Integrity

"YOU ARE A MIGHTY PRINCE AMONG US."
(Gen. 23:5,7,12)

These words or words like them
should be the way "outsiders" describe a follower of the Lord.

The story of Abraham's dealings with Ephron about a grave site for Sarah should be read as a guide in our dealings with others, especially those who do not share our beliefs.

Twice, Abraham, "bowed himself to the people of the land," showing humility and graciousness.

He then insisted on paying for the property. Ephron would never have the uneasy feeling that he had been 'taken' by one who claimed to have faith in God.

How often do we as Christians mar that name
by our financial dealings
and thus show what our true love really is?

Stronghold

Editor's note: Often, in our day, the term 'stronghold', represents a besetting sin or trouble. For example, an addiction to anything that is harmful has a strong hold over our lives. But Nahum, the Prophet, sheds a positive light on 'that' which has a strong hold in our lives. AH
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"The Lord is good;
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust Him."
(Nahum 1:7)

God does not necessarily take us out of trouble,
but He is a stronghold to those
who trust Him during their 'trouble.'

Abram

Abram came to the land in which the LORD said He would "give to your descendants." But there was "a severe famine in the land and Abram went to Egypt."

This had to be a test of faith. Could this had been some of the reason for Abram's lack of trusting God for protection and for his coming up with the plan to claim Sarah "as his sister, that is may go well with me because of you and I that I may live because of you."

But God in His mercy protected Sarah and "plagued Pharaoh's house," and kept Pharaoh from taking her "as his wife."

How that would have fouled God's plan
to make a great nation through Isaac!
(Genesis 12:7,10,,13,17,19)
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Abram would not take anything from the king of Sodom "lest you should say,"I have made Abram rich." But he did not impose his standards on the men who were with him. "Aner, Eschol, and Mamre: let them take their portion." (Gen. 14:23,24)

No more should we impose our standards on others nor should we judge those who don't live up to our 'standards.'

Sanctification

How does sanctification come?

"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.
~~~That they may also be sanctified by the truth."

John 17:16, 19

Joy

Joy is His will for us. John 15:11 says, "..that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

Joy that is full is the result of obeying His command to "abide in My love," mentioned three times in verse nine.

That kind of abiding is a constant submersion in His love-not a flickering belief due to the kind of life we are experiencing.

Muddy Mess

Can you imagine what a muddy mess the world was in after being completely covered with water?! But God was looking out for Noah's family even then. He didn't tell them to leave until "the earth was dried," Gen. 8:14, nearly 8 months after the ark had settled on Mt. Ararat.

What a frustrating situation they would have encountered if they had become impatient and left the ark before God told them to.

How many unpleasant and grievous situations could we have avoided had we waited for God's perfect timing!

Twisted Words

Satan's very first and continuing tactic
is to cause doubt in God's word to us.
He also misquotes it as he did to Jesus.

He said to Eve,"Has God indeed said,
'You shall not eat of every tree in the garden?"
(Genesis 3:1)
And Eve straightened out his misquote
but she continued to interact with him
and he continued to refute God's
goodness and love.

Lessons to be learned?

Stand firm on God's word and
stop listening when Satan
through another "explains what God
really means" and His reasons
for saying it.

But James says we are to
"Submit to God. Resist the devil
and he will flee from you."
(James 4:7)

Entries in Journal-8/31/07

"Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord."
Genesis 4:16

Sad words and a sad life following, I'm sure.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"And I will glorify the house of My glory."
Isaiah 60:7

Beautiful words and a beauty to experience,
I'm sure.
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"The sun will no longer be your light by day-
But the Lord will be your everlasting light."
Isaiah 60:19

This must be the same light that was on earth
before God created the sun.

Global Warming

Those who are making a big deal
politically about global warming
should consider the verses
in Isaiah 51:6, 24:1,4,5,19.

"...the earth will grow old like a blanket."

Liars

Lying is so common and acceptable-
even by those who claim to know Him.

The following should be taught from the pulpit,
in the classrooms, in the homes-
"...the devil is a liar and the father of it,
there is no truth in him." (John 8:44)

This, too, should be taught-
"...all liars shall have their part
in the lake which burns
with fire and brimstone."
(Revelation 21:8)

He Came not to Condemn...

I cannot imagine the emotions of the woman caught in an adulteress act after her accusers left and she was alone with Jesus. What kind of woman was she really?
(John 8:3) Certainly she was in an unhappy marriage. Maybe her husband had made her feel worthless so she had allowed herself to become so degraded and used by another male who according to the Law should have been dragged there for stoning also. There is some reason that Jesus did not condemn her. He knew her exact circumstances and motives. But He left her know that she was sinning and from that moment on she could quit and sin no more. The Son had set her free and she could from hence forth be a godly woman!

A Church Sign

This quote on a church marque
that I saw yesterday is striking.

"IS THE SON IN YOUR EYES?"

Only the Cross

I like this statement in "My Utmost"
on John 6:63-"The words I speak to you
are spirit and they are life."

Oswald Chambers wrote,
"It is never sharing of experiences that
saves people,
but the truth of redemption-
the preaching of the gospel."

I am reading Oswald Chambers
biography and I wish I had read
it many years ago when I first
read his books.
He was quite young when he
wrote those timeless writings.

Paul determined to preach only
"...Jesus Christ and Him crucified."
(I Cor. 2:2)

The Fruits of Freedom

Psalm 126 has all these words
expressing jubilation at the
release from captivity.

It is our experience also
as we experience release
from the bondages of sin,
habit, and negative thoughts
and attitudes.

LAUGHTER
GLADNESS
JOY
REJOICING

These are the fruits of freedom.