Predestination and Foreknowledge

Why is it important to research and discuss these topics?First, these topics are for the thinkers of the earth to increase their knowledge and wisdom of the things of heaven. In understanding that through the research we could all gather this knowledge and wisdom over the things of heaven to give us a solid foundation for the security of our salvation, yet there might not be anything wrong with walking in the faith that the Lord has given us understanding that we might not truly understand. Some questions our solid understanding of these topics might clear up could be,
“Could we lose our salvation?” and “Are works really important?”

The first contradiction that is noticed is that if we have the knowledge that our salvation is secure, then what need is there for good works to be done? What need is there to have faith at all?
If we believe that our salvation is secure through works then what need is there to have faith? If we believe that our salvation is secure due to our faith, then what need is there to do good works?

Therefore, we can see that the understanding of predestination and foreknowledge is important to the foundation of our practice of Christianity because whatever the case, wherever we find that salvation is secure, what we believe will determine the thoughts and actions that we present to others about Christ. These actions could determine the amount of souls to be won or not to be won and the method in which they are won and one….

Overall, the safest stance that is supported by scripture is that both predestination and foreknowledge are characteristics of the Lord. He both chooses those that are led to be His chosen people and He knows exactly who they are or are going to be from the beginning to the end of time. In this we can see that both our salvation is secure in that He has chosen us to act in faith as He has already predestined for us to do so and that He already knows who will and will not act in this faith.

The acting out of our faith could be His predestined plan to grow us in the ways that He already knows we’re going to grow. If we can look at it this way, we turn the thinking around from the choices and knowledge of an egocentric God that knows and chooses for us, back to the choices and limited knowledge of an egocentric people of free will. It is possible that the Lord is truly all about knowing us, teaching us and letting us choose what we will, not about Himself being Lord, but then again…this would be another contradiction to the premise that He is Lord and over again His word stated that the only thing that He wants from us is that we acknowledge Him as Lord.

When all other understanding fails and we’re exhausted in thinking about the topic, we can run back to what we know, HIM! That is, that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, then ascended in to heaven. If we can at least get to this understanding as His chosen people then we will hunger, crave and thirst acting in faith to show Him that He truly is Lord in our lives and that we trust Him. We will be so in love with Jesus Christ that we won’t be able to stop doing work for Him and the sharing of His love with others whether they are saved or not will be both difficult when it is rejected and a blessing when those around us accept Him as we are part of one body. His love will cover any efforts of us attempting to lose our salvation through sin and it is so big that it covers any feelings that we lack control over our destinies because we can recognize Him as Sovereign, knowing that all things He does for the strengthening of us in showing His love.

Scriptures for further study:
Rom 10:6-13 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Jam 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Deu 10:12 And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul,…

1Jo 4:10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for* our sins.

1Jo 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Distraction

It seems that many distractions are in the world, problems with friends, problems with family, problems with relationships, the desire for employment, the desire for marriage, even the desire for ministries. How we hold onto these things at times in a form of idolatry and how we need to let them go in order to have a right relationship with God. One of the best ways to let go is through fasting.

My friend made a comment Sunday night about fasting, "True fasting is when your heart is so set on something that you don't want to talk about food."
Of course that something is Jesus!!!

Let’s worship Him in Spirit and in Truth: Let God arise, let God arise, Our God reigns now and forever, He reigns now and forever!!!

Oh how I want my heart to be so set on Him, that my entire life would be a fast set apart for His glory (no I don't want to become a nun, just glorify Him in all things!). I attempted to make it my practice yesterday to fast my thoughts about distractions and it was a fairly successful day. I can’t help but lift up friends, family, problems and desires in prayer. When I did, I attempted to pray the truth about the topic, for example if there was a desire in my heart I prayed, “Lord you know this desire is here and I know that you know my heart even better than I. I can trust you with this desire, that you can hold onto it for me, you can take it off of my heart so that I’m not pained by distraction from you in any way.”

After the prayer was said, the thoughts had to be quickly disciplined back to Jesus so that they wouldn’t linger on anything more than to be lifted up to the Lord. This is difficult, but I found much strength in the practice of fasting my thoughts.

The results that I experienced during the day into the evening were an increase in joy and clarity in my mind, fear and stress left me and worship practice even went well. Afterwards, I felt so encouraged that truly I didn’t want to talk about food or any earthly desire, I just wanted MORE JESUS!”

I’m sure this is the best cure for much of our psychological and some medical problems too. It does make sense that focusing on the Lord would bring us health. He says that if we keep our minds steadfast on Him then He will keep us in perfect peace.

We’re always going to struggle because there are many things to be desired and many things happen each day in our circumstances to distract us, but we must be strong in the Lord and take our thoughts captive. If we being full of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit cannot control our thoughts, which highly influence our behaviors, how are we to lead others in our ultimate goal of getting saved? I can guarantee they won’t be saved by the leading of our fleshly desires, hopes or dreams!

Scriptures for further study:
Jhn 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Ecc 11:10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Hbr 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Jhn 8:31-32 To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

2Cr 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Isa 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

1Ki 3:14 And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life."

All scripture references were retrieved from http://www.blueletterbible.org on July 29, 2008.

Offense

I woke up early this morning and began thinking over an offense that one of my friends had made toward me, which in reality is between the Lord and that person.
Nevertheless, I began to stress a little about why this person would want to allow seeds to be planted from the enemy. I had a hurt in my heart that felt like a heavy weight. I decided to take it to the Lord in prayer like so many of my good friends are in the practice of doing. The Lord is AMAZING!

I told the Lord about the offense and I asked Him to tell me why anyone might want to allow this to be planted in anyone else’s heart. I didn’t feel that I heard any response from Jesus, but I continued praying about a couple of other things. The amazing thing that happened, is that when I went back to talk to the Lord about the offense, it wasn’t there! The weight had lifted and it was gone! I didn’t feel the stress or the anguish that I had about it again. Just like it never existed!

How quickly the Lord forgives all of us of our sins when we ask and another person might try to dredge them up, but they’re not there! The weight was lifted and really there need'nt be any explanation why, just forgiveness and that love that covers all our sins.

Pro 17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

1Jo 2:12 I write to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

1Pe 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

All scripture references were retrieved from http://www.blueletterbible.org on July 28, 2008.

Alone

I was reading last years journal and how the Lord wanted me alone with Him… “you want me alone with you, the phone is dead, the computer is having difficulties…just alone with you and that I might hear your voice and you might whisper to me about your covenant of love…”

Why would the Lord want us to be alone with Him? I guess this is very simple, being alone with the Lord means the absence of distractions. It means humility when we feel like no one else loves us, and what a better place for Him to show us about His love when we feel like we have none. It develops a stronger spirit because where our flesh decreases, our spirit increases. So being alone with the Lord means really amazing growth in our lives if we allow ourselves to be focused on Him.

Being alone with the Lord is a place where He can teach us about listening. So when we’re alone, if we’re always complaining about everything that we don’t have; friends, family and activities that He makes and that He’s in charge of, then how can we hear when He gives us a compliment or wants to talk about His love for us?

Help us to listen more carefully for the Lord’s voice, not the lies of the enemy, especially when we’re alone with Jesus. Let us take every thought captive, give it to Him and ask Him to return to us the truth…what are the lies that we have believed?

Sometimes it helps to write or journal about the lies, what is at the core belief of the lie.

For example if someone believes that they look fat, they might say to the Lord, “Lord today I feel fat, but show me the truth of this feeling.”
The core belief is that I'm not ok if I am fat. First we can address that with the truth that the Lord loves us no matter what state we're in. Second we can look for the truth in His making of our bodies as His own temple. How are we treating the temple of the Lord? Are we eating healthy, exercising regularly, sleeping adequately? He might direct the person to take measurements so that they're looking at reality, not listening to how they feel, but again, no matter what state we're in His love is unconditional.

Another might say, “Lord you’re never going to bring the right job into my life, but show me the truth in that.”
The core belief is that the right job is really important, but Jesus might comment back to you, “Haven’t I always put you in the right place and haven’t I always provided for you. How important is a job to you? Is a job really what you want or is it a ministry where you can serve me and be all about me? I know you have bills to pay, but maybe, just maybe I will show myself faithful and true to you as your Provider. Haven’t I been doing this over the years for you?

It’s just awesome when He guides us, but usually the best guidance comes when we’re alone with Him and sometimes that’s painful, but when we give into Him and take everything that’s bothering us and lay it at His feet, He’s faithful to cover us with truth and His promised everlasting love.

Jer 31:3 The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.

Fear

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

I know many people have deep rooted fears. Some fear the water, some fear relationships, talking in groups, teaching others, getting to know others, catastrophic events, the end of the world, their parents dying, some fear animals and there are even people that fear going outside. Fear is based on lies from the enemy. There is no fear in perfect love, because Jesus casts it all out. The only fear we are to have is the fear of being outside of God’s perfect will.

His love and grace covers all of our sin, so really there should be zero fear in the world, yet so many of us have anxiety. The fear prevents us from serving Him fully, from speaking, teaching, encouraging others, having healthy relationships, and just enjoying life in general.

Thank you for teaching me this morning how frustrating it is when others are fearful. I think about how frustrated you must feel with each of us when we don’t trust you. You tell us that you have control, you’re holding onto us, and that you’re even going to stay with us for the entire ride. When we still freak out and have major anxiety, you understand, but it breaks your heart that we miss the blessing of walking uprightly with confidence and enjoying ourselves.

Hopefully we won’t look back at our lives and say, “There was some fun to be had along the way, but we were too afraid to enjoy it and our fear won out.”

Let us choose to believe, remembering that Faith is a gift of God Eph 2:8 that we need to exercise to the fullest!

Scripture for further study:
Eph 2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God–

Deu 5:29 'Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!

1Ch 28:20 And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God--my God--will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

2Th 2:9-11 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie…

1Jo 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Psa 62:8 Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God [is] a refuge for us. Selah

Eze 36:23 And I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I [am] the LORD," says the Lord GOD, "when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.

Psa 139:10 Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.

Isa 41:13 For I, the LORD your God, will hold your right hand, Saying to you, 'Fear not, I will help you.'

Psa 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell* in the house of the LORD Forever. I understand your fear, broken heart

Isa 44:8 Do not fear, nor be afraid; Have I not told you from that time, and declared [it]? You [are] My witnesses. Is there a God besides Me? Indeed [there is] no other Rock; I know not [one].' "

Isa 57:11 "And of whom have you been afraid, or feared, That you have lied And not remembered Me, Nor taken [it] to your heart? Is it not because I have held My peace from of old That you do not fear Me?

Luk 12:32 "Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Lev 26:13 I [am] the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that [you] should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright.

Prudence

Ok Smaranda, you asked for it!!!
My good friend Smaranda was praying for all of the girls at home fellowship last night. In her prayer she prayed for us all to be more prudent, “because she likes the word.” She’s a crack up!!! Really she’s the first computer programmer that I know that is absolutely wonderful with people and truly I believe the Lord is making her a wise counselor…alright, back to the topic at hand…being prudent.
Being prudent seems to be wisdom mixed with caution and discipline or self control. I think it is such a wonderful thing to have. The best example I see of prudence in my life is, of course, Smaranda! But in the Bible, one of the best examples we can look at is Mary and her sitting at Jesus feet. Martha was running around worrying and preparing everything. She was working so hard, but Mary sat there and trusted the Lord in peace.

So we can see that in certain situations it’s good to sit there and do nothing, it’s good to see the beginning, middle and end of a matter, and it’s good to be cautious. It's all good!

There are other times when the Lord tells us to step and walk in faith, during those times you can continue in prudence with wisdom. I would recommend praying and ask the Lord to show you more about this. I believe that there must be some sort of balance between faith (stepping out to do something you’re afraid of for the Lord) and prudence (wisely acting with common sense). Sometimes the Lord asks us to do things that don’t make sense and then reveals the reasoning later….If the Lord’s asking you to do something, then you need to do it! And again, He knows our hearts. If your heart is right then He’ll show you that it is and if it’s not He’ll show you that too. Just trust in Him that He’ll be faithful to see you through!

American Heritage Dictionary from Dictionary.com definition of prudent:
Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgme nt or common sense.
Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident (visionary, farseeing, prophetic, sagacious, wise).
Careful about one's conduct; circumspect (cautious, prudent, careful, guarded, wary, judicious, vigilant).

Scriptures regarding being prudent:
Pro 1:3 for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair;
Pro 12:16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Pro 12:23 A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly.
Pro 13:16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.
Pro 14:8 The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.
Pro 14:15 A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps.
Pro 14:18 The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Pro 19:14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord.
Pro 22:3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Pro 27:12 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it.
Jer 49:7 Concerning Edom: This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Is there no longer wisdom in Teman? Has counsel perished from the prudent? Has their wisdom decayed?
Amo 5:13 Therefore the prudent man keeps quiet in such times, for the times are evil.

Other scriptures for further study:
Jhn 11:20 When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

1Jo 4:1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Luk 18:14 "I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Ecc 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

Pro 20:11 Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right.

All scripture references were retrieved from http://www.blueletterbible.org on July 24, 2008

Freedom

(Singing) Reign in my heart, reign in my soul...

I was just singing to the Lord a new song that Craig Anderson posted at http://sdworshipcommunity.ning.com/forum. And then I started asking the Lord about my day and what I should do, feeling like I want to do this or that and feeling confused about the Lord's will in each situation. Is it you Lord or is it my flesh desires?

The Lord has been teaching me that life is more about choices and learning that He is Lord more than anything else. In those choices that we make, we're to exercise wisdom and discernment, but how often do we ask the Lord, like the song asks, to reign in us, and then find ourselves knee deep in unbelief?
How often do we second guess our decisions because we don’t really believe that He's guiding us?
He is God and if He's with us, then how can we go wrong?

He promises to rescue us from every evil attack. He hears all of our prayers and He responds according to His will. When we pray for guidance, for wisdom and especially for obedience, He will take care of us as we go along our day as we make choices that we believe are in line with His will. He knows our hearts!!!

So let us live life in freedom, because where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!
Freedom to laugh, to live and especially to love. Let’s grab hold of that freedom and love each other, following His commands and fearing Him and Him alone. Praise Jesus!!!

Scripture for further study:Isa 42:10 Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.

Gal 5:10 I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.

Jer 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Isa 58:11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Jos 24:15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord."

Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Hbr 3:19 So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Isa 52:12 But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

Luk 11:36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you."
2Ti 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

2Ch 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Isa 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me," declares the Lord.

Phl 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death- even death on a cross!

1Ti 1:16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Act 15:8 God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.

2Cr 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

Ecc 12:13-14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
All scripture references were retrieved from http://www.blueletterbible.org on July 24, 2008.

The End

How many times do we get caught up talking about the end of a matter. Of course the end of a matter is better than the beginning, but is it better than where we are right now? If we're constantly trying to discern the end of something, how will we hear what the Lord has to teach us in the present time?

There is one thing for certain and that is that the time is now and now is all that we are allowed to know unless we're a prophet....in which case Daniel shows us that it’s good to keep what the Lord says to ourselves, lest we encourage fear, prophesy falsely or accidentally encourage others to do things that the Lord does not have for them to be doing.

Dan 7:28 "This is the end of the matter. I, Daniel, was deeply troubled by my thoughts, and my face turned pale, but I kept the matter to myself."

Matthew Henry comments regarding Daniel 7 that some believe these scriptures are prophesies regarding the end of the world and that the concepts are “…many things dark and hard to be understood, which we dare not to positively determine the sense of….” And Paul warns us not to jump to conclusions about the end in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2 “…we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.”

Our focus should be on gathering the remnant chosen by grace and our eternal salvation in the present time...Rom 11:5 “So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace.” And in that choosing our salvation is at hand. Matthew Henry comments on 2 Corinthians 6 in that “The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be; and we should remember that present seasons of grace are short and uncertain, and cannot be recalled when they are past. It is therefore our duty and interest to improve them while we have them, and no less than our salvation depends upon our so doing.” 2Cr 6:2 “For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you,
now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.”

Scripture for further study:
Psalm 131
A song of ascents. Of David. My heart is not proud, O Lord, my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord. both now and forevermore.

Ecc 7:8 The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.
Luk 12:56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don't know how to interpret this present time?
Rom 13:11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
Jhn 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.
Jhn 5:25 I tell you the truth, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live.
Jhn 12:31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.
Jhn 16:22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.
Rom 13:11 And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
1Cr 7:29 What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none;

2 Thessalonians 2
Concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to him, we ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come. Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction. He will oppose and will exalt himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, so that he sets himself up in God's temple, proclaiming himself to be God. Don't you remember that when I was with you I used to tell you these things? And now you know what is holding him back, so that he may be revealed at the proper time. For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming. The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter. May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

All scripture and commentary references retrieved on July 21, 2008 from http://www.blueletterbible.org

Trust

We all desire things in our daily lives. Some of our desires are needs and some are wants. Like right now I want a big fat piece of cheesecake! But I really need to purchase groceries that fulfill more than my sweet tooth!

How many times do we struggle over and over with our own desires and end up frustrated that the Lord has not fulfilled them? When is it time to trust Him enough to ask Him to take the desire off of your heart and replace it with a bigger desire for Him? How many times do we struggle over and over with our needs not being met right away and we become anxious?

Right now it's time to trust Him with all of our desires and our needs. He knows what we need before we ask for it! He cares for the flowers and the sparrows, how much more does He care for us? He tells us to ask, seek and knock and He'll give us what we ask for in His timing and in His power, but my favorite part of that scripture is that Luke asks the reader to think about how much more power of the Holy Spirit He will give us if we just ask for that. So in that scripture, He's giving us a no brainer...just ask for the Holy Spirit and poof, He'll be yours!

When we trust God with our lives, with our heart's desires, with our everything we are able to say to Him, "Lord I really want a piece of cheesecake, but it's not on my plate and I can't afford it right now. Could you please take this off of my heart because it's distracting me from the food that you have for me right now in this moment."
We might also be able to say to the Lord, "Lord, I really need to purchase groceries, but I don't have the money for them right now, could you please allow me that peace that surpasses all understanding as I sit at your feet, keeping my eyes on you, My Provider."
And when the desire or anxiousness comes back, we have to ask again for the power of the Holy Spirit to bring us peace over all of our circumstances...AND, He will! It's His promise!!! I challenge you to try this at home and let me know how it goes...

Scriptures for further study:

Lev 26:1 " 'Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the Lord your God.

Mat 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Deu 8:3 He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.

Mat 6:26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Luk 10:41-42 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Psa 132:15 I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor will I satisfy with food.

Isa 26:3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.

Phl 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Phl 4:19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Last Year

On July 19th last year, this was my journaled prayer and I thought I would share it with you.

Our father in heaven hallowed be your name
You are God in Heaven and I am not means you have the power to move mountains to move people to change hearts to be glorified you are amazing God… indescribable uncontainable you placed the stars in the sky and you know them by name you are amazing God
Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.That your love would be known here on the earth and that your will would be our will. So if we pray out of selfish ambition or vein conceit that would not even be of you, but with your love we pray and you will be made known. Please let your truth be made known.
Give us today our daily bread
You tell us to open our mouth, that you will fill it, let us be satisfied with the food that you give, not food of the earth, but of your word that we would know you more
Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors
Let us forgive others with a free heart that we could also walk around free in Christ. Help us to know this Lord that we would not be caught up in consequences, but caught up in truth of your grace and freedom that reigns in you Lord. That you would give us a new understanding that we’re free in you and you have covered all of our sins!
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
Please don’t allow us to even walk close to temptation, if it means not going up on the hill ever then so beit, but keep us far from that temptation of pride, lust, jealousy, selfishness, etc.
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Above all I know you desire mercy and love, not sacrifice. So help us to forgive others of their sins, if we can I know we’ll be free to walk in your love, let us be people of grace always considering others better than ourselves and through that grace that you give us Lord let us walk in the gift of faith that you’ve given us knowing that it’s not from anything that we’ve done, but a gift freely given to us so that we could not boast. And help us not to boast except in you Lord in your death on the cross and what that means to us as Christians, followers of you that we would be like minded with one spirit and with one love and with one purpose. That our earthly suffering for you would be momentary and that our eyes would stayed focused on eternal salvation and that in that you would give us a heart to serve you and to suffer our families, our free time, our friends and that you would bless us for obedience to your will that your power would be made known in our weakness and that your glory would come down and shine around that their would be no more darkness. Oh Lord thank you for your covenant to love each one of us that in that covenant you say it will last forever, until you break your covenant with the night and the day that’s how long it will last and Lord when we make covenants with each other I pray that you would allow those covenants to be carried out in the same manner and that our vows before you would be made with pure hearts committed to serving you, not each other, but serving you through serving each other and that we would never forget the desert that you brought us through and that that desert would be a constant reminder of the pain and suffering and struggle against sin that we would truly realize how beautiful your blessings are in the land flowing with milk and honey and that we would NEVER be ungrateful for these blessings that we would always lift our hands and shout praises to your name….salvation springs up from the ground Lord let your glory come down seek the lost and heal the lame Jesus bring glory to your name let all the prodigals run wild all creation waits and smiles Lord we’ve heard of your great fame Jesus bring glory to your name Jesus!…stir up our hearts oh God, open our spirits to know who you are, put a cry in us so deep inside that we cannot find all the words we need we just cry out to you!

Two Are Better Than One

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.Ecc 4:9-12

It always seems that when my friend is down, I am up and when I am down, my friend is up. She told me that she had a vision of a teeter totter and the metal center pivot was Christ. So that if we keep ourselves centered on Christ neither one of us will be up or down, but level and equal. What a great way to visualize this scripture. Two truly are better than one, but when two are focused on Christ they become a cord of three strands and that for sure is not quickly broken.

And The Day After

Today, The Next Day, And The Day After.
It's starting to sound a lot like Easter to me...And on the third day He rose again!

When we pray to have hearts of mercy, the Lord gives us strength to act in person with that same mercy. As we take action, the Lord fills us up with immeasurable joy! He surpasses our every thought about who we are and what He can do through us. He truly is a miracle worker. In His miracles, He allows us to love where we thought that we couldn’t love and hope where we thought all hope was lost….

Sometimes life feels like we've been so deep in the pit, in the mire, in the clay, that we've been so weighted down that we might never resurface to the joy of our salvation. But there is restoration from that pit. He always pulls us out with the help of our friends and their intercessory prayer. With the aid of our own devotion, commitment and efforts of praise.

How important it is to fellowship with other believers that remind us of who we are in Christ, lest at these times of extreme pit dipping, that we would fall away! Once returned by His amazing grace to the joy of our first glimpse of hope, (Do you remember what that felt like? When the light shined into your darkness?), all becomes right with the Lord!

Supporting scriptures:
Mat 9:13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'* For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Isa 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Mal 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Jhn 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

Jhn 7:21 Jesus said to them, "I did one miracle, and you are all astonished.

Lev 19:18 " 'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

Gal 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Hbr 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

Isa 45:9 "Woe to him who quarrels with his Maker, to him who is but a potsherd among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'He has no hands'?

Jhn 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Jam 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

1Ti 2:1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone–

Isa 42:10 Sing to the Lord a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.

Hbr 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Rev 2:5 Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.

Jhn 8:12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

3Jo 1:2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

The Next Day

And after we set our eyes on Him and share His mercy with others, whether in person or in prayer (The Spirit knows!), He is faithful to give us that peace that surpasses all understanding because our eyes are on Him.

Furthermore, when we can understand that the situation is always between ourselves and God, that mercy that leads us to forgiveness is so much easier to come by!

I really love how the Lord is changing me and changing my heart. I'm at a deeper level of understanding today that the relationship between God and I is really what's important. We offer up prayers for others, obviously we're called to do this, but first we must offer up prayers for our own hearts that He would change us first. Whenever you get that longing, that pang or that hurt that won't go away...realize it's not even your heart, it's the Lord's and He wants to change it. Give it to Him and He'll take care of keeping it soft!

I love you LORD!

TODAY

Today is the first day of the rest of my life. I don't understand what the Lord is doing in my life right now, but I do understand that He loves me and cannot do anything outside of LOVE. I do know that His plan is perfect for me and that He will prosper me in His timing. In prayer today with the Lord, He taught me to spend more of my prayer life loving others so that He can change me, not focusing on changing others so that He can love me...GET IT????

Oooh, the point the Lord is making: But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'* For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:13

Definitions below:
Mercy:1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.
2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.
3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, esp. to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.—Idiom
6. at the mercy of, entirely in the power of; subject to: They were at the mercy of their captors. Also, at one's mercy.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Origin: 1125–75; ME merci <>Sacrifice:
1. the offering of animal, plant, or human life or of some material possession to a deity, as in propitiation or homage.
2. the person, animal, or thing so offered.
3. the surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher or more pressing claim.
4. the thing so surrendered or devoted.
5. a loss incurred in selling something below its value.
6. Also called sacrifice bunt, sacrifice hit. Baseball. a bunt made when there are fewer than two players out, not resulting in a double play, that advances the base runner nearest home without an error being committed if there is an attempt to put the runner out, and that results in either the batter's being put out at first base, reaching first on an error made in the attempt for the put-out, or being safe because of an attempt to put out another runner.–verb (used with object) 7. to make a sacrifice or offering of.
8. to surrender or give up, or permit injury or disadvantage to, for the sake of something else.
9. to dispose of (goods, property, etc.) regardless of profit.
10. Baseball. to cause the advance of (a base runner) by a sacrifice.–verb (used without object) 11. Baseball. to make a sacrifice: He sacrificed with two on and none out.
12. to offer or make a sacrifice.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------[Origin: 1225–75; (n.) ME < OF < L sacrificium, equiv. to sacri- (comb. form of sacer holy) + -fic-, comb. form of facere to make, do1 + -ium -ium; (v.) ME sacrifisen, deriv. of the n.]—Related formssac·ri·fice·a·ble, adjectivesac·ri·fic·er, noun—Synonyms 8. relinquish, forgo, renounce.