I See You in All things Page 85

“The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear him,

and he reveals his covenant to them.”

Psalm 25:14

Lord-I am in awe of your ancient prophesy...
and what it reveals about humanity.
I am in complete awe of your majesty.

Lord, I’m in awe of your holiness.

I am in total awe of your tutorial process-

Of how you have led me into your secret counsel and showed me your righteousness!

I am in awe of your consistency-

And in awe of how your promises seem a mystery

Yet you open the doors that once requested privacy

And reveal with persistency

The power and glory of your Hierarchy

Lord, you are revelatory

You stand present in my Life’s story

You do this to reveal your Glory

And it’s nothing but mind-bending reverence for your mercy

Which you’ve shown me as I searched out and found victory…

From within the wisdom that flows freely from your mercy seat

where you look down upon humanity

And with all the stars in the sky… simply chose to see me-

your beloved child, living in all this misery!

I also have the honor within earth’s vivid scenes

To seek and find YOU, my Lord and KING OF ALL KINGS!

With Godly fear I see YOUR presence manifest in ALL things!

To Christ be the glory!

RvH

Song Recommendation:

Everything

By:  Toby Mac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RIp_t3gKZw

But Go....and Tell Peter Page 84

As the preacher Steven Furtick preaches, in the video link below, “Failure is not the end….it is the hinge that the door swings on to open wide to the grace of God.  Let’s see this type of grace in full swing using the scripture below!

The Angel of the lord said:

“But go, tell his disciples and Peter,

‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.

There you will see him, just as he told you.’ “

Mark 16:7

An Angel from the spiritual realm revealed that Jesus Christ had risen.  That message alone was astounding but why did the Angel choose to specifically call out Peter? I'll go ahead and point out that it was out of sheer grace that Peter was specifically mentioned!  Peter is being shown historic compassion and forgiveness; Peter was being shown undeserved mercy- delivered by an Angel, no less!  Here is the passage:  

“Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise,

 they (the ladies) were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other,

 “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone,

which was very large, had been rolled away. 

As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe

 sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.

  Don’t be alarmed, “ he said.

 “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. 

He has risen! He is not here. 

See the place where they laid him.

 But go, tell his disciples and Peter,

‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee.

 There you will see him, just as he told you.’ ”

Mark 16: 2-7

The directive from the Angel was “But go, tell his disciples and Peter…”  To recognize the importance of this amazing statement…let’s exchange Peter’s name for our own:

“But go, tell all believers…. and Rebecca!”

Something supernatural and timeless happened and within the hierarchy of God's plan Peter was mentioned by name!  Peter had publicly denied he ever knew Jesus!  At times, just like Peter, I’ve acted as if I don’t know Him either.  But with this same historic grace, my heavenly Father will reach out to me, with angelic words, and draw me back to his friendship and familial fellowship (just like He did with Peter)! 

His compassion for me isn’t documented on ancient scrolls, but it’s documented in my daily life- in my heart-of-hearts and in my eternal soul; that very soul that needs compassion during my times of historic failure!!!  It’s documented here in on this page-for all to see. 

God will do the very same for you!  He will send you a message from messenger!  I am that very messenger!  The Lord wants me to tell you of his loving forgiveness.  He forgives our sins and forgives... and forgives... till that forgiveness is comprehended as LOVE.  He loves us with a love that surpasses understanding.  Neither you nor I can ever earn His love for it is always freely given….especially in our brokenness and loss, in our devastation and pain…and in our flat-out failures!  No matter what circumstances you find yourself....the door of God's grace and mercy is opened wide....just walk on in!!!

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up;
do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:18-19

Song Recommendation:

How Great Thou Art

BY: Carrie Underwood

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2T1csHUgF4

Video Message In link below

 By: Steven Furtick

Your Failure Isn’t Final!
 (5 minutes-& worth every minute)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBFwJ8wu4YM

An Ancient War Cry Page 83

Timeline:  Approximately 1407 BC

We’ve pushed way beyond the year 1407 BC.  But let’s reflect back to that time.  Moses was called by God to lead the people of Israel out of Slavery!  Out of slavery.  That’s something we don’t fully understand and in our culture but we know wars have been fought over it, including one right here in our own country. 

Can you just imagine living, day-in day-out as a slave and then being freed from your enemy only to regret the day you left the “comfortable” confounds of bondage?  Seems so contradictory…. but interestingly, that was the plight of the Israelites. Comfort breed’s security and regrets breed blame!  And whom did they blame?  God, the one who freed them!  And Moses; their freedom-fighter. 

You can begin in Numbers Chapter One to study about this epic story in which the Israelites neither trusted the God that freed them nor the man who stood firm and accomplished the task.  There are incredible events that lined up and that took place to make their freedom possible but even after all of that the people turned their back on God and his power and knelt to worship an idol made by human hands and actually wished that they had died in bondage in Egypt (See Numbers 14:2).  Seems so pathetic really!  Returning to our life and time; Do we fall prey to this as well???  How many things do we put before the Lord, God? Work? Time constraints? Any-and-all obligations? Fears? Sorrows? Or even the pleasure of recreation?

The Israelites were promised a great land.  It should have taken them 7 days to journey there….but it took 40 years?  Why?  Disobedience, obstinacy, grumbling, complaining, lack of faith, lack of trust…. just lack. Reflecting again on our life and time…. Do we lose years and years of our life because we lack faith and/or tenacity? Do we find that we are living in mediocrity, dwelling in the unpleasant company of Lack!!

Here is where I get pulled into the story with great interest:  Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. This blows me away!  After all that time, all that effort, all that leadership for the people, and the negotiating with God FOR the people…he was not allowed to go in!  Why???  Was it disobedience, obstinacy, grumbling, complaining, lack of faith, lack of trust…just lack!  Actually, the first word in that sentence is the reason; disobedience. Scaling back to our life and time; does this give us pause?  40 years of working in the field, or should I say ‘in the desert’, doing what God asked and the reward of entering the Promised Land was withheld from Moses! (See Numbers 14:22-23 and 20:7-12) I’m speechless-- but God was not: 

What I really want to share with you is the speech Moses gave to Joshua-in front of all of Israel:

 “Then Moses summoned Joshua

and said to him in the presence of all Israel,

“Be strong and courageous,

for you must go with this people

into the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers to give them,

and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.

The Lord himself goes before you

and will be with you;

he will never leave you nor forsake you.

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Deuteronomy 31:7-8

Now after reading that amazing scripture from the mouth of Moses your spiritual studies will not be complete until you watch the video link below.  There are many things that we American Christians don’t understand about the power of the Living God!  We simply can’t comprehend it here in 2018…. BUT WE SHOULD... for within the confounds of our minds we find the mighty power of God! 

Video:  Mighty Men Arise

BY:  Tribulation USA.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orXpbuFI0DM

Rak Chazak my friend!!!

RvH

UNVEILED MINDS PAGE 82

The NIV footnotes for 2 Corinthians 3:18 say this:

“By gazing at the nature of God

with unveiled minds, we can be more like Him.”

As a writer, I’d edit that and add this:
 With unveiled minds we can SEE more of Him!

Here are some of my personal examples:

One morning, years ago, I woke up to find hundreds of tiny Ladybugs covering a huge north-facing window in my kitchen.  I was shocked because I’d never seen so many at once.  From my childhood experience, ladybugs were usually discovered one-at-a-time, perhaps on the grass or a flower.  Someone told me they travel on the wind.  That is fascinating to me!  

Not long ago, I sat on the front step of my home watching my doggy explore the cul-de-sac and out of nowhere a humming bird buzzed by me and swung around to hover about a foot from my face.  Time stood still as we studied each other.  As he flitted this way and that the sound of his wings intrigued me.  He was SO CLOSE! I was absolutely shocked that he remained near me for so long.  All the sudden he turned and was gone.  Out of curiosity, I looked up the meaning of a humming bird visit. This particular article stated that a humming bird visit represents harmony and infinity.  I decided to receive his visit and that explanation as a Gift from my infinite, God. 

This past Christmas, the moon rose on our living room windows and filled our home with light.  It was a powerful sight that caused me to stand still in awe!  The moonrise is a common occurrence that should never be taken for granted.

These scenarios from nature are just a few examples from my daily life.  Each of these occurrences have ushered The Living Lord into my presence because I chose to see something spiritual through the natural, with an unveiled mind! The premise that “it’s all in how you see it” is applicable here.  The Lord will show up in nature and, indeed, scripture tells us that nature is His Voice.

Sometimes the Lord approaches us through the back door of irony! Sometimes with a majestic, front porch view of nature.  One thing I do know is that it takes an open mind and a receptive spirit to comprehend God.

“Now the Lord is the Spirit,
and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory,

 are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory,

 which comes from the Lord
 who is the Spirit.”

  2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Song Recommendation:

Your Spirit

By:  Tasha Cobbs Leonard

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZT8jqsc8lQ

The Path of Perseverance Page 81

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you fact trials of many kinds,

because you know that

 the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

 Perseverance must finish its work

 so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

James 1:2-4

Through the above Scripture we see that God wants us to be mature and complete, not lacking anything! He has chosen The Path of Perseverance to get us there.  After years of marriage, self-reflection and great need I have concluded that the Lord wisely wants me to fully understand perseverance! I’ve also noticed that He humorously tucked a streak of perfection into my DNA in order to propel me in this quest. 

With that said, I have maintained a steady, pounding heart in full pursuit of perseverance.  Many of us are in situations that require quite a bit of personal persistence!  Let’s look deeper into this topic to find some understanding and to get a grip on the requirements of perseverance. Here is the gist of it:    

Perseverance is:

“A steady persistence in a course of action;

Especially in spite of difficulties,

Obstacles and discouragement.”

There are three key words that stand out to me: difficulties, obstacles and discouragement!  After re-reading that several times, I’d say that it would take a personality full of tenacity to stay the course!!!  As it states in Romans 8:29-30, God knew me before I was born, predestined my life and formed my DNA to fulfill his plan; so, I’ve been wired for my calling!  That clears a few things up; however, the need for perseverance can be exhausting.  By its very definition it can be discouraging.  What do we do when we come to a place were our tenacity is tired and our grit is grounded out!  What do we do when our perseverance needs some perseverance?  Seems like a catch-22.  I looked that up too; it means “an absurd situation”.  Yep!  That sums it up!  

Interestingly, I looked back through an old journal and came upon a few pages that discuss this very subject.  The conclusion I came to, several years ago, was that “God wants me to persevere at perseverance.”  I was shocked and had forgotten that I had already resolved this dilemma once.  I suppose we do tend to forget important things sometimes; even deep life-lessons that we assume we will never forget! 

What scripture says, about those of us in the family of God, is that we will never be abandoned.  Nothing can separate us from the Love of God…not even our inability to endure!  Romans 8:28-36 teaches the following:

•         “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
•        “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.”
•         Christ “is at the right hand of God …interceding for us.” (Praying for us)

Romans 8:37-39 finishes up with “one of the most comforting promises in all of scripture”1

‘No, in all things we are more than conquerors

through him who loved us.

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life,

neither angels nor demons,

neither present nor the future,

nor any powers, neither height nor depth,

nor anything else in all creation ,

will be able to separate us from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Nothing can separate me from being loved by my Creator, God.  Not my failures or flaws; not my hang-ups or setbacks; neither the end of my abilities nor my lack of tenacity! And, especially NOT the daily difficulties through which I flounder!!!  Nothing!    

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering produces perseverance,

perseverance, character; and character, hope. 

And hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love into our hearts

By the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:3-5

Following the building blocks in the above scripture we see that perseverance builds character!  That is what the Lord is after; not my comfort but my character!  Going back to the original scripture at the top of this page we see that God wants me to be mature and complete; not lacking anything.  The Path of perseverance is the way; however, when my perseverance needs some perseverance God's Word provides this advice: 

“Let us then approach the Throne of Grace with confidence,

so that we may receive mercy

and find grace to help us

in our time of need.”

Hebrews 4:16 

Song Recommendation:

Even When it Hurts

BY:  Hillsong United

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrSJwO5dJXg 

                                   

1-Foot notes in the NIV for Romans 8: 37-39