That's Mine

That’s mine.  The scenario is reminiscent of you guessed it. A three year old and a two year old fighting over a toy.  That job is mine. That man is mine.  That child is mine.  We hold dearly what we believe belongs to us and sometimes at the cost of suffocating what we love the most.  And that is the very thing God asks us to release to Him.

Genesis 22:9-14

⁹ Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. ¹⁰ And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son

¹¹ But the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!”

So he said, “Here I am.”

¹² And He said, “Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

¹³ Then Abraham lifted his eyes and looked, and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up for a burnt offering instead of his son. ¹⁴ And Abraham called the name of the place, The-Lord-Will-Provide;^[a] as it is said to this day, “In the Mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”

Isaac was Abraham’s long awaited child.  Twenty five years of expectation then finally his son is born.  He’s mine.  God calls Abraham to sacrifice Isaac thereby giving back his cherished possession.  As Abraham prepares to obey God, a ram appears in the bush.  God had already provided what Abraham would need.  Will you let go of that job or position that you should have released five years ago?  Will you let go of that toxic relationship that has contaminated your world?  Will you let go of that child that has been on loan to you from God for a season?  Trust that God does have a ram in the bush.  He always provides and He is more than able to replace what you thought you lost.  It was always His anyway.  Not yours.

This blog was inspired by Dr. Charles Swindoll's message, "Let go."  Click the link to listen.

http://www.insightforliving.com/3/ArchivePlayer.asp?id=1012636&date=10/17/2014

Zombies Are Not Real

                                                                  EZEKIEL 37:1-14

 

 

Can these bones live?  Bodies devoid of spirit are dead.  Without breath, they are just a pile of bones.  Ezekiel’s vision in chapter 37:1-14 symbolizes the plight of Israel, scattered among the nations after years of flagrant sin.  They had become like dry bones disengaged from one another.  Their exile and helplessness caused God’s name to be profaned before the heathens. Their hope was gone, unable to put themselves back together again.  God asks Ezekiel, “Can these bones live?”  In other words, “Can Israel be restored?”

We were all at one time, the walking dead, dry bones existing without hope.  We were unable to get ourselves together.  It was by God’s grace through the preaching of the Gospel that we were restored.  Just as Ezekiel prophesied to the four winds to breathe on the slain to become alive again, God will put His spirit in those who were once dead to Him.  We are born again and that gives God glory. We are not turned into Zombies.  Zombies are not real.

The Crutch

 



Have you ever had to use crutches?  They come in handy with severe ankle sprains, broken bones and knee or hip replacements.  When you are in pain or have reduced mobility, it’s great to have a crutch you can lean on.  You may get around slower and expend loads of energy, but you finally do get to your destination.

Proverbs 3:5-6

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

What’s better than a crutch?  A God you can lean on.  Crutches move with you but we have a God who does not move.  When or wherever you need to lean on Him, He is there.  What a relief to know we are not limited by our own wisdom and understanding.  When we acknowledge that He is actually the best crutch, He will direct our path.  We will finally get to where He wants us to be.

Cold or Hot

Blog Cold or Hot

 

Which is it, cold or hot?  What’s best for sore muscles, ice or heat?  The name of this cream lends to the confusion.  .  I even forget if it is HOTICY or ICYHOT.  Both ice and heat are used in the acute care and rehabilitation of a muscular injury and are integral to the healing process.  We use cold water to control the pain of inflammation and hot water to reduce muscle spasm.  If water is not hot or cold, it is thrown out.

Revelation 3:15-16

¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot^, I will vomit you out of My mouth.

In other words, be zealous for God or go to hell.  It’s just that simple.  If God is real to you then live like it.  If not, reserve your place in hell and do your own thing.  Be hot for God or turn a cold shoulder.  Indifference is not an option.  Do not try to offer Him lukewarm service or worship.  Why halt ye between two opinions?  If God be God follow Him, if Baal, follow him I Kings 18:2.   There should be no confusion.  Are you cold or hot? You choose.