What a difference a word makes. Prepostions and conjunctions can be words that change the course of history, bring life or death, joy or sorrow, hope or dispair. Whether used as a preposition or conjunction or just implied there is one phrase that always brings faith and joy to my heart - "BUT GOD." It is wonderful to remember and meditate on the "but God" stories and promisis of the Bible, like in the Old Testament in Exodus 19:12, God commanded the Israelites to not go up or even touch the border of Mt. Sinai because of the presence of the living God was on the mountain. But under the New Covenant God's people are invited to "come boldly before the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy for appropriate and well timed help just when we need it" (Heb.4:16 Amp.). From aloofness to intimacy, Jesus interjected Himself into "His-story" and became the "But" that gave us access to an intimate relationship with the loving God.
In the story of Daniel in the lion's den (Dan.1:1-6:26), but for God's deliverance, Daniel would have perished at the hands of cruel, deceitful and jealous men.
The three Hebrew children would have perished in the fiery furnace but God kept them from destruction so that their clothes did not even smell of smoke, (Daniel 3).
Jonah would have died in the raging water but God prepared a fish to save him. But for lack of time and space we could go on and on showing that but for God's intervention in lives, including ours, we would have all been destroyed, which proves God's faithfulness.
But for God's intervention we would still be blind, naked and wretched sinners. "But God clearly proves His love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Rom.5:8). But God did not leave us helpless and comfortless when Jesus returned to the Father but sent the Holy Spirit to be our Comforter, Guide and Teacher. Before sin reigned in our mortal bodies but by the Baptism of the Holy Spirit we now, through Him, have dominion over sin in our lives (Rom.5:10). Although the Holy Spirit lives within and sin cannot rule over us, we will be tempted. But remember, " no temptation has overtaken you but what is common to man, but God is faithful and will with the temptation provide a way out that you may be able to bear up under it patiently" (I Cor.10:13).
This is an election year and with that reality brings changes of voters' minds, new poll numbers, new flip-flops and new fears of the future. Neither side can become cocky or arrogant about the end result of this Presidential race. Psalm 75:5-7 says "Do not lift up your horn on high, do not speak with insolent pride. For not from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert comes exaltation, but God is the Judge. He puts down one and exalts another."
All the plans and schemes of man are futile without the inspirational thought and power of God behind, ahead and underneath them all. God has already told us in Zech.4:6b, "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord." We are hopeless without Him, but with Him "we can run through a troop and jump over a wall" (II Sam.22:30)! "We can be the head and not the tail" (Deut.28:13)! Whether "our man" wins or not in the election, God will have put the one elected in office. God is still in control!
Remember, To God Who is able, by the power that works within us, is able to do super abundantly above all that we dare ask or think, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams." (Eph.3:20 Amp.)
Mary Jones
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
REMEMBER
I received an e-mail and a picture from a friend I have known for, at least, 66 years. The correspondence was of our high school choir teacher, Mr. Mullins, and Mr. Dillon, our band director. Both have recently died but seeing their young faces brought memories rushing through my mind. The older I get the dearer the memories. I think those truly must have been the “good ol’ days.”
Just as I cherish the memories of my growing up days, I cherish the memories of my growing up in the Lord. These are intermingled with family and friends’ memories. These are wonderful memories, like a grand collage’ in my mind and heart, that are played over and over again -memories of walking to the church’s Youth Center and playing all kinds of games and just having fun with other Christian young people. I remember the “Prayer and Fasting Band” which met every Friday noon at the church’s prayer room, where we actually prayed all of our lunch period. I remember we had our own prayer service on Wednesday night at the church. We had a wonderful youth pastor who taught us, counseled us, encouraged us and discipled us in how to grow and be an overcomer in our Christian walk. Unless my mind goes before my body I think I shall never forget these memories.
The Word also tells us we are to cherish and remember a lot of things. Even God promised to “remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth when He looked at the rainbow” (Gen.9:15,16).
God told the Children of Israel to remember the day they came out of Egypt (bondage). Do you remember the “day” you were delivered out of the bondage of sin and were made free through the blood of Jesus Christ? That is what the Lord’s Supper is all about – Jesus said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” We are to remember His suffering and dying so we could become a child of God (Luke 21:10).
Then in the fourth Commandment, God tells us to “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Gen.20:8-11). Do we remember our Sabbath to set it apart from other days and make it special and sacred?
David said in Ps.20:7 that “many may trust in horses and chariots but he would remember the name of the Lord.” As we learn the names of the Lord we will remember that it is Jehovah God Who is our Everything – the Great I AM!
I love how the Amplified Bible says, Eccl.12:1, “Remember (earnestly) also your Creator (that you are not your own, but His property now) in the days of your youth, before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say (of physical pleasures), I have no enjoyment in them.”
There are some things we are not to remember. In Isaiah 43:18-21, God tells His people not to remember the things of old where they had miserably failed, time and again. But God was going to do a new thing, then His people would praise Him. Even as Paul said in Phil.3:13,14, that he was forgetting the things of the past and straining forward to what lay ahead – the goal to win the supreme prize to which God in Christ Jesus calls us all.
The most glorious thing is that God will not remember our sin, Heb.8:12.
The last admonition to “remember” in the Bible is in Rev.3:3, where God calls us to remember the lessons we have received and heard, lay them to heart and obey them and repent because we know not what hour He will come. It is soon!
Do you remember the time you met Jesus face to face, accepted Him and turned from your sinful ways and you became a new creature in Christ Jesus? If you can’t remember – make a memory NOW! Let’s have sweet memories from this day forward!
Mary Jones
Just as I cherish the memories of my growing up days, I cherish the memories of my growing up in the Lord. These are intermingled with family and friends’ memories. These are wonderful memories, like a grand collage’ in my mind and heart, that are played over and over again -memories of walking to the church’s Youth Center and playing all kinds of games and just having fun with other Christian young people. I remember the “Prayer and Fasting Band” which met every Friday noon at the church’s prayer room, where we actually prayed all of our lunch period. I remember we had our own prayer service on Wednesday night at the church. We had a wonderful youth pastor who taught us, counseled us, encouraged us and discipled us in how to grow and be an overcomer in our Christian walk. Unless my mind goes before my body I think I shall never forget these memories.
The Word also tells us we are to cherish and remember a lot of things. Even God promised to “remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is upon the earth when He looked at the rainbow” (Gen.9:15,16).
God told the Children of Israel to remember the day they came out of Egypt (bondage). Do you remember the “day” you were delivered out of the bondage of sin and were made free through the blood of Jesus Christ? That is what the Lord’s Supper is all about – Jesus said, “This do in remembrance of Me.” We are to remember His suffering and dying so we could become a child of God (Luke 21:10).
Then in the fourth Commandment, God tells us to “remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Gen.20:8-11). Do we remember our Sabbath to set it apart from other days and make it special and sacred?
David said in Ps.20:7 that “many may trust in horses and chariots but he would remember the name of the Lord.” As we learn the names of the Lord we will remember that it is Jehovah God Who is our Everything – the Great I AM!
I love how the Amplified Bible says, Eccl.12:1, “Remember (earnestly) also your Creator (that you are not your own, but His property now) in the days of your youth, before the evil days come or the years draw near when you will say (of physical pleasures), I have no enjoyment in them.”
There are some things we are not to remember. In Isaiah 43:18-21, God tells His people not to remember the things of old where they had miserably failed, time and again. But God was going to do a new thing, then His people would praise Him. Even as Paul said in Phil.3:13,14, that he was forgetting the things of the past and straining forward to what lay ahead – the goal to win the supreme prize to which God in Christ Jesus calls us all.
The most glorious thing is that God will not remember our sin, Heb.8:12.
The last admonition to “remember” in the Bible is in Rev.3:3, where God calls us to remember the lessons we have received and heard, lay them to heart and obey them and repent because we know not what hour He will come. It is soon!
Do you remember the time you met Jesus face to face, accepted Him and turned from your sinful ways and you became a new creature in Christ Jesus? If you can’t remember – make a memory NOW! Let’s have sweet memories from this day forward!
Mary Jones
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Elohim
A name can speak volumes, but particularly the name/s of God. We have looked at El Elyon and now let’s look at Elohim. The common Hebrew names for God are: “El,” “God,” and “Elohim.” Elohim was a generic term to the Semitics and they believed that the world was surrounded and governed by the Elohim (spirits of all kinds). It could even denote judges, kings, angels and anyone or anything with high authority or rank. But to the Hebrew believer the proper name for God is “Yahweh.” “El” has replaced “Yah” in proper names, so Elohim has become the proper name of only that God Who, combined in Him, are all the attributes of deity, Who was and is the one true God. To the believing Hebrew “Elohim” is their name for God that means, “strong, faithful, covenant keeping.” Therefore, coming out of “El” (which means the one true” God” in Hebrew) there are many Hebrew names of God. All are describing an attribute of “El” and characterizes the redemptive names of God.
1) El Elyon, “the God most high,” the strongest strong one," " Creator of Heaven & Earth” (Gen.14:18-22)
2) El Shaddai, “the Almighty God, All Sufficiency” (Gen.28:3)
3) El Roi, “the God Who sees” (Gen.16:13-14)
4) Elohim Selichat, “the God of forgiveness” (II Chr.7:14)
5) El Olam, “everlasting one” (Gen.21:33)
6) Elohim Mishpot, “God is just” (Deut.32:4)
There are hundreds of God’s names but for lack of room we are now just looking at the “El” names. And even a brief look at these may take to eternity:). My prayer is that this tiny picture looking at the attributes of God will strengthen your faith and whet your appetite for getting to know God more. Until next time, Mary Jones
1) El Elyon, “the God most high,” the strongest strong one," " Creator of Heaven & Earth” (Gen.14:18-22)
2) El Shaddai, “the Almighty God, All Sufficiency” (Gen.28:3)
3) El Roi, “the God Who sees” (Gen.16:13-14)
4) Elohim Selichat, “the God of forgiveness” (II Chr.7:14)
5) El Olam, “everlasting one” (Gen.21:33)
6) Elohim Mishpot, “God is just” (Deut.32:4)
There are hundreds of God’s names but for lack of room we are now just looking at the “El” names. And even a brief look at these may take to eternity:). My prayer is that this tiny picture looking at the attributes of God will strengthen your faith and whet your appetite for getting to know God more. Until next time, Mary Jones
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
El Elyon
After you accept Jesus as your Savior begins a wonderful journey of getting to know Him, the God of the universe. Knowing about God and knowing God are two very different things. You may have many different degrees in Theology and learn a lot about God but until you make the commitment to accept Jesus as God and your Savior and to follow Him you can never “know” God. Just as when you married you thought you knew your spouse but it was only as you lived with him/her through many life experiences and saw his/her response, shared your hearts together, laughed and cried together. Are they there for us in difficult times? Can we trust them to keep their word about small and big things? Are they faithful? These are some of the ways we really get to know someone. In the same way we get to know God. As we meditate on His Word, talk with Him in prayer and prove Him by trusting Him in every situation.
God has many names and by those names we get to know Him. Meditating on His name and all that is wrapped in that name is very faith building. Let’s just begin with, El Elyon, “the God most high, the strongest strong one, King of kings, Creator of heaven and earth.” (Jer.33:2; Ps.10:16, 22:28; Jn.1:3; Luke 1:32; I Cor.8:6; Eph.3:9 ).
“My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all else; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” This is Jesus speaking in John 10:29 (Amp.). If you have doubts of your Savior’s keeping power this declaration should put all doubts to rest. Not only is He “Keeper” but He is not only able to keep once in a while or keep you in the “little” things but He is El Elyon, the strongest Strong One, the God of the universe and no one, not even Satan, can touch you without our Father’s permission (Job 1:6-12). He can and will keep you to the uttermost.
The Greek word for “uttermost” is “panteles” which means, “entire, completion.” From the beginning of your “born again” experience, throughout your walk of faith with Him, until the end of your life on this earth and forever the Father and His Son, Jesus (Jn. 10:30) will be your keeper – El Elyon. Since He is the strongest Strong One, the God Most High, the Creator, why not trust Him since "He is the only one Who can keep you from falling and present you faultless before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy" (Jude 24)? HALLELUJAH!!
Mary Jones
God has many names and by those names we get to know Him. Meditating on His name and all that is wrapped in that name is very faith building. Let’s just begin with, El Elyon, “the God most high, the strongest strong one, King of kings, Creator of heaven and earth.” (Jer.33:2; Ps.10:16, 22:28; Jn.1:3; Luke 1:32; I Cor.8:6; Eph.3:9 ).
“My Father, Who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all else; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” This is Jesus speaking in John 10:29 (Amp.). If you have doubts of your Savior’s keeping power this declaration should put all doubts to rest. Not only is He “Keeper” but He is not only able to keep once in a while or keep you in the “little” things but He is El Elyon, the strongest Strong One, the God of the universe and no one, not even Satan, can touch you without our Father’s permission (Job 1:6-12). He can and will keep you to the uttermost.
The Greek word for “uttermost” is “panteles” which means, “entire, completion.” From the beginning of your “born again” experience, throughout your walk of faith with Him, until the end of your life on this earth and forever the Father and His Son, Jesus (Jn. 10:30) will be your keeper – El Elyon. Since He is the strongest Strong One, the God Most High, the Creator, why not trust Him since "He is the only one Who can keep you from falling and present you faultless before the presence of His glory in triumphant joy" (Jude 24)? HALLELUJAH!!
Mary Jones
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Know Your God
These words are primarily written for those who have accepted the Truth that Jesus is the only divine Son of God and was the incarnate God-man who was born of a virgin, lived this life on earth without sin and offered the sacrifice of His body on a cross so He could bridge the chasm between Holy God the Father and sinful man. After He died He was buried, rose again and then ascended to the Father and is now seated on His right hand to ever intercede for us. By believing and embracing these Truths you have been spiritually "born again" into the family of God. You are His child by adoption and joint heirs with Christ and you now have eternal life - all because of what Christ did on the cross by taking on Himself all the sin of the world. All this for all who will believe and embrace Jesus as being the only "Way, Truth and Life."
Once you have begun this "walk" with the God of the universe it is a lifelong learning experience of getting to know God. We can not fully know Him until we see Him face to face in Heaven. But along the way, through life's mountains and valleys, by still waters and tempestuous rivers, in failures and successes God is always there teaching us Who He is as we trust and lean on Him in every situation we see that He is faithful, all wise, powerful, loving and omniscient.Through it all He gives us peace, joy and grace to live as "King of the mountain," the "head and not the tail" (Deut.28:13), and causes to "run through a troop and jump over a wall" (II Sam.22:30).
If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, just accept Him now and invite Him to take charge of your life and you will begin the most peaceful, joyful and exciting life imaginable.
Besides all those wonderful blessings you have eternal life beginning now and a permanent home in Heaven waiting for you. All these wonderful Truths we will be sharing in the days ahead are for you!
In Christ Alone
(by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend)
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in all, here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save.
'Till on the cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world, by darkness slain;
Then, bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand;
'Till He returns or calls me home, here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand!
May the "Father of Lights" shine in your darkness today,
Mary Jones
Once you have begun this "walk" with the God of the universe it is a lifelong learning experience of getting to know God. We can not fully know Him until we see Him face to face in Heaven. But along the way, through life's mountains and valleys, by still waters and tempestuous rivers, in failures and successes God is always there teaching us Who He is as we trust and lean on Him in every situation we see that He is faithful, all wise, powerful, loving and omniscient.Through it all He gives us peace, joy and grace to live as "King of the mountain," the "head and not the tail" (Deut.28:13), and causes to "run through a troop and jump over a wall" (II Sam.22:30).
If you do not know Jesus as your personal Savior, just accept Him now and invite Him to take charge of your life and you will begin the most peaceful, joyful and exciting life imaginable.
Besides all those wonderful blessings you have eternal life beginning now and a permanent home in Heaven waiting for you. All these wonderful Truths we will be sharing in the days ahead are for you!
In Christ Alone
(by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend)
In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song;
This Cornerstone, this solid ground, firm through the fiercest drought and storm.
What heights of love, what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease.
My Comforter, my All in all, here in the love of Christ I stand.
In Christ alone, Who took on flesh, fullness of God in helpless babe!
This gift of love and righteousness, scorned by the ones He came to save.
'Till on the cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.
For ev'ry sin on Him was laid; here in the death of Christ I live.
There in the ground His body lay, Light of the world, by darkness slain;
Then, bursting forth in glorious day, up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory, sin's curse has lost its grip on me;
For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ.
No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the pow'r of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath, Jesus commands my destiny.
No pow'r of hell, no scheme of man, can ever pluck me from His hand;
'Till He returns or calls me home, here in the pow'r of Christ I'll stand!
May the "Father of Lights" shine in your darkness today,
Mary Jones
Saturday, July 5, 2008
WHY NOT WIN?
Welcome to a compilation of encouraging and inspirational thoughts, old and some new, designed to help you be a winner in life. Why not win rather than always be on the bottom of the pile and looking at Satan's heel on you rather than believing in the God Who has made you to be an overcomer in Christ over "all the power of the enemy." Learn, with scripture, how to:
1) Know your God
2) Know God's Word (the Battlle Manual)
3) Pray and meditate on God and His Word
4) Walk as a Child of God
5) Possess the spiritual land God has given His children
6) Recognize your enemy and his tactics
7) Walk in newness of life
8) Be an overcomer
9) Worship your almighty God
10) Be blessed by our loving God
1) Know your God
2) Know God's Word (the Battlle Manual)
3) Pray and meditate on God and His Word
4) Walk as a Child of God
5) Possess the spiritual land God has given His children
6) Recognize your enemy and his tactics
7) Walk in newness of life
8) Be an overcomer
9) Worship your almighty God
10) Be blessed by our loving God
Be blessed as we explore the unfathomable awesomeness of the God of the universe Who loves us with an everlasting and incomprehensible love and wants to have a personal relationship with us and cause us to be overcomers and winners in this life He has given us. I pray the "Father of Lights" will make light to shine in your darkness through these rays from my window as I see them. They bring joy and hope to me and pray they will bring new life to everyone who reads these devotionals. Mary Jones
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)