Easy Like Sunday Morning

But now bring me a harpist.” While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha and he said, “This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands.
The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water. (‭2 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭15-18, 20‬ NIV)

I don’t know what your need is today, but if the Lord can fill the land with pools of water without so much as a sprinkle of rain. Then it is stated that this is an easy thing for the Lord. I think He is able to meet your need. 

Ask Him for help. 

Seek Him for the answer or resolution. 

Have faith for the change. Remember, it is an easy thing for Him to do! 

2015

For Jerusalem will stumble, and Judah will fall, because they speak out against the LORD and refuse to obey him. They provoke him to his face. The very look on their faces gives them away. They display their sin like the people of Sodom and don’t even try to hide it. They are doomed! They have brought destruction upon themselves. Tell the godly that all will be well for them. They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned! But the wicked are doomed, for they will get exactly what they deserve. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭3‬:‭8-11‬ NLT)

As read this morning I was halfway wondering if Isaiah was writing about America in 2015?

I love that His word says, If MY people who are called by my name.  If my people will humble themselves and pray. If we turn from our wicked ways. He will heal our land.  It is time to pray. It is time to repent. 

Here is my hope though from the reading in Isaiah today:

Tell the godly that all will be well for them. They will enjoy the rich reward they have earned! But the wicked are doomed, for they will get exactly what they deserve.  

By the way, I don’t want anyone to misunderstand this reference. Our rich reward is in Heaven. It is not here on earth. This doesn’t mean we will avoid all suffering here, but we have the assurance of our rich reward in Heaven. This truth is better then anything here on earth anyways!

Examine, Evaluate, and Adjust if Necessary

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us. (‭Titus‬ ‭2‬:‭6-8‬ NIV)

I realize gender is used in this passage of scripture, but it a great passage of scripture for every believer. 

We should be an example, especially in our current world, political environment, and the lack of moral conscience surrounding us. 

We should be showing integrity in all of these areas. If we don’t point them to Jesus with our life actions then our words will not matter. 

What can your enemy say about you that is valid?  What can the world say about you that is valid. Live your life in such a way that they are embarrassed because everything they would accuse you of is a lie!

Give Him Praise

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. (‭Psalms‬ ‭86‬:‭11-13‬ NLT)

These three verses of Psalm 86 are the cry of my heart, and my prayer for today and everyday. 

When we recognize how needy we were and are, it becomes easy to give the God of Heaven, who created the foundations of this world the glory He is due. 

He loves me, and everyone reading this in ways we can’t even begin to imagine. It is a strong, intense, and enduring love that is unchanging. 

Strengthen me today to honor You with my lips, my heart, my actions, and my intentions. Help me to give you the glory and praise You are due. 

Your’s, Mine, and the Truth

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?” “I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals.

So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is god, follow him.” But the people said nothing.

Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.”

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord —He is God! The Lord —He is God!” (‭1 Kings‬ ‭18‬:‭16-18, 20-21, 24, 38-39‬ NIV)

This is only part of the story where Elijah encountered Ahab and the prophets of Baal.

I have two observations for which you may choose to evaluate in today’s political climate.

1. Ahab and Elijah had two differing views of the current circumstances.

As with many things there are always three sides to the truth; yours, mine, and what really happened. If you read the story the answer of what was and wasn’t truth was evident.

2. God will always win, regardless of the decisions we make here on earth.

It is a scary climate we live in today. The government is beginning to change what is and isn’t moral based on political agendas and preference instead of moral code and absolute truth. 2 Timothy 4 declares it is the sign of the end time, and our Messiah will soon be returning.

I don’t know what is going to happen in and to America. I’m glad I don’t have to know. What I do know is God is God, and He doesn’t change His mind. He is consistent from Genesis to Revelation, and that is where I am putting my trust!

Here is a brief passage from 2 Timothy 4 for you to evaluate where you stand.

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭3‬:‭1-5, 14-17‬ NIV)

Remember

Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 

Here is a trustworthy saying: 

If we died with him, we will also live with him; 

if we endure, we will also reign with him.

 If we disown him, he will also disown us; 

if we are faithless, he remains faithful, 

for he cannot disown himself. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭10-13‬ NIV)

A reminder from Paul to Timothy, and from Paul to us today!

Where is Your Trust?

But when Rehoboam was firmly established and strong, he abandoned the Law of the LORD, and all Israel followed him in this sin. (‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬ NLT)

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6‬:‭17‬ NLT)

Two significant warnings about where our peace and trust should come from this morning. The things of this life can and will fail us, but Jesus Christ the Son of the Living God never will!  

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5-6‬ NLT)

Seen and Unseen!

Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light. (‭1 Timothy‬ ‭5‬:‭24-25‬ NLT)

All scripture is true!

This is an empowering and troubling passage of scripture all at the same time. I am thankful for the Grace and Mercy of the Lord. It is only possible by the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ shedding His blood. It washes me clean, and I am presented to the Lord as a son!  
I want to please Him in all I do. I am thankful for forgiveness. I recognize all intentions of the heart are seen by Him. The world may never know the good or the bad, but He does. Thank You for Your forgiveness, and thank You for the undeserved reward You have stored up for me!

What is the Most Important?

6If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters,Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. (1 Timothy 4:6-7 NLT)

This passage of scripture is Paul instructing Timothy in his pastoral and leadership skills.  He is making him aware that things will change in the hearts of man as we draw closer to the return of Jesus Christ.  He is also making Him aware that he needs to lead.  He needs to be confident in the gifts and the callings of the Lord.  Right in the middle of these book ends of chapter 4 is this verse.

6If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters,Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. 7Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly.

When I read this verse I think about umpteen doctrinal and theological difference between friends, denominations, and even family members.  Here is my take away from this passage of scripture.  Focus on the things that matter, and disregard the things that don’t.  Good, Godly men and women have tried to figure out deep and meaningful spiritual truths for more than 6,000 years.  There have always been differences, and there will probably always be differences.  We are to focus on the one thing that should unite every Bible believing Christian.  Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to Father except by Him.  If this is our focus then we can be united in speaking truth to our friends, family, co-workers, and those we come in contact with.

Does pre, mid, or post tribulation views matter?  When the tribulation happens it will matter.  Are there are other deep and meaningful doctrines and theologies that people are unable to resolve.  Yep, but they don’t matter in the grand scheme of things.  Focus on the most important part-Jesus! Everything else will work itself out in the end.  Remember we are only here for 100 years if we live a really long life.  We have eternity with Jesus, who may or may not explain all of the differences when you get there, but honestly, you won’t care.  You will be in Heaven for eternity!

Open Our Eyes Lord

So one night the king of Aram sent a great army with many chariots and horses to surround the city. When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha. “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. (‭2 Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭14-17‬ NLT)

There is so much that can be said about this excerpt from 2 Kings.

1. My quick observation is this probably happens way more often then we care to admit or know.  What?  Our fear and trepidation of our common enemy!  We should always be taking these kinds of needs to the Lord.  He is the Author and Finisher of our faith instead of trying to figure it out on our own.

2. My second observation is we/I don’t pray for the Lord to open our eyes enough.  How different things would be if we were able to see things the way He sees things.  I am not just referring to when in need.  What about how He sees the people walking down the street, in the grocery store, or at the gas station?  If we truly saw people the way He sees them we would live differently.

My prayer today is Elisha’s prayer: “O Lord, open his/my eye and let him/me see!”