Relationships – Chapter 39

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Love – Part 4

 

Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

 

How often we have heard our parents or our colleagues say: “Patience is a great virtue.” Yet, if we look at our lives we see that no matter how great a virtue patience might be it isn’t something that we have in great abundance. We know that in the love that God manufactures, patience is a powerful ingredient. We read in 1 Corinthians 13:4 that “love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” When we think of love in terms of personal relationships then we must give time to patience.

 

Patience in the sense of dealing with inter-personal relationships brings out the idea of ‘longsuffering’ or to be ‘long tempered.’ How true it is that when it comes to relationships we really need to be longsuffering and long tempered. How often people have made us mad and we have wanted to strike back either by word or deed or both. When long-suffering and long tempered come in this maintains the relationship. It doesn’t mean that we do not deal with the issues at stake, but because of the practice of long-suffering and long-tempered (or simply being patient) we can deal with the issues without breaking the relationship.

 

Patience in relationships is seeing people from God’s point of view and recognizing the fact that God is not done with us yet. We are all in constant change and God is working in us.  Romans 8:29 “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

 

Patience then is giving God time to finish what He has started in each one of us.

 

Psalms 138:8 “The LORD will fulfill [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever – do not abandon the works of your hands.”

 

It would seem that closely tied in with patience is another virtue called forgiveness.

 

Matthew 18:26 “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.'” We all know the Lord’s parable here of where this man owed the king an astronomical amount of money and asked for patience in paying it back. It was granted, but then this man went out and found someone who owed him a pittance and patience was not what he granted him when asked for. Matthew 18:29 “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'” Whenever we have a tendency to lose patience with people it would do us well to stop and think about the patience that the Lord has had, and still does have with us. Another thought that comes out with patience is connected with the Lord’s blessings. Hebrews 6:15 “And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.”

 

The problem that we have in our Western society is the clash between traditional values and evolving values. Traditional values like loyalty, morality, accountability and sacrifice are clashing with evolving values like independence, personal happiness, tolerance, comfort, instant gratification, the right to make one’s own choices, all of which center around the individual. It is because of these evolving values that center around the individual that we find relationships (marriage, business partnerships, colleagues, etc.) in jeopardy and failing. Probably one of the great tragedies today is the desire for instant gratification even in our relationships. This is where patience comes in.

 

How do we get patience? Patience grows only in trials. When the trials come our way let us see what the Lord is doing and allow the Lord to work in us the patience of Christ Himself. Amen!
 

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

I was talking with a man about a 9/11 video I just watched. In one scene it showed people looking out the windows above the flames knowing that death was coming. I asked him this question how would you meet death? Will you try and run from it or will you meet it head on? He asked me what I would have done? I told him, “I hoped I would get as many people together, calm them down and tell them that this is not the end but only the beginning, because of what Jesus did for them.” He did not like my answer so he finished the conversation with, “I believe in re-carnation.”

 

Lord, today Your children are mocked; an object of scorn and ridicule by those around them. Therefore, help us to stand up for the glory of Your name, and forgive us for not bringing honor to You. People treat what You have done for them as a joke, and when they are on the brink of death, they will reject what You have done for them.

 

Revive Your children once more, so that people will know that we are a people that You have blessed. Help us to pray day and night continually, taking no rest, so that the message of Your truth will go out throughout our land. Help us to shout out, “Look, the Savior of the world is coming, and He brings his reward with him.” Then we will be called “Holy people, people redeemed by the Lord.” For You have anointed Your children to bring the good news of salvation, to comfort the brokenhearted, and to proclaim that people can be released and freed from the bondage of sin. Today is the day to know the Lord’s favor, and it will help you to not be afraid to meet death face to face.

 

Remember, that there are three things that will last forever: faith, hope, and love; the greatest of these is love. So let love be your highest goal! For love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

 

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Lord, I rise early before the sun is up, and cry out to You for help. I put all of my hope in You and Your Word. When I see what is taking place in America it makes me sick at heart because they care nothing for your Word. For Your word is the very essence of truth. Those who love and live by Your word will have great peace.

 

Lord, listen to my cry; give me a discerning mind, and help me to let Your Word be my constant guide. For it is Your Word that gives me understanding; it is my source of hope. I know that when pressure and stress bear down on me, it is in Your Word that I find joy!

 

Son, bring all of your troubles to Me and I will answer you. Have faith in Me, that everything I promised you will happen. You must really believe that what I told you will happen and have no doubt in your heart; believe that you already received it, it will be yours. But, first make sure that you are not holding a grudge against anyone, then I will give you everything I promised.

 

LORD, is it time for You to act? People everywhere are violating Your good instructions, and no one rules with truth.

 

Son, Your leaders have made a big mistake when they keep trying to remove My Word from America; for they are supposed to know right from wrong. They are the very ones who hate that which is good and love that which is evil. They have no idea the power I have. Soon, when all of the judgments start coming because of their choices and leadership, they will beg for My help. Do they really expect Me to help after all the evil they have done. They hate justice and twist all that is right, and are rebuilding with a foundation of murder and corruption. Soon they will scream in terror like a woman in childbirth.

 

My Quiet Time with Daddy

Posted by & filed under Carols Blog.

Thank You for the faith to believe in You Father. But, where does this faith come from to believe what is written in the book called the Bible? Where did I get this faith to believe in that which I can not see? Why is my faith in You unwilling to be compromised by threats or temptations of any kind?

 

I read about You and the way You created all that we see, and how Your Son came into this world the way in which He came and for the amazing purpose that I will stand on to the end, and nobody has ever believed it except those “with the faith” to believe.

 

Some have heard Your audible voice so that they would believe, such as Paul your humbled servant. Others have seen Your Son again after His death on the cross, and never doubted You again, such as those who wrote about it. But, for most of those that believe in You it has been Your written Word they have believed in by faith. For those who have never seen and yet believed – where did they get such GREAT faith?

 

And, that’s another thing, another “amazing” thing; this book about You Father, and Your Son, and Your Spirit, has remained the most read book for 2000 years; the only book in the world so viciously hated by the majority of our world’s population and in every generation since it was written; a best seller that outlives us all. It just can’t be destroyed no matter what its accusers say and do.

 

The only answer I can come up with for my faith in You is that I had to be made in Your image, just like it says. You have put in me something that, from conception on, I just know You are my heavenly Father, and that “knowing” compels me to seek after You – to know You better, to get close to You.

 

At one time I was afraid of You, and I didn’t know why. Then I learned of why Your Son came and died, and why I need Your Spirit to live in me. When I applied “faith” to this knowledge I was no longer afraid of You! I became ambitious for You; desiring You and seeking to please You Father! I’ve never seen You and yet I love You and know without a doubt that I will be joined to You!

 

What makes a person that has been adopted eventually have a deep desire to know their biological father and mother? Even without knowing they are adopted, something gnaws at them inside about their beginning. Although they are driven to find the truth – they have a fear of coming to the truth. They are not sure of what they will find out, yet they keep after it until they come to the truth of their own beginning and why they are the way they are. Some regret ever finding out who their biological parent is, or parents are. Some start up a lasting relationship with the very one/ones that abandoned them, or gave them up to adoption for whatever reason. But the point is that there is something in us all that makes us seek after how and why we are here, and where we end up.

 

Heavenly Father, You are not like us, a parent that would abandon His own child, any one born into this world. You are mankind’s one true Father, faithful and long-suffering our rejection of You as You continue to fervently work in and all around us that we come to know You as You truly are: Everlasting Father of grace and mercy, of compassion and personal sacrifice – as seen in Your Son – called “Savior of the world.” How could anyone not want to find this out about You? And after finding this truth about You, how could they reject and then live denying it? How could they take the chance of what You say about rejecting Your Son and continue on to never cry out in their spirit to You, the spirit that connects each of us to “knowing” that You are our Father God, to cry out for You in need of You?! Father, isn’t that why You put so much weakness in us?

 

Thank You Father for our weaknesses that compel us to cry out to You Holy Father and find You ready to forgive and willing to meet every need we have of You. Thank You Father for all the trouble we have and even for the persecution we face from those that are perishing in their own sins completely deceived and doing all they can to feel good about themselves and the evils they do. Help me Father to show Your love to these. Thank You Father for Your peace and joy in me; for Your love poured into me by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You Father that the only thing I fear now is not finishing what You gave me to do in the remaining days I have in this dying body.

 

Father, my faith comes from You and it’s to be applied to Your purpose in me. I am Your child and You are my eternal Father. Nothing and no one, can separate me from Your thoughts and plans; the future that You have for Your eternal family. Help me to represent You in the way You deserve to be represented and worshiped.

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

This morning I read about two great men who lived on this earth. One is called the wisest person who ever lived, and the other was born into poverty. Both had a great impact on others and both are still remembered today. They gave us a perspective about life and it is our choice in which one we choose to follow.

 

The wisest person said:

“What do people get for all their hard work? No matter how much they see, people are never satisfied. No matter how much they hear, they are not content. People don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what they are doing now. Everything that people do is meaningless-like chasing the wind.

 

Some people say life is about having the good things in life. They seek pleasures, and cheer themselves with wine. Some say I will seek great knowledge and become wise in this world. Others will seek to find the meaning of their life by building huge homes, and planting beautiful vineyards. Some will collect great sums of silver and gold, and having everything a man could desire!”

 

But listen to what he says, for the wisest man had everything listed above. “Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, But as I looked at everything that I had worked so hard to accomplish, l realized that everyone will die. The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool. For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from the One who gives it to us, and allows us to enjoy it? God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to those who please him.”

 

The poor man says:

“Be truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, think of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too.”

 

Who was this poor man? Jesus! He gave up His divine privilege, and took the humble position of a slave, by being born as a human being. He appeared in human form, He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross – so that we could have His Holy Spirit dwell in us and produce good fruit with our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Those who belong to Him have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there.

 

Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Then you will find the meaning of your life on earth!

 

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, how can My children sleep at a time like this? They need to get up and pray! Oh, My children why are you so sleepy? Stop looking at this world from a human point of view? Instead, look from My point of view. If you are My true followers, then you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you think you can hang on to your life as you now live it, you will lose everything. But if you give up everything for My sake and for the sake of My words to you, then you will know what true life is all about. What do you gain if you have the things of this world but lose your rewards in heaven? Remember My children, if you are ashamed to stand up for Me and My Word then I will be ashamed of you.

 

In the coming days My children will be the joyful ones, those that have followed My instructions as they walk with Me. For they will not compromise with evil, but only walk on My path. Their actions will consistently reflect My Word! For they have hidden My Word in their hearts, so that they will not sin against Me and resist My Spirit. They are the ones who study My Word, meditate day and night on the truth therein, and consider how it applies to them today; for My Word applies in all generations and at all times. Their eyes will be opened to see My wonders of the truth. When they meditate on My Word they will have the understanding they need, and always be encouraged.

 

Today there are a lot of people who seem religious, and with their lips they seem to honor Me, but I see that their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is fake, because it is based on man-made ideas on how they think they are to worship Me. They cancel My Word by substituting it for things that go with their worldly lifestyles. These people will become hard towards Me and have no understanding in the time of tribulation. They have eyes to see everything I have done and yet they refuse to accept that I AM the only way; their only hope! They have ears, but refuse to listen to anyone who tells them the lifestyle they have chosen will not allow them into My kingdom.

 

Lord, thank You for the privilege of knowing You, and for Your living word. Give me an eagerness to live in Your word, more desire than for money! Turn my eyes from worthless things, and let me see my life through Your eyes and love. I know that You are merciful, compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. It is not Your desire to destroy people, so help me to pray for the people around Me that they accept Your free gift before it is too late.

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I am deeply saddened by the hard hearts of your leaders today. They see all that I have done for this great nation, and yet they learn nothing about who I AM. They hear what I say in My Word about rebellion towards Me, and yet they still reject My words. If they would turn to Me – they would be forgiven, and then I would heal your nation. But since they don’t listen I cannot bless this nation any longer. This nation is going to fall, and they will blame everything upon My children. They will think that if they can get rid of My Word and all those that stands up for My Word – their problems will go away.

 

 

Remember that when leaders lead without any thought of Me, the people become worried about their life under them. These leaders steal the hearts of the people by making promises they cannot keep. Know this: I am watching this sinful nation, and I will do all of these things I have said about a country that accepts My blessings and then rejects Me. I am giving them one more chance, if they call out to Me I will restore, but if they reject Me, I am determined to bring disaster upon them and not help them.

 

 

Son, I have called My children to stand up and tell everyone about My salvation. I have given them the power and authority to do all that I ask of them. So My children, pay close attention to what you hear from Me. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given-and you will receive even more. I will bless those who hear and obey Me.

 

 

Lord, I love knowing that You hear my voice and my prayers. When You speak, help me to listen. You care deeply when one of Your loved ones are in trouble and discouraged. Help me not to only see troubles and sorrows, but all of Your wonders You perform every day. Help me to live my life on earth in Your presence.

 

Relationships – Chapter 38

Posted by & filed under Franks Blog.

Love – Part 3

 

Ephesians 4:2 “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

 

Looking at the quality of love that only God manufactures and that is essential to building relationships we need to understand what it means to be “gentle in love.”

 

The word for ‘gentle’ here is not something that consists only in a person’s outward behavior nor in our relationship to other people. It is something referring more to an inner work of grace in our soul. It is the type of spirit that accepts God’s dealings with us. It recognizes that what the Lord is doing is for our good.

 

It is what Paul said in Romans 5:3-5: “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

 

It is through hardship, trouble and persecution that our good character is developed that is then conducive to building good and lasting relationships. It is the love of God and His working through our suffering that molds a character that can build relationships.

 

We all have seen and been around people whose personality grates upon us and we want to depart from such a person, but it is those that have a gentle meekness about them (self under control) that we can enjoy being around.

 

Colossians 3:12 says that we should “clothe ourselves with gentleness.” Although this is a meekness or gentleness towards God first and foremost – it is also an attitude towards other people and our relationship to them.

 

This word for gentle in the NIV and meekness in the KJV is hard to translate into English. The words have a sense of weakness to them, but in reality it is just the opposite. Vines says: “The common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the Lord was ‘meek’ in that he knew he had the infinite resources of God at His command.” We do too!

 

Moses was the meekest man on earth, but when he came down the mountain with God’s Ten Commandments and saw the debauchery taking place among God’s people – he was anything but weak in confronting it and condemning their evil behavior.

 

The word used for gentle here is the opposite of being self-assertive or self-interested. The problems we have in relationships is that of being self-assertive and self-absorbed.

 

We see then in developing relationships how important this quality of love’s gentleness is. What steps are we to take? Perhaps I can suggest several.

 

  1. When God brings things our way that we do not like let us not argue and complain, but embrace and ask God for wisdom to show us what He is doing and wanting to accomplish in us through it.

 

  1. Recognizing that gentleness or meekness is not at all weakness, but really strength under control.

 

  1. Always keeping in mind the importance of good strong relationships.

 

May God continue to mold us in His image!

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, put this in your storeroom where the gems of truth are kept. I keep My Word and will do exactly what I have said. Understand that in the days ahead I am the One who will provide for you, and My Name is Yahweh-Yireh: “THE LORD WILL PROVIDE!”

 

There is not a famine of bread or water in America, but a famine of hearing My Word. I cannot provide for those who think they are righteous, but only for those who obey My Word. Remember, I do not just sweep life away; instead, I devise ways to bring people back when they become separated from Me. So people choose life!

 

Daily Devotional

Posted by & filed under Mikes Blog.

Son, I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Everything I do reveals My glory and majesty. My righteousness will never fail. Everything I do is just and good, and My Word is altogether trustworthy. People of the world need to know that I paid a full ransom for them.

 

When My children live their lives by My Word and obey it – their homes and families will be protected and successful. My faithful children will be generous and compassionate able to help those in need. They will be righteous and just and their wisdom will be seen in their children. They will not fear bad news because they confidently trust Me to care for them. They will be fearless when facing their foes and hardships. They will have influence with honor for My favor rests upon them, and the wicked will see this and be infuriated because they can’t do anything about it.

 

Son, tell your elected leaders that refuse to listen to Me, “Come back to the Lord and you will live! Your dark hearts twist justice when you treat righteousness like a crime. You hate honest judges and despise people who tell the truth! You love evil and hate all that is right and good. You deprive the poor of justice in the courts and you will face a day in My High Court, and you will not have a ray of defense, hope or everlasting joy; for I will condemn you as you have condemned My children.”

 

In these evil days My children need to be clever and shrewd, knowing when to be quiet with confidence in Me and when to shout out about injustice; when to expose evil and when to remain still with Me. My children need to be known for doing what is good and when to turn from evil. They need to hate what evil people do, but at the same time to show My love for them so that they can be saved. Don’t make a show of what you do for people, or make pretense of being holy. Remember that I love obedience better than your pious religious assemblies with all your noisy singing and empty praises! Without obedience I will not listen to your music, or listen to your prayers. I want to see from My children a mighty flood of right thinking and behavior, and justice based on the Word of My truth.

 

Suddenly, all the victory parties of the wicked will end, and then they will know how foolish they have been. For, they have pushed away every one of My prophets that told them to repent and of the coming disasters. They think they can drink away their problems as they sink deeper and deeper into darkness. They care nothing about the ruin of their nation, and to their own shame they refuse to listen to anyone that mentions My Name and how they can be saved from My wrath!

 

Lord, what a holy awe-inspiring Name You have! To know You and to obey Your Word is the foundation of true wisdom. I will praise You forever! You are with me always, even to the end of the age.