In Walked Truth

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,

Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God.

And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him.

And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.

Mark 1:21-27

Another typical Sabbath; the same scribes, same attendees, same scripture reading, same everything.

Little did they know a Visitor would stop in during this Sabbath; and not only would He enter the synagogue, but He would also read the Scripture.

Among the members of this small group, was a man possessed with a demon.  It's interesting to note that this demon did not have any problem when the scribes read the scripture.

This demon did not have a problem sitting among other Jewish men sitting in this synagogue.

In fact, this demon didn't seem to feel uncomfortable in this environment at all.

Day after day this man sat among the other listeners, hearing God's Law and yet it had no effect.

Until Truth Walked In.

And now, the Word was the One speaking.

God in the flesh, Jesus Christ stood behind the pulpit. 

The Fulfilled Law was preaching Himself that day, and the hidden became known.

Sin cannot hide in the presence of Jesus.

With Authority only belonging to our Lord, the Word of God was preached that day.

The mechanics of their worship, and how they listened to the Word of God was forever changed.

And a shackled, demon possessed man became free.

So, let me ask you this:

    Are you in a church that preaches Truth and recognizes the Lord Jesus Christ?

        Or are you in a church where demons hang out?

It's time to discern Truth-

                But that's just me!

24 Hours

 "Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.  Is not this written in the book of Jasher? So, the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.

And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of man: for the LORD fought for Israel."

Joshua 10:12-14

We've all wanted more time, haven't we?  Sometimes we wish for more than a 24-hour day just to be able to get everything we have crammed into those 24 hours finished before the next day begins.

Then, at other times, it feels like a 24-hour day seems more like a 48-hour day and we are wondering if the day will ever end so we can go to bed!

My husband and I are in the process of moving his folks into Senior Apartments.  At the mere mention of this task, some very dear friends of ours, who are like our own children to us, quickly asked how they could help.  From volunteering to help clean their old place, clean their new place, and helping in the actual moving process, they were eager to help.

But as I thought of our precious volunteers, I realized something; our friends lead very busy lives.  They are busy in their own work, their own family and their own responsibilities, and yet, they were the very ones to volunteer their precious time to help us.

I've noticed that it's usually the ones with the busiest lives, who volunteer the most to help others.

When we volunteer to help others, God gives us the time to do so.

When we think we have no more room in a 24-hour day to do one more thing, and someone needs help-

     Volunteer to help-

        You will see God hold the Sun and the Moon at bay to get the task done for His Glory...

            But that's just me!

"Serve God by doing common actions in a heavenly spirit, and then, if your daily calling only leaves you cracks and crevices of time, fill them up with holy service."  Charles Spurgeon

            

The Hedge Part Two

 "Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?

Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.

But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to they face.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD."

Job 1:9-12

Yesterday we saw that God turned Satan's attention specifically to Job.

Today we see the character of Satan, and the hedge of protection from God.

Satan is a person of excuses, and rebuttals.  He is out to seek and to destroy, he is the Accuser of the brethren.  He is only happy when he can cause pain and destruction.  His purpose is to turn others from God.

In verse 9, Satan falsely accuses Job of only serving God for his own selfish reasons.  In verse 10, He accuses Job of serving God because has been under the hedge of protection from the LORD.

    I found it interesting that Satan KNEW of God's protection surrounding Job, and that the protection was 'on every side.'  I wonder, if at some point in time before this conversation with the LORD, that Satan had already tried to seek and devour and destroy Job, but could not penetrate past the protective hedge that God had placed around him?

This tells me that-

    Satan can't touch me without God allowing him to-

    God has a purpose and a plan for each one of my trials and tests and that they are in HIS timing-

    Satan will search for my weak spots to get an advantage or foothold-

    I am fully protected on all sides by my LORD.

"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them."

Psalm 34:7

This verse also tells me that Satan is aware that Promotion comes from the LORD.  He noticed that Job was blessed in all things, not only in his house but in the land.  Job was probably known in the gates.

    Our testimony is known by others.  What is it telling them about us?  About the God we serve?

    Our testimony is known by our friends, and it is known by our enemies.

Satan accused Job of only serving the LORD because his life had been blessed, but he told God that if He was to remove all of it, Job would blame God and turn from Him.

    I'm sure Satan had already seen that reaction from others that God allowed him to test.  Something goes wrong in a Believer's life and Who do they blame?  

Vs12- God had given Satan permission to test Job, but he had his limitations.

Satan could only go so far.

    I take comfort in that.  

And then Satan left the presence of the LORD.  Satan was just given permission to bring down Job.

Satan thought he could destroy Job-

God knew he could not.

God knows me too.  He knows my heart; He knows my strengths and my weaknesses.  He knows when to try and test me, and He knows when I need a rest from the tests.  

Sometimes when I am going through something, I think, 'Really, right now?"  But God's timing is always perfect.  His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways are not my ways.

In trials, I must always be mindful of God's love for me and that He knows what is best for me.

    I need to Trust Him and remember that He is in control.

        I am protected on all sides until He sees fit to mold me more into His image.

            But that's just me!

"Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me."  Psalm 139:5

            

    

The Conversation Part One (the Hedge)

"Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.

And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

And the LORD said unto Satan, HAST thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Job 1:6-8

I recently reread this account in my Bible and as always, the Lord showed me many new things that were too good not to share.  First, I will share what my Study Bible says on these verses, and then share what the Lord showed me.

Vs6- The sons of God, angels.  This interpretation harmonizes with the fact that Satan, himself an angelic being, joined them on this occasion.

Vs7-Satan.  It is clear from this passage that Satan is a person, not just an evil influence.

    1-He conversed with the Lord, which required intellect

    2-He was antagonistic toward Job showing that he has emotions

    3-He purposed to destroy Job and disgrace God, demonstrating that Satan has a will.  Satan's activities, however, are limited by the Sovereign control of God.

Consistently throughout Scripture, Satan is presented as both a real person and a spirit being.  His name means, 'adversary' characterizing his basic nature, which is to oppose God's Person, His plan and His people in the earth.  Satan had access to the earth and freedom to roam around on it.  He still has this freedom and will continue to exercise it until he is bound for a thousand years during the Millennium and then cast into the lake of fire.

Vs8-The Omniscient Lord initiates this conversation that leads to Job being tested and pays the highest tribute to the character of Job.

The Ryrie Study Bible

My thoughts-

There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD-

    We all have ministering angels.  I wonder if this was a conversation where God would instruct His servants and tell them who to minister to?

I find it quite interesting that Satan would intrude; like he was still part of the assembly, like he had the 'right' to be there.

But isn't that just like Satan to go before God to accuse the Brethren?

When the LORD asks Satan where he had been, He already knew-yet when God asks a question, it will be answered.

Satan was still under the Authority of God.

And he still is.

Satan doesn't just have 'free-reign.'  God is still in control.  Everything has to be allowed by God before anything can touch us.

I find great comfort in that.  Do you?

Satan's domain was the earth.  What was Satan doing?  He was walking around and like other Scripture tells us, he has a purpose to seek out and to destroy and to devour anyone he happens to meet...

with God's permission.

The LORD already knew the heart of his servant, Job.  God asked Satan if he had considered "MY" servant Job?

I love that word, 'my.'  Job belonged to God.

Consider means- to think about carefully, to think of especially with regard to take action.

God was directing Satan's attention towards his servant, Job.

God already knew that Job could handle the test and would do so in a way that would defeat Satan and bring honor and glory to God.

    I had to ask myself: Could God ask Satan to 'consider' me?  Do I have a testimony worthy of testing?  

Job had a testimony that was without disgrace.  No one could say anything bad about Job.  He was perfect, upright, feared God and shunned evil.

    Could that be said of me?  Could that be said of you?

Sometimes when we go through a trial we wonder why?  Job's 'friends' thought Job deserved to be punished, that perhaps Job had done something to bring this upon himself, but that wasn't why.

Trials will sometimes come about to prove what we are truly made of-

To show Who we truly depend on-

And to help the ones who witness what we are going through.

    Can we accept what God is allowing in our lives?

    Are we trusting God no matter what?

    Are we bringing honor and glory to God?

May God help all of us to remember that whatever it is that we are going through, God is allowing it for a purpose.

    To refine us...

        to help us grow...

            and to mirror the image of our Saviour.

                But that's just me!

 

Dead Men Walking

 "And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking."  Mark 8:24

Recently, our Home Missionary, Scott Poling and his lovely wife, returned Stateside from their mission field of Berlin, Germany, to preach for our Missions Conference.  One night, Brother Poling preached a message Titled, "Visualize."  

He based his message on Ezekiel 37, The Vision of the Dry Bones.

This message changed my perspective concerning the Lost Souls around me.  Hearing this message changed my heart.  I began to see the hopelessness and the lack of joy in the lives of those without Christ.

I began to see the people I run into on a daily basis, differently; I look into their eyes and see that they really are not living a life to the fullest, but they are merely existing.

After hearing this message, I've noticed my response to the actions of the Lost towards me has also changed.  To understand that they have been blinded by Satan from the truth, I've noticed:

    My irritation turns to compassion-

    My impatience turns to grace-

    My critical expectation of their behavior, turns to forgiveness-

    My lack of time for them turns to looking them in the eye with love.

I also learned how thankful I am to know Christ as my own Personal Lord and Saviour.

Charles Spurgeon once said, "Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of Christ as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else."

If I had not had a friend who saw my soul's condition clearly, I could still be nothing but dry bones.

Do you still just see men as trees walking?  Or can you see their dry bones?

And if you can see their dry bones, what are you going to do about it?  Will you leave them as dead men walking?  Or will you tell them how they can have joy unspeakable, and full of glory?

I can identify the Dry Bones-

    I can see dead men walking.

        They are no longer trees, but lost souls, who need Christ-

            I'm willing to tell them!

                But that's just me!  

            

Pay Day

 Every two weeks, my husband and I sit down and pay our bills.  In good faith, we signed on dotted lines for a house and vehicles, so when the date comes around every month to make a payment, we make sure it's early or right on time.

Never late.  

There would be consequences for not paying our debt on time, and they are consequences we would rather not pay.  

While we were doing our bills this morning, I thought about another debt; and this was a debt that I could not pay.  My sin debt.  You have one too.

And there is a pay day coming.

"And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."  Hebrews 9:27

But there is good news!

"And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."

1 John 2:2

All debts require a payment, and all debts have a due date.

    One day I will stand before my Heavenly Father to account for my life-

        You will too.

            I chose to trust Jesus for the payment for my sins-

                His death on the cross, His shed blood.

                    Will you?

                        But that's just me!

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)  

2 Corinthians 6:2

Do I Help the Enemy?

 "And the chief priests and scribes sought how they might kill him; for they feared the people.

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve.

And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray him unto them."  Luke 22:2-4

I read these verses today for my devotion, and as soon as I read them, I asked myself, 

"Do I help the enemy?"

As a saved person, the Holy Spirit of God dwells in me, so I can never be possessed by any demonic entity, however, if I am not careful, I can yield myself over to the 'spirit' of Satan.

By carnal living, neglecting God's Word, hanging around the wrong crowd, going places I ought not to go; watching the wrong things, hearing the wrong things, helps the enemy.

Judas was not a saved man, yet the Bible tells us that he was 'numbered of the twelve.'  He was with Jesus the entire time of His ministry.  

This tells me that there are wolves among the sheep.

And then I read that Judas went to the very ones who were seeking to destroy Jesus; he communed with them, and he wanted to help them.

So, again, I had to ask myself, "Do I help the enemy?"

I help the enemy by:

    A poor testimony-

    Sin in my life-

    Gossip-

    Neglecting God's Word and prayer-

    I help the enemy by NOT doing what I am supposed to be do, and by doing what I'm NOT supposed to be do.

    I help the enemy when I do not submit to my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.

    

Satan has enough help from the lost-

    I want to make sure I'm not among his Ranks-

                But that's just me!

Adjectives

 "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."  Psalm 139:14

Adjective: A word belonging to one of the major form classes in any of numerous languages and typically serving as a modifier of a noun to denote a quality of the thing named, to indicate its quantity or extent, or to specify a thing as distinct from something else. (Webster)

My friend recently told me that while filling out an on-line application, that APP would not allow her to move to the next page until she listed her pronouns.  You would think that by checking the 'Female' box, one would know which pronouns to use when being addressed.

We live in a world that no longer identifies you as your true-self, but by how you want to be identified.

This world no longer lives in Reality, but Make-Believe.

I began to wonder what I would do if put in that same position; would I complete the form, conforming to the world's manipulation?  Would I decide NOT to complete the form?  Or, instead of inserting a pronoun, how about an adjective?

I decided I would insert an adjective-

    I want to be identified as:

        Friendly-

        Helpful-

        Kind-

        Cheerful-

        Brave-

        Charming-

            Beautiful in the sight of God...

                But that's just me!

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  

Romans 12:2

"Our stand and witness for Christ must not be determined by what is popular or safe, but by what is right."  Dr. Paul Chappell