Understanding

I do not believe we can fully comprehend what it means when God says

He does not hold our past against us. Why? Because for the most part, we cannot help but hold our past against ourselves. We wage persistent battles against memories, guilt, regrets, and the like.

We also tend to see change as a future event, not a present reality.

Because our perception of time is linear, we see our past along with the present. So for us, in a sense, the past is always present(exists) and present (now). It is not so with God.

God's reality--His perception of time--is not linear. In His, we already are the new creations He made us to be. Right now, thi moment! We are, not "will be". (And it gets even deeper than that!) Think on this. It will "torque your brain" (a good thing!). Seek to see yourself as God sees you. "But we have the mind of Christ."

(1 Cor 2:16)

Cry Out

Have you ever cried out to God for direction in difficult times--and

received no response? I remember saying to Him, "Lord, I feel like you have put me in the middle of the woods, blindfolded. All I am doing is bumping into trees! Will you please show me the path?" And did a great light suddenly shine before me revealing the path? No! Not even a dim glow! I just bumped into some more trees.

But later, I saw that He had led me precisely where I needed to go at exactly the right time, beyond the scope of coincidence or random events! I learned to trust that He will always do that, even when I cannot see or feel it. It has made our relationship much stronger.

You can trust Him that way too. Perhaps you need this today?  From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. (Acts 17:26-27 NIV)

Who's watching you?

I have become accustomed to the idea that people I do not know personally know who I am. It goes with having a "public" profession.

People have come to me in ministry settings and said, "Oh, I saw you at such-and-such-a-place... and I was unaware!

People are watching your life--and that is a good thing! You have a opportunity to influence them for the Lord in ways you could never effect with words. You may never know the impact you have had. And that is all right; God knows.

  For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were  not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without  paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in  order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. (2 Th 3:7-9 NIV)

Promises of God

Two things I understand about God's promises to us:

1. Almost all of God's promises to us are conditional: they require something from us in order to receive something from Him. I have seen people who did not understand this become angry with God when the promises did not "work" as they expected.

2. In a conversation with a friend this week about the often-heard phrase, "The Word works!", I said: "I agree--but with an important caveat: it "works" by understanding, not simply by knowledge."

I believe God made it so as a failsafe. Otherwise, a lot of people would be running around "using" Him and His Word to do or get a lot of things they should not be doing or getting.

   "If you keep my laws and are careful to obey my commands, I will send the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees will produce their fruit. Your threshing season will extend until the grape harvest, and your grape harvest will extend until it is time to plant grain again. You will eat your fill and live securely in your land. (Lev 26:3-5 NLT)

A Calling

Has God commissioned you to a task? Is there a "calling" on your

life? Do you know your purpose in the Kingdom? If "Yes!", then

commit yourself to it. Be determined, no matter what (or who).

Not sure or don't know? (And that is all right!) Then be committed

to your relationship with God. Be determined that you will maintain

that relationship no matter what (or who). Understanding will come

in time and as needed through that relationship.

And understand this: our relationship with God is our ultimate

purpose. That is why we were created. It even defines eternal life.

John 17:3: "Now this is eternal life: that they may know you.."

   When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the

  Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper. They traveled

  through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a

  Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an

  attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an

  intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to

  hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his

  name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the

  faith. (Acts 13:5-8 NIV)

I AM

God is absolutely faithful to do what He has promised. However,

those promises are--almost without exception--conditional: they

require something from us.

Although it felt unfair at times, looking back over some very

difficult situations in my life, I can say that it was always for

the best. God knows what He is doing.

Let's be certain that we seek, trust, surrender, love, believe, walk

in faith, and fulfill our responsibilities to God before we accuse

Him of failing to fulfill His responsibilities to us.

    I, even I, am the LORD, and apart from me there is no savior. I have

  revealed and saved and proclaimed--I, and not some foreign god among

  you. You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, "that I am God. Yes,

  and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand.

  When I act, who can reverse it?" (Isa 43:11-13 NIV)

Testimony

I cannot stress enough the importance of being a living witness to

your children, grandchildren, and any who see or know your life. You

teach in ways you of which you may be unaware.

This is very personal for me because as I shared a few weeks ago, I

am a Believer today because of my grandfather. I thank God for him.

In this life, He was unaware of the influence he had on me, and

therefore, on every person this ministry touches.

Also be mindful that family is not necessarily defined by physical

ancestry. Even if you do not have children, someone somewhere is

watching your life. Teach them well.

  We will not hide these truths from our children but will tell the

  next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD. We will tell

  of his power and the mighty miracles he did. For he issued his

  decree to Jacob; he gave his law to Israel. He commanded our

  ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation

  might know them--even the children not yet born--that they in turn

  might teach their children. So each generation can set its hope anew

  on God, remembering his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.

  (Psa 78:4-7 NLT)