Proverbs 24:15-22
"15 Do not lie in wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; Do not destroy his resting place;
16 For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again,
But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.
17 Do not rejoice when your enemy falls,
And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;
18 Or the Lord will see it and be displeased,
And turn His anger away from him.
19 Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked;
20 For there will be no future for the evil man;
The lamp of the wicked will be put out.
21 My son, fear the Lord and the king;
Do not associate with those who are given to change,
22 For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?"
The wicked man will rejoice at the fall of the righteous, it is his nature to enjoy seeing calamity come upon his enemy, but his enemy is God's friend, God will repay the evil man who rejoices at the trials of the righteous.
God says to the redeemed, who belong to Him:
John 15:15
""No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you."
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Let God Do It!
"Faith does not operate in the realm of possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man's power ends."
George Mueller
I have learned a lot in the past few years. Often we say we have faith for God to work in someone's life, and then we proceed to try to reason with them while continually being rejected. Going through discouragement at their rebellion and resistance to truth, we keep on doing the same old thing over and over again.
Albert Einstein once said;
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result."
When we see that we are being rejected and treated with contempt, it is time to move on, realizing that God is the only one who can reach people. We can only help those who want our help. God can do things in their lives that make them want His help. Our power is not in helping the rebellious, it is in prayer for God to do His Work in them, even they cannot avoid God entirely, He will get in the face of those who need it.
I now pray more than ever, that God will bring rebellious and stubborn hearts to their knees, His own way. I have known this for many years, but have had to revisit the principle from time to time, forgetting what I already knew. I guess I didn't want to let go, hoping against hope that eventually things will improve, however, until their hearts are changed by God, they will move nor further and will even regress.
Praise the Lord, He can sustain us while working His miracles in the lives of others.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 2:5 "But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment is revealed."
Our prayer ought to be that God reach them before it is too late for them. We know that there will be many who will never listen to even God. We have to leave all that to God while obeying Him as we walk along. He knows what to do and when to do it.
Psalm 81:12 "12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels."
Jeremiah 7:24 ""Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward."
We also must remember that there will be many times in these last days, that we will have to let go of relationships to obey God. That can be very painful if we harbor idols in the form of human beings in our hearts. If we place people above God, then we have an idol. The closer we are to Christ, the less pain in letting go of those who are in rebellion against Him.
My desire is to be pleasing to God, share my faith and keep moving when there is intense rejection of His principles.
George Mueller
I have learned a lot in the past few years. Often we say we have faith for God to work in someone's life, and then we proceed to try to reason with them while continually being rejected. Going through discouragement at their rebellion and resistance to truth, we keep on doing the same old thing over and over again.
Albert Einstein once said;
"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result."
When we see that we are being rejected and treated with contempt, it is time to move on, realizing that God is the only one who can reach people. We can only help those who want our help. God can do things in their lives that make them want His help. Our power is not in helping the rebellious, it is in prayer for God to do His Work in them, even they cannot avoid God entirely, He will get in the face of those who need it.
I now pray more than ever, that God will bring rebellious and stubborn hearts to their knees, His own way. I have known this for many years, but have had to revisit the principle from time to time, forgetting what I already knew. I guess I didn't want to let go, hoping against hope that eventually things will improve, however, until their hearts are changed by God, they will move nor further and will even regress.
Praise the Lord, He can sustain us while working His miracles in the lives of others.
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
Romans 2:5 "But because of your hardness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath, when God's righteous judgment is revealed."
Our prayer ought to be that God reach them before it is too late for them. We know that there will be many who will never listen to even God. We have to leave all that to God while obeying Him as we walk along. He knows what to do and when to do it.
Psalm 81:12 "12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels."
Jeremiah 7:24 ""Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward and not forward."
We also must remember that there will be many times in these last days, that we will have to let go of relationships to obey God. That can be very painful if we harbor idols in the form of human beings in our hearts. If we place people above God, then we have an idol. The closer we are to Christ, the less pain in letting go of those who are in rebellion against Him.
My desire is to be pleasing to God, share my faith and keep moving when there is intense rejection of His principles.
God Already Has the Answer
In the face of my unresolved medical dilemma, I can praise the Lord that He already has the answer! Praise His Name
"On mine arm shall they trust." -Isaiah 51:5
In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his vessel is on its beam-ends, and no human deliverance can avail, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God.
Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone! There is no getting at our God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends; but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he flies into his Father's arms, and is blessedly clasped therein! When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so peculiar, that he cannot tell them to any but his God, he may be thankful for them; for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time.
Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives thee to thy Father! Now that thou hast only thy God to trust to, see that thou puttest thy full confidence in him. Dishonour not thy Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that thy God is worth ten thousand worlds to thee. Show rich men how rich thou art in thy poverty when the Lord God is thy helper. Show the strong man how strong thou art in thy weakness when underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as he built the heavens and the earth, glorify himself in thy weakness, and magnify his might in the midst of thy distress. The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the carnal eye. May the Holy Spirit give you to rest in Jesus this closing day of the month.
-Charles H Spurgeon
"On mine arm shall they trust." -Isaiah 51:5
In seasons of severe trial, the Christian has nothing on earth that he can trust to, and is therefore compelled to cast himself on his God alone. When his vessel is on its beam-ends, and no human deliverance can avail, he must simply and entirely trust himself to the providence and care of God.
Happy storm that wrecks a man on such a rock as this! O blessed hurricane that drives the soul to God and God alone! There is no getting at our God sometimes because of the multitude of our friends; but when a man is so poor, so friendless, so helpless that he has nowhere else to turn, he flies into his Father's arms, and is blessedly clasped therein! When he is burdened with troubles so pressing and so peculiar, that he cannot tell them to any but his God, he may be thankful for them; for he will learn more of his Lord then than at any other time.
Oh, tempest-tossed believer, it is a happy trouble that drives thee to thy Father! Now that thou hast only thy God to trust to, see that thou puttest thy full confidence in him. Dishonour not thy Lord and Master by unworthy doubts and fears; but be strong in faith, giving glory to God. Show the world that thy God is worth ten thousand worlds to thee. Show rich men how rich thou art in thy poverty when the Lord God is thy helper. Show the strong man how strong thou art in thy weakness when underneath thee are the everlasting arms. Now is the time for feats of faith and valiant exploits. Be strong and very courageous, and the Lord thy God shall certainly, as surely as he built the heavens and the earth, glorify himself in thy weakness, and magnify his might in the midst of thy distress. The grandeur of the arch of heaven would be spoiled if the sky were supported by a single visible column, and your faith would lose its glory if it rested on anything discernible by the carnal eye. May the Holy Spirit give you to rest in Jesus this closing day of the month.
-Charles H Spurgeon
Rebellion is as the Sin of Witchcraft
Proverbs 1:8 "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:"
Someone might ask, "why do some believers seem so negative, always pointing out flaws and warning people about things, when the rest of the world sees nothing wrong?" The Answer: Perhaps it is because the Word of God is replete with warnings and admonitions.
It also makes sense that love has more to do with redirecting the behavior of wayward children, in these last days of apostasy, than it does with praise ro goodness. 2 Timothy 3 tells us all about the rebellion of the last days.
Since we know the world is in rebellion against God and believers are influenced by the world, we are faced with warning unbelievers of the dangers of not trusting Christ while also face with warning the believers of the discipline of God for disobedience. It makes sense that most of what goes on in the world, even the world of the believer is outside the will of God and needs correction, rebuke and admonition, to help others either become born again or to help believers to come back in line with God's principles to avoid, discipline with consequences for the believer.
Philippians 3:2 "2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;"
1 Corinthians 3:15 "If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
Those who resist correction and instruction, believing they know all there is to know, will not be able to learn, they stagnate for a period of time and then very quickly regress into rebellion and disobedience. Little does the rebel realize that every act of disobedience brings with it consequences, sometimes very serious life long consequences and even eternal consequences.
1 Samuel 15:23, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft..."
Proverbs 17:11, "An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him."
Psalms 68:6, "...the rebellious dwell in a dry land."
Proverbs 20:20, "Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness."
Psalms 78:8, "And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God."
Ezekiel 3:26, "And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house."
Ezekiel 12:2, "Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house."
Isaiah 30:1-9
"1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! (The rebellious run to the ungodly for advise, counseling and support)
3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come forever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:"
Someone might ask, "why do some believers seem so negative, always pointing out flaws and warning people about things, when the rest of the world sees nothing wrong?" The Answer: Perhaps it is because the Word of God is replete with warnings and admonitions.
It also makes sense that love has more to do with redirecting the behavior of wayward children, in these last days of apostasy, than it does with praise ro goodness. 2 Timothy 3 tells us all about the rebellion of the last days.
Since we know the world is in rebellion against God and believers are influenced by the world, we are faced with warning unbelievers of the dangers of not trusting Christ while also face with warning the believers of the discipline of God for disobedience. It makes sense that most of what goes on in the world, even the world of the believer is outside the will of God and needs correction, rebuke and admonition, to help others either become born again or to help believers to come back in line with God's principles to avoid, discipline with consequences for the believer.
Philippians 3:2 "2 Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision;"
1 Corinthians 3:15 "If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."
Those who resist correction and instruction, believing they know all there is to know, will not be able to learn, they stagnate for a period of time and then very quickly regress into rebellion and disobedience. Little does the rebel realize that every act of disobedience brings with it consequences, sometimes very serious life long consequences and even eternal consequences.
1 Samuel 15:23, "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft..."
Proverbs 17:11, "An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him."
Psalms 68:6, "...the rebellious dwell in a dry land."
Proverbs 20:20, "Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness."
Psalms 78:8, "And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not steadfast with God."
Ezekiel 3:26, "And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious house."
Ezekiel 12:2, "Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house."
Isaiah 30:1-9
"1 Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:
2 That walk to go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth; to strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh, and to trust in the shadow of Egypt! (The rebellious run to the ungodly for advise, counseling and support)
3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.
4 For his princes were at Zoan, and his ambassadors came to Hanes.
5 They were all ashamed of a people that could not profit them, nor be a help nor profit, but a shame, and also a reproach.
6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.
7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.
8 Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come forever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:"
Pretenders Abound
Many people who claim to be born again are attempting to fool others through phony smiles and pretend kindness, but in fact have never been born again. These people can fool others, but they cannot fool God. And, often they cannot fool the discerning believer who walks with God.
Eventually what is really in their heart will come out, they will have no control over the rage that inhabits their heart, it will show itself at the first sign of a perceived threat to their own self righteousness. The anger they have against God and His people can only be contained a little while then it must emerge.
Matthew 15:8
"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."
Many of these people have degrees in theology, they say and do all the things they think will impress others, learning many facts, but they lack the most important thing of all in their hearts and that is the love of God.
Their favorite method for controlling others is intimidation, angry looks and mean words, all the while denying what they do. They cannot tolerate anyone who cannot be manipulated by them.
Matthew 22:36-40
"36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and [a]foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
The pretender looks good on the outside, even has much knowledge about things, but the one thing they lack is the very thing God said was the most important.
These self righteous people feed off of the accolades of others, it is unthinkable to be in the presence of anyone who does not elevate them as special.
2 Timothy 3:7
"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
The concern of the pretender is more about their own appearances, what they say, what they do and how they look, without concern for their inner man. As long as they appear righteous, they are content to be superficial spiritually.
Matthew 23:27-28
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
These fakers never break the civil laws, they work hard, they say the right things, wear the right cloths, but they disobey God in the most important two commandments of all, the Love of God and the love of the brethren.
These self righteous people only love those who elevate them, there is no love for those who would challenge them to greater holiness, in fact there is nothing but contempt for those who love them through instruction and correction.
Watch out for these people, they will concoct lies to demean and discredit you, because of their contempt for everything you stand for in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:13
"But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
Embrace those who love Christ, who share in your desire for holiness, and run like the wind from those who would continually attempt to undermine truth, they bring no good thing while bringing only drama and strife.
Romans 2:4
"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"
Pray for those in rebellion to repent, ask the Lord to bring whatever difficulty is necessary to bring them to their knees. No one ever comes to Christ because they have everything they want, but they more often seek God when they are forced to their knees through difficulty.
Revelation 3:19
"'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."
2 Corinthians 7:1-13
"7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.
3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.
4 Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.
6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.
8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this [e]godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God. 13 For this reason we have been comforted."
Eventually what is really in their heart will come out, they will have no control over the rage that inhabits their heart, it will show itself at the first sign of a perceived threat to their own self righteousness. The anger they have against God and His people can only be contained a little while then it must emerge.
Matthew 15:8
"This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me."
Many of these people have degrees in theology, they say and do all the things they think will impress others, learning many facts, but they lack the most important thing of all in their hearts and that is the love of God.
Their favorite method for controlling others is intimidation, angry looks and mean words, all the while denying what they do. They cannot tolerate anyone who cannot be manipulated by them.
Matthew 22:36-40
"36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the great and [a]foremost commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."
The pretender looks good on the outside, even has much knowledge about things, but the one thing they lack is the very thing God said was the most important.
These self righteous people feed off of the accolades of others, it is unthinkable to be in the presence of anyone who does not elevate them as special.
2 Timothy 3:7
"Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth."
The concern of the pretender is more about their own appearances, what they say, what they do and how they look, without concern for their inner man. As long as they appear righteous, they are content to be superficial spiritually.
Matthew 23:27-28
"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. "So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
These fakers never break the civil laws, they work hard, they say the right things, wear the right cloths, but they disobey God in the most important two commandments of all, the Love of God and the love of the brethren.
These self righteous people only love those who elevate them, there is no love for those who would challenge them to greater holiness, in fact there is nothing but contempt for those who love them through instruction and correction.
Watch out for these people, they will concoct lies to demean and discredit you, because of their contempt for everything you stand for in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 5:13
"But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person."
Embrace those who love Christ, who share in your desire for holiness, and run like the wind from those who would continually attempt to undermine truth, they bring no good thing while bringing only drama and strife.
Romans 2:4
"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"
Pray for those in rebellion to repent, ask the Lord to bring whatever difficulty is necessary to bring them to their knees. No one ever comes to Christ because they have everything they want, but they more often seek God when they are forced to their knees through difficulty.
Revelation 3:19
"'Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent."
2 Corinthians 7:1-13
"7 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Make room for us in your hearts; we wronged no one, we corrupted no one, we took advantage of no one.
3 I do not speak to condemn you, for I have said before that you are in our hearts to die together and to live together.
4 Great is my confidence in you; great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort; I am overflowing with joy in all our affliction.
5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within.
6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus;
7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more.
8 For though I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it; though I did regret it—for I see that that letter caused you sorrow, though only for a while—
9 I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
11 For behold what earnestness this very thing, this [e]godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what avenging of wrong! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter. 12 So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the offender nor for the sake of the one offended, but that your earnestness on our behalf might be made known to you in the sight of God. 13 For this reason we have been comforted."
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