Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers
unto the ostrich?
Job 39:13 was one of the many questions the Lord
had for Job when it came to helping him to understand that regardless of what
the world thought, God’s creation, design and planning was His and His alone. He
didn’t need Job’s help in the beginning and He didn’t need it now.
As I read and thought about the magnificence of the peacock this morning and I surveyed my marker and colored pencil collection I was in awe once again at how very much thought God put into the earth and all that’s around us. And as I considered Job’s “friends” and the arrogance of the fourth and final man, Elihu; who in his youth thought he could “teach Job a thing or two,” it brought to mind the arrogance of today’s modern and liberal thinking lot who think they too can tell God’s people a thing or two.
I want to ask them. Where were you when God gave
the feathers to a peacock?
How can a person of any intelligence whatsoever
look at creation and not see God? How can you look at the fabric of men inside
and out and not see how God’s hand created them. An explosion? Give me a break.
How does an explosion create love and how does it speak to the soul the way the
Holy Spirit does.
The problem is, they don’t know God and they have
no desire to. Because it would take them out of control. Which is so funny,
because they’re not in control!
So this brief yet very deep and pondering thought
is what I’ll leave you and I both with today. We will no more understand what
God’s doing behind the scenes in our lives than we’ll understand how He put
those “goodly wings” on the peacock.
But we can be rest assured of one thing. It will
be beautiful. And the world will still be filled with idiots who think they
know more than God.
Pray for them. And enjoy the fact that you are
wiser.
Well. Actually from an earthly standard they don’t. But from a spiritual vantage point, they not only mix, the experience is beyond amazing!
A few weeks ago Dr. Mickey Carter preached at our church, on the subject of the light that God shines before us; and how that light grows as we we grow, and the distance before us is further as we are obedient and able to handle what it’s shining on. Such a good message! This morning I find myself studying ligtht once more in the book of Psalm 36.Twelve little verses. So much wisdom.
This earth is filled with people searching for what the child of God has. They’re missing it and we’re not doing our do diligence to give evidence of what we have within us. Our bulbs are not burnt out, they simply have a loose connection and a little water.
The Dark Side
1The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2 For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful.
3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise,and to do good.
4 He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.
The last part of verse 4 could sum up most of the people I know who don’t know God. Now, I certainly know my share of people who have wicked tongues and wicked ways. But the bulk of the unsaved people I know are people who are “in a way that is not good, he (they) aborreth not evil.”
They haven’t learned to hate the very thing that makes them miserable. Sin.
I know this because it hasn’t been so long ago that I was one of them. I wasn’t a wicked person, devising evil plots for personal gain. I was a good person trying to make the world a better place. The problem was, I needed to start with myself before I tried to fix the world around me. Case in point. I was on every civic minded board I could be on. I was highly sought after to be on those boards because I was a worker! I thought that by serving my community I could fulfill that desire within me to help. There was indeed a little light shining within my heart that always gave me a desire to help people. But my yearning was never completely fulfilled because it wasn’t being filled with what the Creator intended it to be filled with.
I’m not saying that serving on civic minded boards is wrong. We need to be a part of our community, but our primary focus should always shine the light toward the Creator. Not the created. It’s when we glorify ourselves or others that the light short circuits. It’s not attached to the source of power.
In The Shadows
5 Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.
7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.
Jesus said in Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not.”
The Jews had completely missed their promised Messiah because they were not focusing the glory on the Lord, but rather through works, they sought to gain glory for themselves. All Jesus wanted to do was love and protect them, as a mother hen would her chicks, but they wanted to stay in the spotlight. And so they’re solution was to rid themselves of the Light that shone so much brighter.
Good people don’t always seek the glory. Many seek the thrill of helping, which in reality is seeking the glory. That adrenaline rush that comes from helping or “saving” someone is addictive. And it can overrule allowing God’s control or protection. I was that person. I was so focused on helping others, that I wouldn’t allow myself to realize I was the one who needed saving.
The Light!
8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures.
9 For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
10 O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me.
12 There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.
When life got so miserable out from under the wings of Christ, and I could see nothing but my discontent and discouraging world, God sent a light to show me a pathway to the shadow of His wings. That light was a Preacher who used the water of the Word. And when that water, mixed with that light…. Glory!!!! Something amazing happened! Once I received the wisdom of the Lord Jesus Christ, by accepting the fact that I could save no one and that He could save everyone, there was more light, and more direction to what my God given purpose in life was. To shine the light so that someone else could see their way to the safety and peace of being under the shadow of His wings.
And just like brother Mickey said, when I start down a path for the Lord, He shine the light far into the distance and I see that there is amazing things ahead.
I hope you’ve experienced that light. If not, follow the link on my main page to “the plan of Salvation.” And please! Let me know if this has encouraged you. Comment in the comment section and share my post on social media. I love you, but more important than my love is the Love of Jesus Christ!
Child of God or no, there are very few people that I’ve ever met that didn’t worry. If any really? Some call it “concern” and in the spiritual sense I get that. We know that God has this world under control and that nothing occurs without first having His stamp of approval on it. But when you’re in the thick of heartache and trouble, serious “concern” has a way of creeping up on you.
Isaiah 43 is looking at the release of the Jews out of their captivity and looking even further than that to the redemption of them and us through the Lord Jesus Christ. Verses 1 through 7 are filled with great promises for us to cling to when Satan is whispering in your ear… “you’re goin’ down.”
7 Promises in Isaiah 43
1 – 1But now thus saith theLordthat created thee,
If God can speak the universe into existence, is there anything He cannot do? Yes… lie.
O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for 2 –I have redeemed thee,
On the cross of Calvary Jesus redeemed us, purchased every child of God with His very own blood sacrifice. As the teens and I studied the “Crazy Love” of Jesus Christ in our Wednesday night service a little girl came to know His saving grace. It was one of those nights where you could feel the Spirit moving and had absolutely nothing to do with me. God had shown up and anointed that class room with His presence before I ever opened my mouth. Two thousand years ago He redeemed little Theresa and planned it out so I could be there the day she came to understand.
3 – I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.
There’s something awesome in knowing that God owns me. I belong to the Creator of all the universe and He has plans for me. He called me for a purpose. It’s like having the CEO of the universe ring your number today and say, “Hey, I have a little something for you to do.” How cool is that!
2 When thou passest through the waters,4 – I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
No matter the troubles we face, we’re going through. They cannot consume us for we are eternal beings in the hand of God. Many days I’d just rather not go through. I’d much rather go around. But I have yet to go through a trial where I didn’t see the purpose when I arrived on the other side. Every heartache and trial I’ve endured has allowed me to glorify God to someone later. It’s not fun, but if we didn’t have the bad times, we NEVER appreciate the good times.
3 For5 – I am theLordthy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee.
When the children of Israel went through the plagues prior to leaving Egpyt, a great many Egyptians died. God didn’t take that lightly. He did not want those people to suffer, and He didn’t want the Israelites to forget that their freedom came with a high price and ours with an even higher price, His Son. The Egyptians were rebellious and refused to heed God’s request. Jesus willingly went to the cross with no sin of His own to pay our debt, because those whom He creatare precious in his sight.
6 – 4 Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life.
7 – 5 Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;6 I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth; 7 Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.
He’s with us now and He’s going to bring all His children together someday soon. Oh glory!!!! That’s a promise that I love holding on to.
33 And all the city was gathered together at the door.
34 And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.
35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
36 And Simon and they that were with him followed after him.
37 And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee.
I can’t imagine the weariness Christ felt as a man, even though He was God. People continually desiring healing and help and each time, as it said about the woman with the issue of blood in Chapter 5 of Mark that “Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?”
If they but touched his clothes healing occurred and he felt the virtue (power) leave His body; how draining that must have been when soul after soul required something. After a night where all the city had gathered at the door of Simon’s house because the fame of His ability had spread throughout the community, we find Him arising the next morning “a great while before day” and going to a place alone to talk to God. If Jesus Himself who was healthy and strong needed that time in the morning to power up for the day, how can we think we’ll survive without it.
I never thought about the health of Jesus until this morning. Yes He was human, and I guess the human side of Him could have caught a cold or the flu but if He had gotten a cold He would have just healed it. That’s not the case with us, our bodies die a little more daily, our strength weakens as life sucks the energy out of us. I take vitamins every day to try to get a jump start on all the bad things I suspect I’ll ingest the remainder of the day. I do the same with the Word of God. I need that morning boost. When they found Jesus they said “all men seek for thee.”
I believe that.
I believe that in the soul of every human being on earth there is something that seeks God. They can deny it… that’s okay, I won’t believe it. Because God created them and just as an infant seeks the parents that created it, so do we all seek the Creator.
Oh how I long to know Him deeper… that’s why I have to get up before the rest of the house, before all men, grandbabies, friends, neighbors, church folk, children and telemarketers seek me. They don’t seek me for the same thing they sought Jesus for, but it’s still tiring. I know I’ll need my strength today and so I am here; in Mark 1 desiring to start my day as Jesus did. Alone in prayer. I can’t heal people, or fix problems but I know the one Who can… no wonder the whole town showed up at Peter’s door.
Steal away today, and rejuvenate yourself in Jesus…Seek on friend.
As fate would have it, in the pop and chip aisle of the local grocer, I met an old friend I hadn’t seen in a while. Within seconds he turned to show me a scar down the back of his neck and to tell me of the miracle that had occurred in his life of a brain surgery that had taken him from a slobbering, stumbling, weak soul to a new lease on life. I praised God for it and encouraged him to come to church with me on Sunday and praise the Lord himself for what God had surely done. His response sent a shockwave through me that still reverberates in my soul, he said “No I don’t think so, people spend too much time worrying about eternity and less about this current life.”
I was sick, and disheartened. I felt for sure he would understand who it was that held his fate in the palm of his hand.
Daniel 5:22-23
And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this; But hast lifted up thyself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of his house before thee, and thou, and thy lords, thy wives, and thy concubines, have drunk wine in them; and thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know: and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified:
That same night Belshazzar the King was slain.
Arrogance against God was dangerous business then, and it’s dangerous business today, yet so prevalent in our world. Because my parents brought me up in a God fearing household I had a healthy respect for God even unsaved. I didn’t know God as my Savior but there was an instinct within me to know that He was the God in whose hand my breath was. As my friend walked away my prayer was that God would shake him to the core that night. I was hurt for God and I believe righteously angry that this world is so deceived.
I had just witnessed the miracle of birth with my grandson Parker, and I knew that God held his breath in His hand and had blessed us with this beautiful little soul. And in the hours that followed that early morning call that Tiffani was being rushed in for an emergency delivery at only 30 weeks I knew that God could also choose to take Parker home, and Tiffani as well. And as I knelt in tears beside my bed asking God to spare them there was no arrogance within me only absolute reliance on the Creator of life.
Why God chose to allow me to be raised in a Christian home is beyond my understanding. I could have just as easily been in a home where God does not dwell. There is always that underlying seed of arrogance within me too that likes to rear its head thinking I hold the steering wheel of life. Parker’s birth was a “Jesus take the wheel” kind of moment for me. I knew the only power I had was the Holy Spirit of God speaking peace to my soul. He is in control.
Less than the length of time it took for me to type the punctuation at the end of a sentence is the length of time when your world can go upside down and out of control. Do me a favor and tell God how very much you love Him and that you know He alone is in control. Acknowledge His Sovereignty of your life. My heart hurts for Him and for my friend who’s missing out on the greatest blessings of life. Knowing the Creator of our existence.
When you have to pray the prayer you didn’t want to pray…
It was that wee hour in the morning phone call no parent wants, your child’s in distress and you’re 2 hours away. Daughter Tiffani just headed in to surgery for delivery of our 6th grandchild. She’s only at 30 weeks. I’m scared, concerned for both her and the baby; needing to hug my son-in-law who is facing it alone. And I hit my knees and gave it to God, who is the Creator of all life. Who alone makes those decisions; and I want to hug Him too. But instead He hugs me.
I do the only thing I’ve known to do since 1996. Go to God and get in the Word.
It is well… He speaks to my soul.
It doesn’t feel well Lord….
It is… I hear again.
Our 2 lb 12 oz miracle came just a little after 5. Breathing on his own, and we are rejoicing.
The reality of that story is the whole time I was praying I knew it was the Creator’s decision. I didn’t feel well; I knew “it” was well, but I still so wanted it to go the way I wanted. It is with great joy that I can say the Lord answered my prayer. Both Tiffani and Parker Keith came through with flying colors. When my son-in-love called he said, “He’s breathing on his own.” My heart skipped a beat. I hadn’t evening thought he wouldn’t. The fragility of life is such that at 2 lbs 12 oz., that was a distinct possibility. God is good!
At choir practice at church on Sunday evening, I belted out the solo to the song “Through the fire.” My neighboring friend Lola said, “Wow, Shari, I don’t even think they’re going to have to ‘mic’ (microphone) you.” I knew what she meant… I have a big mouth. I told the choir there was likely a genetic reason my new grandson came out breathing on his own, God had blessed us with good lungs. But I had a reason to belt that song out, I’d been through a little fire this weekend.
Just a few hours after Parker was born, by beloved and best pal, Sammy the Jack Russell was hit by a car. It wasn’t like Sam to go near the road, but that day he did. And so I went into another spiral of emotions. He was a true companion and there for me so many times, and I didn’t even get the chance to pray. My heart was broken but the day was filled with too many responsibilities to grieve. And so I handed him to the One Who created Him. And it was again a reminder about the fragility of life. Puppies or people, life is but a vapor.
I’m glad I know the Creator. I’m glad when the fire came, the water that quenched my thirsty soul in salvation also dampened the flames that tried to consume me.
Zechariah 13:6-9 ~ And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, and against the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord of hosts: smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered: and I will turn mine hand upon the little ones. And it shall come to pass, that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die; but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The Lord is my God.
Those words… what an awesome tale they tell. An Old Testament prophecy that bears the name Jesus Christ.
Sunday morning’s prayer requests at our church were almost surreal. I wasn’t the only one going through a fire, and many of them their flames were higher than mine. But the God we serve was able to bring songs and shouts of praise throughout the congregation, because He’s awesome like that.
Are you going through some flames yourself? Give it to the Creator. He may not put them out, but He’ll carry you through. If you have time today, comment and let me know how the Lord is bringing you through!
I seldom ever watch the news. I figure if anything is noteworthy it will make its way to my ears and I’ll follow up on it through an internet search. You may think that is to be unprepared; I personally think it is to have less aggravation in my life. Take this morning for example. My husband does watch the news (thus he is usually my noteworthy source). But today as he watched I was by mere attendance listening when the ignorance of man showed itself again to be worthy of my un-attendance tomorrow. It was reported that Harvard Medical School geneticist, George Church is attempting to recruit a woman to give birth to Neanderthal baby cloned through extracted fossil DNA. And people wonder why I don’t watch the news, really?
The irony of his name being Church made my stomach roll much like my eyes do at the ludicrous-osity of the scientific community. Yes, that’s a new word. A word no less ridiculous than an idiot who would play God and assume that he can create a life as God does.
Genesis 2:7 – And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
I guess as long as we are in this sin fallen world there will be those who attempt to disprove God by making themselves a god. Mr. Church can scrape all the fossil DNA off of a rock (dust) that he wants but he will never become God. God alone is the creator of life. I make no profession of scientific intelligence, I’m the Jesus Chick, not a scientist. But this is where I am leaps and bounds ahead of Mr. Church in wisdom, I know not to mess with what God has deemed Holy, and that is the sanctity of life. Jeremiah 1:4-5 says “Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations. God creates life. God sanctifies (approves) life. God designs the breath of life and the direction of life. Man may create something in a petri dish but it will never be life as God created it.
There are times I wonder why God continues to allow this nonsense to go on. Why does He not just call us home? Because there is still God created life and purpose. And perhaps one such purpose is that Mr. Church comes to know the saving grace of Creator. The surname “Church” was likely an occupational surname. Somewhere in the past his family was likely good Christian people. I hope he’ll use that wonderful brain God created in him to discover that his genealogy will take him back to the foot of the Cross.
