WRAP IT UP
“…The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.” Ecclesiastes 911
So why is it that we scurry about the entirety of our few minutes here on this earth seeking favor and approval and position? Attempting to meet a long list of obligations and expectations that never seem to be satisfied no matter how much we busy ourselves. Working out, studying hard, eating right, investing wisely, and somehow time and chance happens to us all? Why? That’s a good question.
No matter how we have started out this year, regardless of what has happened along the way, despite the turns and falls and outright mistakes. If you have fallen, get back up. Though a righteous man may fall seven times he gets back up. God gives power to the weak; and to them that have no might he increases strength. There is great mercy and forgiveness with God. All His paths are mercy and truth to those who keep His commandments and do them. His commandment is that we love one another even as He has loved us.
Are you tired and weary, do you have too much to bear? Come to Jesus and learn of Him. His burden is light, His yoke is easy. True strength comes from waiting on Him and hearing His voice. What is He saying to you right now?
The end of this year is here. This chapter is over and how would you like it to end? And what about this upcoming new-year that is upon us, how would you like it to begin? In newness of life or carrying with you last year’s burdens and strife and unresolved issues? Why not ask God to show you where you went wrong, where you forgot to acknowledge Him? Where did you let pride get in the way of being quick to listen and slow to speak? Why not consider who’s load might be lightened if you were to utter a few caring words? Is there anyone to whom you owe an apology or need to grant forgiveness or repay a debt?
Do not put it off any longer. Give what you got…expressions, confessions, a letter, a call – do something. Conviction is a gracious gift from God, don’t dare throw it away and ignore the warning. Obey God and give no place to the devil. When God’s children walk in right relationships and right understanding it will be just the beginning signs of satan’s snibbling defeat.
Truth is when we withhold forgiveness or allow a debt to remain outstanding we become cold and calloused and numb. There is no excuse. We no longer want the light of Christ to shine on us, because it would reveal all the darkness of self and pride and blame. No gift could buy back a friendship. Nothing could replace the time lost or stolen by mere misperceptions and a lack of communication. Every day we have a choice to live love or be a sounding gong or a clanging symbol of noise.
We cannot afford to forget God in our daily decisions. No, we should not cater to our flesh and smile and shrug at our own disobedience. We should take immediate action and obey the truth. Humble ourselves and do what love what do. This is an emergency people if there ever was one. We must set our gift down at the altar and take care of unfinished business, otherwise how can we present our bodies as a living sacrifice that is pleasing unto God when we give place to the devil?
If anyone else’s shortcomings are frequently visiting our thoughts, it’s time to take the trash out and burn it. Set it on fire and hope to God that someone else is doing the same in obedience to God in regards to us! Satan is the accuser let’s not forget that. Satan does not forgive, does not repay debts. He has nothing nice to say about anyone unless it is for his own deceptive purposes. So if you find yourself accusing someone about anything please allow me to confirm the truth to you THAT IS NOT GOD! It is the thieving, lying, cheater who wants to steal, kill, and destroy the people of God from the inside out. RESIST HIM! And keep yourselves in the love of God.
“For through me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.” Proverbs 911
Come in from the bitter storms of life and warm yourself by the fire of God’s love and perfect word. Has it been too long since you have sat down to take hold of what God is saying? Do you feel like a stranger to prayer? As uncomfortable as it is to ask yourself these questions, the truth of your answer will be medicine to you. As long as you have life in your body you have a choice of what to do with your thought-time, free-time, and any time. No one else can decide for you. Love is a choice. Love takes time. Love makes time.
“Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.” Psalm 911
I think maybe we spend an awful lot of time talking about what other people are doing, what we are doing, what the enemy is doing. Why not tell the world what Jesus is doing? What is God up to these days in our lives and in the lives of those around us? When was the last time you spoke to someone about what God has done for you?
“And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. “ Isaiah 40:5
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. Isaiah 40:8-11
My dear friends it is time to wrap it up. Take heart He will not forsake the work of His hands. We must forsake our evil ways and seek His face, humble ourselves and pray. Time is short, healing can still come just maybe not the way we expected it. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He keeps no record of wrongs. We must not trample his grace underfoot and paint a picture to the world of a universal cosmic being that is somehow ok with whatever we decide is acceptable.
The truth hurts. It is time to face it. There is not much time left. We must hide God’s word in our hearts and live it out. The sky is going to be rolled back like a scroll and the elements of this world are going to be burned up with a fervent heat. All that we have lived for will be exposed for the day will declare it, it will be revealed by fire.
God is not passive. He is passionate. He is patient. Slow to anger and rich in love. Determined to love us whether we love him or not. He is humble and lowly of heart. He wants to exchange all we are for all He is and He seals this promise with his blood. The temporary things that we see are passing away, but He who does the will of God will live forever.
The Lord bless and keep you, comfort and counsel you, lead you into all truth, and make you fearless in your dependence upon Him this next year. With thankfulness of heart, full of hope and great expectation of his glory to be revealed in us all… do not give up or faint in your mind. His grace is sufficient, He is more than enough.
I love you and I know He is cheering us on to finish strong.
**WRAP IT UP is a rePOST from 12/25/08. I venture to say it might not hurt us all to re-read a few times.**
So why is it that we scurry about the entirety of our few minutes here on this earth seeking favor and approval and position? Attempting to meet a long list of obligations and expectations that never seem to be satisfied no matter how much we busy ourselves. Working out, studying hard, eating right, investing wisely, and somehow time and chance happens to us all? Why? That’s a good question.
No matter how we have started out this year, regardless of what has happened along the way, despite the turns and falls and outright mistakes. If you have fallen, get back up. Though a righteous man may fall seven times he gets back up. God gives power to the weak; and to them that have no might he increases strength. There is great mercy and forgiveness with God. All His paths are mercy and truth to those who keep His commandments and do them. His commandment is that we love one another even as He has loved us.
Are you tired and weary, do you have too much to bear? Come to Jesus and learn of Him. His burden is light, His yoke is easy. True strength comes from waiting on Him and hearing His voice. What is He saying to you right now?
The end of this year is here. This chapter is over and how would you like it to end? And what about this upcoming new-year that is upon us, how would you like it to begin? In newness of life or carrying with you last year’s burdens and strife and unresolved issues? Why not ask God to show you where you went wrong, where you forgot to acknowledge Him? Where did you let pride get in the way of being quick to listen and slow to speak? Why not consider who’s load might be lightened if you were to utter a few caring words? Is there anyone to whom you owe an apology or need to grant forgiveness or repay a debt?
Do not put it off any longer. Give what you got…expressions, confessions, a letter, a call – do something. Conviction is a gracious gift from God, don’t dare throw it away and ignore the warning. Obey God and give no place to the devil. When God’s children walk in right relationships and right understanding it will be just the beginning signs of satan’s snibbling defeat.
Truth is when we withhold forgiveness or allow a debt to remain outstanding we become cold and calloused and numb. There is no excuse. We no longer want the light of Christ to shine on us, because it would reveal all the darkness of self and pride and blame. No gift could buy back a friendship. Nothing could replace the time lost or stolen by mere misperceptions and a lack of communication. Every day we have a choice to live love or be a sounding gong or a clanging symbol of noise.
We cannot afford to forget God in our daily decisions. No, we should not cater to our flesh and smile and shrug at our own disobedience. We should take immediate action and obey the truth. Humble ourselves and do what love what do. This is an emergency people if there ever was one. We must set our gift down at the altar and take care of unfinished business, otherwise how can we present our bodies as a living sacrifice that is pleasing unto God when we give place to the devil?
If anyone else’s shortcomings are frequently visiting our thoughts, it’s time to take the trash out and burn it. Set it on fire and hope to God that someone else is doing the same in obedience to God in regards to us! Satan is the accuser let’s not forget that. Satan does not forgive, does not repay debts. He has nothing nice to say about anyone unless it is for his own deceptive purposes. So if you find yourself accusing someone about anything please allow me to confirm the truth to you THAT IS NOT GOD! It is the thieving, lying, cheater who wants to steal, kill, and destroy the people of God from the inside out. RESIST HIM! And keep yourselves in the love of God.
“For through me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.” Proverbs 911
Come in from the bitter storms of life and warm yourself by the fire of God’s love and perfect word. Has it been too long since you have sat down to take hold of what God is saying? Do you feel like a stranger to prayer? As uncomfortable as it is to ask yourself these questions, the truth of your answer will be medicine to you. As long as you have life in your body you have a choice of what to do with your thought-time, free-time, and any time. No one else can decide for you. Love is a choice. Love takes time. Love makes time.
“Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion;
proclaim among the nations what he has done.” Psalm 911
I think maybe we spend an awful lot of time talking about what other people are doing, what we are doing, what the enemy is doing. Why not tell the world what Jesus is doing? What is God up to these days in our lives and in the lives of those around us? When was the last time you spoke to someone about what God has done for you?
“And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. “ Isaiah 40:5
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him. Isaiah 40:8-11
My dear friends it is time to wrap it up. Take heart He will not forsake the work of His hands. We must forsake our evil ways and seek His face, humble ourselves and pray. Time is short, healing can still come just maybe not the way we expected it. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He keeps no record of wrongs. We must not trample his grace underfoot and paint a picture to the world of a universal cosmic being that is somehow ok with whatever we decide is acceptable.
The truth hurts. It is time to face it. There is not much time left. We must hide God’s word in our hearts and live it out. The sky is going to be rolled back like a scroll and the elements of this world are going to be burned up with a fervent heat. All that we have lived for will be exposed for the day will declare it, it will be revealed by fire.
God is not passive. He is passionate. He is patient. Slow to anger and rich in love. Determined to love us whether we love him or not. He is humble and lowly of heart. He wants to exchange all we are for all He is and He seals this promise with his blood. The temporary things that we see are passing away, but He who does the will of God will live forever.
The Lord bless and keep you, comfort and counsel you, lead you into all truth, and make you fearless in your dependence upon Him this next year. With thankfulness of heart, full of hope and great expectation of his glory to be revealed in us all… do not give up or faint in your mind. His grace is sufficient, He is more than enough.
I love you and I know He is cheering us on to finish strong.
**WRAP IT UP is a rePOST from 12/25/08. I venture to say it might not hurt us all to re-read a few times.**
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