(this picture was taken by my husband during his tour in Iraq 2 years ago)
" 'Now therefore why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, we shall die. For who is there of all flesh, that has heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of fire as we have, and has still lived? Go near and hear all that the LORD our God will say and speak to us all that the LORD our God will speak to you, and we will hear and do it.'
And the LORD heard your words, when you spoke to me. And the LORD said to me, 'I have heard the words of this people, which they have spoken to you. They are right in all that they have spoken. Oh that they had such a mind as this always, to fear Me and to keep all My commandments, that it might go well with them and with their descendants forever!' "
~ Deuteronomy 5:25-29
(emphasis added)
My sister-in-law has this fabulous plaque over her kitchen window. It says, "God Is. Therefore all is well." I don't know if I got all the words right (please correct me if I'm wrong sis *smiles*). But you get the meaning.
I find that I when I'm reading Scripture, I'm often looking for verses in the Bible that comfort me, make me feel better about something or teaches me a new attribute about God I'd never known before. But today, as I was having my quiet time with our awesome Father in Heaven, He reminded me about something it seems I often forget. And it's simply:
I find that I when I'm reading Scripture, I'm often looking for verses in the Bible that comfort me, make me feel better about something or teaches me a new attribute about God I'd never known before. But today, as I was having my quiet time with our awesome Father in Heaven, He reminded me about something it seems I often forget. And it's simply:
God Is. Therefore, all is well.
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses spends most of his time recapping all that God has done for the Israelites since the LORD delivered them out of the land of slavery in Egypt. It's kind of Moses' "farewell" letter as he passes the torch to Joshua. In this book, Moses is extremely passionate for God's word and repeats almost all that he wrote in the book of Exodus. Moses not only repeats the Ten Commandments, but also all of the commandments that the LORD gave Moses to teach His people Israel how to live holy lives, pleasing to the LORD.
In the passage of Scripture I noted in the picture and under the picture (Deuteronomy 5:24-29) God reminded me of something a lot of us in the Church forget to do these days: Fear the LORD our God. Satan has used our amnesia of this area, as a catalyst to create the common practice of casual Christianity. All because we've forgotten to fear God first, as it is repeated often in Scripture like this one:
In the passage of Scripture I noted in the picture and under the picture (Deuteronomy 5:24-29) God reminded me of something a lot of us in the Church forget to do these days: Fear the LORD our God. Satan has used our amnesia of this area, as a catalyst to create the common practice of casual Christianity. All because we've forgotten to fear God first, as it is repeated often in Scripture like this one:
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."~ Proverbs 9:10
One of the reasons why I love CWO and all the ministries affiliated with it (Live Well, Internet Cafe, WFW, At the Well) is because this is where I've found wonderful sisters in the Lord who are passionate about Who God Is and not just what He can and will do for us. I have be inspired and encouraged to press on daily to live as a stranger in this land, a sojourner - just passing by. I've been reminded of who God is and to fear Him always because this keeps me in constant humble gratitude of His Gift of love perfectly demonstrated to me through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person - though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die - but God shows His love for us in that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by His blood, much more shall we be saved by Him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life."
~ Romans 5:6-10
(emphasis added)
Oh, glory be to the LORD God Almighty who has saved my wretched soul from justified and well deserved eternal damnation! For I have grieved my Maker and sinned against Him by practicing lawlessness! I have broken the perfect commandments of the LORD, yet He looked upon my destitute and humble state and had compassion upon me. He gave me the gift of repentance that works salvation that I might be reconciled to Him as His child and no longer considered His enemy. By the blood of the holy Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ I am no longer a slave to sin, but have been freed to become a slave of righteousness, that I might offer myself as a living, holy and pure sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord our God! (Romans 12:1-2 and Ephesians 5:1-2)
When I remain in the position I always ought to - in the holy presence of my King, my Creator, my God and Father, then I find it very difficult to find anything about me to boast about or even like very much. Instead my flesh is repulsive to me in the glorious light of my righteous God and Savior...as it should be. And this causes me to greatly desire to die to self and live only in Christ Jesus (Galatians 2:20).
When I remain in the position I always ought to - in the holy presence of my King, my Creator, my God and Father, then I find it very difficult to find anything about me to boast about or even like very much. Instead my flesh is repulsive to me in the glorious light of my righteous God and Savior...as it should be. And this causes me to greatly desire to die to self and live only in Christ Jesus (Galatians 2:20).
"Nor is there aught in ourselves in which we may glory; for who maketh us to differ from another? And what have we that we did not receive from the God of all grace? Then how careful ought we to be to walk humbly before the Lord! The moment we glorify ourselves, since there is room for one glory only in the universe, we set ourselves up as rivals to the Most High."~ Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening
August 16, Morning - Psalm 29:2
And what does all this work? It's works in me holy gratitude to our holy and awesome God. It works His compassion in me, given freely to me when I didn't deserve it, so I can freely give it to others without finding fault in them. For if I can not freely offer someone full forgiveness for their sins against me, then I am standing in judgment of them, setting myself up as God's rival - as there is only one Judge, and I am certain I am not Him! (James 4:11-12 and 1 Peter 2:23)
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for He is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."
~ Luke 6:35
(emphasis added)
~ Luke 6:35
(emphasis added)
Who are the ungrateful and evil Jesus is referring to in the Scripture above? We all are. But He saved us anyway. So how much more ought we bear with one another and forgive (Colossians 3:11-13)? How much more ought we, equal sinners, offer God's love to those who have sinned against us without expecting any kindness in return?
Is there someone you need to fully forgive TODAY? And possibly, humbly ask for forgiveness from them as well? If so, do not sin again - but be quick to do it! (James 4:17)
Is there someone you need to fully forgive TODAY? And possibly, humbly ask for forgiveness from them as well? If so, do not sin again - but be quick to do it! (James 4:17)
Be sure to hop on over to the 160 Acre Woods for more inspiration from God's word today!
Beloved sisters, it just doesn't get any better than this:
We are loved by God!
freely giving, as I have been given freely,
