Tuesday, March 5, 2024

GOD's quirky WAYS

 

Deuteronomy 29:29

King James Version

29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: 

but those things which are revealed 

belong unto us 

and to our children for ever, 

that we may do all the words of this law.


If you think you're going to laugh here, you're right.

If you think you've got GOD all "mapped" out, you're wrong.

GOD's got a lot of surprises, up His divine sleeve.

Do you know that He's quirky?

He makes learning about Him fun.

I fear the LORD, but I also delight in His ways.

He reveals His mysteries to the childlike heart.

He reveals His Word to the true born again.

He reveals His love to the cheerful ones.

He makes things known, through Scripture.

Oh, how His mysteries are made plain!

Through the embodiment of JESUS.


What is most delightful?

At least, to me, who loves His WORD?

He continues to confound men.

And that's when I laugh the hardest.

For GOD shows us a thing, or two.

Well, okay, at least seven instances here.

That we may understand His will, ways, and wisdom.

And yes, even His superb humor.

As these examples show.


GOD loves the few.

He chose Israel.

Deuteronomy 7:7

King James Version

7 The Lord did not set his love upon you, 

nor choose you, 

because ye were more in number than any people; 

for ye were the fewest of all people:


GOD loves the poor.

He chose Gideon.

Judges 6:14-16

King James Version

14 And the Lord looked upon him, and said, 

Go in this thy might, 

and thou shalt save Israel 

from the hand of the Midianites: 

have not I sent thee?

15 And he said unto him, 

Oh my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? 

behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, 

and I am the least in my father's house.

16 And the Lord said unto him, 

Surely I will be with thee, 

and thou shalt smite the Midianites 

as one man.


GOD loves the forgotten.

He chose David.

1 Samuel 16:10-12

King James Version

10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons 

to pass before Samuel. 

And Samuel said unto Jesse, 

The Lord hath not chosen these.

11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, 

Are here all thy children? 

And he said, 

There remaineth yet the youngest, 

and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. 

And Samuel said unto Jesse, 

Send and fetch him: 

for we will not sit down till he come hither.

12 And he sent, and brought him in. 

Now he was ruddy, 

and withal of a beautiful countenance, 

and goodly to look to. 

And the Lord said, 

Arise, anoint him: 

for this is he.


GOD loves humility.

He sent JESUS, His Son.

Isaiah 53:2-4

King James Version

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, 

and as a root out of a dry ground: 

he hath no form nor comeliness; 

and when we shall see him, 

there is no beauty that we should desire him.

3 He is despised and rejected of men; 

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: 

and we hid as it were our faces from him; 

he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, 

and carried our sorrows: 

yet we did esteem him stricken, 

smitten of God, and afflicted.


GOD loves children.

He chose Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 1:4-10

King James Version

4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; 

and before thou camest forth out of the womb 

I sanctified thee, 

and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

6 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! 

behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child.

7 But the Lord said unto me, 

Say not, I am a child: 

for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, 

and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: 

for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, 

and touched my mouth. 

And the Lord said unto me, 

Behold, 

I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, I have this day set thee 

over the nations and over the kingdoms, 

to root out, 

and to pull down, 

and to destroy, 

and to throw down, 

to build, 

and to plant.


GOD even loves the reluctant prophet.

He chose Jonah:

Jonah 1:1-2

King James Version

1 Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah 

the son of Amittai, saying,

2 Arise, 

go to Nineveh, that great city, 

and cry against it; 

for their wickedness is come up before me.


GOD loves to frighten pretenders, too.

As in apostle Paul's story.

Acts 19:11-17

King James Version

11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick 

handkerchiefs or aprons, 

and the diseases departed from them,

and the evil spirits went out of them.

13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, 

exorcists, 

took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits 

the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, 

We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.

14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, 

a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.

15 And the evil spirit answered and said, 

Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?

16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, 

and overcame them, and prevailed against them, 

so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.

17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks 

also dwelling at Ephesus; 

and fear fell on them all, 

and the name of the Lord Jesus 

was magnified.


All these you'll love about the LORD.

Who doesn't play favorites.

But gives each one of us a chance.

That we may redeem ourselves.

You really have no idea what you're missing.

When you haven't given your heart to GOD, in full.

No longer will you be a fool.


Don't you get it yet?

GOD wants to show us something.

It's all for His GLORY.

Like when He chose Israel.

Isaiah 43:21

King James Version

21 This people have I formed for myself; 

they shall shew forth my praise.


Through us -- the fewest, the poorest, the forgotten, the humblest, the children, the reluctant, the pretenders -- GOD is able to show His POWER.

Through the LEAST, GOD is able to make the GREATEST.

(And when man gets proud, the LORD does the reverse.)

Unbelievers have no idea GOD's POWER.

Matthew 19:26

King James Version

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, 

With men this is impossible; 

but with God all things are possible.


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Tuesday, January 2, 2024

NAVIGATION we need

 

Jeremiah 33:3

King James Version

3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, 

and show thee great and mighty things, 

which thou knowest not.


What makes for perfect navigation?

A map?

A guide book?

A satellite system?

A celestial system?

A bunch of gurus?

Or a different celestial system?


The born again knows.

If you want perfect navigation, turn to GOD.

SPIRIT and Scripture attest to the LORD, our GOD.

Look at how He navigates for us, and how He directs us.

Away from all possible harm:

Nehemiah 9:11

King James Version

11 And thou didst divide the sea before them, 

so that they went through the midst of the sea 

on the dry land; 

and their persecutors thou threwest into the deeps, 

as a stone into the mighty waters.


Nehemiah 9:12

King James Version

12 Moreover thou leddest them in the day 

by a cloudy pillar; 

and in the night by a pillar of fire, 

to give them light in the way 

wherein they should go.


Nehemiah 9:13

King James Version

13 Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, 

and spakest with them from heaven, 

and gavest them right judgments, 

and true laws, 

good statutes and commandments:


Job 33:14

King James Version

14 For God speaketh once, 

yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.


Job 33:15-18

King James Version

15 In a dream, 

in a vision of the night, 

when deep sleep falleth upon men, 

in slumberings upon the bed;

16 Then he openeth the ears of men, 

and sealeth their instruction,

17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, 

and hide pride from man.

18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, 

and his life from perishing by the sword.


Psalm 23:1-3

King James Version

23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: 

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: 

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness 

for his name's sake.


Psalm 32:8

King James Version

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee 

in the way which thou shalt go: 

I will guide thee with mine eye.


Psalm 37:23-24

King James Version

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: 

and he delighteth in his way.

24 Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: 

for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.


Psalm 78:13-14

King James Version

13 He divided the sea, 

and caused them to pass through; 

and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

14 In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, 

and all the night with a light of fire.


Psalm 94:12-13

King James Version

12 Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O Lord, 

and teachest him out of thy law;

13 That thou mayest give him rest 

from the days of adversity, 

until the pit be digged for the wicked.


Proverbs 3:5-6

King James Version

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; 

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, 

and he shall direct thy paths.


Proverbs 16:1-2

King James Version

16 The preparations of the heart in man, 

and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.

2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; 

but the Lord weigheth the spirits.


Isaiah 11:1-3

King James Version

11 And there shall come forth a rod 

out of the stem of Jesse, 

and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

2 And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, 

the spirit of wisdom and understanding, 

the spirit of counsel and might, 

the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

3 And shall make him of quick understanding 

in the fear of the Lord: 

and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, 

neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:


Isaiah 30:21

King James Version

21 And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, 

saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, 

when ye turn to the right hand, 

and when ye turn to the left.


Isaiah 43:15-16

King James Version

15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, 

the creator of Israel, your King.

16 Thus saith the Lord, 

which maketh a way in the sea, 

and a path in the mighty waters;


Isaiah 48:17

King James Version

17 Thus saith the Lord, 

thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; 

I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, 

which leadeth thee by the way 

that thou shouldest go.


Jeremiah 1:7-9

King James Version

7 But the Lord said unto me, 

Say not, I am a child: 

for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, 

and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: 

for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, 

and touched my mouth. 

And the Lord said unto me, 

Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.


Jeremiah 29:11

King James Version

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 

saith the Lord, 

thoughts of peace, and not of evil, 

to give you an expected end.


Mark 1:11-12

King James Version

11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, 

Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

12 And immediately the spirit driveth him 

into the wilderness.


John 8:12

King James Version

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 

I am the light of the world: 

he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, 

but shall have the light of life.


John 14:6

King James Version

6 Jesus saith unto him, 

I am the way, the truth, and the life: 

no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.


John 16:13

King James Version

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, 

he will guide you into all truth: 

for he shall not speak of himself; 

but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: 

and he will shew you things to come.


Acts 27:22-26

King James Version

22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: 

for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, 

but of the ship.

23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, 

whose I am, and whom I serve,

24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; 

thou must be brought before Caesar: 

and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: 

for I believe God, 

that it shall be even as it was told me.

26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.


Did that give you a sense of comfort?

I hope it does, for there's only GOD to trust.

Through His Son, JESUS.


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Thursday, November 23, 2023

SKETCHING the EYES


 1 Samuel 16:7

King James Version

7 But the Lord said unto Samuel, 

Look not on his countenance, 

or on the height of his stature; 

because I have refused him: 

for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; 

for man looketh on the outward appearance, 

but the Lord looketh on the heart.


It's been decades since I last sketched.

I would normally sketch eyes, effortlessly.

As if there was something about eyes, that beheld me.

But I would normally sketch lovely women's eyes.

Enjoying the curve of the eyebrows, the slant to the eyes, the long lashes, the light-colored gaze, the grace to it all.

Taking up architecture seemed to have dislodged all that.

Probably because structure replaced "freehand".

It was only today -- 44 years after -- that I held pencil and sketched again.

But this time, I sketched a face, outlining the features, and the background first.

And this time, I skirted around sketching the eyes.

It was a stranger who coaxed me into sketching him at a park.

A small group of people gathered, waiting, and watching.

I remember that stranger's beard, hair, and eyes.

And I sketched everything, BUT the eyes.

I left it for last.

Those round, black eyes.

The mirrors to the soul were to be last.

I seemed to be sketching for hours.

Prodding myself to finally take to the eyes.

But somehow, it didn't get done.

Strangest of all?

It was a dream.

I had been sketching a stranger in my dream.

A man I never saw in my whole life.

Another poignant thing is that GOD woke me up at EXACTLY 4:44 a.m.

It took me 44 years to finally sketch another face.

What is it about the number "4"?

Ed f. Vallowe's "Keys to Scripture Numerics" says the number 4 stands for:

CREATION....WORLD


Interesting...

Something to think about, for a future time.

But those eyes were forever imprinted in my mind.

Only because I didn't get to sketch it.

And I sure don't want to lose the memory.

You know how dreams are.

They could be strange.

You know the motions you do.

You know how you egg yourself to act on things.

You even know your movements.

What was SPIRIT making me see?

Why did I leave the eyes for last?

Why had I not finished the sketch?

I was about to do the finishing touches.

Such as darkening the hair, for contrast.

That the face may stand out "among the trees".

And last of all, the eyes, which would complete the face.

Everyone waited patiently on.

Including myself.

But I never got to doing the eyes.

Those round, black eyes that my hand wanted to faithfully sketch.

For I was like a copying machine when I'd sketch.

I wanted to capture ALL the details.

I wanted to capture the EXACT image.

I wanted to capture EXACT proportions.

But I never got to finish those eyes.

It's not a disturbing dream.

Just an intriguing one.

Before GOD made me born again over 50 months ago, I had no trouble sketching eyes.

It served as "doodle" for me.

Now that I'm born again, it was the last I could touch.

Perhaps, because the eyes are sacred?

Very strange, indeed.

Leaves room for thought.

But I leave everything to GOD.

Only He sees the soul anyway.


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Saturday, August 19, 2023

THREE-day JOURNEY

 


Proverbs 29:18

King James Version

18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: 

but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.


Surely, I'm not imagining it.

A born again devoted to the WORD of GOD can't.

But here are some random thoughts.

Occurring over a period of days.

Three days, in fact.

All attuned to Scripture.

As I observed the world, daily:


1. When covetousness is gone, you can really serve GOD. The struggle ceases. Covetousness is idolatry.

Colossians 3:5-6

King James Version

5 Mortify therefore your members 

which are upon the earth; 

fornication, uncleanness, 

inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, 

and covetousness, which is idolatry:

6 For which things' sake the wrath of God 

cometh on the children of disobedience:


2. The goal has always been perfection. Not by man's standards, but by GOD's standards. Thus, JESUS.

Matthew 5:48

King James Version

48 Be ye therefore perfect, 

even as your Father which is in heaven 

is perfect.


3. When GOD wants to expand your work, prepare for something wonderful. GOD is full of surprises. Only a fool would not want to work with GOD.

1 Corinthians 15:58

King James Version

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, 

be ye stedfast, unmoveable, 

always abounding in the work of the Lord, 

forasmuch as ye know that your labour 

is not in vain in the Lord.


4. Only through SPIRIT can we understand Scripture. Only through SPIRIT can we know JESUS. Only through SPIRIT can we be born again.

John 3:5-7

King James Version

5 Jesus answered, 

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 

he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; 

and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, 

Ye must be born again.


5. Following the world is risky. There is no risk in following GOD. Your salvation and surety can only come from GOD; not from great wealth, insurance companies, tax havens, or people.

Luke 16:14-15

King James Version

14 And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, 

heard all these things: and they derided him.

15 And he said unto them, 

Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; 

but God knoweth your hearts: 

for that which is highly esteemed among men 

is abomination in the sight of God.


Following JESUS is the best course to take.

Obeying GOD is what JESUS taught us.

SPIRIT reveals everything JESUS did for GOD.

Why do we struggle so?

In an instant, all could be well.

In an instant, all could be gone.

In an instant, all could be peaceful.

Only GOD has true power over everything.

Revelation 1:8

King James Version

8 I am Alpha and Omega, 

the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, 

which is, and which was, and which is to come, 

the Almighty.


Once you are born again, all foolishness stops.

You commit Scripture to heart.

GOD's WORD is that powerful:

Psalm 119:97-106

King James Version

97 O how love I thy law! 

it is my meditation all the day.

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me 

wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: 

for thy testimonies are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the ancients, 

because I keep thy precepts.

101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, 

that I might keep thy word.

102 I have not departed from thy judgments: 

for thou hast taught me.

103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! 

yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: 

therefore I hate every false way.

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, 

and a light unto my path.

106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, 

that I will keep thy righteous judgments.


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Monday, April 10, 2023

Some SIMPLE observations

 

Habakkuk 2:1-2

King James Version

2 I will stand upon my watch, 

and set me upon the tower, 

and will watch to see what he will say unto me, 

and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

2 And the Lord answered me, 

and said, 

Write the vision, 

and make it plain upon tables, 

that he may run that readeth it.


Can't help but notice a few things.

I've got enough mileage in my years to know.

As born again, I am taught by SPIRIT each moment.

Time to tell you some observations.

Here are a few two-liners:


If marketers really wanted us to know what they're selling,

they'd make the print larger.


If lawyers really wanted us to know our rights,

they'd use simple language.


If lawyers really wanted to help us,

they'd charge less.


If the world was fair,

we won't need lawyers.


If doctors really wanted us to be well,

they'd refuse to partner with big pharma.


If the food industry really wanted us to be healthy,

they'd refuse to make so much processed food.


If schools really wanted us to learn,

they'd lead us to the Bible.


If lawmakers really wanted to govern well,

they'd have less laws.


If lawmakers really loved us,

they'd refuse to enrich themselves.


If creditors really wanted us to be able to pay,

they'd charge less interest.


More is not always better.

More can confuse.


Satan wants you "occupied".

So he can occupy.


Born again

is never bored again.


JESUS asked for nothing,

and yet He gave EVERYTHING.


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Thursday, February 23, 2023

The LAST witch

 

Deuteronomy 18:10

King James Version

10 There shall not be found among you 

any one that maketh his son or his daughter 

to pass through the fire, 

or that useth divination, 

or an observer of times, 

or an enchanter, 

or a witch.


She was the last of the line.

Or was she?

At least, from the many generations that preceded her.

She came from a long line of witches.

How did she come to know that?

Dreams.

Always, through dreams.

The older the witch, the more bent they were.

They lined down the stairs.

Nearing the bottom of the stairs, the straighter they became.

At the end of the steps, there she was.

Young.

Seated.

Fresh-faced.

With a delicate smile.

You could not detect any evil upon her.

Clothed in a long black dress, she sat primly.

Who would have thought she was a witch?

But maybe, she wasn't.

Is that at all possible?

After having come from a long line of such?

Well, there she was.

Totally alien to the previous generations.

How did that come about?

That's like asking how do her dreams occur?

She didn't know.

All she knew was that she "saw".

She could see "things".

She could hear "voices".

She was given "messages".

She even spied a demon's face among the bushes, one afternoon.

His evil eye, fixed on her.

Apart from the many faces she'd see around.

Every so often.

Clear "formations", that only she could see.

She knows if they're after her.

Or if they're for her.

It has become so, that it failed to unnerve her.


She hasn't shared her visions with anyone.

How could she even begin to explain?

She merely took notes of her dreams.

And found a decent book to interpret them with.

The dreams started since she was a child.

They didn't haunt her.

They intrigued her.

One day, as she was in her thirties, she felt great distcontent.

She turned her back on the world.

And would have nothing more to do with it.

Then the dreams became vicious.

Even bloody.

Still, she wasn't terrified.

She needed to understand.

She'd experience strange dreams.

Such as battling black scorpions.

Or putting her hand up, as lifeless people came for her.

That stopped them in their tracks.

Sure, she could stop them.

But she didn't feel powerful enough.

Something was missing.

It was pretty much the same when she battled the scorpions.

She didn't feel power in her hands, as she fended them off.


At another time, she came upon a thick, black book.

It looked so ancient, inviting her to look in.

All the while, she became aware of two old women whispering.

She was not supposed to be there.

But there she was, and they were afraid.

They didn't want her to look into the book.

Would she succumb to the darkness?

The darkness wanted her to.

The darkness has courted her, all her life.

But she kept it at bay.

Not to mean, she didn't make tons of errors.

Hurting many people, as she did.

She was no great beauty.

But men seemed to be drawn to her.

It didn't interest her, to knowingly entice.

Such was not her way.

Nor will ever be.

Most of the time, she was oblivious to people.

She was too busy with her search.

Not for a man, but for absolute knowledge.

Was that why darkness followed her around?

Making many threats upon her life, as she slept.

During the day, they were nowhere to be found.

Ah, but at night, there they were.

Not making her lose much sleep, for she'd pray.

Just the simplest, childlike prayer she knew:

"Please help me, GOD!"

And right away, darkness and demons dissipated.

She knew they were after her soul.

She knew they dug into her gut.

Or at least, tried to.

Unsuccessfully.

She had too many encounters to be afraid of them.

Once, a crowd of demons looked down, upon seeing her.

Almost respectfully.

The men and women, with black-ringed eyes, whispered something.

Of course, they all wore black.

She gathered they were actually afraid of her!

She overheard them mentioning about a "path" she took before.

Walking with JESUS.

But she didn't know the LORD then.

So, she filed the memory for future understanding.


What she did know is that the demons knew her.

Darkness tried to ambush her too many times.

And that the entities were afraid of her.

But how could they be?

She barely had power to fend them off.

But that's how it is in the spirit world.

You don't know what they know.

Until you get to know JESUS.

Until GOD makes you born again.

Then all things become clear.

And you don't need that dream book again.

SPIRIT will interpret it for you.

He will lead you to Scripture.

And you will know for sure.

As she did, eventually.

That she was no witch.

The last witch was the one at the foot of the stairs.

The one behind her.

The line ended with that one.

They had not corrupted her.

How could they?

She belonged to GOD.

From day one.


More short stories here.


Related post:

WALKING with JESUS


Image: Wallpaper Access


GOD's quirky WAYS

  Deuteronomy 29:29 King James Version 29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God:  but those things which are revealed  belong unto ...