Sowing & Reaping

Today’s message comes to us from Psalm 85. It’s very encouraging, and hopefully, it will strengthen your faith and your commitment to God.

“LORD, you were favorable to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob. You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin. Selah You withdrew all your wrath; you turned from your hot anger.” These are verses 1-3 of the psalm. (ESV) This is a reminder of our salvation; of God’s love for, and toward us. Look closely. God covered ALL of our sin, and withdrew ALL of His wrath, turning from His anger. That means when you do mess up, you can go boldly to the throne of grace, confess to Him, and be, not only forgiven, but be instructed and helped to make it right. (Heb. 4:16) Is that awesome?! Yes!

Verse 5 asks the questions: “Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger to all generations?” That was answered in part, in the first three verses. God does not punish the generations behind us for our sins, or for the sins of our fathers, and so on. (Deut. 26:24) There’s a promise regarding generational curses in (Jeremiah 31:29). “In those days they shall no longer say: “‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’” That’s a promise that we can, and will overcome those generational curses, and all the dysfunction that comes with them, in our own generation, if we’re willing. Yay, for me and my kids, and so on, and so on!

Verses 8 & 9 are the key to making that happen. “Let me hear what God the LORD will speak, for he will speak peace to his people, to his saints; but let them not turn back to folly. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, that glory may dwell in our land.”

The last four verses of the psalm show us the sowing and reaping part. “Steadfast love and faithfulness meet;
righteousness and peace kiss each other.” When we show steadfast love, we reap faithfulness, because we’re empowering trust. “Faithfulness springs up from the ground, and righteousness looks down from the sky.” The world around us (from inner circle to community) reaps the benefits, as well. “Yes, the LORD will give what is good, and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness will go before him and make his footsteps a way. When we follow in God’s footsteps, which Jesus gave us a picture of, we’re leaving footprints for others to follow.

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After His Likeness

Today’s message comes to us from Psalms 31. It gives us a picture of just how important those standards and boundaries are; and why growing up in the admonition of the LORD/Lord is best. He is, after all, our salvation-every day. (Psalm 31:1) (NIV) “In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.” 1. Know that that trap was set for your child in the garden of Eden. Our children lives are in our hands. What you teach your child today, might just save his/her life tomorrow. We let them down when we do not have standards and boundaries in place, and when we don’t enforce them. These empower us with self-control, peace, boldness, love, knowledge that pertains to daily living (rules, etc.), as well as knowledge that pertains to their needs and wants, fostering their personalities. This would include sports, hobbies, arts, social life, etc. Verse four also gives us a heads-up regarding their friends, teachers, leaders, etc. We need to screen them carefully. When we do this, they can walk powerfully in life. Verses seven and eight tell us this. “I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.” Verse ten lets us know that our attitude toward sin will either empower us, or destroy us. The choice is ours. You iniquity will cause you afflicted by temptation, weakness, and sorrow and grief. As the former wife of a drug addict, I still mourn all the losses this man experienced. And, we all know that water trickles, runs, and rushes downhill, right? Verses 11 & 12 show us, again, how Satan works to twist your thinking, to bend your will, to gain that foothold. This makes me think of a broken vessel, a city suffering for famine of the Word of God. Verse 14-18 give us a prayer to pray in times of weakness and/or stumbling. Verse 19-24 is how every prayer should end. We stir ourselves up in spirit by remembering God’s goodness toward us, and reciting His promises to us. We speak to the mountain!

Proverbs 31 is a picture of the kind of wife – and husband (there is no male of female in Christ Jesus) one should strive to be. I remember tales of my grandmother going out with grandfather to help him with his work; and vice versa. My grandmother would laugh when she talked of my grandfather and how he coddled the children; especially when they were in trouble with Mama. LOL

I did a study on Proverbs 31 last year, and posted it on smashwords.com Here’s the link: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/896505

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Bold As A Lion

Today’s message comes to us from Proverbs 28. Proverbs 28:1 tells me that I am bold as a lion. As a child of God, I should be. Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah. I’m being conformed to His image. My God says I have nothing to fear because He is my refuge and my strong tower, my help in times of trouble. Jesus also promised He will never leave me or forsake me; but He’s with me always. There’s also that first verse in Psalm 27, where King David asks, “Whom shall I fear? Of whom shall I be afraid?” God is our light and our salvation.

Keeping that in mind, Proverb 28:2 gives us a clear picture of whom should be our leader; or what kind of leadership we should have: “When a land transgresses, it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and knowledge, its stability will long continue.” Turn a couple of things around here: “When a land has many rulers, it transgresses.” This speaks, not only of idolatry. “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.” (Psalm 33:12). When you think about opposing views (Mom says no, Dad says yes), too many things on the agenda (Distraction), and everyone trying to run the show (everybody’s job gets done except his/her own-and you have constant friction as a result of personal agendas), what you have is a big mess waiting to happen. All that stuff inspires confusion, anger, bitterness, envy, and malice. (2 Cor. 13:11) – “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” As parents, you cannot create a stable and peaceful environment if you’re not of one accord, and constantly oppose each other. Stability, knowledge, and wisdom go hand in hand; each one empowers the others.

Proverbs 28:4, 5, and 10 remind us that our duty, and especially as parents, is to fight wickedness; to strive against it. The knowledge of the LORD brings us the understanding of justice, we’re told in verse 5. Verse ten is a revelation about sowing and reaping. “Whoever misleads the upright into an evil way will fall into his own pit, but the blameless will have a goodly inheritance.” Parents will suffer the consequences of misleading their children into sin. (teen pregnancies, drugs and alcohol, sloth, disrespect, idolatry, etc.) Proverbs 28:13 is a powerful revelation about what might be hindering your progress; especially in terms of overcoming. Proverbs 28:18-19 remind us that integrity (truth,honesty), which requires boldness, by the way, delivers us from sin. This is also a two-fold thing. Integrity should also help you recognize your sin, and help you overcome it. Proverbs 28:23 tells us that correction is better than flattery. We prosper as our soul prospers. You are your land. Be bold as a lion in maintaining its standards and boundaries!

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The Power Of Life & Death

Today’s message is part two of Psalm 12. As I was studying this, I found a connection between (Psalm 12:6) “The words of the LORD are pure words, like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times“, and (Proverbs 6:16-19) “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.”

When we look at this in terms of the power of life and death being in the tongue, and in terms of what is in the heart determining what comes out, or manifests itself in our lives, we get a powerful revelation. This gives us a checklist to help guide and direct us in our dealings with others. This is especially important when we’re parenting children, and dealing with loved ones. But, Jesus also said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. (Matt. 5:9) This checklist helps us to bring peace and life to a situation, rather than death and destruction. I’ve outlined them below.

Haughty eyes -When we think that we’re better than others, lording over them in arrogance. We’re not better than anyone else; we’re all better off than others at various times, in various situations, and ways because we are children of God and have His love, wisdom, and power and protection. See, that’s not anything that we did, or do, on our own.
A lying tongue -Lying weaves a web that everyone can be destroyed in. I believe this is something based in and brought on by fear. Jesus said, “The truth will set you free.” (John 8:32) Jesus is the truth, the way, and the life; so we can see by this, that truth is the way to bring life, and to empower it.
Shedding innocent blood can also be done by a vengeful spirit, cruel words, and malicious intent. These are all destructive of spirit. “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22) This is why we’re told to guard our hearts; the issues of life flow from the heart. (Proverbs 4:23) “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” Jesus told us that the good man out of the good stored up in his heart brings forth good, and the man out of the evil stored up in his heart brings forth evil. Words are seeds; and they take root in the heart.
A heart for wickedness is vengeful, malicious, against God and His law, likes to destroy, make trouble, and instill fear, doubt, dejection/manipulate your emotions.
A false witness is a slanderer, and instigator, troublemaker, and a gossip.
A sower of discord does the same thing through manipulation. Numbers 4-6 are all connected.
Feet that hastily run to evil belong to a scoffer or mocker, to one who has a heart for evil. This person joins in with evil-doers, has a mob mentality (many against one), and vengeance is this person’s first choice in response to an offense. Proverbs 12 gives us the promise that the root of the righteous will never be removed. This means that every generation of a child of God will have a remnant; from the very first-which was Adam and Eve, to the very last generation of this age. Praise God! This proverb is filled with teachings about justice, truth, mercy, and grace, as well as teachings about right attitudes, speech and counsel, and actions. Verse 11 admonishes us that working that field we find the pearls in (the Word of God) and implementing the things we learn from it, will bring us victorious life.

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In You And For You

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we can be certain God is working in us, and for us. We are reminded that victory depends on work and prayer. When we pray with certainty of His promises, His will for us, and His love for us, we are empowered to work to achieve the success and victory. I chose this song by Casting Crowns to go with this message.

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Believing Is Seeing

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that feeling is not an indicator of whether or not we have God’s love. Jesus said, “Blessed is he who believes and has not seen.” So, on those days when we don’t feel as if He’s with us, we know He is; because He promised never to leave us or forsake us. “Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age,” our Lord said.

I know it’s been a long year, and we’re all a little tired. Covid19 has taken quite a toll worldwide. But we have a God who sees and hears. He’s been with us every step of the way; and He will walk with us to the victory! Look up, for your salvation draws near.

Casting Crowns is one of my favorite group of worshippers. I hope this blesses you as much as it does me.

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He’s Been There So He’ll Be There

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, speaks to us of the loneliness we will deal with at various times in our lives. There are times we’ll feel deserted, times we’ll feel betrayed, times we’ll feel like failures…the list goes on and on. The truth, however, is that we are never deserted, never betrayed, and never failures; not in Christ Jesus. This is the truth we must hold fast to during those times. Jesus promised we will never be left or forsaken by Him. He, Himself suffered betrayal, desertion, looking to the world like He failed. He’s been there so He could be there for us. He’s been there-so He’ll be there! I hope you’ll read the message at twolisteners.org for yourselves. It’s so encouraging; especially in this time of trouble and distress for us all.

I love this song by J.D. Souther! It’s an oldie, but such a goodie; and it says it all exactly.

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Be Assured; You Are Blessed

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that we are, indeed, blessed by our Heavenly Father. Quoting directly from the message at twolisteners.org: “Assurance is the calm born of a deep certainty in Me, in my Promise, in my power to save and keep.” We are bid to gain this calm, and to hold fast to it always. Psalm 46:10 is referenced: “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” When I read that, I see that nothing can separate me from the love of God; and nothing can stand against Him. And, God will be exalted in my body, or in me, when I allow Him to be. God cannot do anything in you, or for you, until you trust Him to. When we turn to God to strengthen our faith in Him, and that calm returns, the work can begin and be done. I am reminded of the boy with the unclean spirit, whose father cried to Jesus, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24)

I broke that verse (Psalm 46:10 down word by word, once. It changed my whole perspective of who I am in Christ Jesus, and the power I do have in His Name, His Word, in Him. “Be perfect therefore, as you Father in Heaven is perfect.” (Matt. 5:48) Still -“All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.” (John 6:37) And – “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me? (Jeremiah (32:27) Know – “and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” That – That God! -The One who is truth, life, and the way. The One who does have your best interests at heart! I Am – He’s not I Was, He is everyday, all day long! God -There are numerous scriptures that attest to this. But, the one that empowers us the most is this one: Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26)

I hope you’ll be encouraged to look up every scripture about God’s love, His promises, His power, His fierce protectiveness over us. I hope you’ll write them down and speak them out loud, if you have to, every time you have to. The Word of God is alive, and every time you speak it, it will accomplish what God would have it to accomplish – IN YOU…IN YOUR LIFE.

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Walk In That Promise

Today’s message from God Calling – A.J. Russell, reminds us that God is the only source of supply. Everything else is a resource. We are bid to hold fast to that truth, and to trust and walk in God’s promises. Isaiah 45:22 is referenced; but I found some verses that outline that promise to provide for us.

(Isaiah 45:1-3) Thus says the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have grasped, to subdue nations before him and to loose the belts of kings, to open doors before him that gates may not be closed: “I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze
and cut through the bars of iron, I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.” *(Yes, we are anointed, and He has grasped our right hand.)

By this, we can clearly see that no nation, nor any king can stand against our God. He goes before us to open doors and prevent access from being cut off to us. That means you’re going to get where you need to be to be helped. He levels the exalted places; which are not only places that may try to keep us out (the exclusives), but also included are the thoughts and attitudes of others, and ourselves, that would prevent us from getting our needs met. Doors of bronze and bars of iron keep us in and out. Doors of bronze represent judgment against us. Bars of Iron represent imprisonment; in a certain class, or place (keeping you in your place), and in certain mindsets. (lack of self esteem, lack of education, etc.) God will illuminate truth for us, and reveal whatever information we may need to get where we need to be, are called to be, want to be. Yes, even our wants are of concern to Him. (Psalm 37:4) “Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” When we see God as the source of all we need, and seek Him for all we need, God reveals Himself and all we need to know, in order to receive what we need.

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One Step At A Time

Today’s message from God Calling – A. J. Russell, reminds us that the way we walk is one of uncertain future and faltering steps.

The Way is, however, not one of uncertain future. Nor do God’s steps falter. We are bid to put all fear aside and trust Him wholly. “Know,” says the message. We are admonished to walk assured of God’s promises; that He is leading, and that He will reveal Himself and His will and way to us.

The key to walking in assurance and power is to walk one step at a time. I don’t worry about whether or not God’s going to wake me up on this side – because I know that whether here or there, I will be with Him; and He will be with me. He is with us always, knows the end from the beginning, and has already prepared the victory for us. We have but to walk it out. And, the reason we do that, is to learn our true identity in Christ Jesus, and to master that identity as kings and queens in the earth. When we keep that mindset, holding fast to the truths in the Word of God, it gets a little easier to walk in assurance. One day, you realize that you’re no longer even wondering about the future, because you already know God is your future.

Someone asked me recently what I thought of all the suffering I’ve done. I told them, “I see it all practice to help me as a queen. -“Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.’” (Matthew 2:15) You see, Jesus came to serve; not to be served. That’s the mark of a great ruler; don’t you think?

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