Toil, Trouble, Trials and Tribulation, part 3

by David Saunders

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.  Psalm 91 verses 1 & 14 KJV

Thus saith the Lord God Creator of the Cosmos who has purposed to have you repentant, sanctified and holy and he will not be denied.  This was established in the previous two installments of this series.

This is important to understand.  It is knowledge that will prevent you from being destroyed.  You must know the name of your God.  When the word name is used in this context it means to know the nature and character of the one referred to.  In the previous portions of this teaching God’s purpose for the ages was presented as a way of revealing His nature and character.  This purpose is the reconciling of all things to God so that the entire creation and all God’s children may be in right relationship with him.  The process of accomplishing this task is the increase of the Kingdom of God until it attains dominion over all things opposed to the King’s purpose.  Once dominion is accomplished the Kingdom will be delivered to the Father by his children that God may be all in all. 

Toil, Trouble, Trials and Tribulation, part 2

by David Saunders

The answer to the question often asked-“Why me, Lord?

 And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.  But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.         2 Peter 3:15-20 English Standard Version (ESV)

Toil, Trouble, Trials and Tribulation, part 1

by David Saunders


The answer to the question often asked- "Why me, Lord?"


My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

-Hosea 4:6a (ESV)

Maybe we should try to avoid that being destroyed thing.  Maybe this will help.  Rush Limbaugh, a favorite of conservative political talk radio fans, is fond of saying “words mean things.”  I like this idea a lot.  I like it even more when it is applied to the study of the Scriptures.  I think Rush Limbaugh uses the phrase “words mean things” to convey the concept that there are definitive ideas attached to words that regardless of traditions, intentions, hopes, or wishes still exist.  This is partially true.  It is partially true because a word may mean one thing to the writer and another to the reader.  The task before us as disciples of Jesus is to allow our minds to capture the original idea intended to be communicated by the Scriptures. 

Expecting Big Things

by Keith Gardner

A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah." Jesus then left them and went away (Matthew 16:4 NIV).

I like seeing God move. It is a joy to see my Heavenly Father do great things for His children, of which I am one. I often refer to Matthew 6 where Jesus in teaching his disciples (and us) to not worry about the necessities of life; clothes and food, because our Heavenly Father know we need such things and He will take care of us. I also like the scripture; "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him”! (Matthew 7:9-11 NIV). These verses remind me of just how loving and caring God is. But, if God loves doing these wondrous things for His children, then why would Jesus call us “adulterous” when we look for such miracles?

Reconciled

by Keith Gardner

Genesis 3:8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

Have you ever asked yourself the question; why did God choose the method He chose to reconcile man to Himself? You know what I mean! Why did God do things the way He did? He removed Adam and Eve from the garden, but gave them another chance. He removed Cain from his family, but gave him another chance. He destroyed the earth in a flood, but gave man (through Noah) another chance. He made a people of His own (the Israelites), and they failed Him, but He gave them another chance. He sent His son Jesus, to live and die as a man to give us another chance. Why?

Cat Wisdom

by Linda Hagen

I accidently eavesdropped on a discussion the other day, between my dog and my cat. They were lazing about on the big front porch in the sun, and didn't know I was listening from just around the corner.  I've been favored before on rare occasions, to hear such conversations amongst my animal friends. I've always felt privileged to share in their secrets and am always stunned by their perspective and wisdom.

Unity On Division Street

by Linda Hagen

As you read this story (which is true by the way, as are all my stories), you might think to yourself, "Obviously this is a story illustrative of the illegal immigration situation, or the end of Apartheid in South Africa, or Christianity in America, or the children of Israel wandering in the desert, or New Life Church, or life controlling additions.

And you could be right.