This Thing is from ME

"This thing is from ME" (1 Kings 12:24)

"Life's disappointments are veiled love's appointments."    

My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. This thing is from Me.

Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too?  Fort, “he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye” (Zeck 2:8).  You are precious in My sight (Isa 43:4).  Therefore, it is my special delight to educate you.

I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the “enemy comes in like a flood” that this thing is from Me, that your weakens needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.

Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.

Are you in money difficulties?  Is it hard to make both ends meet?  This thing is from Me, for I am your purse bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Phil 4:19). I would have you prove my promises. Let it not be said of you, “In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God” (Deut 1:32).

Are you passing through a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation (2 Thess. 2:16, 17). Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This thing is from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of my deepest lessons. "They also serve who only stand and wait." Some of My greatest workers are those shut out from active service that they may learn to wield the weapon of all--prayer.

This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, my child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things.

Streams in the Desert By L.B. Cowman

Me - A Preacher?

  

YES.

Me.    

AND you too should be a preacher if you are not already one.   The psalmist David exemplified that when he had a lengthy conversation with his soul.  In verse 5, he firmly reminded his soul where his hope was to be. Read on:

                “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance”

WAS your soul downcast today?  Yesterday?  Perhaps last week or last month?

THESE are occasions to be seized and began to preach to ourselves.   Oftentimes ‘self’ talks to us.  Sometimes – we label ourselves and act out that very belief because after all isn’t true that “as a man (woman) thinketh in his (her) heart so is he (she)”?  The enemy of our soul daily talks to us but a different message altogether -one of despair and confusion.  Far too often, I agree and accept the little seemingly innocent thoughts as my own and soon they become giants as I am led in shackles and bondage ensured.  

Ignorance is not always bliss.  John Piper in his book “When I Don’t Desire God” said the following:

We should not only be preached to; we should become preachers and preach the word of the cross to ourselves every day. We must not rely only on being preached to, but must become good preachers to our own soul.

Go ahead today and have a good talk with yourself.   Be forewarned ‘self’ and you as well dear enemy that as a justified sinner that I stand firm and ready to address every word and every thought from every enemy of every kind.

When was the last time you talk to your 'self'?

Journey Thru The Psalms ....Ps. 2

THE first Psalm that is ascribed to King David and it is what is called a Messianic Psalm.  While the people of Psalm 1 treasures God’s law it is quite a contrast in Psalm 2, the people has complete disregard for the law.  Not much has changed from the days of David until now. Psalm 2 is referenced at least 15 times in the New Testament.  Interestingly, the Jews wanted a king to rule over them just like the other nations.   Initially, God was their Ruler – a form of government referred to as ‘Theocracy’ but they asked for a king that they could see.   As a result, God appointed them a king and with that request they were forewarned of what could potentially happen.  Centuries later, there was this statement from David:

“The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and his anointed…” ver 2.

Psalm 2

WHAT they really were after was the absence of any form of government or shall we say ‘anarchy’ – no supreme power to govern them.  Humanity has been trying to be free from God’s ruleship over them starting with the tower of Babel, crucifixion of Christ, and through another battle yet to come - Armageddon.  And unfortunately, it has been an exercise in futility.  David records them saying:

"Let us burst their bonds asunder, and cast their cords from us."

THEY are defiant against God and His Son, the Anointed One who is the ultimate King and who will rule over all the nations.  The nations still rage today or I dare say even more rebellious towards God and His Son’s authority over mankind.  Still, God continues to speak to the nations in His mercy and extends salvation to all in spite of open rebellion against Him and His Holy One.  God has set Him as king of Kings and He sits in the heavenly Zion.

THE psalm records four different voices (Nations, Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit) with an appeal to serve the Lord with fear and trembling. That requires devotion, surrendered heart, and submission to the One in authority.  The bonds He has set are for our own good and the psalm concludes with a blessing that still stands “Blessed are all who take refuge in him”.

Two Men - Two Paths - Two Destinies

DOESN'T it feel like oftentimes we are presented with 2 choices or 2 options and the path chosen usually leads us to a very specific destination?  Recently, I read a book called “The Principle of the Path” and in it the author talks about how that principle works in our life whether we are aware of it or not.  The aforementioned author makes the convincing argument there is a principle that governs what happens in just about every area of life and he refers to it as the ‘Principle of the path”. It is not a rule. It is not a law. It cannot be broken. But that principle has the power to break you says Andy Stanley.   It is being applied to every one of us at every moment of every day.   It can be likened to a cause-and-effect relationship that is at work whether you know it or acknowledge it.

PSALM 1

IN a similar fashion, the first psalm alludes somewhat to that very principle that Andy Stanley talks about in the book mentioned above.   The first psalm is not attributed to a specific author and it falls under the wisdom category.  It begins with the word BLESSED (reminds me of Jesus’ teaching on Beatitudes) and I love the rendering of the Amplified version of the psalm for many reasons.  The Amplified version says to be ‘blessed’ in this context is to be happy, fortunate, enviable, and prosperous.  I want to be blessed. I want to be happy, fortunate etc.  While it’s all ours for the taking but it comes with a price tag where we need to yet again make a choice.

THE psalm described the person who is blessed as one whose delight and desire are in the law of the Lord.  But that person also meditates on God’s law day and night.  God told Joshua after Moses’ death that the Book of the Law was not to depart from his mouth and to meditate on it day and night and THEN Joshua would be prosperous and successful (Joshua 1:8).  Later Jesus would reiterate the same principle to abide in Him and also let the Word abides in us.  As you read the psalm, you will see or experience the blessings that following such a path will lead to.

THE second half of the psalm describes the ungodly.  They are headed for judgment if they don’t change their path. They are compared to chaff that is a representation of dead, rootless, destined for the fired.  In contrast to the righteous who are like trees well planted.  If stayed on that path, it is clear and evident what their destination will be. But there’s good news, we can warn them of the judgment to come.  Opportunity to witness and share the Good News of the gospel with then becomes an imperative.

BELIEVERS in Christ are called blessed.  Psalm began with the word ‘bless’ and end with ‘perish’.  “They have received God’s blessing, and they ought to be a blessing to others, especially to the chaff that will be one day be thrown into the fire. Let’s seek to win as many of them as we can” (Be Worshipful – W. Wiersbe).

" Oh, that my steps might be steady, keeping to the course you set. I ponder 
 every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you've done it. I relish everything you've told me of life, I won't forget a word of it". Psalm 119:5, 15.