How do we qualify for the dividends of our insurance policy?

Trusting God will bring more and deeper opportunities to grow your faith.

It was very early in the morning and, as usual, I was talking to the Lord about various things.  I asked Him to give me a special word.  A couple of hours later, while folding my laundry, God dropped something into my head and I loved it.

This is what He said - -

     “For the development of the fullness of our faith

     The Lord is often last-minute but He is never late.

     God never fails to act in the fullness of His time

     For the fullness of His will and purpose”.

Such insurance is priceless.  It could not be purchased for a king’s ransom.  Yet it is offered freely to believers who will simply trust and obey.  Are there premiums to be paid for this policy?  Yes, (Matthew 9:29) according to your faith because (Hebrews 11:1,6) without faith it is impossible to please Him.

There are over 3,000 promises in the Bible for believers.  Do we regularly enrich our souls with those dividends or do we choose convenience over obedience and (Isaiah 31:1) go down to Egypt?  If we leave Bethel (Genesis 12:8) we will build no altars in Egypt.

Are you going through a difficult time of pain and confusion?  God does not answer your prayers to get you out of the mire.  Remember what the Lord said to me that morning.  The very mess you are in is the very thing that will strengthen your faith if you will simply trust God and it will bring more and deeper opportunities to grow your faith. Growing faith brings closer intimacy with Jesus.

Oswald Chambers tells us that if we are in a spiritual muddle, we cannot think it clear.  We have to ‘obey’ it clear.  Immediately we obey, we discern.

Abraham believed God (Genesis 15:6) and it was counted to him – credited to his account for righteousness.  What about your faith and mine?  What does it count for - - does it credit anything to our account?  Is it (1 Peter 1:7) more precious than gold – or – is it (James 1:6-7) wavering, shifting and receiving nothing?  We can take the advice of the 10 spies (Numbers 13:31-33, Numbers 14:33) and wander in the wilderness for 40 years or until everything worthwhile within us dies.  We always have a choice.  We can choose to trust God along with Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:38) and get everything God promised.

Try to picture how you would feel if the Lord told you to go downtown and walk along a certain street.  As you passed parked cars you would spot one with the key in the ignition.  You were to take it and drive it to wherever the Lord had told you.  If anyone tried to stop you, you were just to tell them that the Lord needed it!!!  O.K. O.K. I hear you - - but listen and ponder.  Do you think the disciples had similar feelings when Jesus told them to go – not to a deserted country road – but to a busy village, untie a colt and bring it to Jesus.  Just tell the bystanders that Jesus needed it.  How about this one – not just a village this time but a city.  When you see a man with a pitcher of water follow him.  (That in itself was unusual because only female servants carried water.)  Follow him into the house.  Just walk right in to a stranger’s house.

I’m sure they had some questions and were maybe a little fearful.  They couldn’t know what the reaction of people would be.  BUT here is the key.  They went where He sent and did what He bid and found it just as He said.  That’s the key for you and me too, so we better not lose that key.  Of course, we know that in our world to-day the Lord would never ask us to purloin a car.  BUT - - He might ask us to provide one or help to provide it.

Here’s another insurance dividend.  When Jesus didn’t have enough (Mark 6:41) He didn’t stare hopelessly at His meager resources but confidently looked up to Heaven.  Let’s get that hard and fast.  The resources don’t matter – they are only the props for a test that can wonderfully increase our faith.  Can you think of any reason ever not to trust Him for everything?  Blessed is the man (Psalms 84:5) in whose heart are the highways to Zion.  David took the ark of the covenant to Zion which indicated God’s Presence.  Do the highways in our hearts lead us deeper into God’s Presence and communion with Him?

To-day, as I write this, it is exactly one year since my husband’s earth visa expired and God called him to the eternal joy of his eternal citizenship in heaven.  All through the year I have been receiving dividends from my insurance/assurance policy – dividends known only to believers.  Our departed loved ones are not missing – they just arrived home ahead of us.  Soon the longing of our hearts will be realized as we see - - not by faith anymore – but actually see Jesus.  I keep trying to imagine what that will be like but it is beyond comprehension.  Then the joy-filled, never-ending reunion with our loved ones.

We need the help (Romans 8:26-27) of the Holy Spirit to be (Romans 12:12) constant in prayer and (1 Thessalonians 5:17) pray without ceasing.  This speaks more of relationship than of non-stop talking, so that my prayers will echo God’s will and purpose and bring me into definite contact with God about everything and precious intimacy with Jesus.  There is no room for doubt there and our faith will mount up on eagle wings.

I had an audience with the Magnificent Owner of our marvelous far-extending policy.  He told me something – actually an unbelievably rich dividend – and He told me to tell you.  He said (Psalms 84:11) no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.

I would like to add one more dividend which covers everything throughout our sojourn on earth and leaves no room for doubt.

Now (2 Thessalonians 3:16) may the Lord of peace Himself grant you His peace (the peace of His kingdom) at all times and in all ways, under all circumstances and conditions, whatever comes.  The Lord be with you.

There is no victory in doubt but this is the victory (1 John 5:4) that overcomes the world even our faith.

How can we show God's love to individuals we don't like?

My daily prayer is that everything about me will tell the truth about Jesus to whomever and wherever.

I am not talking about prejudice against people of a different nationality or skin colour or religion.  That is not only sin against them but horribly defiant sin against their glorious Creator.  And it will not go unpunished.  God has made of one blood (Genesis 9:1, Genesis 9:7, Genesis 9:19, Acts 17:26-28) all nations of the world.  I’m not talking about personal preference for a certain class or type of people.  That sin brings the repulsive stench of pride and the fall (Proverbs 16:18) will come with a terrific crash.

No, I ‘m talking about those who give us no reason to like them.  They are unpleasant – complaining – rude – nasty – nosey – selfish – demanding.  Holy Scriptures does not order us to like everyone but it does (Matthew 5:44, 1 John 4:16-17) command us to live in love.  As I was discussing this with the Lord, He dropped this sentence into my mind.  “To show love to a person you don’t like – deliberately choose to treat them exactly the same as you treat people you do like”.  Ouch – ouch – I know but I’m learning.

We have to be careful not to generalize so much that we can cut corners and still quiet our conscience.  I need to hone in on a person I not only love but also really like and truly admire.  How I treat that special person is my pattern – my guideline – my order from H.Q. on how to treat others – no matter their reaction to me.  This does not mean that we do the same things for everybody.  But it does mean that our attitude is such that the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5) can shed abroad to others the Love of God from our hearts.  We would be wise to remember that anyone with any need which we can help to meet (Luke 10:29) is our neighbour.

I know of a man who was a deceiver – manipulator – thief.  If any opportunity came along that he could manipulate for personal advantage he availed himself of it and greedily twisted it for profit.  You know him too – his name was Judas.  Do you like him?  How did Jesus treat him?  Just the same as He treated the other disciples.

Was Jesus stupid or actually deceived by Judas?  Of course not – Jesus saw right through Judas.  Then why did Jesus not expose him and get rid of him?  Because – are you listening?  BECAUSE God had placed Judas in the life of Jesus for GOD’S PURPOSE!!!

Let us examine our hearts and motives.  Do we truly – really – deep down – every part of us – believe that God works (Romans 8:28-29) in all things for the good of HIS PURPOSE?  Would God allow anything in our lives that would hinder God’s purpose?  The only one who can hinder God’s purpose in my life is me or I can choose to co-operate with His purpose.  If I am living in obedience to the Lord, I am well equipped by the indwelling Life of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit to show love to unlikeable people.  Now – here’s the freeing part.  We don’t show them love – because they deserve it – but because of Whom we represent!  Get it?  What a difference a focus makes.  If God has placed us with people who make us feel like we’re on a bed of nails – it may not be for them at all but for our refining.  Maybe those people are just plain nasty or maybe they have inner wounds.  One thing for sure – we’ll never be guilty of harming them by showing them God’s love.

If we don’t show love we can be guilty of hurting Jesus.  Do we deny Him by our words – tone of voice – attitude?  What about bystanders who see/hear us dealing with such people?  Jesus talked about (Matthew 10:32-33, Luke 12:8-9) confess/deny Him.  My daily prayer is that everything about me will tell the truth about Jesus to whomever and wherever.

God is love (1 John 4:16) and he who dwells in love dwells in God!  Can you think of a more palatial residence?  Don’t we want to live there?  I was meditating on Colossians 3 and VS.17 particularly impacted me – whatever you do in word and deed, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus.  From those words a haunting question leaped off the page and struck my heart.  Does every word I speak have the approval signature of Jesus - - could he put His Name to it?

Here is a truth I found amazingly helpful.  We all know that God is our Creator and therefore He is the source of our wills.  My will and my conscience always agrees with God – but? – so how? – so why? - - -

Oswald Chambers

“Will is the essential element in God’s creation of man.  Sin is a perverse disposition which entered into man.  In a regenerated man the source of will is almighty – for it is God  (Philippians 2:13) Who works in you to will and to do.  Obstinacy is an unintelligent WEDGE that refuses to be enlightened.  The only thing for it is to be blown up with dynamite – AND - - the dynamite is OBEDIENCE to the Holy Spirit.”

I am discovering that I enjoy working with dynamite.  The blowing-up blast is almost as great as my gratitude.

Would you like to hear my dynamite choice?  (I’ll tell you anyway).  I’ve decided to stockpile dynamite and keep blasting until there is nothing left to blow up – - -

B E C A U S E

God not only expects me to do His will – He is in me to do it.

WARNING - - - Obedience always brings more light/discernment.    Disobedience turns light we already have (Matthew 6:23) into darkness.

None of these quotes originated with me but I think they are very worthwhile to pass along.

 

C.H.Spurgeon –

The hot iron of affliction burns God’s Truth deep in our hearts (Psalms 119:67)

Some folks prefer to dwell within the sound of a chapel bell

I prefer to run a rescue mission within a yard of hell.

 

Dr. David Jeremiah -

Temptation is a knock at your door.  That is not sin (Hebrews 4:15).  SIN is when you open the door and invite it in.

 

Chuck Swindol –

When we receive Jesus as our Saviour we don’t receive a detour around our problems, we receive a guided tour through them.

Pain plants the flag of reality in the fortress of a rebel heart.

Years wrinkle the skin but a loss of wonder wrinkles the soul.

 

Dr. Adrian Rogers –

Bitterness is the acid which destroys its own container.

 

Just one from me as I continue to learn - - -

As long as I know  WHO  I don’t need to know why.

God's timing - God's plan - unalterable

(The beginning of these thoughts about timing came from Gideon Levitam, a Jewish Messianic preacher).  Then my thought process kicked in and once again I was thrilled and enriched and encouraged by God’s Word.

Timing

Is God moving too quickly for you or are you pestering Him to hurry up?  My time machine can take us to the top (Matthew 17:1-8) of a high mountain.  We must be very quiet – simply observe carefully – and truly learn.  We see Jesus with Peter, James and John.  Suddenly Jesus is changing and – WOW! – we fearfully fall to our knees.  His face was shining as clear and bright as the noonday sun.  His clothes were such a brilliant white it hurt our eyes to look at them.  We have never seen anything like the bright, light-white of His raiment.  Then Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking to Jesus about future events.  When Peter saw the grandeur and majesty of His Sovereign splendour he was sure he had it all figured out.  He would set up booths for the Feast of booths/tabernacles and the immediate entry of the Kingdom of heaven.

Not yet Peter!  No Cross – no Kingdom.  

Jesus turned His back on the glory and set His face toward the Cross.  What are you enduring or suffering through at present?  Aren’t you glad Jesus waited?  God’s timing is always perfect because He always works (Ephesians 1:10, Galatians 4:4) in the fullness of time.  When you are driving along in your car, do you bitterly resent a red light because it impedes your progress or are you thankful that it protects your safety.

Think – remember – consider – your safety depends on God’s perfect timing - - the FULNESS of times when everything is totally prepared and perfectly right.

Plans

A wicked, hateful, strong-willed woman and she had a plan.  Hatred raged in her head and gave birth to a plan for murder.  She had a plan.

A man – exhausted, depressed and frightened out of his wits.  He had a plan.

God won a tremendous victory through Elijah when the fire fell and the people (1 Kings 18:38-40) killed the priests and prophets of Baal.  Then weak-willed wimpy Ahab went whining home (1 Kings 19:1-2) to tell strong-willed Jezebel who was ready and eager to take over.  She sent a threatening message to Elijah, assuring him that he would be history within 24 hours.  What did victorious Elijah do?  He was terrified and ran for his life – over 80 miles on foot.  Then he went further into a wilderness – not a tree-filled forest, a desert with only 1 juniper tree.  He had a plan.  He asked God to take his life.  Notice the sweet gentleness of God.  No rebuke (1 Kings 19:7) but rest, refreshment and understanding.  40 days later he is holed up in a cave and the Lord asked him what he was doing there.  He repeated his whole litany of self-pity.  After the terrifying demonstrations of God’s power – great wind – earthquake – fire – there was “a sound of gentle stillness and a still small voice” (aren’t those beautiful words?).  The Lord’s plan was not the death of Elijah but to send him back to work (1 Kings 19:15-16) because there was more to be done.  Elijah had said in his self-pity that he was the only one left but God told him there were (1 Kings 19:18) 7000 who had never bowed to Baal.

Jezebel had a plan to kill Elijah but God had already planned (1 Kings 19:21-23, 2 Kings 9:35) that the dogs would eat Jezebel.

After Elijah called fire DOWN from heaven, he had a plan to ask God to take his life, but God had already planned that Elijah would not die but (2 Kings 2:11) go UP to heaven in a chariot of fire.

A concrete block in your path can be a blockage or a stepping stone.  Obstacles are those terrible things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.

There was another guy who had some plans.  Judah planned to make some money so it was his idea (Genesis 37:16-27) to sell Joseph.

Dr. David Jeremiah points out an important aspect of God’s overall plan. (Genesis 37:36) – God needed a man He would trust in Egypt in order to (Genesis 38:1) get His people away from heathen Canaanites.  Judah paid no attention to God’s laws.  He planned his friendship among Canaanites (Genesis 38:12) and married a Canaanite woman.  The first of 2 of their 3 sons were so wicked (VS.5,7,10) that God killed them.  Before that the first son married Tamar.  You know the story.  Judah made a promise to Tamar but planned to break it for fear of Shelah’s death.  Then came sheep shearing time.  The work was over and all the ranch hands headed off to the bar for wine, women and song.

Judah was now a widower and planned to go with his friend to join the wild party.  Tamar heard about his plans and made her own plans to deceive him.  She disguised herself as a harlot, waited by the road for him and enticed him.  She was crafty enough to get a pledge from him which clearly identified him.  Her father-in-law became the unwitting father of her twins.  When they were going to execute her she presented Judah’s pledge.  Did an overwhelming sense of his sin and folly awaken Judah?  He said (Genesis 38:26) she is more righteous than I.  Did the Lord do something within him? Because we see a different Judah when he told his father (Genesis 43:8-9) I will be security for Benjamin and if I don’t bring him back, let me bear the blame forever.  His concern for his Dad was greater than for himself.

When the cup was found (Genesis 44:12) in Benjamin’s sack it was not the old Judah who said (Genesis 44:16, Genesis 44:33) let me remain in his stead or it will kill my father.  Doesn’t this move our hearts in response to this self-sacrificing love?  Why does the transformed Judah touch us so deeply?  Because from (Luke 3:33) the tribe of Judah came the Messiah of Israel and the Saviour of the world.  He also had a plan of total self-sacrifice - - to give Himself for us in order to give Himself to us in order to live Himself through us.

It is wisdom to commit all our times and plans to the control of the only ONE who knows the end from the beginning.

God's timing - always on time and always perfect

Let me decrease like a melting snowman in the blazing hot sun.

I am writing this paper because I met a man in the elevator.  (explanation to follow).

I was cleaning my teeth early one morning when God surprised me with something not even remotely connected with my thoughts at that time.  He said – do not let this one thought escape you (Psalms 90:4, 2 Peter 3:8).  With the Lord 1 day is as 1000 years and 1000 years as 1 day.  I had known and accepted that fact for years but suddenly I saw the deep awesome meaning.  If God chose to, He could do in 1 day what apparently should take 1000 years or even more.  He planned (Ephesians 1:10-11) the maturity of the times and the climax of the ages.  Also, He could take 1000 years to do what He could have done in 1 day.  As we try to grasp the creation of the immense expanse of the heavens and the earth and all they contain – surely it would take thousands of years – but God completed it in 6 days.

About 3000 years ago Isaiah asked (Isaiah 66:8) who has heard of such a thing – can a nation be born in a day?  Then in 1 day of May 1948 – Israel was declared a nation.  There is something even more staggering when God used 1000 years to accomplish what He could have done in 1 day.  Why?  Listen – ponder – worship.  It was prophesied around 1000 B.C. (Psalms 22, Isaiah 53) that Messiah would come and be rejected and crucified.  He didn’t appear at that time.  God used 1000 years to plan the right political circumstances and genealogy, which culminated on that climatic victorious day when – from the Cross – Jesus cried (John 19:30)  IT IS FINISHED!

The man I met in the elevator was important because Jesus went to Samaria.  No – I’m not losing my marbles – hang in there with me and don’t get your shirt in a knot.

If you wanted to go from Judea in the south to Galilee in the north you would have to go through Samaria.  BUT not the Jews! The Jews and Samaritans hated each other. (Samaritan – disloyal half-breeds!).  The Jews took the long way around Samaria. They didn’t even want the dust of Samaria on their sandals.  So, when Jesus (John 4:4) “must needs” go through Samaria, it must have blown the disciples right out of their sandals.

Whenever Jesus has a “must needs” it is always followed by a “for such a time as this”.  Whether it’s for Esther (Esther 4:14) to save the Jewish people or for Jonathan (1 Chronicles 20:6-7) to kill a giant or for me to meet a man in the elevator – it always holds true.  I got into an empty elevator and 2 floors later a man in a wheel chair got on – no one else.  I just had a very few minutes but it was enough time to tell him that his individual fingerprints (Job 37:7) were the proof that he was personal and precious to God and that supreme evidence of God’s love for him was that He gave His beloved Son to die for him.  We talked a bit more in the hall and he said my words reminded him of his mother.  He said he would put his faith in Jesus so I’m praying that the Holy Spirit will enlighten him and that he will hear God’s call to repentance.

How many Divine appointments have we passed over because we didn’t recognize the “must needs” of Jesus and therefore missed His “for such a time as this”.  Wherever we are (if we are obeying the Lord) God has placed us there for a purpose - - that through us He can make a difference wherever we are.  I’m not talking about the span of years we’ve lived in a certain place but those “must needs” moments.  Time is a currency God doles out to us a moment at a time.  So it is a moment-by-moment life of trust, obedience and joy in loving co-operation with Jesus.  For me on that particular day Samaria was in an elevator.  I’m sure that in your own life you have taken many trips to Samaria and have enjoyed the extra-special sweetness of God’s Presence at such times.  Do you, as I often do, stand back in amazement at God’s perfect timing?

We are very aware that we have an extremely wicked and crafty enemy.  Satan is determined to turn us away from holiness.  He knows when to attack as (1 Peter 5:8) a roaring lion – or – when to come softly (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) disguised as an angel of light and his demons disguised as ministers of righteousness.  But we are not (2 Corinthians 2:11) ignorant of his devices and with the full armour of God we can (Ephesians 6:11) stand against his wiles.

Dr.Charles Stanley has pointed out from Eph. 5 and 6 some of the essentials for our Christian walk.  He also warns of Satan’s crafty strategies to hinder us.

              WALK IN                              DANGEROUS WILES

              Unity                                        Division

              Love                                         Suspicion – Disloyalty

              Holiness                                    Compromise

Wisdom                                    Distraction

Praise                                        Depression

In the Spirit                               In the Flesh

Harmony                                   Discord

 

If our focus is steadfast on the Lord we are armed and equipped to be victorious in battle.

I think mental wool-gathering can be dangerous and requires discipline.  I cannot be alert and on guard if my thoughts roam freely without discipline.  Take (2 Corinthians 10:5) every thought captive.  Otherwise I think our perception will be dulled to see the “must needs” of Jesus.

Isn’t this beautiful? - - They that feared the Lord spoke often of Him (Malachi 3:16) and the Lord listened and heard.  A book of remembrance was written before Him of those who reverently worshiped Him and thought upon His Name.

The Holy Spirit can motivate us and enable us to pursue:

Prayer that scorns my selfish desires and personal plans

Steadfastness that derides wavering

Faith that mocks doubt

Humility that joyfully crucifies pride

My prayer for myself is (John 3:30) that the Life of the Son of God within me will flourish increasingly and that I will decrease like a melting snowman in the blazing hot sun.

Oswald Chambers  - a life of sanity - order – unutterable humbleness – unsullied purity and absolute devotion to God.

Grace that is greater - ?? -- Than what??

Do I receive everything that comes (I mean everything – good – bad – indifferent) from His hand.

When we sing this line from a familiar hymn – “Grace that is greater than all my sin” – do we just think of past sins which God forgave at the time of salvation?  Or of continual sin, repentance and forgiveness?  If we do, we miss the unlimited, height, breadth, length, depth (EPHESIANS 3:17-19) of God’s incredible grace.

OSWALD CHAMBERS –

“It is not a question of praying and asking God to help us – it is TAKING the grace of God NOW”.

With God it is always NOW.  NOW is all I have so give my all NOW.  Not – Lord help me – BUT – thank You for grace always present (Hebrews 4:16) to help right in the time of need and at the time of trouble.

Because – and only because – of God’s unfailing grace – we can triumph in the grace of God which is greater than ALL my sin – temptations – afflictions – difficulties – necessities – distresses – griefs – conditions – circumstances.  Let the circumstances be what they may, keep drawing on the grace of God with much patience.  How?  If you have money in the bank you can draw on it with confidence because you know it is there.  We can draw on the grace of God in any and every moment of need because we have God’s guarantee that it is always available for us.

Whatever state we are in (Philippians 4:11) no matter the circumstances we can be content because by God’s grace we can – (2 Corinthians 10:5) Take every thought captive to obey the Lord Jesus.  The flesh will always intrude with thoughts that definitely need to be taken captive.  As we think (Poverbs 23:7) so we are.  Think (Philippians 4:8) think on these things

(2 Corinthians 12:9) - At our times of greatest weakness we can have the power of Christ resting on us because of the sufficiency of God’s abundant grace all the time no matter what the situation or conditions.

(Ephesians 4:1) – We can live a worthy life (Colossians 1:10) conduct ourselves in a manner pleasing to the Lord by bearing fruit (1 Thessalonians 2:12) as we live lives worthy of God.

(Ephesians 4:29) – Our words can be always a blessing, encouragement, edifying.  We can respond to rudeness or nastiness with gentleness and have no part in criticism, gossip or slander.

(Philippians 2:3) – We can enjoy considering others more important than ourselves.

(2 Corinthians 4:11) – We can live in the victory of the Life of the indwelling Lord Jesus outlived in and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Resurrection Life of Jesus in me requires that I take up (Matthew 16:24) the cross of self-denial.

(1 Corinthians 15:10) – By God’s grace we can accomplish anything pleasing to Him.  So walk humbly before the Lord (Micah 6:8) and let Him be ALL in all.

This is only a sampling of our riches in God’s grace lavished upon us by the Atonement of our Saviour.

But there is a warning we need to heed.

(2 Corinthians 6:1) Receive not the grace of God in vain.  Would that be (Romans 2:4) despising the riches of His grace?  How can we do that?

Picture this - - I am in a particular situation and the flesh is screaming at me to say something – do something and boy, could I ever!  I can choose to despise the riches of God’s grace and not allow that grace to have any effect on my behaviour.  Or – in that same situation when the flesh is fighting to stir me up to retaliation – I can pause a minute and listen.  I hear a still small voice, the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit.  He says – God’s grace that is greater than all this is abundantly sufficient.  His words are like a cool refreshing breeze on a scorching hot day.  I choose the highway of holiness, which is also known as Grace Avenue.

We still have our free will and we can choose, by God’s grace, to live in (Philippians 1:21) or we can choose, by human common sense to live in (Philippians 2:21).

I am going to share with you my personal prescription for peace of mind in all circumstances and conditions.

I put everything into the hand of God and -

I receive everything that comes (I mean everything – good – bad – indifferent) from His hand.

Then nothing can get out of hand.

If I truly believe that God engineers my circumstances then worry and stress are conspicuous by their absence - - - and all the superb grace of God is mine through Atonement of my glorious Saviour.