On The Journey–Pe!

Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands.

Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name.

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

Redeem me from human oppression, that I may obey your precepts.

Make your face shine on your servant and teach me your decrees.

Streams of tears flow from my eyes, for your law is not obeyed. Psalm 119:129-136 NIV

The 17th letter and stanza–an expression of trust and sorrow.

If we look at this stanza and see the heart of the writer, we detect an appreciation for God’s Word and acknowledgment that continued study and meditation upon His Word opens understanding so that even the simple–unlearned person–can understand.

Have we reached that place yet–where we get it–and appreciate God’s love for us in that He has provided the means for us succeed–in spite of what the enemy does or who he influences?

The steps of a good man (person) are ordered by The Lord and He delights in his way (the way he obeys). Psalm 37:23. In the 37th Psalm, the writer acknowledges that God has already ordered the steps of good person and in this Psalm, the writer acknowledges they fall short and need God to direct their footsteps–according to His Word–so sin will not reign in their lives.

Are we there yet? Do we recognize that our steps are indeed–planned by God when we obey His Word?

Considering the rule of the day (historically) by men who chose to be barbaric in their positions to control and oppress people, we can understand why the writer wants to be redeemed–saved from the oppression men tend to burden people with in their religious tyranny.

Religious tyranny is a practice we see all around us–when men think their traditions and rules are more important than God’s Word. The traditional rules governing many religious people have led to people committing suicide and murder in the name of “religion.” Jesus tells us that because of our “traditions” we have made the Word of God of no effect. We need to conduct ourselves–according to God’s Word–and not man’s dictates which change as often as some of us change our underwear. This is the danger of our society–the fickleness of man–not adhering to God’s Word.

Like the writer, tears have flowed down my face on more than occasion if I dare listen to the news. I cry for the children whose parents have been killed. I cry for the parents whose children have been killed. I cry for the masses of people who have lost hope because of religious tyranny and I cry for all of us when we allow government officials to twist God’s Word to accommodate sin. A “twisted” truth is still a whole lie.

It is past time for all who Believe to open their mouths and spread the Gospel or to use social media networks to promote the Gospel. We will be held accountable for what we do and don’t do when it comes to God determining our level of obedience. We can and should use every avenue created to promote the Gospel--especially when we know so much hatred and bigotry are being promoted with the use of social media networks. What the enemy intended for evil, we can turn into something good and Godly.

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When Hurt Feelings Lead To Repentance!

“Even If I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it–I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while–yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:8-10 NIV)

For all the blog posts, articles, and scripture references that have been used to encourage obedience, ignite repentance, and inspire desire to please God–we should all be thankful.

Why should we be thankful when people hurt our feelings–according to The Word? Because sometimes, we are so caught up in doing what we want to do–those things that please flesh–we forget that the desire of a Christian should be to please God and that means–when we get off track, someone has to be courageous enough to remind us of truth–even if it hurts–for a moment.

Let’s face it–no one who thinks they know how to cook appreciates being told their food is lousy. No one who thinks they know how to write appreciates being told their writing stinks. And no one–especially women–likes being told that what they’re wearing is not flattering, when they think it is.

Encouraging people to live according The Word to please God is an arduous task–one not many will undertake because they know truth hurts–even the one speaking truth is often stung by it. But if The Word stings–and hurts and slices and dices our consciences, then The Word is doing its job. Usually–for people who really want to please God–once we get over getting our feelings hurt and own up to what we’ve done or are doing–we repent and get back on track–the path which God had set us upon from the beginning.

When Jesus said, “Do not suppose I came to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34). The sword–God’s Word is a two-edged sword–cutting into our consciences when heard  and spoken. Jesus knew that even though He is The Word, He had to speak The Word–to ignite sorrow and repentance.

If we never tell our children what they are doing is wrong, they never have to repent of wrong-doing. However, as children of the most High God, when we read The Word, explication of The Word, or hear The Word, if there is any sin in our lives, our hearts should be pricked (our feelings hurt) and we should repent–once we get over our hurt feelings. Just as most parents love their children enough to correct their behavior, God loves us even more–since He is our heavenly Father.

It’s time to grow up–man-up/woman-up–and take correction as provided in The Word, get over our hurt feelings and repent of all our wrong-doing. When we make a decision to please God, He gives us favor and the desires of our heart.

Over the past few months–there have been a number of articles written about the Supreme Court decision regarding gay marriage. I have written some of them–not to bash people because of their lifestyle, but to slice their consciences with The Word, reminding them what God said–not me and hopefully, leading them to repentance after they got over feelings being hurt.

The role of every Believer is to seek opportunity to share the Good News–though we may have sinned, we have a Savior who loves us enough that He died for us, that we would have opportunity to reign with Him, forever. If we are not willing to repent of our sins, we cannot reign with Him and our destination for all eternity has already been prepared in the lake of fire. My desire is to see everyone I know and even those I don’t know–saved from the lake of fire–and living to please God, not man or flesh. So, if I’ve hurt some feelings along the way, good. If the hurt feelings have led to repentance–even better. For without repentance, we cannot enter into Heaven.

myBook.to/Normal and myBook.to/TurningForce speaking truth according to The Word, igniting Godly sorrow, leading to repentance!

Richly Blessed!

“The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it” (Proverbs 10:22 NLT).

Contemplate, if you will, the difference between His blessing and the blessings that we often discuss.

In this proverb, the blessing of the Lord is singular, not plural, which can lead one to think there is only one blessing. The blessing–is God’s love towards us–it–the love makes a person rich and He adds nothing to that which will make us sad. The blessings–plural–are those promises we receive from obedience to His Word. They are richly described in Deuteronomy 28:2-14.

What can anyone do when they know they are loved? Just about anything. Love (not lust) moves a person forward, seeking to please others and more specifically God. Love teaches instead of criticizes; love encourages instead of discourages. Love lets go of past hurts and makes room for present joy. Love energizes, not drains. Love motivates, not denigrates. How rich is a person who is loved? Being loved and knowing it is better than having all the riches of the land because many of those with the material wealth–do not understand or have love. This love–is the love that we receive from God and pour onto others–just because Love blesses!

If we are having problems in our lives and cannot seem to have peace in our spirits–maybe we should check our love levels and if the love is depleted, we can always go back to the never-ending fountain of Love for more.

Instead of chasing material riches, we should diligently pursue obtaining and sharing love.

Instead of being concerned with  what others think about us, we should earnestly consider what God thinks about us.

Instead of trying to become something that God never intended for us to be, we should seek His wisdom and guidance in all things and become what He wants us to be.

There is no poverty–or poverty-mindedness in those who have received the BLESSING of the Lord for they are rich beyond measure and seek to do always those things that please God.