Into The Deep   Christian Words to Inspire

The Integrity of God . . . 6/7/09

 

"Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord, "that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah . . . " - Jeremiah 33:14.

 

Have you received a personal promise from the Lord—one you've been waiting to see unfold for a very long time?  Is the promise so big that at first you had trouble believing it?  Are loved-ones' lives and eternities at stake?  Is the promise so important that settling for anything less is unthinkable?  To have such a promise is truly a blessing, but the waiting can be difficult. Once we see the glory ahead, it's hard to live in today.    

 

As we wait on the Lord for the treasure He plants in our heart, we learn amazing new things.  We find out much about ourselves, and we learn great things about our God.  Today, the Spirit reminded me of His integrity.  God never lies, and He doesn't tease.  His holy word is above reproach—whether it's scripture from the Bible or truth whispered to us individually.  Our God can always be trusted.  Because of His integrity, He will always keep His word.

 

To have integrity means to be honest, true, honorable, admirable, reputable, reliable, authentic, legitimate, genuine, sincere, earnest, serious—and in God's case, I'm sure there's plenty more.  With Him, we get the deluxe supernatural version.  

 

Yes, I am definitely counting on God to keep His promises to me.  How about you?  Will you trust Him too?

 

 

 

 

 

Over Fifty . . . 5/28/09

 

Are you over fifty?  Over sixty?  Are you serious about the Kingdom of God?  If so, I'm sure you've heard discouraging words from satan's camp:  "Time has run out.  Your life has been wasted.  There's no use trying to be a victorious Christian at your age."  The attack goes on and on:  "You're a big disappointment to God.  He had high hopes for you, but after all these years, He's finally given up."  

 

But satan only tries to discourage us if we're a genuine threat.  The enemy doesn't want us aware of how mature and wise we may have become.  The worse we feel about ourselves, the better off is the kingdom of darkness.  It's important to remember that our success is measured by God, and He values things that we might overlook.  For example, the quality of not being offended by thoughtless remarks may not even be on our list, but it will probably be circled and highlighted on God's list.  I imagine Him being excited every time we "get it right" and forgetting about every failure. 

 

Now let's take a look at Moses.  He spent more than fifty years in the little town of Midian, from early adulthood until he was about eighty.  During this time, satan surely tormented him with endless "what ifs" as he quietly tended his sheep.  "What if you hadn't killed that Egyptian?"  "What if you had used your influence and patiently worked for change within the system?"  Moses probably thought he had blown his chance to help God's people.  But unknown to this man, God was training him for the important years ahead.  

 

We don't know the details of Moses' training in Midian, but we do know the results.  At eighty years old, he was physically strong and spiritually mature.  We also know he was humble: On the day God spoke from a burning bush, Moses was personally tending flocks on the back side of the desert instead of resting while a younger man did the job. 

 

. . . there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel - Deuteronomy 34:10-12.

 

So, to all who are over fifty and feeling insignificant in the kingdom; understand that you are still in training.  You may be tending some of the stinkiest sheep in the world. Or maybe you feel lonely and forgotten on the back side of somewhere you dislike.  But if you continue to humble yourself and submit to God, then He will surely exalt you according to His plan.

 

 

 

 

 

Dry Spells . . . 5/18/09

 

When I don't hear a personal word from God in the space of two weeks, then I consider myself to be in a dry spell.  This happened to me a few weeks ago.  I hadn't heard from God in awhile, and now some situations began "heating up."  I wanted to hear from God, but this simply wasn't happening.  As a result, I handled my problems according to principle.  I relied on wisdom from the Bible and God's personal words to me in the past.  I knew He was near, and I refused to overreact just because I didn't hear His voice.  God doesn't pout, so there had to be a good reason for His silence.  

 

In case the problem was with me, I did a personal inventory and confessed some wrong attitudes and behaviors.  I confessed my nonchalance about a particular matter and asked God to give me a repentant heart.  Now, with all this checked off my "Why isn't God talking to me?" list, I turned the situation completely over to Him.  I wasn't very happy, but I stayed in the word, continued to pray, and trusted that "all is well."  I didn't know what else to do.

 

Another day or so went by, when I found myself thinking of the words "dry spell."  Then I was reminded of a personal prophecy I had received years ago in which God told me that I was like a tree, and He was causing my roots to grow very deep.  After these thoughts came the revelation that during dry spells, the roots of a tree will reach more deeply for water.  Ahhh!  How good to hear His voice and His explanation.  

 

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit - Jeremiah 17:8.

 

How thirsty are you for the "Fountain of Living Waters"?  When the droughts come and the River appears to dry up, will your roots reach deep in search of Him?  How desperately will you seek those aquifers and bubbling springs that you cannot live without?

 

 

 

 

 

As to the Lord . . . 5/8/09

 

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ - Colossians 3:23-24.

 

Try to imagine turning every facet of your life over to the Lord—submitting all thoughts, words and actions to Him.  Each of your talents and gifts would be used to bless the heart of God and to serve His holy purpose.  

 

Working, playing and "doing all" for the Lord would eliminate many temptations that come with doing these things for men.  Manipulation and control would quickly lose their allure.  Self-serving competition would be totally out of place.  Fear of losing the favor of man would vanish.  All of your energy could now be spent on works of the kingdom.

 

And of course, none of what you do "as to the Lord" would ever be unappreciated.  Because God sees, hears and knows all things, then He gives every prize and compensation with full knowledge, perfect love and plenty of His amazing grace.  

 

 

 

 

 

All is Well . . . 4/30/09

  

Do you ever feel weak and alone and afraid?  It's important to turn to God when this happens and hear what He has to say.  When I talk to the Lord about my own weaknesses and fears, He tells me it doesn't matter because He is strong on my behalf. As long as I trust Him, I'll be safe and secure.  He assures me that "all is well."

 

Because I'm single, I often feel alone.  I don't have family nearby who accept me just as I am, warts and all.  But the Holy Spirit reminds me that He is family.  . . . we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love - Romans 5:5.  

 

Sometimes fear will follow in my footsteps, either nagging me from close behind or jumping ahead to frighten me face to face.  But God has shown me clearly that fear is only a "paper tiger."  This emotion, however valid it may seem, is based on flimsy lies.  It cannot hurt me unless I overreact, which of course is the enemy's goal.  Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom - Luke 12:32.

 

Yes, the kingdom of God is ours.  The battles are already won, and every giant has already been defeated.  We may be weak, but we're never alone, so there's nothing at all to fear. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Fellowship of His Suffering . . . 4/10/09

 

With the Christian life comes a certain amount of suffering.  We are set apart, often aflicted but always comforted.  If our hearts are submitted to God, then suffering brings us into closer fellowship with our Lord Jesus Christ—into a place where we count it an honor to feel the sting of rejection or abuse because of our alignment with Him.    

 

. . . that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings . . . - Philippians 3:10.

 

Thank You, Lord, for putting us in unpleasant places where the beauty of Your countenance is sorely needed.  We are blessed to walk in Your shoes.

 

Thank You, Lord, for those frightening situations that teach us not to fear—for those dark paths and valleys where we learn first-hand that every "giant" has already been defeated by Your suffering on the cross.

 

Thank You, Lord, that when we're disdained by the world for being "foolish" and "weak," we are actually flying high on spiritual wings and conquering with Your wisdom.

 

Thank You, Lord, for making us a threat to the enemy—so much that we're under attack. Thank You for the victory that is always ours to take.

 

Thank You, Lord, for "the joy that is set before us" as we take up our own crosses daily (Hebrews 12:2).  Your resurrection power carries us through every tribulation.

 

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory . . . - 2 Corinthians 4:17.