From Pity to Praise

Age re-lived

Is there an age or year of your life you would re-live?

What age would I want to do over. I would definitely want to live my 20’s over. Because that’s when one really decides who they are and who they are going to be.

Of course, I would want to take the wisdom and knowledge that I have right now about life with me.

I would choose a career instead of a job. And would have moved out of this rural area that I now live. I probably would have decided not to have kids until later, and work on just being me for awhile.

The Nations Rebel

Psalm 2

The Reign of The Lord’s Anointed
When God Laughs

The theme of the Psalm 2 Emphasize in a final verse. We can defy God and perish, or we can surrender to God, and be blessed.

The rage of the nations, and the laugh of God.

“Why did the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The king of the Earth set themselves, and the rulers, take counsel together, Against the Lord, and against His anointed saying, Let us break their bonds in pieces Their records from us -Psalm 2.

Why did the nations rage: David seems to be generally mystified. The nations have no reason to rage against God, and they have no benefit in raging against Him. opposition against God is nothing but a vain thing.

The rulers take counsel together: Since the time of Babel, men have continued to band himself together against God. They are mistaken. belief is that two or more man united against God they would have a better chance than one man against God.

Against the Lord, and against His Anointed: They oppose both the Lord and His anointed. Anointed speaks of Christ, and the Anointed One. Since Jesus is the perfect representation of the Father (John 10:30; 14:9), opposing God the Father, is to oppose Jesus. If you are against Jesus, you are against God the Father.

Let Us Break Their Bonds In Peace’s: Those who oppose the Lord and His Anointed think of God as a bondage bringer. This attitude is evidence of spiritual insanity, because God is a bondage breaker, not a bondage bringer.

To a gracious neck, the yoke of Christ is intolerable, but to the saved sinner it is easy and light. We may judge ourselves by this, do we love that yolk, or do we wish to cast it from us?
Henry Spurgeon

The Lords Laugh From Heaven: “He who sits in the heaven, shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in the derision. Then he will speak to them in His wrath, and distress him in His deep displeasure. Yet I have set My King (Jesus) on My holy hill of Zion” -Psalm 2:4-6

He who sits in the heavens, shall laugh: God looks at the way man plot against Him, and He laughs. God isn’t afraid or confused or depressed about the opposition of man. God laughs at it.

God laughs because He sits in the heavens. He sits as the great King on a glorious throne. He isn’t pacing back-and-forth in his throne room of heaven, wondering what He should do next. God sits in perfect peace and assurance.

God laughs because He sits in the heavens. It isn’t an earthly throne He occupies; it is the throne of heaven with authority over all creation. What does heaven have to fear from earth.

God does not Tremble . He does not hide behind a vast celestial rampart, counting the enemy and calculating whether or not He has sufficient force to counter this new challenge to His kingdom. He does not even rise from where He is sitting. He simply laughs at these great imbeciles.

The Lord shall hold them in derision. Through the centuries, many have opposed God and His kingdom. Each one of these opponents shall frustrated and crashed.

A famous example of an opponent Christianity was the Roman emperor Diocletian who reigned from A.D. 284-305. He was such an determined enemy of Christians that he persecuted the church mercilessly, and fancied that he had defeated Christianity. He ordered the making of metal with this inscription “The name of Christianity being extinguished The name of Christianity being extinguished.”

Diocletian is dead and gone, a footnote on the pages of history. The theme in glory of Jesus Christ is spread over all the earth. The Lord hold them in derision.

He should speak to them in his wrath: God laughs in heaven, but He doesn’t remain inactive. He laughs, but He doesn’t only laugh. Before He acts against defiant mankind. He first speaks to rebellious humanity.

This shows the great mercy of God. He has every reason, and every right to simply act against defiant men. Love and mercy compel God to speak a word of warning before He acts..

I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. God wants defiant mankind to know what He has established a King. Defiant mean, closest in view in the Psalms are kings and rulers, and God wants them .to know there is a King greater than they are. God’s King is established in Jerusalem.

God’s decree to the nations (Psalm 2:7-9. The decree to Son.”I will declare and decree: The Lord has said to Me, you are My Son, Day, I have begotten You. The nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the Earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You have a dash into pieces like a potters vessel.

“I will declare and decree: The following passage indicates that this is the Lord’s Anointed Himself speaking. He will declare that decree that God the Father spoke to Him.

You are My Son, today I have you gotten you: The Lord’s anointed recalls with God, the Father spoke to Him, identifying Him as a Son of the Father, and emphasizing His Son standing as begotten of the Father.

Begotten is an important idea, as a contrast to created. Jesus was not created.; Rather He created everything that was created – Colossians 1:16-17. Begotten described our relationship between two beams of the same essential nature and being, but we create the end of a different essential beings in nature than ourselves. A man creates a statue, but begets a child.

I will give Your the nations for Your inheritance: The Lord‘s anointed holds the nation as His inheritance. He will rule over the nations, and all judgment is committed to Him -John 5:22.

Revelation 11:15 Describe an exciting consummation of this inheritance. Then the seventh angel sounded: and there was a loud voice in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of our world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”

You shall break them with the rod of iron: The Lord’s Anointed has such power over the nations that they are like clay pots that He can shatter with a blow on the rod of iron. This shows why it is so full for the nations to defy the Lord and His Anointed. There is no reason and no benefit to their defiant opposition.

Kiss the Son: This primarily has in mind, the kiss of submission, where a dignitary receives a humble kiss of an inferior. Also hints at the affection God wants in relationship to Him. God wants us to recognize our proper place before Him, but also rejoice in Him, and be affectionate in our relationship.

Kissing was a token of subjugation and friendship.

If the kings and judges of the Earth are commanded to humble them selves before the Lord’s Anointed, recognizing His total superiority, then what of the rest of us? Speaking to the kings, in judgment, therefore includes all of humanity.

Blessed are those who put their trust in Him: Go to big five God are broken, but those who depend on Him are blessed. David leaves the tours with everyone broken or Blessed?

The war in Israel is the physical manifestation of “The war in the Heavenlies” being fought over America right now.

The prayer movement God is raising up to pray for America and now Israel for the times the church and our nations are ‘right now.’

What Historical Event Fascinates Me

What historical event fascinates you the most?

The anticipatory lead-up to Christmas involves checking off shopping list, stuffing stockings, and brainstorming recipes. But those who believe in Christ our field with the holiness of the holiday. After all, Christmas has great significance to followers of God.

In a time of rampant, commercialism and distraction, the message of the manger stand out in stark contrast. Although the month of December 10 to fly by quickly, for those who believe in God is the time to take a breath, and reflect on what the religious celebration is really about. From the stable to salvation, the Christmas story is centered on the birth of Jesus Christ, and what His is coming to earth has meant, and still means, for all of humanity.

And while as nice as it is to give and receive gifts as part of our annual festivities, the ultimate gift was given to the world through God the Father sending His Son.

Believers around the world rejoice over the miraculous good news and Christmas.

“The brightest Christmas ever has lit by a single star and swaddled in the most drab colors, being offered mankind the greatest gift of all true and lasting love“ – Toni Sorenson

Trials And Tribulations

Have you ever felt like you were under attack or that the devil was trying to wage warfare against you?

God tells us he will test us, Jeremiah 17:10 says “I the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind. Even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.

But I want to talk about all we can do to keep every door shut to the devil so he is unable to find easy access into our lives.

I can personally testify to the many attacks that have come against me and my family because we have opened doors to the devil. A long term protection plan against the devil is possible to keep the devil from creeping in that making our lives hell on earth.

Believe me when I tell you the devil is trying to find a way to sabotage everything good -so we don’t need to be,o him by leaving a door open for him.

I would bet everyone locks their doors at night so no one uninvited comes into your home. So,why don’t we let the devil walk around in our lives uninvited? We not only need to safeguard our homes but also ourselves.

This may seem like a simplistic example, but an “open door” is exactly what the devil is looking for in each of our lives. If we are diligent to keep the doors of our lives locked it makes it much harder for the devil to find access to us.LLL

Ephesians 4:27 gives us insight about how the devil operates, and it explicitly tells us what our part is in keep the devil from finding a way into our lives.

Paul wrote, “Neither give place to the devil,” this was not a suggestion, it was a command. If you’ve ever come under a spiritual assault and found the devil in the middle of your affairs, you know that it’s much easier to try and stop the enemy at the doorway than try to find a way to get him out once he had found a access point to worm his way into a area of our lives.

That’s why Paul so urgently warned you to give the devil no “place.” In other words, stay alert so he can’t freely access your life. The devil is just like a person at your home trying to gain access. They moment you let your guard down, they will try and sneak in.

The word “place” is the Greek word topos. It describes a specific, Mark-off location. But rather than a physical location that we use a map to identify a “place“ may refer to a rough spot in our relationships, our finances, our thoughts, or our habits or to Lingering areas of disobedience. Whatever it is, it’s an identifiable location that the devil seeks to find and use as an open door into our lives.

If the door is closed, you’re already in good condition. If it’s locked because you’re living a life of holiness and obedience, you’re in a even better condition. But if you are living loosely, you need to know that the door is not only unlocked -it is likely standing wide open, literally inviting the devil to come and wreak havoc in your life.

The devil knows his time is short on earth. If we look around the world we can see he’s pulling out all the stops on his evil plans. To do as much damage as possible.

This is the time we need to be serious about our lives because the devil is looking for a door, a window, or a crack -an entry point through which he can access us. We must take the time to circumspectly look at our lives to see if there is any area we have left open or unguarded that has allowed the devil to find a way to attack us.

The devil is more committed than ever to attack than most of us are to withstand him. That’s why he wages against us. And that is why Paul commands us to give him no place.

Since we know the devil is going to find a way to Gail entry into our lives, we must use the weapons of warfare God has given us to resist him in Ephesians 6:10-18. But it is almost essential that we diligently and continually keep watch over our lives on a sustained and continual bases, looking for any open doors we may have left open that would make it easier for the devil to find entrance.

Times are getting tougher everyday. Before we take authority over the devil in the Name of Jesus, we all need to do what we can to stop the devil at the door.

If your under attack, I urge you to stand strong in the Lord, being confident that the weapons of warfare given to you in God’s Word will be enable you to successfully repel the devil.

Spiritually close the door and keep it locked so no attack from the devil will find it’s way into your life,

Every trial I endure I always ask God what He wants me to learn from it. God had un endure trials and tribulations, but by sinning we open the door for the devil to enter to wreak havoc in our lives.

Everyone Should Know This

What’s something you believe everyone should know.

You are stronger than you think because God is nearer than you know

You are never alone.

I lived many years in emotional agony thinking that I was alone. The years of my life dwindling away. Everyone I put my trust in seemed to betray that trust.

But then God changed my perspective. He showed me that I was never truly alone. If I would trust in the miracle of His presence and power.

We are never alone because:

Jesus walks with us and lift us up out of every storm.

We dwell in the grace of the cross, the miracle of the empty tomb, and the assurance of God has restoration power.

God is our ever present source of help.

We are never without hope or strength because we are never alone.

Hebrews 4:16 tells us, “God is there to provide mercy and grace to help in times of need.”

Hebrews 13:5 states, “For He Himself has said, I will never leave you or forsake you.”

1 Peter 5:7 tells us to, “ Cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.”

John14: 16-17, “And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever; the spirit of truth which the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him, but you know Him, for He dwell with you and will be in you.”

The Overlooked Principle Of Cause And Effect

In a world of freedom of choice, some choices inevitably lead to bad results.

Actions yield consequences. We know we reap what we sow, but many don’t realize the source of the saying is in the Bible. Thousands of years ago one of Job’s friends, who was no stranger to suffering observed that “those who plow iniquity and sow trouble reap the same” -Job 4:8.

Centuries later the Hebrew Prophet Hosea looked at the sad spiritual condition of the kingdom of Isreal. Idolatry, violence and immortality were commonplace (Hosea 2:1-23; 4:1-19). Within a few years a mighty Assyrian empire would sweep in from the east and lay waste, slaughtering thousands of its inhabitants and enslaving its survivors. God revealed to Hosea what was coming and why. “They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind” (Hosea 8:7), “You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity” You have eaten the fruit of lies…” -Hosea 10:13.

When thousands die in natural disasters, hurricanes, typhoons, tornadoes, and droughts -people blame God. Yet, as God told the ancient Israelites. He would bless them with favorable weather only if they obeyed Him -Leviticus 26:3-4;Deuteronomy 28:12. Most chose not no obey. That decision affected not only their own lives but the lives of their children, who fell victim to their parents foolish choices. The innocent often suffer for the sins of others. That is one of the tragic consequences of wrong choices.

When we analyze suffering, we can learn a great deal if we will only trace the circumstances back to their cause. Proverbs 22:3 warns us to consider the long term consequences of our choices. “A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself; but the simple pass on and are punished.”

When we look for the major causes of suffering, we don’t need to look any further than ourselves. In one way or another sin is the underlying cause of most suffering.

God’s Job, Our Job: Know The Difference

Knowing The Difference Between God’s Job and our job makes a difference

With a culture that increasingly encourages self-absorption, it’s not surprising that any people act like “little gods” who are confused about their role in life versus God’s role over all life.

While many well-meaning people may believe in God, there is a tendency to usurp His function. People try to act like God all the time, attempting in their own power to achieve what only God alone can accomplish.

We try to control circumstances, manipulate situations, prevent things from happening, redefine morality, exalt ourselves of avoid the inevitable. But in the end we all must face the reality we are mere mortals who are limited, finite and powerless. We do a pretty lousy job of playing God, and the sooner we realize this the better.

Scientists are attempting to impregnate men, doctors are cutting off body parts of children, some nations are harvesting body parts, people are even choosing who lives and who dies. One thing I know for sure, people’s actions have consequences. Galatians 6:7 tells us “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows that he will also reap.”

It is not my intention to write about God’s attributes, there are many sources that brilliantly address the nature and God character of God. I want to focus on what God does and what we are to do accordingly.

Our society glorifies self-sufficiency, intellectual prowess, personal achievement, creative genius, and survivor instincts. We are told to do it, without knowing the purpose.

So, what is God doing in the world, and what are supposed to do?

It would be naive and arrogant to think I could even scratch the surface of the infinite activities of God in His universe.

But I do believe the scriptures give us some insight into what God’s working on as His divine plan begins to unfold for His most prized creation.

If we consider the difference between one of God’s jobs -to reveal, and one of corresponding jobs – to discover.

One of the traditions of Easter Sunday is a egg hunt which excites children to run around in search of brightly colored eggs hidden by the green ups.

Some are placed in easy to find places, and others request help from the grown-ups to give hints on where the eggs might be.

We must try every day to get ourselves out of the way. We are all different people than we intended to be. It is which we turn to God that we give ourselves up to Him personally, and begin to have a real personality of our own.

Life is like the ultimate hunt. God had many hidden mysteries, and yet His intention is for mankind to constantly make new discoveries. Man did not invent gravity, electricity,relativity, thermodynamics or even found cures of diseases. Man merely uncover them. God revealed them to the seeker.

As much as we would like to take credit for our diligent searches, God always plays a hand in helping us discover all kinds of truths. We can be glad He shares the joy when we uncover amazing new facts and artifacts. It’s all a part of His plan to use human ingenuity to benefit mankind.

If we consider the paring of God’s “job“ and our “job” there are ways to diligently pursue our jobs while humbly remembering that we are not God.

Just A Kid At Heart

What does it mean to be a kid at heart?

Don’t let anyone tell you just because you’re an adult, the child inside of you left.

Sometimes I still finding myself wondering what I’ll be when I grow up. But to me there’s no other way to live. After all not everyone has to act as an adult all of the time -that would be boring.

I think eating a grilled cheese is the best. Having the entire day in the outdoors sounds like heaven.

And sometimes staying in your pajamas all day, is a much needed reset. Behaving or thinking in a way a child would behave.

Having more of a youthful outlook on life can be a way of our brains aging less.

In the Bible Jesus tells us, Children have everything they need to get to heaven. He want us all to be like children that possess childlike faith, that has pure, unassuming, humble faith, With a wild trust in God.

Being a kid at heart help us remain young when we are old.

It’s important to stay a kid at heart so that we don’t lose the wonder of life,

My Three Wishes

You have three magic genie wishes, what are you asking for?

If I had a genie and 3 wishes. I would ask for all people’s hearts to become flesh. A heart of flesh is sensitive and open to others, while a heart of stone is is impermeable, senseless and dead.

I would ask for peace on earth, but there is no peace with God. Until God is in all of us there will be no peace.

For my third wish, I would wish for my own island with a beach house with all the amenities that go along with it. And a close knit family to live with me there.

Why We Should Support Israel

America is at a crossroads. Will we believe and obey the Word of God concerning Israel, or will we continue to equivocate and sympathize with Israel’s enemies?

The cornerstone of the Middle East policy, is to divide the land of Israel to create a terrorist-ruled Islamic Palestinian state. Whose objective is the destruction of Israel.

But there’s a problem.

God promises to pour out His mud on any nation that tries to divide up the land is Israel.

Joel 3:2-14 says, “I will gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will execute judgment on them there for My people, and My heritage, Israel, whom they have scattered among My land… Multitudes, in the valley of decision (Jehoshaphat) For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.”

God’s Word is very clear. There will be grave consequences for the nation or nations that attempt to divide up the land of Israel. God’s love for Israel is expressed in the words of Zachariah: “He who touches you (Isreal ) touches the apple of His eye” -Zachariah 2:8.

In Genesis 12:3 God says, “I will bless those who bless you (Israel) and I will curse Him to curses you. This is and has been God’s foreign policy toward the Jewish people from Genesis 12 until this day. Any man or nation that persecutes the Jewish people or the State of Israel will receive the swift judgment of God.

There are biblical reasons why people must stand with Israel:

1. Israel is the only nation created by a sovereign act of God.

Israel belongs to God Himself. As the Creator of heaven and earth (Genesis 1:2). God had the right of ownership to give the land to whoever He chose. God gave the title and deed for the land of Israel to Abraham, Issac, and Jacob, along with their descendants “forever” (Genesis 15:18; 17:2-8). Ishmael, father of Arabs, was excluded from the title and deed to that land in Genesis 17;19-21. Therefore, modern day Palestinians have no biblical mandate to own the land. The boundaries of the State of Israel are recorded in Scripture (Numbers 34:2-25; Joshua 11:16-23; 13:1-22). In Ezekiel God established the nations of the world. He began with Israel. Israel is the center of the universe in the mind of God (Deuteronomy 32:8-10; Numbers 34:10-14; Joshua 11:16-22).

2. Christians owe a debt of eternal gratitude to the Jewish people for their contributions, which gave birth to the Christian faith.

Paul recorded in Romans 15:27, “For is the Gentiles (us) have been partakes of their (the Jews) spiritual things, their duty is also to minister to them in material things.” Jesus is a prominent rabbi from Nazareth, and said, “Salvation is for the Jews,” (John 4:22). We are graphed in. Consider what the Jewish people have given us:

The Scripture
The prophets
The patriarchs
Mary, Joseph and Jesus of Nazareth
The 12 disciples
The apostles

It is not possible to say, “I am a Christian” and not love the Jewish people. The Bible teaches that love is not what you say, but love is what you do.- 1 John 3:18.

3. Jesus never denied His Jewishness.

Some Christians try to deny the connection between Jesus of Nazareth and the Jews of the world. Jesus never deny His Jewishness. He was born Jewish. He was circumcised on the eighth day in keeping with the Jewish tradition. He had His bar mitzvah on His 13th birthday. He kept the Law of Moses. He wore the prayer shawl Moses commanded all Jewish men to wear. He died on the cross with the inscription over His head, “King of the Jews.”

Jesus considered the Jewish people His family. Jesus said, “verily, I say unto you insomuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these brethren (the Jewish people), ye have done it unto Me” – Matthew 25:40.

4. Christians are to support Israel because it brings the blessings of God to them personally.

In Psalm 122:6, King David command all Christians, “pray for the peace of Jerusalem; May they prosper who love you” The Scriptural principle of personal prosperity is tied to the blessing of Israel and the city of Jerusalem.

Why did Jesus go to the house of Cornelius in Capernaum and heal his servant, who was ready to die? Jesus went because the gentile centurion deserved the blessings of God because he had demonstrated his love for the Jews by building a synagogue in Israel -When you do things to bless the Jewish people and the state of Israel Luke 7:5. When you do things to bless the Jewish people and the state of Israel, God will bless you,

Why did God the Father select the house of Cornelius in Caesarea to be the first Gentile house in Israel to receive the gospel? The answer is given repeatedly in Acts 10:2, a devout man (Cornelius) and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms (the acts of filling a material need for someone less fortunate) generously to the people, and prayed to God always.” Who were the people who Cornelius gave the alms? They were the Jewish people that lived around him.

Acts 10:31 says, “your alms are remembered in the sight of God.”

The point is made three times in the same chapter. A righteous Gentile who expressed his unconditional love for the Jewish people in a practical manner, was divinely selected by having to be the first gentile house, to receive the gospel of salvation, and the first to receive the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

The scriptures, Genesis 12:3; Psalm 122:6; Luke 7:1-5 combined say that prosperity, divine healing, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 10) came first to the Gentiles who blessed the Jewish people and the nation of Israel in a practical manner. Paul expand on the teaching in Romans 15:27.

The Importance Of The Five Main Types Of Sacrfice

Leviticus 1:7

Leviticus tells us of five sacrifices the Hebrews had to make to become holy before God. The true meaning of sacrifice (tithing) is not to “give up” something, but to draw near.

In the Old Testament the Jewish people had to made many offerings (sacrifices) to the Lord in order to become closer to Him.

1. Burnt Offerings – Total surrender to God. (Leviticus 1:1)

2. Grain Offerings – Surrender To God’s Word (Leviticus 1:2)

3. Peace Offerings – Peace with God and Man (Leviticus 1:3)

4. Sin Offerings – Forgiving others (Leviticus 1:4)

5. Trespass Offerings- Reconciling with others (Leviticus 1:5)

Jesus was sacrificed on the cross for us, so we didn’t have to do these. If you read Leviticus you will find they spent most of their time doing these offerings in order to become acceptable to God. I could not have done all these.

A Family Member

Describe a family member.

A family member that I’m describing would be my Father. He was my rock here on earth. Growing up was crazy experience for me. Between all the pain there were many tragedies. My father always a rock in my quicksand. Someone I could grab a hold up and pull myself back up.

Everyone has their trials and everyone handles them differently. My father was always there for me, no matter what he was going through he always gave me advice when I needed it.

He was an old retired Marine, and while he was strict and set in his ways. He always was a man of honor with a strong work ethic, and had an uncompromising code of integrity, respect, everyone.

He definitely made made feel like you were safe. After he found out my mother wasn’t very nice to me, to say the least, he became my support system.

I wouldn’t have become who I am today without him.