God's Standards VS Man's

Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21; Proverbs 3:5-6

Thou shalt have no other gods before me…Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).

Today's discussion is the result of my daily scripture reading and observing the humanistic changes that is occurring in today's society. Reflecting on our scripture text, it appears as though man has totally forsaken God our first love. This inspired me to ask the following questions, What happened to obeying the Ten Commandments, which are God's laws for all mankind. This country was founded on the godly principle "In God We Trust". What happened? Are we making our own human understanding the supreme ruler and authority over what's right and wrong? Are we denying the existence of God? By our actions are we saying that we know best? Is this nation following in the footsteps of ancient Israel when they disobeyed God's laws?

The first law of the Ten Commandments forbids taking any other gods before the Almighty God this includes man himself. The remaining commandments are what man is to live by and not his standards. When man disobey God's commandments, then destruction occur. What are some of the ways man is disobeying God's commandments? Man is failing to honor and obey God by failing to make Him first in our lives. Man places a greater value on material wealth and human thinking than God and His righteousness, His provisional care and salvation for all who believe. There is an attempt to remove God's name from many documents such as our currency and the Pledge of Allegiance. Same sex marriages are on the increase as they are being sanctioned by many states in these United States. Marriage is an institution implemented by God between man and woman, not man and man or woman and woman. How will God judge man's actions?

God will judge man by His righteous standards. God's way is best as He is holy and righteous.

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Author's contact: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
White3285@sbcglobal.net

Joshua And The Israelites

Joshua 1:2, 5

Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel….as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Our lesson study is one set in time where Joshua is taking over the leadership role of God's people to lead them into the Promise Land. God gave Joshua a promise of His presence just as He was with Moses. Therefore, Joshua and the Israelites had nothing to fear under Joshua's leadership for two reasons, (a) Joshua walked closely with Moses all those years and had learned from him, and (b) Joshua was a God-fearing man even though he needed reassurance from God. The promise made to Joshua applies to all believers today as we have His abiding presence through the Holy Spirit.

It is noteworthy to say that the Promise Land typifies God's spiritual inheritance and salvation in Jesus Christ, but all believers must fight the good fight of faith to enter into God's eternal rest (1 Timothy 1:18-20). Just as Joshua and the Israelites entering into the Promised Land was predicated on their faith and obedience so it is with NT believers. With that being said possession of the land (God's inheritance) rests in His presence, power, and faith in His promises.

Faithful believers have a blessed promise from God.

Comments are welcome.
Author's contact:
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com
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This week's discussion is taken from my devotional Heavenly Bread that is available from the author and Amazon.com.

Servants Kept By God

Revelation 7:3

Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, not the trees, till we have sealed the servants of God in their foreheads.

To set the tone of today's discussion, in chapter 6 the sixth seal being opened and the events that were occurring during this time. In verses 12-17 speaks of the signs in heaven that John saw, verse 12 speaks of the great earthquake that appears to shake the earth to its very core. The great earthquake is viewed as God's judgment on the earth and is a preview of the events that is described in chapter 8.

There is such upheaval in the earth until the ungodly that are left here on earth cry for the mountains and rocks to fall on them for protection. This reflects the cry of the ungodly during Noah's day when the people refused to repent and ahead to God's Word.

Chapter 7 expresses God's desire that no hurt, harm or danger come to the earth, trees, nor the sea until He has put His seal of protection upon His people. This chapter is viewed as an interlude between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals, which talks about God's protection on all the faithful believers during the tribulation. Those included are both Jews and non-Jews. What does this say about faithful believers before the tribulation? Just as God declared His protection on those faithful believers He protects us today who will stand firm on His Word in delivering His gospel.

Believers, we are God's servants and we are kept by Him.

Comments are welcome.
Author's contact: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com/ and white3285@sbcglobal.net

Today's discussion is taken from this month's devotion which is available from Amazon.com and the author.

God's Provisional Care

Genesis 45:5; Romans 8:28

What is meant by God's provisional care? It means that God in His divine wisdom has provided for all humanity's needs regardless of our situation. There are no problems, concerns or situations that we may encounter that God had not made provision; this includes sin. We know there are consequences to our decisions. If we choose to obey God and His commands blessings follow whereas being disobedient to His laws and commands punishment follows.

In 1 Peter 5:7 we are encouraged to cast all our cares upon Him. The love nature and sovereignty of God allows Him to make such request because He is able, willing and is true to His promise in providing for all our needs. Philippians 4:19 supports these scriptures in God providing for all mans needs.

If the question were raised, Why must believers suffer? Romans 8:28 encourages us that "all things work together for good," which is to say that when we as believers suffer in this life as we will God will bring good out of our suffering (trials, afflictions, persecutions) God is conforming us to the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ and the end results is glorification (v. 29) as all believers are the elect of God and in the corporate body of Christ-His church who is glorified.

It can be concluded that whatever we as believers may experience in this life God is present through His Spirit-the Holy Spirit.

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Author's contact: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

Prayer and Healing

2 Kings 13:14; Matthew 6:10

Throughout the week I have the opportunity to pray for and with many requesting prayer and counseling, which led me to revisit an earlier writing A Divine Healing (March 2011) where it was defined as the process of being cured of something, to repair or to be made whole again. There is physical, emotional and spiritual healing and sometimes one requires a healing from all three. On many occasions during Jesus' earthly ministry, He healed a physical condition to address the spiritual condition.

In our prayers I encourage listeners to align his or her will with God's will (Matthew 6:10) because His will is going to be accomplished. Aligning our wills with God's will is acknowledging that His thoughts are far superior to our and His desires for us is always best. It is noteworthy to say that often times when we pray we ask God to heal the sick while forgetting that not all healing occurs on this side of life (2 Kings 13:14). When healing occurs on the other side of life all pain and suffering is over, all sorrows are gone, heartaches and troubles have ceased. When a love one transitions from this life to the next life and is in Christ there is no need to worry, because the person is resting in the presence of God.

Have faith in your prayers and know that God hears and answers prayers as healing occurs here or in the hereafter.

Comments are welcome
Author's contact: http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

The Lord Is My Shepherd

Psalm 23

Today's discussion takes a reflective look at the Lord being our shepherd because when we look around and reflect on the goodness of God we see His love, grace and mercy that springs new each morning as fresh dew from heaven.

The verb "is' means the presence of God not that He was or will be, but He is with us constantly and remains so through His Spirit until we get to heaven where we will meet Him in person.

The Lord as our shepherd provides for our every need and protects us from all hurt harm or danger. The analogy of sheep and shepherd is what this psalm is about because humanity is His sheep and the world is His pasture. It conveys complete trust in God for all our needs. Lastly, each verse in the 23rd Psalm depicts the Lord as our shepherd and that His goodness lasts for ever. What a mighty good God!

Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

Believers Blessed By God (June 9, 2011)

Luke 24:50; Deuteronomy 28:12

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lift up his hand, and blessed them (24:50). The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow (28:12).

Our scripture text outlines blessings promised by God for His people, and they are:
a) Believers receive a divine gift from God, which cause our work to success (Deuteronomy 28:12). This implies the all sufficiency in God as "He supplies all our needs according to His richness in glory by Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

b) God is always present with us (Genesis 26:3) through the Holy Spirit as He dwells in us to lead, guide, protect and to teach us all things. This promise was made to Abraham and passed on to Isaac and to other nations/generations that obey God's commands and live for Him.

c) Believers receive strength, power and help to do His work (Ephesians 3:16; Colossians 1:11). What this means is that our inner man is strengthened by God's Spirit as the two (God and man) aligns and believers operate under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit.

d) Lastly, God is working through us to produce good works (Philippians 2:13). It is God's grace that is at work in the lives of believers creating the desire and power to do the will of God. This scripture authenticates receiving power from God through the Holy Spirit.

All humanity is blessed, but believers have a double portion of blessing from God as we are His children. Believers have salvation, sanctification and power to serve (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17).

Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

A Life of Plenty (June 7, 20110)

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life; and that they might have it more abundantly.

If we were to define the word "abundantly" it means to abound which is to say having a plenty of something or to abound in something, which again is to overflow with something 1 Thessalonians 3:12; Proverbs 28:20).

Our lesson study focus is on having life more abundantly, which is living life in its fullness, not referring to material possessions, but a full life in Christ Jesus. All believers have an abundance of His love, grace and mercy, which overflows our cup daily. It is a blessing to have a good shepherd (v 10) that gave His life for His sheep (humanity) and then lead us to an abundant life one where we will spend eternity with Him.

Let me just say that no one can have this abundant life neither will one know and or experience the fullness of life apart from Jesus Christ our Savior and His indwelling-Spirit (John 10:14-15; Romans 8:1-2, 9-11). Who else but Christ would lay down His life for sinful man? Who else can, will and does provide for all humanity's needs? Only the good shepherd Jesus Christ (v 11).

With that being said, the question now becomes, What must one do to have an abundant life? Accept Jesus Christ as his or her personal Savior. He is more than enough.
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com/

Count It All Joy

James 1:2-3

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that they trying of your faith worketh patience; But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.

This discussion is to provide encouragement when we encounter adverse situations as our scripture text provides the reason for counting all situations as joy. Our scripture text outlines two characteristics that are important in our faith walk with Jesus, and they are faith and patience. Faith is the key component to our accepting Jesus as our personal Savior and patience is essential because nothing happens overnight. Yes, we live in a microwave society where everything is instant, but it doesn't work that way with God. He moves in His time not man. Patience is a virtue. Ask for patience as it works perfection in the lives of all believers.

We are joyous when things are well with us, then why not rejoice when adversity come upon us. Adversities maybe God's permissive will to prune all unnecessary weights of hindrance that impedes our faith growth in Him as this maybe the results of Him calling you to service and the called has rejected His call. Whatever the situation is ask God for wisdom and understanding of the situation, and then grow from the situation.

Another school of thought on counting it all joy is that our Savior Jesus Christ suffered, then why not you and I? Christ told His followers that they would suffer because the world hated Him and it would hate His followers as well. We have the assurance that Christ conquerored all and we are conquerors in Him; therefore, don't worry or fret when adversities arise just count it all joy.

In the words of a song I often listen to, "get out of my way don't try to block me, I am running for Jesus I going to make it to the finish line" (partial paraphrasing, artist unknown). Also, in the words of Mark Jackson a basketball sports announcer, when a player makes a great move to the basket he says, "Get out of my way I have an appointment with the rim." Tell Satan and all adversities the same, get out of my way I have an appointment with Jesus."
Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com, http://willie-writing.blogspot.com

The Need For Salvation

Romans 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.

Salvation has been defined numerous times, but the meaning remains the same which is being delivered from harm or danger, or bondage. For the purpose of our discussion; salvation was provided to all mankind by God's grace through faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The need for salvation is the result of sin where God the Father pronounced the whole world guilty (vv 9-19). Salvation was first offered to the Jews and they refused, then to the Gentiles and they refused as well, which resulted in the righteous judge-God giving His ruling-guilty.

With the whole world being found guilty humanity was doomed to feel the wrath of God, but in His mercifulness God gave His only Son Jesus Christ to redeem man from the clutches of sin and Satan.

Christ's atoning work on Calvary justified man before God (v. 24); therefore, when God looks at man He sees the righteousness of His Son Jesus Christ, because Christ took on man's sins and all who believe is made right with God.

What salvation depicts are God's love, grace and mercy, because mercy replaced justice-punishment. Sin spells a broken fellowship whereas salvation is a restored fellowship. Our spiritual freedom is free to all who believe, because Christ paid our sin bill.

Thank You Lord for salvation, now I am free to live holy unto You in Jesus name Amen.

Comments are welcome
Author's contact
wwhite@goodshepherdwritingandpublishing.com
http://willie-writing.blogspot.com