GOD WHY ME?

Psalm 34:1-3“I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.”

Several times, people ask this very question which implies that God has either abandoned them or that, He no longer cares. In challenging situations they ask, ‘God why me’? In depressing times they ask’ God why me’? But never do these same people  ask ‘God, Why me‘? when they are enjoying success and abounding in blessings..

But challenges and trials confront us all at some point in life. It is only by the mercies of God that we are not consumed in them, for God’s love for us is new each passing day. Bearing this in mind, during overwhelming times, God expects us to understand that; “it is not of him that wills, nor of Him that runs, but of God that shows mercy” – Romans 9:16

Have you ever asked ‘God why me’? – For making you see a new day. Have you asked Him, ‘God why me’? – that Jesus shed His blood to redeem you from the bondage of Satan. Have you asked God why me?, that you are not in prison (many people are there without even committing any crime) Have you asked ‘God why me’? – for healing you of illnesses that killed other people. Have you asked ‘God why me’? – For rescuing you from disasters that consumed many other people. Have you asked ‘God why me’? That you can see with your eyes, breath normally without a life-support, you are mentally healthy, you can eat normal food, you have access to clean drinkable water, etc. Many people dream of what you have, but, can’t possess them.

If you can begin to ask, ‘God why me’? in a positive manner, that is, remembering and acknowledging God’s goodness, it will amaze you what God did, does and is doing in your life. For once, ignore whatever it is that is keeping you awake through the night and start celebrating the faithfulness of God in and all around you. 

Now think twice before you say GOD WHY ME?

Amen.

SUFFERING WHY?

1. In Genesis 3, we are told that humanity brought suffering into the world by rejecting God’s authority. As our just and good Father, God wants to protect us. But when we choose to sin, He honors the free will He graciously gives us. He may allow us to experience the consequences of our actions.

He does so not to rub our noses in our suffering, but to show us why living to His standard is good for us. And here’s the real good news: each time we repent, God is always faithful to dust us off and forgive us. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us! God doesn’t hold grudges; we get a fresh start every time. That alone should demonstrate the depth of love and grace God has for us.

2. Sometimes we experience suffering not because we have sinned, but because we need to grow. Suffering is the classroom where deep growth can happen, if we buckle down and become good students. God wants us to mature, to consistently demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit: kindness, goodness, patience, love, joy, hope, self-control, etc. Learning to play nice with messy, self-absorbed people will require numerous trips to this classroom.

Remember that God isn’t focused on our perfection, but our improvement. He’s after committed hearts that quickly default to repentance and obedience. We can take joy in seeing our growth, knowing it pleases Him!

3. Sometimes we suffer because of the wrong choices — the free will — of others. Yet the Bible gives us this hope: that what others mean for evil, God will work out for our good. Remember what Joseph said to his brothers, after seeing them cower before him as the second-in-command of Egypt? “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” 

Note that God was able to move Joseph from lowly slave to Pharaoh’s trusted advisor because Joesph held firm to his trust that God had a purpose for his years of suffering. Joseph’s attitude brought God glory. And the various skills and maturity that Joseph built up over the years as a slave and prisoner made him into the strong, resourceful man that the world would desperately need when the famine hit.

Don’t assume that because you’re suffering that God does not care. Watch to see how He shows up. Watch to see your own growth. Watch to see how, like Joseph, you become the person God can use for big assignments! When we look at suffering in that perspective, we can view it as painful, but productive. 

God loves us unconditionally. So we can trust that whatever we’re going through, He is with us. But recognize this: if you continually question God’s goodness when you experience suffering, it might be because you don’t yet fully believe that God loves you.

Friends, without this trust as your firm foundation, your faith will always wobble. You will waste a lot of time not trusting God. And you just might miss out on seeing how He orchestrates your periods of difficulty and suffering to produce good and reflect His power and glory. Trust God!

I pray this answers SUFFERING WHY?

Expectancy!

If we expect God to speak to us then we’ll probably hear him. If we don’t, then we probably won’t.

Now, I realize that’s quite a bold statement, but I observe the reality of it frequently, both in my own life and in my Church. Expectancy is such a vital component of hearing God’s voice and if we’re going to operate in prophetic gifts we need to have a well-developed sense of expectation that God is going to do something and say something today.

Expectancy goes hand in hand with Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 14:1 to eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. If we’re going to pursue these wonderful gifts we need to first of all desire them and then be expectant of the Spirit’s generosity and faithfulness in giving them to us.

Expectancy comes from knowing to a greater and greater degree the truth of who God is – relentlessly good and amazingly generous – and the truth of who we are – beloved children, filled with the very Spirit of truth and revelation. God is our perfect heavenly Father who delights to speak to his children; he wants us to hear his voice. An expectant mindset is nurtured as we root ourselves in the truth of our covenant identity and the kingdom purposes for which God has called us. Life in the Spirit means every moment of every day is pregnant with possibilities.

In order to grow our expectancy we need to recognise the things that can thwart and frustrate it: disappointment and fear of failure being two of the usual suspects. We have to persevere in our pursuit of God’s voice. Developing expectancy is a daily choice and an attitude to cultivate. Having a mindset of expectancy means that we have developed a particular way of thinking: “I’m a child of God; of course he’s going to speak to me, and he’s going to use me to be a channel of blessing for others. 

Each one of us needs to be growing our expectancy as individuals, but we also need to be developing a culture of expectancy in our churches. A healthy, mature prophetic culture is one in which people are excited and expectant that whenever we gather together God is present and active in our midst and that the Spirit of Revelation might just show up with some incredible truth to share with us: a community that expects to hear God with a corporate attitude of expectancy. Too often the reason we’re not seeing the kingdom of God break out in our midst with signs and wonders is because we’re not actually expecting God to do very much.

Expectancy flows from the presence of God and a renewed mind: it’s first and foremost an internal process, where we shape our way of thinking. But there is also an external process, a practical aspect of cultivating expectancy, where we intentionally create space to hear God and create opportunities to use the gift of prophecy. It’s often as simple as making room to listen to God, actively seeking his revelation together. Whenever we’re gathered we can get in the habit of saying, “Let’s just wait on the Lord for a few minutes…” 

We can practice expectancy by starting every day in joyful anticipation of an encounter with God’s heart and his voice. And by asking him about who we might meet and how he wants to bless them. Let’s believe the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:11

How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

REVELATION THE GREAT UNVEILING!

Let me start off by defining UNVEILING - Unveiling; disclosure; uncovering; exposure; when something is made known that was previously secret or hidden

This is how dictionaries tend to define the word ‘revelation’. When I think about the word, I see it as describing the essence of communication between God and man. Revelation is the unveiling of God’s truth to us, the point at which the vastness of God’s thoughts touch our limited human consciousness.

When we stop and think about it, it is extraordinary that we might have any kind of access to the mind of Almighty God. As he declares in Isaiah 55:9,

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways,  and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

Yet despite the huge gulf between the mind of the Creator and the human mind, the Bible makes it clear that God readily chooses to communicate with people and unveil his thoughts to us. In fact revelation is inherent to the very nature of God. It’s not just through the written words of scripture that this happens. Throughout the biblical narrative God speaks to people: through creation, through angels and other supernatural experiences, but primarily through his voice.

We know that all creation bears testimony to God and speaks of his majesty, but we can also understand revelation as connection points between the physical world and the supernatural kingdom of God: points in space and time where we get glimpses of the realm of glory. So when we receive revelation from God it’s as if the curtains draw back for a few moments and we get to gaze through a window onto the greater and eternal reality.

God is very good, and it is his good intention that his people have access to his heart, mind and will. We also know that this side of glory there are limitations to what we can perceive: it will be ‘in part,’ like ‘a reflection as in a mirror,’ as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:9 and 12. But we need never settle for silence. He will never be completely hidden from us.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES....!

Let me start with this first, if you “truly” know Christ as your personal Savior, you are safe in His hands (John 10:27-33).  All things will truly work out for your good, no matter how difficult life may be.  As we move closer to His return (Romans 8:28-39), look up the passages and be blessed.

SIGNS:

The storm clouds are gathering over nations, especially Israel and America.

A review of Matthew 24 and 25,  presents many clear signs of the times.  Many people {individually} today, both saved and unsaved appear to be interested in world events and the Biblical teaching of Christ’s soon return.  The strange thing is the quietness found in most pulpits today about this enormously, exciting Biblical truth.  Pulpits are not warning the people of II Corinthians 5:10.  Even though the mandate for preachers is to preach the “whole” counsel of God, many pastors are fearful that folks will leave the church if they follow God’s direction for their ministry.(see Ephesians 4:11-12; II Peter 1:20-21; Matthew 5:18; II Timothy 3:16-17 and II Timothy 4:1-5)

So why do folks not realize they are supposed to bring glory and pleasure to God and not themselves. (Isaiah 43:7; Revelation 4:11)

The reality is that the truth has not been explained to them.  Why do they not realize that they must give an account to Christ for their lifestyle.  Simple, they haven’t been told.  Why are Christians not concerned over living a pleasure oriented lifestyle and not concerned about carry out God’s commands. (like John 13:34-35; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; Galatians 6:1, etc.)

Again, it’s pretty simple, “They have not been told the Biblical truth”.  Or, if they have been told, they don’t believe it.  Or, they like their sinful lifestyle more than obedience to the One who purchased them from the slave market of sin.

One of the vital signs of the end times is “apostasy“{a withdrawal from Biblical truth}.

Satan has blinded the eyes of many who profess to believe in Christ.  He (Satan) is a liar and a deceiver and many follow the doctrines of demons rather than Biblical truth.(Leviticus 17:7; Psalms 106:37; I Corinthians 10:20-21; I Timothy 4:1; Revelation 13:4)

 Worship of demonic doctrine is forbidden by God. (Leviticus 17:7; Zechariah 13:2; Revelation 9:20)  What is needed today?  Christians need to not blindly follow everything they hear but be like the people at Berea and search the Scriptures daily to “find out whether these were so”. (Acts 17:11)

Christians need to be concerned because our Lord warned in Matthew 24:12, that apostasy would abound in the latter days.

The Apostle Paul warned of apostasy in the latter days. (II Thessalonians 2:3 and again in I Timothy 4:1-3; cf Jude 3-19)

Example, if one is attending a church that agrees with abortion, homosexuality, same sex marriage, a need not to study the Bible, etc., then there is a responsibility to withdraw and attend where they can be taught truth.  It is vital to be able to appear before Christ and not be ashamed. (II Corinthians 5:10)

Let's take a look at Ruth!

In this Bible story we learn that Naomi and Ruth have both become widows. 

With limited means, and lacking the protection of husbands, the women face a grim future. 

Yet Ruth demonstrates integrity, loyalty, and love when she chooses to forsake her country of Moab after Naomi, her mother-in-law, decides to return home to Judah. Ruth’s decision is incredibly selfless; before her lies an arduous journey and a lifetime of service to Naomi. Naomi encourages Ruth to stay in Moab and find a new husband, but Ruth is not having it.

“Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you,” Ruth doggedly pledges. “Where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your GOD, my GOD” (Ruth 1:16).

Don’t miss this: Ruth is ALL IN. In making her decision, Ruth also chooses GOD and His ways without reservation.

GOD blesses Ruth for her humility and servant attitude. He not only gives her a wealthy husband (a relative of Naomi’s, which also restores Naomi’s good fortune and social standing), but also a baby who becomes the grandfather of King David, a direct ancestor of Jesus. 

What I love about this story is GOD’s provision. Neither woman, as they imagined their bleak futures, had any inkling that GOD was directing their steps to bless them and accomplish His plans to bring Jesus to earth. 

BEWARE OF THE SPIRIT OF JEALOUSY!

Jealousy is listed by the Apostle Paul as a work of the flesh in Galatians 5:20, and will keep one from entering into heaven (Galatians 5:21). Webster defines jealousy as: "resentfully envious." It is a trait that has its roots in darkness (Romans 13:12-13). 

When one is filled with jealousy, it keeps them from being rationale about other things that are happening around them. A jealous individual is filled with resentment and often times has a negative outlook on life.

What Causes Jealousy?

There are several things that cause one to become jealous. Some of these things include ignorance (Romans 1:28-29), vainglory (Galatians 5:26), and carnality (1 Corinthians 3:3). But I feel that the number one thing that causes most people to be jealous is selfishness. 

Paul wrote: "he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself" (1 Timothy 6:4-5). The self-seeking individual who cares only about himself is usually the one that also becomes engulfed in jealousy.

What Are the Results of Jealousy?

James writes: "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there" (James 3:16). Jealousy keeps one from being rationale and as a result confusion exists. When one becomes confused they are then more likely to succumb to evil deeds. Solomon wrote: "Wrath is cruel and anger a torrent, but who is able to stand before jealousy?" (Proverbs 27:4).

A certain destruction will await all those who are filled with the sin of jealousy. Therefore, cast this evil away (2 Peter 2:1), and learn to love your fellow man. Paul wrote: "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;" (1 Corinthians 13:4). Recognize jealousy for what it really is, cast it aside, and live by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Don’t let jealousy get a whole of you.

                                                STAY FAITHFUL TO THE END!

God has promised us that if we are with Him then He will be with us. 

Azariah the prophet of God spoke to King Asa and said, “The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you” (2 Chronicles 15:2). 

You can read about King Asa in chapters 14-16 of 2 Chronicles. 

When Asa sought God then he was blessed in all that he did. He was able to destroy an Egyptian army of a million men because he sought God first. 

As a result of his reliance on God, he and the kingdom of Judah enjoyed 35 years of peace. In chapter 16 we learn that God forsook Asa because he began to leave God out of his decisions. In the 41st year of Asa’s reign, he became diseased in his feet and still did not seek the Lord’s help. Asa died having devoted the first 35 years of his life in faithful service to God but unfortunately he made some very foolish decisions, not relying on God as he did earlier in his life and service as the King of Judah.

The life of King Asa should teach all of us something today. Hanani, the prophet spoke these powerful words: 

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him...” (2 Chronicles 16:9). 

We can know that if we will dedicate our life fully and completely to God, then God will prosper us. But if we choose to put anyone or anything ahead of Him, then we will not prosper. To the loyal Christian, God is our strength, hope, and salvation. Stay the course! Continue to be “.....steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). We must be faithful until the very end of our life here on earth in order to receive the crown of righteousness (Revelation 2:10).

STAY FAITHFUL TO THE END!

                              DOING THE WILL OF GOD!

I’m sure you have probably heard someone say before "it’s my life, I can do what I want to." While it is true that the life we have is ours, we cannot do what we want to with it if we really want to be pleasing to God. 

The Bible says, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are" 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). 

Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in us. God created us and expects us to be obedient to Him in all things. 

The Apostle Paul wrote, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). 

We need to understand that we are here only because God created us and that our obligation in life is to make sure that we please Him in all things. Christians have been baptized into Christ and have made a vow before God to live for Christ each day for the rest of our life. Baptism puts us into Christ (Galatians 3:27) and into His body, and the church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23). 

When we die, our soul will return to God who gave it to us in the first place (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Our eternal resting place will be in heaven or hell, depending on who we have really served while on this earth (2 Corinthians 5:10; Matthew 6:24). 

Lastly as Christians, we must ensure that we are living our lives for Christ, not for ourselves or others. Jesus will judge us in the last day, nobody else (John 12:48).  In the end can it be said that we were REALLY doing the will of the Lord?  I say Do the Will of God!

BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD!

Paul wrote in Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."

This instruction given to the saints at Rome is also needed by all Christians today. We live in a world which subjects us to various pressures, calling upon us to "conform." Because "every one else" dresses immodestly, uses vulgar language, is involved in the mad pursuit of material things, is intent on the things of this life that are pleasurable, etc., etc., Christians are under heavy temptation to do likewise.

When many encourage such activities, excuse sin by saying; "when in Rome, do as the Romans do," remember that Paul wrote to those who were in Rome and told them to not do as the Romans do. He said, "Be not conformed to this world." It doesn't matter how popular and widespread sin and ungodliness may be. It doesn't excuse sinful conduct nor make such practices more acceptable. 

Christians are called upon by Titus 2:12 to deny ungodliness and worldly lust and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. This we must do, regardless of what those around us do, and regardless of what they say. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14 and 16, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

The life of a Christian is to be different - a pure, clean, wholesome kind of difference that others may see. It's sad indeed when our conduct can't be distinguished from that of the worldly people around us. How about you? Are you careful to conduct yourself correctly in all your relationships in life? Do you keep your life clean and your practice pure? Do you know what God has said about living our lives here on earth in preparation for eternity?

BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD!