Monday, December 16, 2013

Worry and Trust

As you do not know what is the way of the wind,
Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of G-d who makes everything.
In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good.
Ecclesiastes 11:5-6
 
Can not stress enough, on how often we must sit and reflect on the amazement of our G-D. We may be able to pinpoint which way the wind is blowing, and have the knowledge of how a child is created in the womb and born but regardless of our knowledge it is still a miracle and absolutely astounding the formation and creation of everything. Despite how "advanced" we are in this day and age we still do not know everything, and we surely don't know the works in full detail of our G-D, nor can we know them all because His knowledge is far superior then ours, and it always will be. The more we think we know G-D, the more we think we know how something is going to turn out, watch as He acts in the opposite. We surely like to think we know His will, and generally speaking we place "what we" would do as something G-D would obviously do, but G-D is not us and every action that is chosen is far better than we could ever possibly do.
 
We like to say G-D is going to prosper whatever we put our hands to, but maybe the question should be "Why is he?" instead of "Can he?" there are those who talk about the blessings of G-D as if they deserve them and there are those who seek not there will but HIS. If he prospers us, the question that should be asked is why? and the answer should always be "For His own glory". Everything that happens is in His control, even when it looks horrible...what needs to be dealt with is our ideals and our actions, how we receive and how we trust in every situation, to know we surely don't know what tomorrow will bring but we will walk and praise Him the same today no matter what it brings. 
 
We tend to look forward or we look back, but should we not be content in the present? let us rejoice that we are no longer in the past, let us look to how we have grown in Christ, and in that growth keep our eyes, mind, body, and soul fixated on Christ, and let us in the present moment lift all worries cares and burdens to not be frantic about the future that is out of our control, let us rest in HIM who knows all.
 
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Matthew 6:34
 
Therefore  let us be rested in HIM, let us trust that He is in control and stop trying to cause things to happen by our own doing, after all who's way is better....our way? or HIS way? G-D I would assume would know the best way to act, speak, and walk, so why do we not just be rested and give HIM complete trust in any and every situation. If we rely on us...it will never be glorifying enough, but if we rely on HIM we are building the foundation blocks of trust.
 
But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak;
Matthew 10:19

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Lamentations 3:21-26

.This I recall to my mind,
Therefore I have hope.
Through the L-RD’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
“The L-RD is my portion,” says my soul,
“Therefore I hope in Him!”
The L-RD is good to those who wait for Him,
To the soul who seeks Him.
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly
For the salvation of the L-RD.
Lamentations 3:21-26
 
Be still follower of the way, rest completely in Him. G-D is merciful to the meek, acknowledge faults and rely on HIM. The creator of all things who spoke and brought the universe to existence, formed us out of the dust of the earth, shapes all things, controls all things, and knows all things, has purpose for all things that are done under the sun. We must not only strengthen our faith but we must guard it, for our faith is constantly under attack whether we realize it or not. Where is your hope when looking into the eyes of the hopeless, to whom do you direct the broken, and when the mountains upscale around you to whom do you trust to get you to the top? Being strong minded will only get you so far, and self will can be broken, but G-D will not be broken, can not be consumed, and will never leave or forsake us.
 
I neither learned wisdom
Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.
Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son’s name,
If you know?
Proverbs 30:3-4
 
We must know for ourselves, and we must know for others to be the shinning example that we are called to be. To what do we find purpose? what do we define it as? everyone finds comfort in positive mindset, but this doesn't save...positive might be comforting  but if it's not pointing to the source of being positive and full of joy then it is useless. We must be a conduit for His light...this is the only way to truly transform lives, this is where wisdom and knowledge resides, not in our thoughts, not in our purposes...but in HIS. We must walk and lead to the one who HAS established the ends of the earth, who is Holy, who is righteous, who is creator of knowledge and wisdom, a mercy that abounds and makes us whole.
 
L-RD G-D creator of the heavens and earth nothing will ever satisfy my soul
nothing can ever grant me a state of peace
except your mercy, except for the provided sanctification of my soul
YOU and you alone renew and establish children returning home
YOU and you alone break strong towers that can no longer hold
 
Help us L-RD, create in us a heart that always seeks to glorify you
Help us L-RD, to not abuse the grace that you've given free of charge
Help us L-RD, to walk in your Spirit and not in our old ways
Help us L-RD, to endure in patience and not lean on our understandings
Help us L-RD, to embrace what You've already made.
 

Friday, October 11, 2013

It's Enough

Will my mouth declare your praise, when the salt starts to lose it's taste..
Will my heart be contrite, when I'm standing in Your light..
If pride didn't come before a fall, would I even seek you at all?
 
How can I forget, it's not about how I walk
but what you've done to cause me to
How can I think it's by these hands that I've been given rest
when all I do is fall on my knees in forgiveness.
 
I'm sorry it took this long to see, how far I am from who you want me to be
In the distance are the mistakes I've made, in Your forgiveness I'm saved
pardoned and redeemed by a grace that's finished and complete.
 
How can I forget, it's not about how I walk
but what you've done to cause me to
How can I think it's by these hands that I've been given rest
when all I do is fall on my knees in forgiveness.
 
I wake from a sleep of being broken, blessed to be forgiven
In silent confession I find, that I was walking blind
May I hold to what you love, and know it's enough...
 

Monday, September 16, 2013

Philippians 4:6-8

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to G-d;
and the peace of G-d, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
Philippians 4:6-8
 
Followers of The Way, how hard it is to keep ones mind from falling away, how hard it truly is to be centered and focused on virtuous things when our surroundings and circumstances are generally not so. We all go through periods of doubt, some of us are oblivious to how much we actually doubt, and we are quick to claim that we are strong in faith, but the words and actions that pour forth are far from walking in faith. We like to hide our feelings because we want to seem pious and holy, but a real pious and holy person isn't one who hides doubt, failure, and struggle, a truly humble person admits struggle and admits when they are in the wrong. We must be prayerful for guidance, and in times where we feel we hear nothing from G-D doesn't mean He isn't there, it could very well mean that His silence is the answer, that you already know the actions required... so walk in it.
 
Having concern and worry doesn't make you less of a believer, it just makes you human, but it is what you do with the concern and worry that matters. The first priority is to completely surrender it to G-D, and that is more than just proclaiming it to Him, it is fully trusting in the fact that G-D is who He says He is and if we trust in Him... He will not only ease our minds but will guard our hearts from further bitterness towards the situation. The situation that causes worry and stress may still remain and not be quickly solved but if we truly depend and trust in G-D we should be confident and strive forward no matter what is going on.
 
We may prayerfully speak our worries to G-D, and our doubts but we don't actually fully surrender it to Him... because what we really want is for Him to completely fix and take away what causes the worry and when He doesn't we go right back into the state of mind before we sent our petitions to Him. Faith isn't an easy road, and having stress and doubt is opportunity to trust fully on our G-D, to not let the bitter seed of these doubts and worries grow but to understand no matter what happens, even if our biggest fear comes true, that G-D has a purpose and a plan in it, and we must submit and trust in HIM, to rest in whatever comes because we know G-D is bigger than our circumstances and that He is our shelter, our rock, our peace even in chaos.
 
It is all easier said then done. To think on virtuous, pure, lovely and noble things in times of major struggle is a process that is going to take our utmost, it's going to be a battle of fighting our flesh, even more so then we are usually. In this fight we are going to be drained physically and emotionally which will make it hard to keep fighting, for it is easier to just give up and let our minds run wild with negative thinking and even anger but this doesn't solve or help the situation but only adds fuel to it's fires, we can never be the ones in control of renewing our minds, we may be self willed and strong in positive thinking, and appear before others as strong, but G-D is the only one we should worry about how we are appearing. It's not about the power of positive thinking that makes you an overcomer it's about the total surrender of your mind, body and soul to G-D who will then, through the spirit, make you sufficient, it is about ultimate reliance on HIM. Notice how in Philippians the first requirement is to go to G-D in supplication and prayer, to fully come and trust in Him and then you will be able to fully think of positive things because G-D is the ultimate positive we should be focused on, and though we may be able to think positive without Him...we will never understand or have full peace of mind without HIM.

Monday, August 19, 2013

1 Corinthians 15:43

It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
1 Corinthians 15:43
 
quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.
Hebrews 11:34
 
Never do we see strength in weakness, never do we see uplifting in sorrow or the very hand of G-D in any and every situation. Though no action is allowed, no action is made without the very distinct purpose and will of G-D. Hell has no furry, Satan  himself has no power and can do nothing without G-D allowing it to be done. Quick to find a reason, quick to find someone or something to blame but never are we quick to just surrender and glorify G-D all the same. The days that misery is at the door, the days where everything is going wrong, the days where death snatches away, or when our very health seems to wither away...does our focus on HIM remain the same?
 
We are tried through fire, made stronger through times of pain and even sorrow has it's time and place. This is when we are to find our place of rest, our full assured shalom in G-D...not just peace to know He is there, but full assured resilience! that we can be stretched like a rubber band but yet not break, that every conflict, commotion, and life disaster can not pull us one inch away from glorifying our MASTER. Where is the sting of death? there is no sacrificial line that can be crossed, no thorn in the side that G-D chooses to remain that will ever separate us from His Kingdom.
 
We may claim to boast in our weakness like Paul did, but do we strive like Paul did, do we live as though there is no glory but HIM.. like Paul did, do we say come whatever may L-RD I will not falter from this place! I will not lose ground, will not lose hope, will not turn my eyes away even when I can barely raise my head like Job.... even amongst the most horrific tragedy I will place my hope in HIM...this should be our stance, this should be where we surrender, where we learn to put action to our faith and prove we are indeed His children.
 

Friday, June 14, 2013

1 Peter 2:16



“ As free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice,but as bondservants of G-D. “
 1  Peter 2:16

Thy freedom servant of The Most High, comes paid in full. The fine of perpetual wrath has been lifted and now thy soul is free. Oh but what a mistake, what a deception it is to use thy freedom as an excuse to sin! Your liberty comes on the blood of His Holy Son! Thy chains that clamor and bound you to a prison that you most assuredly deserve have thus been broken. You, being freed from such darkness, such long suffering of thy flesh, now must learn to walk! what fool, what vile snake...after being freed would choose to continue to sit chained in filth, only to mock the one who set free!

To claim freedom and yet be bound by your own delusions, to use your freedom you never could earn as an excuse to live exactly as you were, isn’t freedom at all! For you are still enslaved by your wicked vice, you just now think it’s by your choice...

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Faith Refining


I am ADONAI; there is no other. I form light, I create darkness; I make well-being, I create woe; I, ADONAI, do all these things.
Isaiah 45:6-7

This is where you prove your faith opened up to every mistake closed in by trials and tribulations and pulled to pieces in every direction.

This is where trust comes in when dark clouds of doubt overwhelm and your flesh screams there is no hope This is the moment we DIE to our self.

This is where we sink or swim Only by the spirit can we stand again opened eyes moving past what made us blind every failure nailed to my saviors hands

This is where we prove who we are in every struggle and pain in our heart 
to keep rising up as children of G-D and not let it tear us apart.

Bring on distress and pain
bring on rejection and heartache enemy,world, and flesh do your worst
for in His death i’ve found my rest

Now forever I crucify my self-image and this is only the beginning
of how He brings change just a taste of how we prove our faith.

G-D is faithful, He is merciful...He pours water upon the thirsty. Isaiah 44:3

Ending with encouragement, the direction and focus is to be upon G-D, it’s easy when you get a vision, but hard once you start walking in it...

But keep focused on Him as Proverbs 3:5 says; do not lean on your understanding but His!

When we are going through a “refining process” it’s easy to give up, and run...but G-D has a purpose in it, let us not miss it, but glory in the fact that He is
considering us worthy to be put through the fire to refine like Gold...