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 Working for God's ApprovalI also have a brand new set of computer speakers--Harman Kardon. They stopped working almost immediately after I received the speakers. HK is bad about admitting fault with their equipment. I was going to have to start the long process of returning them for new ones. Jesus asked me to place my right hand over the subwoofer and pray. Shortly afterward, they began to work again. I am playing Christmas music on them now. They sound great! Indeed, God is working through me now. I am now one of His instruments. Praise and Honor are His -- to God be the Glory!!! |
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solascriptura 26-Nov-17, 15:05 |
26-Nov-17, 12:50 Yep, we are no longer under the curse!! My wife has prayed over several items such as you with awesome results. Alas, I must be of little faith, usually does not work for me Lord, I believe, please Lord, help my unbelief. solascriptura |
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Why Some Will Not Bear Their Cross . . . “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” This morning it was my wife's turn to read, while I followed along in my Bible. So, we are reading this passage,, like I said, for the umpteenth time. But today Holy Spirit caught my attention on v. 3 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance:” Bingo! A light went off in my spirit! Right here is where many outside the Christian faith stop short and dismiss (lose out in continuing) with God – those “tribulations”! Strong's number 2347: THLIPSIS from 2346 pressure (literal or figurative): afflicted (-tion), anguish, , burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble More often by metononymy( the substitution of the name of an attribute or adjunct for that of the thing meant ) :evils by which one is pressed, affliction, distress, calamity, persecution, tribulation. To “glory” (Strong's number 2744) means to “boast”. Who is going to “boast” in tribulations? Righth here is where most people will bale out. Because unbelievers will not trust God past this point they part ways with God. Thereafter they stand in judgment of God and the Bible saying it makes no sense. And they are right, from a common sense perspective, it does not make sense, does it? Another passage in James 1:2-6 “2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. “6 Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, (Stong's number 1252 DIAKRINO from 1223 and 2919 to separate thoroughly i.e. (literally or reflexive) to withdraw from, or by (implication) decide, or (reflexive) hesitate – contend make (to) differ (-ence) or (reflexive) hesitate – contend, make (-to) differ (ence) discern, doubt, judge, be partial, stagger, waver To be in strife with oneself, i.e. to doubt, hesitate, waver for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tosssed by the wing. A cross reference in 1 Timothy is appropriate here. 1 Timothy 2:8 8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; |
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Thermometer or Thermostat? However, this book is by an author famously known as his cynical and critical thinking. Mark Twain. I'm probably not going to read a book just for these reasons. As I was reflecting on this, a theme arose. Let me share that theme with you. Cynicism: an inclination to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; skepticism Criticism: the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes. Now, it seems to me that today there is a great emphasis, even an expectation, among those in our world to find cause that would make us to feel cynical and critical. These qualities are the "norm". Everywhere you go we have celebrities/ entertainers getting air time so they can lampoon everyone and everything. Now, I am all for some ridiculing of absurd people and ideas. But this jesting is now non-stop it seems to me. We do not hear often enough about heroes, and good causes. Better it is if we focus on the hope that our faith imparts. Romans 5:5, "and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." What I am trying to say, I suppose, is too much cynicism and criticism isn't good for you. And that is why I won't read Mark Twain. |
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