GOD'S BLESSINGS

"Bless the LORD, O my soul:

and all that is within me, bless his holy name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits:

Who forgives all of your iniquities, who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from destruction;

who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfies your mouth with good things;

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."

-Psalms 103:1-5 I LOVE JESUS (UKJV)  

Photo courtesy of commons.wikimedia.org

DISCIPLES VS. BELIEVERS

DISCIPLES VS. BELIEVERS

Are not all believers in Christ, disciples of Christ?

It seems most "Christians" think so.

But consider a few definitions.

Let's start with dear old brother James Strong.

You know, who compiled 

Strong's

Exhaustive

Concordance 

Of The Bible.

Now this is all Greek to me, but he says:

"believers" is from the Greek word "pisteuo".

His number 4100 and it means,

"to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to,

a person or thing)"

Then he has the nerve to say that,

"disciple" his number 3101, is from the Greek word "mathetes".

which means,

"a learner, i.e. pupil; - disciple."

To put it in good old Ozark,

"believer" is one who believes in or has faith in Christ.

And,

a "disciple" is one who learns from and emulates

Christ.

The Bible says,

"So Jesus said to those who believed in him,

'If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples;

you will know the truth, 

and the truth will set you free.'"

-John 8:31 (GNB)

Photo courtesy of www.atotheword.com

Now consider the call of the disciples.

Peter, James and John.

"They pulled the boats up on the beach,

left everything, and followed Jesus."

-Luke 5:11 (GNB)

And Levi.

"Levi got up, left everything,

and followed him."

-Luke 5:28 (GNB)

And consider Jesus' example.

"Jesus answered him,

'Foxes have holes, and birds have nests,

but the Son of Man has no place to lie down and rest.'"

Matthew 8:20 (GNB)

OUCH!

Photo courtesy of hatice6.bloguez.com

Consider the teaching of Jesus.

"Those who love their father or mother

more than me are not fit to be my disciples;

those who love their son or daughter more than me

are not fit to be my disciples.

Those who do not take up their cross and follow

in my steps are not fit to be my disciples."

Matthew 10:37,38 (GNB)

"Jesus said to him, 'If you want to be perfect,

go and sell all you have and give the money

to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven;

then come and follow me.'"

-Matthew 19:21 (GNB) 

"Do not be afraid, little flock,

for your Father is pleased to give you the Kingdom.

Sell all your belongings and give the money to the poor.

Provide for yourselves purses that don't wear out,

and save your riches in heaven, where they

will never decrease, because no thief can get to them,

and no moth can destroy them.  

For your heart will always be where your riches are."

Luke 12:32-34 (GNB)

And.

"In the same way,' concluded Jesus,

"none of you can be my disciple unless you give up

everything you have."

Luke 14:33 

NOTE: This was before the era of

the prosperity preachers.

Who or what changed?

Photo courtesy of www.bigapplecomstum

Do You know any "disciples"?

I don't, but have read of a few.

As for me,

I'm just a believer who learns very slowly.

GOD'S CONSTANT LOVE

"Give thanks to the Lord,

because he is good;

his love is eternal!

-Psalms 107:1 (GNB)

 Photo courtesy of christophermattix.wordpress.com

"Some wandered in the trackless desert

and could not find their way to a city to live in.

They were hungry and thirsty

and had given up all hope.

Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,

and he saved them from their distress."

-Psalm 107:4-6 (GNB)

 Photo courtesy of safekidzone.com

"Some were living in gloom and darkness,

prisoners suffering in chains,

because they had rebelled against the 

commands of Almighty God

and had rejected his instructions.

They were worn out from hard work;

they would fall down, 

and no one would help.

Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,

and he saved them from their distress."

-Psalm 107:10-13 (GNB)

Photo courtesy of www.gracebaptistchurchozar...


"Some were fools,
suffering because of their sins
and because of their evil;
they couldn't stand the
sight of food
and were close to death.
Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,
and he saved them from their distress."
-Psalm 107:17-19 (GNB)

Photo courtesy of www.turnbacktogod.com


"Some sailed over the ocean in ships,
earning their living on the seas.
They saw what the Lord can do,
his wonderful acts on the seas.
He commanded, and a mighty wind began to blow
and stirred up the waves.
The ships were lifted high in the air
and plunged down into the depths.
In such danger the sailors lost their courage;
they stumbled and staggered like drunks -
all their skill was useless.
Then in their trouble they called to the Lord,
and he saved them from their distress."
-Psalm 107:23-28 (GNB)




Four groups of people.
All in trouble.


The first and last group of people appear to
have been in trouble through no fault of their own.


But God in his great love saved them from
their distress - when they called to him.


The other two groups of people 
were in trouble because of their own stupidity.
They rebelled against God.
They rejected his instructions.
They were sinful.
They were evil.
And they were in trouble.


BUT,
when they turned and called to the Lord,
he saved them from their distress.


WHAT GREAT LOVE!

GOD'S WAY TO PROSPER

"Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of

the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners,

nor sits in the seat of the scornful.

But his delight is in the law of the Lord,

and in his law does he meditate day and night.

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water,

that brings forth his fruit in his season,

his leaf also shall not wither, 

and whatsoever he does shall prosper."

Psalms 1:1-3 I LOVE JESUS (UKJV)

GOD'S TONIC

GOD'S TONIC

"tonic n. ...

b: something that invigorates, restores,

refreshes, or stimulates"

-Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary

 Photo courtesy of dougleschan.com

The last time I read through the book of Judges

something stood out to me.

At least two times the entire nation of Israelites

"sat before the Lord".

See Judges 20:26 & 21:2

And we know about king David sitting

before the Lord in 2 Samuel 7:18

And of course Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus

in Luke 10:39

And we all know the Scripture that says,

"but they who wait for the Lord

shall renew their strength,"

-Isaiah 40:31 (RSV)

Yes, I have read the various definitions of

waiting on the Lord.

But do you suppose that waiting and sitting

before or on the Lord might be close to

the same thing?

You know, wait as in "wait...

1 a: to remain stationary in readiness or expectation...

b: to pause for another to catch up."

-Webster

or,

"It is good that one should wait quietly

for the salvation of the Lord."

-Lamentations 3:26 (RSV)

It seems that our definition of wait is,

"Do other things while we are waiting 

for the Lord."

 Photo courtesy of harmonybis.wordpress.com

Below I have included some random quotes or 

comments from or about that old exemplary

saint Andrew Murray.  These have been taken

from the book,

Andrew Murray one of God's choice saints

by W.M. Douglas

These have been an encouragement to me in

spending time with God.

 Photo courtesy of www.123rt.com

"The quiet, contemplative life led to a deeper,

truer knowledge of God..."

-p. 110

"but above all, it was prayer and quiet waiting

upon God that gave him the confidence to step

out in faith on this new venture."

-p. 126

 Photo courtesy of liveaction.com

"I think in the present day there is not enough

retirement to seek teaching from above,

there is too much human teaching."

-p. 154

"And it is in secret that we must begin to give

ourselves to the power and working of the Holy

Ghost.  What we need are two things.

The one, faith that He is in us,

and will do a Divine work in teaching

and sanctifying us.

The other, is quiet waiting to realize

His presence, to hush our own thoughts,

and to crush all our natural activity, 

so as to give Him time and opportunity 

to take possession, and become

the new principle in our lives."

-p. 160

 Photo courtesy of www.pollsb.com

"It was during this time of trial he learned the value

of silence, as practised by the Friends (Quakers)

which counteracts one of the central weakness

of Protestantism"

-p. 181

"When not writing he spent much time on the broad

stoep (verandah) in front of his study.

There he would sit and pray and meditate."

-p. 234

Photo courtesy of tracyhurst.com

"How I love your law!
I think about it all day long.
Your commandment is with me
all the time
and makes me wiser than my enemies.
I understand more than 
all my teachers,
because I meditate on your instructions.
I have greater wisdom than 
those who are old, 
because I obey your commands.
I have avoided all evil conduct,
because I want to obey your word.
I have not neglected your instructions,
because you yourself are my teacher.
How sweet is the taste of your instructions -
sweeter even than honey!
I gain wisdom from your laws,
and so I hate all bad conduct.
Your word is a lamp to guide me
and a light for my path."
-Psalms 119:97-105 (GNB)

WHAT'S THE POINT?

Photo courtesy of adailygoodthing.com

One Sunday

the pastor was out of state holding meetings.  That's a good thing.

The pulpit was filled (Is that the proper way to say it?) by one of the other ministers.

That's a good thing.

I don't remember the way he said it, but this brother had something that was bubbling up in him.  Something that was burning.  Something that would not let go, and he was wanting to share it with us.

Now that is a great thing.

Bring it on brother, I was in need of something from the Lord.

What was it?

I DO NOT KNOW.

The sermon must have been a good one.  I did not go to sleep.

The sermon filled about the normal amount of time, or a little more.

Plenty of time to get a point across.

But at the end of the sermon, I did not know what the point of the sermon was.

The next day (Monday)

early in the morning while mulling the sermon over in my mind - I still did not know the point of the sermon.

My point.

I strongly suspect that the reason was,

the point of the sermon was buried under an avalanche of words.

You know, like too much water for one tea bag.

The tea is diluted to the point you cannot tell what the flavor is.

Photo courtesy of www.dmcoffee.com

"Think before you speak, 

and don't make any rash promises to God.

He is in heaven and you are on earth,

so don't say any more than you have to."

-Ecclesiastes 5:2 (GNB)

"The more you talk, the more likely you are to sin.

If you are wise, you will keep quiet."

-Proverbs 10:19 (GNB)

PATH TO PEACE

 Photo courtesy of www.123rf.com

"Lord, 

I have given up my pride

 Photo courtesy of www.colinfirth24-7.com

and turned away 

from my arrogance.

Photo courtesy of southcarolina1670.wordpress...

I am not concerned with 

great matters

or with subjects too

difficult for me.

 Photo courtesy of www.123rf.com

Instead,

I am content and at peace.

As a child lies quietly in its

mother's arms,

so my heart is quiet 

within me.

Israel,

trust in the Lord

now and forever!"

-Psalms 131 (GNB)

Photo courtesy of www.horkulated.com