NOT SEEM REASONABLE TO ME TO DO IT.. BUT IM GOING because I TRUST HIM THAN I TRUST ME..
WHY SHOULD I EXPECT GOD TO DO THIS FOR ME IF I DDNT DO ANYTHING TO HIM??
becaues HE LOVES US.. HE CREATED US.. AND HE BROUGHT US INTO THIS WORLD
FOR THE REASON THAT I TRUST HIM TO DO SOMETHING ON MY BEHALF IS NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT I HAVE DONE BUT BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR ME. HE IS MY FATHER..
THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP OF FAITH YOU NEED TO TAKE.. WHAT IS THE RISK??
This not meant to be complicated.. FAITH IS SIMPLE and one thing you just need to realize is JESUS LOVES YOU.. we struggle with it because we always want things for ourselves and do not take the risk to trust GOD on what we want..
faith is not about getting what you want.. faith is about doing what GOD wants.. it I follow what God wants me to do, God will show me how I can understand the things He knows what is best for me..
Proverbs 3:5-6
The Message (MSG) Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track
real faith that works.. that makes the difference in everyday life.. what does it really mean? what does it do? what does the difference when they say they're living in faith and one who doesnt?
FAITH is so big and its hard to put ur arms around..
Proverbs 3:5-6
New International Version (NIV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
There are FOUR PHRASES to understand FAITH:
1. TRUST GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART::: FAITH IS RISKING.
everytime you trust, it involves RISK. you need to RISK in order to TRUST. If you want to do something there is always a RISK involved.. especially in a relationship.. MEN always have an issues in risking their lives to trust another PERSON.. So the challenge that Jesus asked from us is to take that risk and TRUST HIM..
Ecclesiastes 10: 8 (the Living Bible)
There is risk in each stroke of your axe!
THERE IS NO GREATER RISK BUT THE RISK OF RELATIONSHIPS.. But Jesus said in Mark 12:30
(NIV)
30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[a
TAKE THE RISK TO LOVE GOD.. it is worth it .. the greates mistake in your life is not to take the risk of not loving GOD..
Matthew 16:25
New Living Translation (NLT)
If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
When you take a step out to TRUST JESUS rather than yourself, that is having FAITH. If you did not respond to TRUST or take that RISK to TRUST Jesus, then there is no FAITH at all. To Trust him with your family, decision, work.. anytime you step out and reach to JESUS, thats a leap of FAITH..
Now as you walk through RISK and taking that step in FAITH.. HOW?? .. HOW would you know that you are taking the risk that is not self-inflicted and you are taking the risk that God is showing you? there is an 80/20 PRINCIPLE
if you'll do the 80% of GOD's will that is extremely clear and rightfully interpreted from the BIBLE, then God will then show you the 20% that is not so clear.
80% -- the verse in Mark 12: 30 Love the LOrd your GOD with all your heart, soul and mind.. if you practice this principle it reflects on this Bible verse is clear on you and it acts in every dealing with your self and your relationship.. speaking genetleness and kindness (fruit of the holy spirit).. if you spend time with the Word of God then it will give you an understanding on how will your character be transformed by the power of His words.. Spending your 80% of your time with the word of God then you are going to know the 20% that God would want you to take the risk in Faith in God.. e.g. Where you will live? How are you going to handle a situation?
2. LEAN NOT ON YOUR UNDERSTANDING::: FAITH IS RELYING
FAITH IN GOD is also relying on HIM.. Not relying on ourselves on my idea or my reasoning. GOD IS FAITHFUL.. Leaning on HIm.. FAITH is admitting that there is something bigger than me.. that you are not absolutely right.. Humbling moments of life...
Proverbs 14: 12 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
human intuition is not always right but it may lead to DEATH if you rely only on yourself.. GOD has more insights on what is going to happen... more than your understanding, emotions and reasons.. there are things that is above and beyond our intuition.. Human intuition is not always reliable.. GOD knows us.. GOD knows what we want and need.. GOD would like to get you to the significance of what life is all about.. but we get messed up? if what God wants for us is not the one we want.. the moment you would like to get hold of your life and want to be the HERO that you made it all up there.. we want to get all we need and become the HERO ALL THE WAY ALONE.. so GOD at times get us to pain all the way and humble us to make himself present..
Mark 10: 43 Today's English Version
If anyone of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest..
Jesus wants us to become great and learn the significance of life.. but JESUS said in Mark 10: 43 you must serve other people.. In general, MEN doesnt like that.. but TRUE GREATNESS IS SERVING PEOPLE.. make an impact to other people.. that's greatness.. SERVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERs.. If you show and become an example to SERVE (Feeding the 5000) If you can more of that, then more people are coming.. people will follow you..
IF YOUR FAITH IS ALLOWING YOU TO BE HUMBLE AND DOES NOT UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING IN YOUR HAND, THAT'S TRUST.. that's FAITH.. You've got GOD who has the best interest in your heart.. will give greatest joy of my life.. that is FAITH.. somebody you can trust and rely on... that is GOD.. that is FAITH..
It is at times scary when you rely on somebody else.. but JESUS IS TRUSTWORTHY AND RELIABLE.. He is not just somebody else.. but HE IS JESUS...
HOW DO YOU RELY ON JESUS? THIS IS THE 90/10 PRINCIPLE, and practice this. It has to be something I do and not just the way we think..
Proverbs 3:9 (NLT) Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.
The 90/10 Principle... GOD can do more w 90% of your life by trusting Him the first 10%... just like FINANCES, business, integrity, family, decisions.. FINANCES or money is a part of LIFE and making JESUS a part of your Finances must be a part of your life.. To say that I have a faith in GOD but not making JESUS a part of FINANCES.. then its pretty meaningless.. JESUS must be a part of EVERYTHING in your life..
Malachi 3:10(New Century Version) Bring to the storehouse a full tenth of what you earn so there will be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord All-Powerful. "I will open the windows of heaven for you and pour out all the blessings you need.
this 10% gets to be practical.. Why 10%? I dont know why.. except I do know that 10% is enough to challeng my faith and thats the point.. Jesus challenges to see and test him what He can do with 10%...
FAITH IS RISKING
FAITH IS RELYING
FAITH IS _____
3. iN ALL YOUR WAYS, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE HIM:: FAITH IS OBEYING.
Because He has our best interest, you must acknowledge the way He is.. BY OBEYING HIM.. FAITH is something you do and activated when you ACT..
Proverbs 28:14(NLT)Blessed are those who fear to do wrong, but the stubborn are headed for serious trouble.
God is not wanting you to obey and make your life miserable.. GOD wants you to experience TRUE HAPPINESS and ETERNAL.. but when we are STUBBORN, it gets us into trouble.. (A REALITY)..
It is easy to get stubborn and be prideful in our ways.. The longer you are stubborn the further you get from where GOD wants you to be.. BUT THE MOMENT YOU STOP BEING STUBBORN, you submit to GOD make a U-TURN and realize all the good stuff where you are supposed to be.. but there is always something about us that gets us to be STUBBORN.. OBEY GOD and He wants to bring happiness into your life..
James 1:22 (NLT)But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
You dont get SPIRITUAL by listening to SPIRITUAL VERSES.. you get spiritual, by doing something on the message... Just because you went to Church and hearing the WORD that makes you feel emotional is NOT SPIRITUALITY.
HOW TO DO THIS IS TO PRACTICE THE 100% PRINCIPLE. It is giving 100% of your life to GOD..
ALL YOUR WAYS AND NOT JUST MOST OF YOUR WAYS.. ALL YOUR WAYSSSS...
Colossians 3:17 (NCV)Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.
The question is which part of your life you are not giving to our Lord Jesus.. is it your business, relationship, sexuality, your enternatinment, your finances, habits..just this part that you say ITS YOURS.. not w JESUS..
if there is one are that you are holding off it becomes a CANCER that affects all the rest.. 100%... what is one thing that holds you out over there?? if there is ONE THING, that means you already thought about it... GOD has put it in your mind.. why does he keeps bugging you with that one thing??? ... NOT TO RUIN YOUR LIFE... its because HE LOVES YOU..
If you give HIM that one thing, then GOD WILL OPEN A GREAT DOOR FOR YOU.. God keeps on bugging you out on this is because HE KNOWS that there is a GREAT PATH awaiting you... the SECRET IS THAT WE ARE NOT PERFECT.. GOD knows we are not PERFECT that's why HE KNOWS WE NEED HIM...
FAITH IS RISKING, RELYING, OBEYING, EXPECTING
4. he will make your paths straight:: EXPECTING.
The SIGNIFICANT LIFE. faith is expecting GOD to work and keep his promise.. that is a blessing of a straight path.
Psalm 34:8(NLT)Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
Faith is expecting that God is going to work.. Trust GOD might lose a friend, might lose a lot of stuff.. might lose the fun or habit you are thinking of.. instead of thinking what you might lose when you have FAITH.. but rather think what are you going to lose if you dont have FAITH.. what are you going to lose on if you dont trust GOD... what are you gonna miss? what joy, life, eternity, salvation, success, what gift you are give on eternity?
I may not see it immediately but FAITH IS EXPECTING because there is always ETERNAL RELEVANCE THAT COMES WITH IT..
At times I dont understand... I run to HIM and expecting HIM to act.. sometimes I see it clearly and sometimes i dont but GOD HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN.. Everytime I have step a leap of faith.. and trust HIM with everything... HE MAKES MY LIFE STRAIGHT.. LIFE OPENS UP.. When life is not fast enough for me.. When I dont like what is happening because of waiting that when the issues comes in.. thats when LIFE GET TWISTED when I try to understand it on my own.. but GOD is faithful.. He will make our path straight.. We are a full if we say we can understand whats going on in our life.. but GOD is faithful.. HE CAN BE TRUSTED..
This has been true not just in our lives but eversince the beginning of the world..
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT) Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.
Based on that, I can expect GOD to act on my behalf as I trust him even in the greatest difficulties of my life.. I cant expect Him to make circumstances the way I always want it to be.. I cant expect Him to force another person to choose what he doesnt want to choose.. BUT I CAN EXPECT HIM TO LOVE ME.. I CAN EXPECT HIM TO USE EVEN THIS IN MY LIFE.. I CAN EXPECT HIM TO KEEP HIS PROMISE.. IN ETERNITY..
HOW CAN I DO THAT? ONE- DAY -AT - A -TIME...
FAITH can grow one day at a time.. FAITH is given TODAY,, EVERYDAY...ONE PROBLEM AT A TIME.. ONE RELATIONSHIP AT A TIME.. ONE STEP AT A TIME.. ONE DAY AT A TIME... it is not a LEAP in the DARK.. it is a STEP INTO THE LIGHT.. What reasonable STEP for me to see the Light of GOD..
IT MAY NOT LIKE DOING IT.. IT MAY NOT SEEM REASONABLE TO ME TO DO IT.. BUT IM GOING because I TRUST HIM THAN I TRUST ME..
WHY SHOULD I EXPECT GOD TO DO THIS FOR ME IF I DDNT DO ANYTHING TO HIM??
becaues HE LOVES US.. HE CREATED US.. AND HE BROUGHT US INTO THIS WORLD
FOR THE REASON THAT I TRUST HIM TO DO SOMETHING ON MY BEHALF IS NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT I HAVE DONE BUT BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE FOR ME. HE IS MY FATHER..
THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP OF FAITH YOU NEED TO TAKE.. WHAT IS THE RISK??
This not meant to be complicated.. FAITH IS SIMPLE and one thing you just need to realize is JESUS LOVES YOU.. we struggle with it because we always want things for ourselves and do not take the risk to trust GOD on what we want..
faith is not about getting what you want.. faith is about doing what GOD wants.. it I follow what God wants me to do, God will show me how I can understand the things He knows what is best for me..
Proverbs 3:5-6
The Message (MSG) Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track
Saturday, June 18, 2011
A CHILDLESS WOMAN
Psalm 113:9
He settles the childless woman in her home
as a happy mother of children.
Praise the LORD.
I have longed wonder if I will ever have a child. Even at the time I was pregnant for only week 8, I still couldnt believe that I had a child inside me. But God was my refuge and deliverer, that when Ive had an ectopic pregnancy, I knew He was leading me into something really great.
The Psalm 113:9 has given me much understanding, and all the BARREN or CHILDLESS WOMEN in the Bible which has given me an inspiration to relinguish the control on GOD. It is not for me to decide whether I would have a child or not, but rather my Heavenly Father's will.
Sarai (or Sarah), Rebekah, Elizabeth, Esther, Dorcas (Tabitha), but the most noted infertile in the Bible is Hannah, the mother of Samuel.
We see the depth of her pain physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She was often consumed by her thoughts of infertility—she went alone to the temple and cried her heart out to God. She made drastic promises to the Lord in hopes she would be given a child. She was stabbed with the pain of watching other women bear children with no problem. In Hannah, we see a complete picture of the pain of infertility.
I learned how to pray like that of Hannah's. But as much as I want to beg and ask for mercy, I am acknowledging GOD as my creator and so as if He decides me and my husband as the earthly parents of His creation, that is just a PLUS and a BONUS to His servant.
You'd know that God's hand is at work in my womb because God has led us to a Fertility Specialist, and to cope up with this process must also been AND SHOULD ONLY BE INSPIRED BY THE LORD'S SPIRIT AND GLORY. It is absolutely FREE in England and imagine the provision of Health Care to a childless woman, it could have only from the Lord God, isnt it?
HE WILL KEEP MY HEART AND MIND GUARDED WITH PEACE, LOVE AND GENTLENESS as we go through this FERTILITY PROCESS because I know for some, it will be entirely exhausting and troubling.
But only thing that has given me PEACE and CONTENTMENT above all this provisions is that, I have GOD with me, and He has my attention as well. So I am not worried at all, CHILDLESS OR WITH A CHILD... I AM A CHILD OF GOD..
To GOD be all the glory and praise.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
the INCREDIBLEs
we often see the people in the BIBLE (other than Jesus of course) is like SUPER STAR.. THE INCREDIBLES.. SUPER HEROES.. thinking I couldnt even be closer to what they have done.. but when we look a little bit closer, i realize that they are pretty ordinary people... and now I know God has given his grace in my life, and everything I know is because I him, so this has given me an encouraging thought that the people which God used in the Bible were pretty normal like us..
He didnt look for perfect people to be used.. coz He knows he wouldnt find anyone.. He is looking for people who are open to change and follow him.. this encourages me.
So I wonder if I could make it to the Bible?
Let's start looking at their testimonies, so here are some of the HALL OF FAMERS :
1. MOSES thought of himsef as normal and ordinary... the Prince of Egypt saw that another Hebrew guy were beaten up so Moses decided to take the law into his own hands and went out to kill him.. after 40 years, he had an encounter with God and came to see him and said, GO BACK TO EGYPT and deliver God's people from slavery.. Moses said, "who am i"...
2. DAVID who has been loved and guided by God in battles and glory, yet has committed adultery to Bathsheba and murdered her husband... then there you are.. David wrote the Psalms, the songs and prayers we always used to honour and praise the Lord.
3. PAUL, or Saul, called himself the Pharisees of Pharisees.. who hated, persecuted and murdered Christians because of being Christians.. not until he had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.. then there goes Paul who became one of the most faithful servant of the Lord.. written majority of the New Testament.. an apostle who spread the preach the gospel that has never done before..
PETER.. who denied Jesus 3 times..
JEREMIAH.. was always depressed.. didnt accept the Lord's calling at first because he thought he is not qualified..
JACOB.. was a liar.. just to get the blessing from his father.
JOSEPH.. was arrogant with his dreams that's why his brothers envied him..
JONAH.. run away from God
NOAH.. was a drunkard
RAHAB.. was a prostitute
SOLOMON.. stupid choices..
JOHN THE BAPTIST.. was broke..
TIMOTHY.. was too young..
SAMSON.. had long hair
ABRAHAM .. was too old.
NAOMI.. was widow
SARAH.. was barren
GIDEON.. doubted.
PETER lacks self-control and denied Jesus 3 times.
JAMES AND JOHN.. were self-righteous
LAZARUS.. was dead and GOD STILL used him..
and there are some people I didnt find in the Bible which I know are being used and called for His purpose... YOU AND ME.. and the people around us.. IMPERFECT PEOPLE..
SOME of us feel that we are not qualified to look at GOD.. or we classify our brother and sisters if they are qualified or not.. BUT it is only GOD who overrules the devil who disqualified us to His calling...
We are born to sin but that doent mean we live to sin.. We can choose to live a life for GOD..
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD move to and throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His
He didnt look for perfect people to be used.. coz He knows he wouldnt find anyone.. He is looking for people who are open to change and follow him.. this encourages me.
So I wonder if I could make it to the Bible?
Let's start looking at their testimonies, so here are some of the HALL OF FAMERS :
1. MOSES thought of himsef as normal and ordinary... the Prince of Egypt saw that another Hebrew guy were beaten up so Moses decided to take the law into his own hands and went out to kill him.. after 40 years, he had an encounter with God and came to see him and said, GO BACK TO EGYPT and deliver God's people from slavery.. Moses said, "who am i"...
2. DAVID who has been loved and guided by God in battles and glory, yet has committed adultery to Bathsheba and murdered her husband... then there you are.. David wrote the Psalms, the songs and prayers we always used to honour and praise the Lord.
3. PAUL, or Saul, called himself the Pharisees of Pharisees.. who hated, persecuted and murdered Christians because of being Christians.. not until he had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus.. then there goes Paul who became one of the most faithful servant of the Lord.. written majority of the New Testament.. an apostle who spread the preach the gospel that has never done before..
PETER.. who denied Jesus 3 times..
JEREMIAH.. was always depressed.. didnt accept the Lord's calling at first because he thought he is not qualified..
JACOB.. was a liar.. just to get the blessing from his father.
JOSEPH.. was arrogant with his dreams that's why his brothers envied him..
JONAH.. run away from God
NOAH.. was a drunkard
RAHAB.. was a prostitute
SOLOMON.. stupid choices..
JOHN THE BAPTIST.. was broke..
TIMOTHY.. was too young..
SAMSON.. had long hair
ABRAHAM .. was too old.
NAOMI.. was widow
SARAH.. was barren
GIDEON.. doubted.
PETER lacks self-control and denied Jesus 3 times.
JAMES AND JOHN.. were self-righteous
LAZARUS.. was dead and GOD STILL used him..
and there are some people I didnt find in the Bible which I know are being used and called for His purpose... YOU AND ME.. and the people around us.. IMPERFECT PEOPLE..
SOME of us feel that we are not qualified to look at GOD.. or we classify our brother and sisters if they are qualified or not.. BUT it is only GOD who overrules the devil who disqualified us to His calling...
We are born to sin but that doent mean we live to sin.. We can choose to live a life for GOD..
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD move to and throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
FAITH and SINFUL NATURE
the word of GOD is life that feeds us. We need to RECEIVE the WORD and not just hear it.. but RECEIVE IT..
trusting GOD is the key to LIFE.
FAITH a firmly relying trust (amplified Bible).. to have faith in GOD is to have a firmly relying trust in GOD.
the Bible makes it clear that were born with a sinful nature.
Sinful Nature.. to live independent of GOD.. thats the nature were born into.. that means it comes naturally to want to live independent of GOD.. its not normal to trust GOD..
WE WERE CREATED in a way that we should live dependent on GOD, but what comes naturally is we are relying on ourselves.. actually dependent on OURSELVES..
It comes more naturally to rely on your own abilities and efforts.. than to rely on GOD.
When you are in a middle of a crisis and there is an inner turmoil going on, its almost reassuring if you say that you have FAITH IN GOD and have that sense of hope in GOD bec its a hope that is outside the situation, giving all the control to GOD.. and to be able to reach out and putting the HOPE in GOD is giving you an INNER PEACE .. thats actually a good thing.
But there is another side of trusting in GOD that when you feel you got it altogether, but in the inside you've got the sense that YOU GOT IT IN-C0NTROL, a sense of that everything is all sorted out... but to be able to LET GO of that control.. or relinguished that control to GOD is UNNATURAL thing to do.. IT ALMOST PRODUCES LIKE CHAOS.. because YOU ARE LETTING GO OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU KNOW.. to TRUST somebody else is to RELINGUISH CONTROL..
In a relationship, if you try to control your partner and your interaction.. you will never know what its like to trust them.. its only when you OPEN your self UP to the risk of HURT.. when you make yourself vulnerable to the other person, thats the only time you may experience that you have TRUE TRUST in your partner..
YOU'VE GOT TO RELINGUISH THAT CONTROL in that relationship.. and that's the same when you TRUST GOD.. you've got to let go of everything and solution to any problem...
GOD says that we are not created to carry on our anxiety.. HE GOT OUR FUTURE.. LET GO of what TOMORROW brings.. of course, absolutely you are blessed with abilities and skills, be diligent, work hard.. GOD has given you the brain to use it and make the ability to use and plan.. be wise.. but DO NOT CARRY THE WORRY.. that grip us from the inside.. GOD should CARRY it for you.. you are given the reassurance to live with the great sense of peace knowing that GOD is in control..
GOD has even better plans that you can carry out for yourself.
Peter asked the LORD JESUS if that's him across the sea walking, He would make PETER walk on the water as well.. "JESUS if that's really you" he said. so PETER walked on the other side of the boat, but suddenly he saw a big wave coming in, and he started to drown. Jesus asked, "Peter, why did you doubt me, you've got so little faith.."
Jesus made that question and mentioned it five times.. YOU'VE GOT SO LITTLE FAITH.. interesting to know that its all applicable to practical side of life.
1. MARK 5: 36 - DONT BE AFRAID, JUST HAVE FAITH.
Jesus mentioned this while he was healing.It is an instruction. IT IS A COMMAND from him..
2. MARK 11: 22 - HAVE FAITH in GOD constantly.
We should live in this state of being where we should have FAITH.. its not one day we have FAITH and the next day we DOUBT.. we should just live like its a state of being..
3. JOHN 3: 29 - THIS IS THE WORK OR THE SERVICE THAT GOD ASKED OF YOU. HE IS THE ONLY SERVICE INO UR OWN WORKS.. THAT YOU BELIEVE IN THE ONE WHO HAVE BEEN SENT.
the only thing we have to do, but only to believe in the one whom GOD has been sent.
that verse refers to our SALVATION.. the greatest miracle of all.. the GIFT that we freely receives.. as AWESOME AS IT IS.. SALVATION is MORE THAN THAT.. but SALVATION refers to ANY AREAS OF OUR LIVES. we should have FAITH ON JESUS not just for our salvation but in EVERYTHING.. SALVATION IS NOT ONLY SEEN WHEN WE REUNITED WITH OUR FATHER..
Philippians 4:6 (The Message)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
EVERY single part of our life, we need to trust the LORD and have faith in HIM. All of us comes into the stormy season of life, when things arent as planned.. when everything is nothing make sense.. Jesus is talking about those and it interesting when Jesus makes those accounts that JESUS is hinting at something bigger that we should have our focus on.. it seems like the practical things that caught our emotions, attention, grip our feelins.. is not the thing we should focus on..
4. MATTHEW 6: 25
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,
29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
AMEN AND AMEN TO THAT.. :)
5. Matthew 16:8-10
8 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? 9 Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? 10 Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up?
In here, finally, the disciples understood that JESUS was referring to the SPIRITUAL FOOD..
6. MATTHEW 8: 26 (IN THE ACCOUNTS OF STORMY SEASON OF LIFE)
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
7. MATTHEW 14:31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
8. Matthew 17:20 (DISCIPLE ASKED WHY THEY COULDNT HEAL LIKE JESUS)
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.[a]”
9. MATTHEW 21:21-22 (ANOTHER MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH)
Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.
You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
At times, when we see our faith as the size of a mustard seed, we figure out how do we contruct faith.. WHO KNOWS.. THERE IS NO FORMULA to figure it out..
But the verses weve just mentioned is a PERFECT illustration how we could relate our faith in JESUS in the middle of the storm of our lives; in the story in the middle of the storm, the winds against them were crushing in the boat, they were getting a little bit fearful whether they would be able to get to the other side.. BUT at the middle of the storm, they saw JESUS and thought it was a GHOST.. they couldnt believe JESUS was with them..
surely in the middle of the storm of our lives, we hardly see JESUS. you couldnt bleieve that jesus is with you.. You would think that if JESUS was with me, I wouldnt be in the STORM.. SOEM PEOPLE DOUBT that when you are in middle of situation, you think that there must be an evil spirit sense around me somewhere.. it must have been UNLUCKY of you to be in that situation.
1. JESUS IS WITH YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM.
2. (PETER asked IF ITS REALLY YOU, Lord..) Just like PETER, WE HAVE TO LET GO OF ANYTHING HE KNEW to experience HIS MIRACLE. PETER was a fisherman since he was a boy. He would have known how to handle the boat in a storm. He knew what he was doing and how to ROW.. and he knew wha tthe boat could handle. But for him to experience the miracle of walking in water, he needs to let go of everything he knew and focus on JESUS.
3. Storm was still raging while walking in the water.. wind still blowing.. waves still crushing.. so often we would WAIT and see JESUS calming the waves in our lives.. were gonna hold on to what we know until JESUS do something..
important note: SO OFTEN WE ONLY TRUST GOD FOR WHAT HE DOES.. BUT WE DO NOT TRUST HIM FOR WHO HE IS..
That is why PETER saw the miracle that he could walk in the water with the help of the power of JESUS. PETER relied on the power of the JESUS because PETER knew WHO JESUS IS.. PETER trusted in JESUS before Jesus would show him anything.
4. Even when PETER's faith failed.. JESUS STILL SAVED HIM..
We often think its all about our FAITH.. How many of you have thought when we are waiting for GOD's miracle and it didnt happen, you would realized that it didnt hapen because you didnt have much faith..
How do you build or construct of your own doing? tHE BIBLE says JESUS IS THE INITIATOR AND PERFECTOR of FAITH.. He initiates faith in us and brings to completion..
to be able to walk in the water, and put your shoes in PETER.. imagine what you would feel like?
Peter took his eyes on the one who created the winds and the waves, and put his focus on the waves and winds.. but EVEN PETER FAILED from his faith, JESUS EXTENDS HIS HANDs.. Jesus said, " its alright, i still got you. Im still your saviour. i still rescue you.. it has nothing to do with your faith anyway.. its not because of your faith you are walking in the water.. but its because of my ability that you are out here you are walking in the water."
it has always been GOD.
5. WHEN THE WIND DIED DOWN, and disciple claimed that HE TRULY is the SON OF GOD.. When we receive the revelation of who JESUS is, we worship HIM.. I reckon that when we are in a desperate situation.. financial, family member had bad report from the doctor, relationship issue, 7 years for a baby and jsut lost a baby in an early pregnancy.. it the middle of the storm, when JESUS came into the storm, we will remember JESUS for who HE is AND BE GLAD, HE IS YOUR SAVIOUR..
the FOCUS of FAITH is in the wrong thing.. do not focus winds and waves.. on the breakdown, the health scare, you will never have faith.. your faith will be reduced to the problem you face.. instead you will have anxiety and worry and fear.. IN THE scriptrue reference MENTIONED ABOVE, JESUS is pointing out to the far bigger than the problems we face.. he was pointing to the things that actually INITIATES FAITH in us.. he wants us to focus on WHO HE IS..
WORSHIP IS A NATURAL RESPONSE.. when you realize the greatness of GOD.. your natural response how WORHTY, GRACIOUS, AND HOW MUCH GOODNESS, HOW MUCH HE LVOES US.. our natural response is to WORSHIP him.. when you get that glimpse would be reveal to you, your focus in not on anything else.. you worship HIM..
the scenarious, problems, the need, the lack.. they pile up to insignificance.. and you do not need to figure out how to receive FAITH. and master up FAITH.. how to build FAITH.. when you focus on HIM, he initiates FAITH in you.. and when you keep your focus on him, HE PERFECTS THAT FAITH IN YOU.. and as you walk in that constant faith being of WHO HE IS.. that internal sense of FOCUS on JESUS.. that faith in you is perfected and you can walk thru any season in life.. you can walk thru those good times and fears of what tomorrow is going to look like.. WITHOUT YOUR FAITH BEING ROCKED.. BECAUSE YOUR FAITH HAS BEEN PERFECTED BY JESUS.
FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS UNSEEN.
TO THE WORLD OUT THERE, GOD IS UNSEEN. HE IS UNSEEN. TO US, WE BELIEVE IN THE GOD THAT WE CANT SEE.. BUT WHEN WE LIVED LIVES THAT ARE NOT GRIPPED BY FEARS, OR FULL OF ANXIETY, WITH THE SENSE OF CALMNESS AND SECUIRTY AND THE SENSE OF HOPE.. WE ARE EVIDENCE TO THE WORLD OUT THERE TO THE GOD THEY HAVE NOT SEEN..
OUR THOUGHTS SHOULD BE CONSUME BY FAR BIGGER.. OUR HOPE AND A FIRM RELIANCE OF TRUST OF WHO GOD IS.. WHEN WE LIVED A LIFE LIKE THIS.. THIS IS THE EVIDENCE OF THE THINGS UNSEEN..
LET GO... GOD, REVEAL YOURSELF TO ME THAT IN A WAY THAT I CANNOT IGNORE.. IN A WAY THAT DISPURSES FEARS.. DISPLACES WATER.. THAT VERSE THAT WHEN JESUS IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR LIFE, IT DISPLACES FEARS, WORRIES, ANXIETY.. MY THOUGHTS WILL BE REMINDED OF YOUR NATURE, OF YOUR PROMISES, OF GREATNESS YOU HAVE DONE.. TRAINED MY THOUGHTS OF WHO YOU ARE..
to GOD BE ALL THE GLORY.. AMEN N AMEN.. ;)
4.
trusting GOD is the key to LIFE.
FAITH a firmly relying trust (amplified Bible).. to have faith in GOD is to have a firmly relying trust in GOD.
the Bible makes it clear that were born with a sinful nature.
Sinful Nature.. to live independent of GOD.. thats the nature were born into.. that means it comes naturally to want to live independent of GOD.. its not normal to trust GOD..
WE WERE CREATED in a way that we should live dependent on GOD, but what comes naturally is we are relying on ourselves.. actually dependent on OURSELVES..
It comes more naturally to rely on your own abilities and efforts.. than to rely on GOD.
When you are in a middle of a crisis and there is an inner turmoil going on, its almost reassuring if you say that you have FAITH IN GOD and have that sense of hope in GOD bec its a hope that is outside the situation, giving all the control to GOD.. and to be able to reach out and putting the HOPE in GOD is giving you an INNER PEACE .. thats actually a good thing.
But there is another side of trusting in GOD that when you feel you got it altogether, but in the inside you've got the sense that YOU GOT IT IN-C0NTROL, a sense of that everything is all sorted out... but to be able to LET GO of that control.. or relinguished that control to GOD is UNNATURAL thing to do.. IT ALMOST PRODUCES LIKE CHAOS.. because YOU ARE LETTING GO OF EVERYTHING THAT YOU KNOW.. to TRUST somebody else is to RELINGUISH CONTROL..
In a relationship, if you try to control your partner and your interaction.. you will never know what its like to trust them.. its only when you OPEN your self UP to the risk of HURT.. when you make yourself vulnerable to the other person, thats the only time you may experience that you have TRUE TRUST in your partner..
YOU'VE GOT TO RELINGUISH THAT CONTROL in that relationship.. and that's the same when you TRUST GOD.. you've got to let go of everything and solution to any problem...
GOD says that we are not created to carry on our anxiety.. HE GOT OUR FUTURE.. LET GO of what TOMORROW brings.. of course, absolutely you are blessed with abilities and skills, be diligent, work hard.. GOD has given you the brain to use it and make the ability to use and plan.. be wise.. but DO NOT CARRY THE WORRY.. that grip us from the inside.. GOD should CARRY it for you.. you are given the reassurance to live with the great sense of peace knowing that GOD is in control..
GOD has even better plans that you can carry out for yourself.
Peter asked the LORD JESUS if that's him across the sea walking, He would make PETER walk on the water as well.. "JESUS if that's really you" he said. so PETER walked on the other side of the boat, but suddenly he saw a big wave coming in, and he started to drown. Jesus asked, "Peter, why did you doubt me, you've got so little faith.."
Jesus made that question and mentioned it five times.. YOU'VE GOT SO LITTLE FAITH.. interesting to know that its all applicable to practical side of life.
1. MARK 5: 36 - DONT BE AFRAID, JUST HAVE FAITH.
Jesus mentioned this while he was healing.It is an instruction. IT IS A COMMAND from him..
2. MARK 11: 22 - HAVE FAITH in GOD constantly.
We should live in this state of being where we should have FAITH.. its not one day we have FAITH and the next day we DOUBT.. we should just live like its a state of being..
3. JOHN 3: 29 - THIS IS THE WORK OR THE SERVICE THAT GOD ASKED OF YOU. HE IS THE ONLY SERVICE INO UR OWN WORKS.. THAT YOU BELIEVE IN THE ONE WHO HAVE BEEN SENT.
the only thing we have to do, but only to believe in the one whom GOD has been sent.
that verse refers to our SALVATION.. the greatest miracle of all.. the GIFT that we freely receives.. as AWESOME AS IT IS.. SALVATION is MORE THAN THAT.. but SALVATION refers to ANY AREAS OF OUR LIVES. we should have FAITH ON JESUS not just for our salvation but in EVERYTHING.. SALVATION IS NOT ONLY SEEN WHEN WE REUNITED WITH OUR FATHER..
Philippians 4:6 (The Message)
Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.
EVERY single part of our life, we need to trust the LORD and have faith in HIM. All of us comes into the stormy season of life, when things arent as planned.. when everything is nothing make sense.. Jesus is talking about those and it interesting when Jesus makes those accounts that JESUS is hinting at something bigger that we should have our focus on.. it seems like the practical things that caught our emotions, attention, grip our feelins.. is not the thing we should focus on..
4. MATTHEW 6: 25
25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?
27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
28 “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,
29 yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.
30 And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?
31 “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’
32 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.
33 Seek the Kingdom of God[a] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
AMEN AND AMEN TO THAT.. :)
5. Matthew 16:8-10
8 Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? 9 Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? 10 Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up?
In here, finally, the disciples understood that JESUS was referring to the SPIRITUAL FOOD..
6. MATTHEW 8: 26 (IN THE ACCOUNTS OF STORMY SEASON OF LIFE)
Jesus responded, “Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!” Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm.
7. MATTHEW 14:31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
8. Matthew 17:20 (DISCIPLE ASKED WHY THEY COULDNT HEAL LIKE JESUS)
“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.[a]”
9. MATTHEW 21:21-22 (ANOTHER MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH)
Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen.
You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”
At times, when we see our faith as the size of a mustard seed, we figure out how do we contruct faith.. WHO KNOWS.. THERE IS NO FORMULA to figure it out..
But the verses weve just mentioned is a PERFECT illustration how we could relate our faith in JESUS in the middle of the storm of our lives; in the story in the middle of the storm, the winds against them were crushing in the boat, they were getting a little bit fearful whether they would be able to get to the other side.. BUT at the middle of the storm, they saw JESUS and thought it was a GHOST.. they couldnt believe JESUS was with them..
surely in the middle of the storm of our lives, we hardly see JESUS. you couldnt bleieve that jesus is with you.. You would think that if JESUS was with me, I wouldnt be in the STORM.. SOEM PEOPLE DOUBT that when you are in middle of situation, you think that there must be an evil spirit sense around me somewhere.. it must have been UNLUCKY of you to be in that situation.
1. JESUS IS WITH YOU IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM.
2. (PETER asked IF ITS REALLY YOU, Lord..) Just like PETER, WE HAVE TO LET GO OF ANYTHING HE KNEW to experience HIS MIRACLE. PETER was a fisherman since he was a boy. He would have known how to handle the boat in a storm. He knew what he was doing and how to ROW.. and he knew wha tthe boat could handle. But for him to experience the miracle of walking in water, he needs to let go of everything he knew and focus on JESUS.
3. Storm was still raging while walking in the water.. wind still blowing.. waves still crushing.. so often we would WAIT and see JESUS calming the waves in our lives.. were gonna hold on to what we know until JESUS do something..
important note: SO OFTEN WE ONLY TRUST GOD FOR WHAT HE DOES.. BUT WE DO NOT TRUST HIM FOR WHO HE IS..
That is why PETER saw the miracle that he could walk in the water with the help of the power of JESUS. PETER relied on the power of the JESUS because PETER knew WHO JESUS IS.. PETER trusted in JESUS before Jesus would show him anything.
4. Even when PETER's faith failed.. JESUS STILL SAVED HIM..
We often think its all about our FAITH.. How many of you have thought when we are waiting for GOD's miracle and it didnt happen, you would realized that it didnt hapen because you didnt have much faith..
How do you build or construct of your own doing? tHE BIBLE says JESUS IS THE INITIATOR AND PERFECTOR of FAITH.. He initiates faith in us and brings to completion..
to be able to walk in the water, and put your shoes in PETER.. imagine what you would feel like?
Peter took his eyes on the one who created the winds and the waves, and put his focus on the waves and winds.. but EVEN PETER FAILED from his faith, JESUS EXTENDS HIS HANDs.. Jesus said, " its alright, i still got you. Im still your saviour. i still rescue you.. it has nothing to do with your faith anyway.. its not because of your faith you are walking in the water.. but its because of my ability that you are out here you are walking in the water."
it has always been GOD.
5. WHEN THE WIND DIED DOWN, and disciple claimed that HE TRULY is the SON OF GOD.. When we receive the revelation of who JESUS is, we worship HIM.. I reckon that when we are in a desperate situation.. financial, family member had bad report from the doctor, relationship issue, 7 years for a baby and jsut lost a baby in an early pregnancy.. it the middle of the storm, when JESUS came into the storm, we will remember JESUS for who HE is AND BE GLAD, HE IS YOUR SAVIOUR..
the FOCUS of FAITH is in the wrong thing.. do not focus winds and waves.. on the breakdown, the health scare, you will never have faith.. your faith will be reduced to the problem you face.. instead you will have anxiety and worry and fear.. IN THE scriptrue reference MENTIONED ABOVE, JESUS is pointing out to the far bigger than the problems we face.. he was pointing to the things that actually INITIATES FAITH in us.. he wants us to focus on WHO HE IS..
WORSHIP IS A NATURAL RESPONSE.. when you realize the greatness of GOD.. your natural response how WORHTY, GRACIOUS, AND HOW MUCH GOODNESS, HOW MUCH HE LVOES US.. our natural response is to WORSHIP him.. when you get that glimpse would be reveal to you, your focus in not on anything else.. you worship HIM..
the scenarious, problems, the need, the lack.. they pile up to insignificance.. and you do not need to figure out how to receive FAITH. and master up FAITH.. how to build FAITH.. when you focus on HIM, he initiates FAITH in you.. and when you keep your focus on him, HE PERFECTS THAT FAITH IN YOU.. and as you walk in that constant faith being of WHO HE IS.. that internal sense of FOCUS on JESUS.. that faith in you is perfected and you can walk thru any season in life.. you can walk thru those good times and fears of what tomorrow is going to look like.. WITHOUT YOUR FAITH BEING ROCKED.. BECAUSE YOUR FAITH HAS BEEN PERFECTED BY JESUS.
FAITH IS THE SUBSTANCE OF THINGS HOPED FOR, THE EVIDENCE OF THINGS UNSEEN.
TO THE WORLD OUT THERE, GOD IS UNSEEN. HE IS UNSEEN. TO US, WE BELIEVE IN THE GOD THAT WE CANT SEE.. BUT WHEN WE LIVED LIVES THAT ARE NOT GRIPPED BY FEARS, OR FULL OF ANXIETY, WITH THE SENSE OF CALMNESS AND SECUIRTY AND THE SENSE OF HOPE.. WE ARE EVIDENCE TO THE WORLD OUT THERE TO THE GOD THEY HAVE NOT SEEN..
OUR THOUGHTS SHOULD BE CONSUME BY FAR BIGGER.. OUR HOPE AND A FIRM RELIANCE OF TRUST OF WHO GOD IS.. WHEN WE LIVED A LIFE LIKE THIS.. THIS IS THE EVIDENCE OF THE THINGS UNSEEN..
LET GO... GOD, REVEAL YOURSELF TO ME THAT IN A WAY THAT I CANNOT IGNORE.. IN A WAY THAT DISPURSES FEARS.. DISPLACES WATER.. THAT VERSE THAT WHEN JESUS IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR LIFE, IT DISPLACES FEARS, WORRIES, ANXIETY.. MY THOUGHTS WILL BE REMINDED OF YOUR NATURE, OF YOUR PROMISES, OF GREATNESS YOU HAVE DONE.. TRAINED MY THOUGHTS OF WHO YOU ARE..
to GOD BE ALL THE GLORY.. AMEN N AMEN.. ;)
4.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
PIT TEST.. part 2 of From Dream to Destiny series
Every person has a dream.. and has a destiny FROM GOD.. Most people though lived with the dream instead of the DESTINY, and there is one MAJOR REASON that stops people from fulfilling that DESTINY.. that is CHARACTER.
Because their CHARACTER is not able to handle their DESTINY.. and GOD does not allow them to reach that destiny because they are not ready to carry the responsibility of that Destiny.
We looked at the life of JOSEPH. It was when he was 17 when GOD has showed him a DREAM that leads to his destiny. However Joseph bragged about his dream, he has (failed) to take another test of the PRIDE TEST..
Now we are going to look into the PIT TEST
GENESIS 37:13-36
Robert Morris talked about getting out of the PIT and there are 3 things we need to notice about the PIT test:
1. POSITION OF THE PIT.. what brought you to that position? It is a wise thing while we are in the PIT to SEE how did you get to that PIT (condition).. to see if we did something to attribute to our circusmtances.. its reflecting on its about SOUL SEARCHING.. its not about "seach me O LORD and know my thought".. the problem when we are in a sad condition, WE BLAME OTHERS.. we live in a blame society.. (joseph could have blame his brothers why he was in that condition)
it is not the ACTION that put us into the PIT, its the reaction to the ACTion..
for instance, a FINANCIAL PIT. People tends to go deeper and deeper to a financial pit, and they blame other circumstances like the recessions, economic downfall, not tithing, undergiving..
Joseph SOULSEARCHING: Joseph if he was into soulsearching at that time while on the pit, could have tried flocking with his brothers but in the first place, he was not FLOCKING with his brother. Joseph seems to have separated himself from his brother as well.> Joseph should have reflected on WHY HIS BROTHERS HATED HIM? Jacob has felt this and considering Joseph's age as 17 and his brothers are around 40s, Jacob tried to encourage a good relationship amongst the brother in a mature way. However the brothers has already plotted to kill him once they saw Joseph walking towards them. that really means to say how the BROTHERs has developed RESENTMENT and HATE towards their brother JOSEPH. HIS FATHER HAS GIVEN JOSEPH A GIFT.. But he was so PROUD to have that gift. because of his pride, inferiority and arrogance, He has lost his gifts.
but you say, GOD (father) will never take away that gift. Romans 11:29 wr not talking about you but its for the Israelites. If this is an analogy, Robert agrees because the gift wasnt taken back.. JOSEPH LOST IT..
We've seen a lot of HIGH PROFILE MINISTERS, but lost their ministry because of lack of integrity.. lack of character..
but you may also say, What about me? if I lose the gift.. will I be able to deserve another chance to have it.. as we look at JOSEPH's life, JOSEPH has lost his ORNAMENTED COAT but remember the story continues that JOSEPH has also became the 2nd in command in Egypt. He would have another thousands of more lavished COATS.. So Joseph was able to RESTORED his relationship with his FATHER too.
2. the PERPECTIVE OF THE PIT.. Now, after looking into what brought you in that PIT, it is now time to look at GOD's perpective on it.. be very careful not to get into SATAN's perpective on your pit.
GOD never condemns you. If you ever feel condemnation thought in your heart, that is not from the LORD. God loves you and would never make you feel lonely, and sad. Condemnation is always from the ENEMY.
John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
We were already CONDEMNED.. We were born condemned. ROMANS 5.. JESUS came to save us not to condemn us.
the ENEMY IS A LIAR.. if his talking he is lying.. One of the famous lie in this story is Genesis 37:31-33
So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. 32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?” And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.”
Satan could manipulate the truth and fabricated evidence which the brother has done. Jacob which has seen the evidence thought that Joseph has died too. Even though the brothers has seen their father mourning, they never dared to tell the truth.
DO NOT GET SATAN'S PERSPECTIVE... Look at the pit to what brought you their and see what God's perspective on this.
3. THE PURPOSE of every PIT is to get us to CRY OUT TO GOD. What is there to do in a PIT? there is nobody else to talk to.
some people tend to weight if their PIT is smaller (not big of a PIT) and they think they could handle it, they would say "no Lord, never mind, go back to waht you are doing and Ill handle this." and if the PIT is a bit BIGGER PIT, and you would call onto GOD and say "now Lord, I need you now coz I couldnt do it on my own" -- WE COULDNT DO IT ON OUR OWN. EVERY BREATH COMES FROM GOD.
JONAH also did the same thing when he prayed to the Lord while on belly of the Fish. JONAH 2:2 “ I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction.. v6, You have brought up my life from the pit."
wonder what was in Joseph's mind while he was on the PIT, how he was thinking how good he was and his brothers were BAD and might even say "LORD, im alright and you could get back to my brothers and you showed me that my brothers were going to BOW DOWN ON ME.. " Never admitted that he brought it to himself. We believe that something has happened with Joseph in that PIT that has changed his life. and from that time, thats when JUDAH got that idea to sell him instead of leaving him in the PIT or killing him.
(anything you read in the BIBLE, its true and it literally happened. Robert called it a TYPE AND A SHADOW? its for our instruction as per 1 corinth 10
GENESIS 37:22 (Reuben is the first born and yet he should have been the favorite of Israel. But he protected Joseph even if he hated him. Reuben wanted to deliver joseph out of this PIT and bring him back to his father)
22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might (1) deliver him out of their hands, and (2) bring him back to his father. "
so that's the purpose of every PIT is (1) to deliver us out of the PIT, (2) bring us back to our FATHER GOD.. it is to set us free from those things that holding us in bondage.. and bring us in a closer relationship with the FATHER..
REUBEN is a type of CHRIST...
JOSEPH is also a type of CHRIST; here they are.
1. Joseph was stripped of his robe.. Jesus was stripped off his robe..
2. Joseph was sold to Ishmaelites at twenty shekels of silver and took to Egypt to be sold with PROFIT. The Bible didnt say how much Joseph was sold to the Egyptians but the history tells us that slaves in Egypt were being sold at 30 shekels at that time. In the NT, it was writted in the Bible that Jesus was sold at thirty shekels of silver.
3. the Ishamelites were traders of spices, balm and myrrh and carying those while they bought JOSEPH. in the NT, before the people check JESUS to embalm him, the embalmer was carrying SPICES, BALM AND MYRRH too.
4. Joseph was betrayed by JUDAH (the one who suggested to sell JOSEPH for a silver). In the NT, JESUS was betrayed by JUDAS.. JUDAH in the hebrew its the same rootword.
5. Joseph was thrown into a PIT. and JESUS was thrown into a PIT too. (Ephesians tells us that Jesus went down to a Pit for everyone - us).
here is the DIFFERENCE: JESUS did not do anything deserving to be thrown into the PIT.. but there is someone who deserves to be thrown into the pit: YOU AND I.
so JESUS went to the PIT, SO WE WOULDNT HAVE TO.. and if you are in a PIT, I can guarantee you that the FATHER GOD would not leave you to stay in that PIT because we are GOD's children.. Just like JESUS, GOD didnt let him stay in the PIT.
PSALM 16: 10 FOR YOU WILL NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN SHEOL (pit). (referring Messianic scripture)
IF YOU ARE IN A PIT RIGHT NOW, if you cry out to GOD, he will deliver you and restore your relationship with the FATHER.
to GOD be all the GLORY..
Because their CHARACTER is not able to handle their DESTINY.. and GOD does not allow them to reach that destiny because they are not ready to carry the responsibility of that Destiny.
We looked at the life of JOSEPH. It was when he was 17 when GOD has showed him a DREAM that leads to his destiny. However Joseph bragged about his dream, he has (failed) to take another test of the PRIDE TEST..
Now we are going to look into the PIT TEST
GENESIS 37:13-36
Robert Morris talked about getting out of the PIT and there are 3 things we need to notice about the PIT test:
1. POSITION OF THE PIT.. what brought you to that position? It is a wise thing while we are in the PIT to SEE how did you get to that PIT (condition).. to see if we did something to attribute to our circusmtances.. its reflecting on its about SOUL SEARCHING.. its not about "seach me O LORD and know my thought".. the problem when we are in a sad condition, WE BLAME OTHERS.. we live in a blame society.. (joseph could have blame his brothers why he was in that condition)
it is not the ACTION that put us into the PIT, its the reaction to the ACTion..
for instance, a FINANCIAL PIT. People tends to go deeper and deeper to a financial pit, and they blame other circumstances like the recessions, economic downfall, not tithing, undergiving..
Joseph SOULSEARCHING: Joseph if he was into soulsearching at that time while on the pit, could have tried flocking with his brothers but in the first place, he was not FLOCKING with his brother. Joseph seems to have separated himself from his brother as well.> Joseph should have reflected on WHY HIS BROTHERS HATED HIM? Jacob has felt this and considering Joseph's age as 17 and his brothers are around 40s, Jacob tried to encourage a good relationship amongst the brother in a mature way. However the brothers has already plotted to kill him once they saw Joseph walking towards them. that really means to say how the BROTHERs has developed RESENTMENT and HATE towards their brother JOSEPH. HIS FATHER HAS GIVEN JOSEPH A GIFT.. But he was so PROUD to have that gift. because of his pride, inferiority and arrogance, He has lost his gifts.
but you say, GOD (father) will never take away that gift. Romans 11:29 wr not talking about you but its for the Israelites. If this is an analogy, Robert agrees because the gift wasnt taken back.. JOSEPH LOST IT..
We've seen a lot of HIGH PROFILE MINISTERS, but lost their ministry because of lack of integrity.. lack of character..
but you may also say, What about me? if I lose the gift.. will I be able to deserve another chance to have it.. as we look at JOSEPH's life, JOSEPH has lost his ORNAMENTED COAT but remember the story continues that JOSEPH has also became the 2nd in command in Egypt. He would have another thousands of more lavished COATS.. So Joseph was able to RESTORED his relationship with his FATHER too.
2. the PERPECTIVE OF THE PIT.. Now, after looking into what brought you in that PIT, it is now time to look at GOD's perpective on it.. be very careful not to get into SATAN's perpective on your pit.
GOD never condemns you. If you ever feel condemnation thought in your heart, that is not from the LORD. God loves you and would never make you feel lonely, and sad. Condemnation is always from the ENEMY.
John 3:17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
We were already CONDEMNED.. We were born condemned. ROMANS 5.. JESUS came to save us not to condemn us.
the ENEMY IS A LIAR.. if his talking he is lying.. One of the famous lie in this story is Genesis 37:31-33
So they took Joseph’s tunic, killed a kid of the goats, and dipped the tunic in the blood. 32 Then they sent the tunic of many colors, and they brought it to their father and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?” And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.”
Satan could manipulate the truth and fabricated evidence which the brother has done. Jacob which has seen the evidence thought that Joseph has died too. Even though the brothers has seen their father mourning, they never dared to tell the truth.
DO NOT GET SATAN'S PERSPECTIVE... Look at the pit to what brought you their and see what God's perspective on this.
3. THE PURPOSE of every PIT is to get us to CRY OUT TO GOD. What is there to do in a PIT? there is nobody else to talk to.
some people tend to weight if their PIT is smaller (not big of a PIT) and they think they could handle it, they would say "no Lord, never mind, go back to waht you are doing and Ill handle this." and if the PIT is a bit BIGGER PIT, and you would call onto GOD and say "now Lord, I need you now coz I couldnt do it on my own" -- WE COULDNT DO IT ON OUR OWN. EVERY BREATH COMES FROM GOD.
JONAH also did the same thing when he prayed to the Lord while on belly of the Fish. JONAH 2:2 “ I cried out to the LORD because of my affliction.. v6, You have brought up my life from the pit."
wonder what was in Joseph's mind while he was on the PIT, how he was thinking how good he was and his brothers were BAD and might even say "LORD, im alright and you could get back to my brothers and you showed me that my brothers were going to BOW DOWN ON ME.. " Never admitted that he brought it to himself. We believe that something has happened with Joseph in that PIT that has changed his life. and from that time, thats when JUDAH got that idea to sell him instead of leaving him in the PIT or killing him.
(anything you read in the BIBLE, its true and it literally happened. Robert called it a TYPE AND A SHADOW? its for our instruction as per 1 corinth 10
GENESIS 37:22 (Reuben is the first born and yet he should have been the favorite of Israel. But he protected Joseph even if he hated him. Reuben wanted to deliver joseph out of this PIT and bring him back to his father)
22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might (1) deliver him out of their hands, and (2) bring him back to his father. "
so that's the purpose of every PIT is (1) to deliver us out of the PIT, (2) bring us back to our FATHER GOD.. it is to set us free from those things that holding us in bondage.. and bring us in a closer relationship with the FATHER..
REUBEN is a type of CHRIST...
JOSEPH is also a type of CHRIST; here they are.
1. Joseph was stripped of his robe.. Jesus was stripped off his robe..
2. Joseph was sold to Ishmaelites at twenty shekels of silver and took to Egypt to be sold with PROFIT. The Bible didnt say how much Joseph was sold to the Egyptians but the history tells us that slaves in Egypt were being sold at 30 shekels at that time. In the NT, it was writted in the Bible that Jesus was sold at thirty shekels of silver.
3. the Ishamelites were traders of spices, balm and myrrh and carying those while they bought JOSEPH. in the NT, before the people check JESUS to embalm him, the embalmer was carrying SPICES, BALM AND MYRRH too.
4. Joseph was betrayed by JUDAH (the one who suggested to sell JOSEPH for a silver). In the NT, JESUS was betrayed by JUDAS.. JUDAH in the hebrew its the same rootword.
5. Joseph was thrown into a PIT. and JESUS was thrown into a PIT too. (Ephesians tells us that Jesus went down to a Pit for everyone - us).
here is the DIFFERENCE: JESUS did not do anything deserving to be thrown into the PIT.. but there is someone who deserves to be thrown into the pit: YOU AND I.
so JESUS went to the PIT, SO WE WOULDNT HAVE TO.. and if you are in a PIT, I can guarantee you that the FATHER GOD would not leave you to stay in that PIT because we are GOD's children.. Just like JESUS, GOD didnt let him stay in the PIT.
PSALM 16: 10 FOR YOU WILL NOT LEAVE MY SOUL IN SHEOL (pit). (referring Messianic scripture)
IF YOU ARE IN A PIT RIGHT NOW, if you cry out to GOD, he will deliver you and restore your relationship with the FATHER.
to GOD be all the GLORY..
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