WHEN GOD GETS ATTITUDE

Angry God with Attitude
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GOD has had as many identities thrust upon HIM as there are people.

We each have our own idea as to Who HE is, how HE feels about certain things, what makes HIM tick, and what HE likes and doesn't like. Our composite concept of GOD controls how we relate to HIM.

We would profit by allowing the word of GOD to define HIM in total and not see HIM from only one view point. Since this is a life long effort it would be good to start at a young age. This is important for HE deals with us differently as we grow up.

While Jesus said bring the little children to me - - He dealt differently with the grown ups.

One thing we could agree on is that at times "GOD GETS ATTITUDE."

Case in point is the Garden of Eden. Everything was copasetic until they crossed GOD, and then the party was over.

Disobedience really ticks GOD off. As we construct the mental picture of GOD one thing that stands out is that there is only one, and that is GOD'S way and big lessons should be learned from that.

Another event where GOD got attitude was in the days of Noah. This is described in Genesis 6:5 The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.

This prompted HIM to say; “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever,” meaning that enough will be enough.

So it was men, women and children were all drowned, except Noah and his family. Any time we decide to disobey GOD we run the risk of mimicking Adam and open up ourselves to severe correction.

It is astounding the different concepts of GOD you find in different Denominations. The same Bible but different interpretations leads us to different conclusions. Paul tried to find some common ground for faith within the early church.

Romans 14:5 One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

The only problem to this is our conviction must conform to what the scriptures actually says, and not what we wish they said or what we think they should have said, or what someone else had convinced us it says.

Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

How does your concept of GOD come across? What does it allow you to do without offending HIM? Are you sure you have it right? You are probably doing pretty good but don't forget the "Fear and trembling" part for our GOD is an Awesome GOD.

Enjoy this lovely song: 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j9zQG7Ik80k&feature=related

This post has been linked to Michelle’s Thought Provoking Thursday
Also linked to Faith Barista Jam Thursdays  

AM I UNHAPPY?

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Strange as it seems you can go through life and never be sure if you are really happy for there is no measuring stick for happiness.

We can limit our happiness by measuring it by degrees. For one thing there are too many elements for being happy. Everything that has or will touch you in some way becomes part of the equation. There are too many things to mention but to name a few, your education, your thoughts that condemn you such as: I could have done better, should have got more but it wasn't that important at the time, and now I am suffering for it.

We can see failure everywhere if we just look for it and are ruled by our past. Your looks, even if you are pretty, you are not sure if everyone thinks you are, so you spend your time and money trying to correct your perceived flaws. I knew a minister who jokingly said; I think an apprentice angel must have worked on my nose because it isn't exactly what I wanted.

Cosmetic surgery has been the rage for the last sixty years. Bigger this and less of that will surly make me feel good about myself. Sometimes husbands want their wives to undergo the knife so he can be proud of her.

As a boy I receive great deal of education from the national geographic magazine. We were too poor to subscribe for them but they were at the library. I was astounded at some of the things I saw. There were articles where people native to Africa did hideous things to be accepted within their tribes. They would actually stick bones in their body. Cut their flesh to make scars and make permanent markings in their skin.

Of course one shouldn't blame them for they were illiterate, primitive people seeking for self esteem !!

This has been a heathen practice from the beginning and will be till the end.

It is interesting that there are tattooers for Jesus suckering Christians into paying them money to disfigure them

Leviticus 19:28 You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD.

The tattoo people try to defend their practice by saying well GOD didn't like it under the law but He changed HIS mind after Christ came, and some simple minded fools will unwisely buy that explanation.

If you are not happy without a piercing or tattoo you are not going to be happy after getting them.



Beaten with many Stripes

 If you want marks on your body do it the old fashion way like Paul did and suffer many beatings for preaching the gospel.

Galatians 6:17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcjK9yyER1Q

This post is Linked with

Tracy at Winsome Wednesday

and with Jennifer at: God-Bumps and God-Incidences.
 http://gettingdownwithjesus.com/

WAR AND PEACE

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War and peace, a novel written by Tolstoy of which he said; “His aim was to blur the line between fiction and history in order to get closer to the truth.”

In today's world much of what we are being fed is a fiction represented as truth and we are expected to fall for it.

An illusion is propagated through out the world in the form of philosophy that is intended to separate the Christian from his GOD. While this has being going on since the time of Christ it has been refined and is more subtle than ever before.

Not only is the modus operandi to separate us from GOD but it is also to separate us from one another. To turn us against one another thereby fragmenting the body of Christ and rendering it impotent in the world we live in.

An example of this division can be seen by looking at the civil war where Christian men on both sides of the war fought and killed each other by the thousands. Brothers in Christ killing, and being killed over power, money and philosophy. It wasn't about freeing the slaves for this would have occurred without bloodshed, and would have run its course.


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 Within denominations people are being set against one another over whether to allow the unconverted to fill the pulpits and preach the gospel of feigned tolerance.

Jesse Penn Lewis's book "The war on the saints" says; "To-day there is a special onslaught of deceiving spirits upon the Church of Christ, the fulfillment of the prophecy which the Holy Spirit expressly made known to the Church through the Apostle Paul, (1 Timothy 4:1) that a great deceptive onslaught would take place in the "later times."

This Book by Jesse Penn Lewis was written a hundred years ago, and some modern day saints may not have the appetite for her style but the truth is in this publication. This book is available to view online at; http://www.acts1711.com/Contents.html  give it a look!

There is no single voice for our beliefs and the reason seems to be there is no one who can be trusted to that extent. If those who claim to be a Christian spoke in unison they could change this nation but what we have today is the modern day version of the Tower of Babel.

Judges 17:6 In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Where the King doesn't rule there is chaos.

This post is Linked to Shanda’s  On your Heart Tuesday

SO MANY VOICES

It always amazes me the difference between the sounds of voices even in the animal kingdom (especially dogs) there are certain distinctions in tonal qualities. I used to hunt at night, and as our dogs were off in the distance and barking we could not only tell which dog it was, but also just how hot on the trail they were.

1Corinthians 14:10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

Many singers we loved have passed on, but today when their records are played they are recognized by their voice. Who could mistake Jimmy Durante's, “Inka-dink-adoo” song as only he could sing it. Bing Crosby, Elvis and Kate Smith singing, “God bless America.” In the movies Orsen Wells, Red Skelton, Roy Rogers and Bob Hope all were recognized when they spoke.

There is another way a person's voice is still recognized, and that is by the words they spoke. Hebrews 11:4 By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings.  And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.

The woman who had an issue of blood is known by the words, “If I may only touch the hem of His garment”

And we echo Joshua's bold words, "As for me and my house we will serve the Lord".

We know Jesus by the words He spoke and then by the Holy Spirit, further revealing Him to us.

One might ask, “How important are my words?”

I know if I speak long enough I will reveal much about my character for sooner or later my true self will come out. At times what I don't say will tell who I am. Two scriptures inform us about words of muddiness.

Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

The Apostle Paul's message to Titus was; Titus 2:1,8 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

After hearing the speech of the masses I wonder whose voice are they listening to? Judging from what they are saying it isn't always the voice of GOD.

As we listen to what we ourselves are saying it may reveal whose voice we are listening to. May it be the voice of the heavenly dove. Matthew 3:16b he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

May your words speak grace to the hearer.

Linked up today with Michelle’s Hear it on Sunday Use it on Monday
Also linked with Joan Davis Sharing His Beauty

FACING REALITY

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Having to face reality of everyday life is something we all have to stand in front of.

In most cases the things are small and we can just sluff it off and go on. Many of these annoyances are just the cost of living, but nevertheless they are the source of stress in our lives.

Like the little foxes that spoil the vines these small irritants take their toll.

The more serious effect of these small annoyances is they set you up for just "Losing it" when they build up and then a seemingly small thing comes up. They can take you to the edge where very little can set you off.

After such an episode you may not be able to explain just how such a nothing event set you off. Like the proverbial “Straw that broke the camel’s back.”

Then there are the major misfortunes that within a few moments devastate you and turn your entire world upside down. Among some of the more prevalent things are a financial reversal, an unfaithful mate, the sudden death of a loved one and being disappointed in yourself for not living up to your expectations.

There is little defense against any of these things for they seem to come out of nowhere. The feeling of depression is what follows the events as described above and hope seems lost. The effects of lost self esteem results in depressed attitudes if you have a strong value system. People with a low value system are not affected by distress because they do not care about anything or anybody and have very little concern about themselves.

Where we place our values has a lot to do with how or if we are able to recover from such episodes. The emphasis we place upon our Christian experience and relationship with our Savior can either strengthen or weaken our restoration to what we desire to be our normality.

The most popular recovery method today is drugs and therapy but when it comes right down to it I believe one of the best treatments is found in the Bible.

You need to go no farther than the 23rd Psalm. The emphasis on the words; "He restoreth my soul" is the greatest move toward recovery, the key being to let Him restore your soul. Nothing can change the past and so often problems will continue to persist but a daily reading of this Psalm can mitigate the on going effects.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;

For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;

You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life;

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.

Every Christian should view the site below don't miss it!
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Linked with Charlotte’s Spiritual Sundays

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IN THE BEGINNING

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In Genesis we have the words “In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth,” and the tendency is to think in terms of this is where it all began.

A study of the scriptures reveal that the earth's creation was the result of planning that occurred in times eternal. While the information is somewhat limited we know that GOD'S dwelling place was an extremely busy place.

Even today there is much action going on that isn't directly affecting the earth even though we have a self centered view of the work of GOD.

Moses description of creation is very limited in scope, and is what you might call "To make a long story short." He limits his dissertation to just the facts and they are often challenged due to it's brevity.

In answer to this line of thinking let us view two scriptures the first being; John 1:3 God created everything through him (Christ), and nothing was created except through him.

And John 21:25Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

How much information is enough?

Some wish to have a scientific explanation for each and everything, with details that exclude every facet of the unknown. As the scriptures above indicate that there is far too much about GOD'S workings for man to ever grasp a small portion of HIS greatness and we have to settle for "A need to know basis," which is adequate for bringing us to CHRIST and to either accept his salvation or reject it.

In our world today we are put upon to the degree that we have to use "blocks" on our computers and phones. We also use blocks when we are faced with dire circumstances, it is called "Being in denial."

Romans 12:3 says GOD has dealt to every man a measure of faith. When the promise of salvation is known this faith when used can result in the salvation of the individual.

But if the person puts up blocks of unbelief instead of using their GOD given faith the result is that the sinner is still a sinner.

You hear all kinds of defense for their unbelief and declarations of being an atheist but in reality they are just a sinner who has failed to use his GOD given faith as the Spirit constantly convicts him of his need of a savior.

They go to great lengths to convince themselves that they are right. They do and will suffer for it.

This post has been linked to Michelle’s Thought Provoking Thursday

Reach Out and Touch the Lord

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The mind is amazing as it hides stuff away for many years, and out of nowhere it will bring forth a thought.

The song "Reach Out and Touch the Lord" has been hidden for over fifty years in my recollection, and just the other day it came silently out of the darkness and lo it was alive and active in my mind. Things you think have disappeared still abide within your mind.

Reach Out and Touch the Lord

(1) If your heart is sad and lonely, there's no joy anywhere.

If there’s no one left to comfort, and there's no one left to care.

Just cast your cares on Jesus and upon His arms rely,

And reach out and touch the Lord as He walks by.

Chorus:

Reach out and touch the Lord as he walks by

You'll find him not to busy to hear your heart’s cry.

He is passing by this moment your needs to supply.

Reach out and touch the Lord as he walks by.

(2) On a dark and stormy night on the sea of Galilee,

The disciples were so fearful of the fury of the sea.

When upon the raging water walked the blessed Lord of Life,

He calmed the troubled waters as he walked by.

(3)When upon the dusty waste side on his way to raise the dead,

Mighty was the throng that pressed him hungry for the living bread.

I must touch him cried a women, I must touch him ere I die,

She reached out and touched the Lord as he walked by.

Revelations 20:11-12 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works."

This and other scriptures indicate that all will be judged by what is written in the books and I suspect that our minds will bear witness that what is written is true.

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spUm8NT7UZc&feature=related

Linking up with Tracy at Winsome Wednesday