Showing posts with label trust God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label trust God. Show all posts

Monday 6 April 2020

Not able to see Jesus working wonders

As with the rulers noted in Matthew 21, we might not be able to see Jesus working wonders if we are consumed with power and control, whereas the blind, lame, and little children can truly see him (Matthew 21:14-15).

A big problem these days is that several Trinitarian Christians want others to believe this coronavirus is a penalty of God. Several of those so-called Christians want to bring fear over mankind, some even going so far that this is the end of the world. Others want people to resist vaccinations and say that it is their governments bringing on the mark of the beast on the forehead. One cannot imagine how crazy it can be.

We can see how it are the vulnerable ones who are targetted. Though they have everything to gain and nothing to lose as a result of Jesus, whereas these preachers and leaders fear to lose their grip on power, which they hold onto tightly with a closed fist. They cannot reach out and touch Jesus, like those longing for him, though they long to seize him and do him in (Matthew 21:45-46). What about us?
Did we journey with Jesus through the season of Lent with his disciples simply to take matters into our own hands, like Judas did in his conspiracy with the establishment?

How many of us believe in the miracles Jesus did? How many are willing to witness for him and his works as well as to witness for that only One True God? How many are not afraid to pronounce the Name of that Only One True God?

In these times of isolation, nobody should stop speaking about Jesus and his God. Also in social media can be spoken of the necessity to trust God and to try to keep to the hygienic regulations as they were written down thousands of years ago, but still should apply for today.

Thursday 11 May 2017

Ability (part 5) Thought about the abilities to be under God's Spirit

Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage...
Zacchaeus in the Sycamore Awaiting the Passage of Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Poor in Spirit


“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3

    The Bible presents many paradoxes that challenge our human way of thinking. We think of the poor as possessing very little, yet Jesus said the riches of heaven belong to the poor in spirit.

Self-reliance robs us of God’s good gifts.

    Jesus insisted that in order to follow Him, we must deny self. As long as we rely on our own resources, we will never place our trust in Him. As we acknowledge the poverty of our souls, we realize how desperately we need a Savior. Jesus declared: “Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matt. 4:17). God has so much to give the one who recognizes his need and will call upon Jesus!

    Jesus said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. He had just encountered the rich ruler, who valued his possessions so much that he could not give them up to follow Jesus (Luke 18:18-24). Jesus later encountered Zacchaeus, a wealthy, notorious sinner (Luke 19:1-10). Despite Zacchaeus’s material wealth, he recognized his spiritual poverty and found salvation. Jesus taught the disciples that true wealth is found in a relationship with God. Those who realize their inherent spiritual poverty apart from God will trust in Him, and He will enrich their lives immeasurably. Do not allow your resources, wisdom, talent, or abilities to prevent you from trusting the Person who can bring you abundant life.


From: Experiencing God Day by Day

+

Preceding articles:
Ability (part 4) Thought about the ability to have ability

++

Additional reading

  1. When having found faith through the study of the Bible we do need to do works of faith
  2. Facing our existence every day
  3. Leading people astray!
  4. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) versus Christianity and end times
  5. Justification – salvation is by grace through faith – JI Packer
  6. January 27, 417, Pope Innocent I condemning Pelagius about Faith and Works
  7. Thought for those who think it is not necessary to do any works any more
  8. Which is worse–works without faith, or faith without works?
  9. Christians remaining hidden not sharing the gospel
  10. 100-Day Identity Makeover: Day 56
  11. Worthy partakers of the body of Christ
  12. Seeds, weeds and kingdoms
  13. The Mountain: Radical Obedience
+++

+++

Thursday 7 January 2016

Do you purpose that your mouth will not transgress

When we believe in God and have our heart in the right place we can count on Cod.

Though it is not always clear for us that God might be with us or has abandoned us. Even for Christ Jesus in the hour of his death it was not clear for him that God would still be with him. Naturally if Jesus was God, like so many Christians think, than God would always have been with Him because he himself was God and never had to be afraid of man because they could do God nothing and death also can do nothing to God. But as a real man of flesh and blood Jesus had enough reasons to fear man as well as death.

Coming from the root of King David Jesus also could think of the agony and fear David had gone through his life as well.
Today, reading his 17th psalm we perceive that the more troublesome the circumstances that surrounded him, the closer he came to God. With many other men it is the same. I must agree, also for me, it took two near death experiences before I got such an intimate relationship with God. Before the last terrible accident I was already a believer for years, but at moments had doubts about my faith and about others their belief, like the Trinity, if they would not be right and I be wrong. But in the end God gave me enough answers and got me to belief the non-trinitarian way is the right way.

In today’s Psalm 17 we read King David his prayer,
“13 Arise, O Jehovah, Confront him, cast him down: Deliver my soul from the wicked by thy sword; 14 From men by thy hand, O Jehovah, From men of the world, whose portion is in [this] life, And whose belly thou fillest with thy treasure: They are satisfied with children, And leave the rest of their substance to their babes.” (Psalms 17:13-14 ASV)
At that time also David was able to say that Jehovah, God, had tried his heart. He at that stage knew that God had visited him more than once and had given him more than once signs. There were moments in his life that he ignored those signs. We too sometimes forget God or ignore His directions.

The man of God, David, knows that God has tested him and thinks God will find nothing, but god knows the heart very well and knows our bad and good doings. As any man, David was also fallible and also did some faults, which perhaps seem horrible in our eyes, but god was able to forgive him when David repented. Also when we repent God shall be willing to be close to us and be forgiving.

We have to question ourselves who we want to follow, man and his traditions or God and His ordinances!

Are we willing to do like Jesus and King David, so that we can say like him
I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress … by the word of your lips … My steps have held fast to your paths …” (verses 3-5).
 “The word of your lips” is of course, God’s word; God’s words gave David the strength to hold fast to godly ways: but do we use his word today as earnestly as David did then?
David wrote,
“I have called upon thee, for thou wilt answer me, O God: Incline thine ear unto me, [and] hear my speech.” (Psalms 17:6 ASV)
Are we willing to call onto God? Are we willing and looking forward to such an intimate relationship as David and Jesus had with their heavenly Father?

David established an intimacy in his relationship with his God. What an example this is for us – and we have the wondrous further blessing of a mediator and Saviour!

David next prays,
 “8  Keep me as the apple of the eye; Hide me under the shadow of thy wings, 9 From the wicked that oppress me, My deadly enemies, that compass me about.” (Psalms 17:8-9 ASV)
Our we willing that Jehovah is with us even at the moments that we might be found in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness (Deuteronomy 32:10) When we prefer to follow Jesus, his teachings and believing his words instead of the doctrines of man, we may be sure that by this son of God we may be blessed and God shall be willing to be merciful and guiding us.
“Jehovah recompense thy work,“How precious is thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge under the shadow of thy wings.” (Psalms 36:7 ASV)

 “«For the Chief Musician; [set to] Al-tashheth. [A Psalm] of David. Michtam; when he fled from Saul, in the cave.» Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me; For my soul taketh refuge in thee: Yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I take refuge, Until [these] calamities be overpast.” (Psalms 57:1 ASV)

 “I will dwell in thy tabernacle for ever: I will take refuge in the covert of thy wings. [[Selah” (Psalms 61:4 ASV)

 “For thou hast been my help, And in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.” (Psalms 63:7 ASV)

 “1  He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust. 3 For he will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, And from the deadly pestilence. 4 He will cover thee with his pinions, And under his wings shalt thou take refuge: His truth is a shield and a buckler.” (Psalms 91:1-4 ASV)

 and a full reward be given thee of Jehovah, the God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to take refuge.” (Ruth 2:12 ASV)
In God we may trust. Every day of the year god is wiling to hear our call and to be with us. When we are willing to give our heart to Him he shall be there too for us. Doubtless kindness and mercy shall follow.
“Surely goodness and lovingkindness shall follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of Jehovah for ever.” (Psalms 23:6 ASV)
 “One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Jehovah, And to inquire in his temple.” (Psalms 27:4 ASV)

Dare we come close to God, like David and Jesus did? Are we willing to put our will aside, like Jesus did not his own will (which he would have done when he was God) but fulfilled God's Will? Would we love it to be kept as  "the apple of God's eye"?


May our steps hold fast to God’s paths that we may be “willing” as God’s judgements falls on our world, as they fell on Jerusalem long ago. May we, especially at that time, say to our Saviour as David said to God in this Psalm,
 “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, from the wicked who do me violence …” (verses 8,9).

+

Preceding article: A heart in the right place and brightly burning faith

+++

Wednesday 20 August 2014

Faith because of the questions

With so much going wrong in this world, and recently so many religious wars, lots of people say the world would be better of without religion and without any god.
Lots of people do have lots of questions. The politicians nor the teachers are providing all the answers. Is it not because we do have so many questions that we do need faith in something or some one? Is it not we need faith when the way ahead seems unclear or intimidating, when answers are hard to find?

Faith is trusting in someone who has the answers we lack. Faith is trusting in what is there but which we can not see, cannot feel, cannot touch. Many things in this world may be hidden but come into light one day. Time revealed a lot of things to humankind. Though still a lot of things we do not know nor do we understand. We believe there might be such and such thing happened in the past or happening in the future. We may believe thta something works this way or an other, but often we do not know exactly how it functions.

In this world we are tested many times, and that is where faith comes in and shall proof its importance.

A lot of things may be not clear for us, but we do believe we can trust what is written in the Holy Scriptures. We do not keep our ears shut nor our eyes closed. We want to see what the blind cannot see. We do believe the Word of the Almighty God is the Word of Truth, explaining everything what we should have to know at the moment. Those things which are not clear for us (yet), shall perhaps clearer at the time when God thinks we shall be ready for it. Until then we shall have to wait.

Those who think the Christian faith is a blind faith are mistaken. When we do not want to see what is really in God's Word, we shall not be able to see it. The Christian faith is not a blind faith but has to be a seeing faith. In His Word we should find God. In our heart we should find His Treasure and in our ears we should hear His Call. In the surroundings and in what happens in the world we can see the Works of God. Those who want to follow the son of the Creator shall be able to feel His love. They shall find all the more reason to trust V more than any human being.

Trusting God we do not need to find all answers to our questions now. We trust Him to such a degree that we do not need or demand all the answers. We trust and obey, even when we do not understand and even when we cannot see the finish line.

> Please do find also to read: It's Not a Blind Faith



Monday 22 February 2010

Trust God to shelter, safety and security

Psalm 91:2 (81 kb)
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."



Thoughts
Phil Ware    "In God we trust." That's the phrase written on much of the money in the United States. It's a great reminder. The financial climate ebbs and flows, always vulnerable to instability in the world. Only God is our refuge and fortress during the storms of life. He is eternal. He desires to bless us. He has earned our trust.
Prayer
    Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that I can trust my life with you. Mold me and use me in ways that are a blessing to others. You are my source of security and strength. Please continue to make your presence known in my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > God te vertrouwen schuilplaats, veiligheid en geborgenheid

+++

2016 linkupdate

God is my refuge and my fortress in Him I will trust

“I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust.”
(Ps 91:2 ASV)

Trust In God
“I will say of Yahweh, \@He is\@ my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” (Ps 91:2 KJBPNV)


What do we do when we are in trouble or when we find our circumstances are out of control? 

One of the best things about being a father is learning from our children.  In a child's life things often go wrong and events happen that leave them feeling out of control.  Until a child is grown they are not equipped to face everything the world throws at them.  They lack strength, confidence and skill.  This is where mum and dad come in.  At those out of control moments the first thing a child does is to cry, "Mum!" or "Dad!"  It is the first thing they think of.  It is a totally natural response to difficulty and fear.  To a small child a parent is an inexhaustible supply of strength, wisdom and skill, so it is only logical that their mum or dad should be their first port of call.  It comes from a total trust in their parents who care for them.

The Psalmist wrote the following: "I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.'"  (
Psa 91:2) The LORD should also be our refuge in the same way that we are a refuge for our children.  We must have the same sort of faith in God as our young children have in us, and with that, put all our trust in him.

Let's make God our first port of call, relying on his wisdom and strength to help us in our times of need.

Robert Prins [Auckland - Pakuranga - (NZ)] 

Dutch translation / Nederlandse vertaling > God is mijn toevlucht, mijn fort en sterte, op Hem zal ik vertrouwen

+++

2016 added related articles

Tuesday 29 December 2009

Gaining Christ, trusting Jehovah

“In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely; and this is his name whereby he shall be called: Jehovah our righteousness.” (Jer 23:6 ASV)

 “For we are all become as one that is unclean, and all our righteousnesses are as a polluted garment: and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.” (Isa 64:6 ASV)

 “I will come with the mighty acts of the Lord Jehovah: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.” (Ps 71:16 ASV)

 “Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, [even] that which is of the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith:” (Php 3:8-9 ASV)

 “Jehovah is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I will take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower.” (Ps 18:2 ASV)

 “As for God, his way is perfect: The word of Jehovah is tried; He is a shield unto all them that take refuge in him.” (Ps 18:30 ASV)

 “But I will leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall take refuge in the name of Jehovah.” (Zep 3:12 ASV)

 “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry aloud; Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not break, And smoking flax shall he not quench, Till he send forth judgment unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles hope.” (Mt 12:17-21 ASV)

 “And again, Isaiah saith, There shall be the root of Jesse, And he that ariseth to rule over the Gentiles; On him shall the Gentiles hope.” (Ro 15:12 ASV)

 “who delivered us out of so great a death, and will deliver: on whom we have set our hope that he will also still deliver us;” (2Co 1:10 ASV)

 “And such confidence have we through Christ to God–ward:” (2Co 3:4 ASV)

 “but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.” (1Th 2:4 ASV)

 “for indeed ye do it toward all the brethren that are in all Macedonia. But we exhort you, brethren, that ye abound more and more;” (1Th 4:10 ASV)

Read also: It is not try but trust

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Christus winnen, Jehovah vertrouwen

Thursday 3 December 2009

Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation!


"Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation! Worship the Lord in holy attire!"
Psalm 29:2 (NET)

"Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Why do the nations say, "Where is their God?"

Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him.

But their idols are silver and gold, made by human hands.

They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see.

They have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but cannot smell.

They have hands, but cannot feel, feet, but cannot walk, nor can they utter a sound with their throats.

Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.

House of Israel, trust in the LORD­ he is their help and shield.

House of Aaron, trust in the LORD­ he is their help and shield.

You who fear him, trust in the LORD­ he is their help and shield.

The LORD remembers us and will bless us: He will bless the house of Israel,
he will bless the house of Aaron, he will bless those who fear the LORD­ small and great alike.
May the LORD cause you to increase, both you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.

The highest heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to humankind.

It is not the dead who praise the LORD, those who go down to the place of silence; it is we who extol the LORD, both now and forevermore. Praise the LORD."
Psalm 115 (TNIV)

Ascribe to Jehovah the glory of his name. Bow down to Jehovah in holy adornment.
Psalm 29:2 (NWV)
Psalms 115:1-18
(NWT)
1 To us belongs nothing, O Jehovah, to us belongs nothing, But to your name give glory According to your loving-kindness, according to your trueness.
2 Why should the nations say: “Where, now, is their God?”
3 But our God is in the heavens; Everything that he delighted [to do] he has done.
4 Their idols are silver and gold, The work of the hands of earthling man.
5 A mouth they have, but they cannot speak; Eyes they have, but they cannot see;
6 Ears they have, but they cannot hear. A nose they have, but they cannot smell.
7 Hands are theirs, but they cannot feel. Feet are theirs, but they cannot walk; They utter no sound with their throat.
8 Those making them will become just like them, All those who are trusting in them.
9 O Israel, trust in Jehovah; He is their help and their shield.
10 O house of Aaron, put YOUR trust in Jehovah; He is their help and their shield.
11 YOU that fear Jehovah, trust in Jehovah; He is their help and their shield.
12 Jehovah himself has remembered us; he will bless, He will bless the house of Israel, He will bless the house of Aaron.
13 He will bless those fearing Jehovah, The small ones as well as the great ones.
14 Jehovah will give increase to YOU, To YOU and to YOUR sons.
15 YOU are the ones blessed by Jehovah, The Maker of heaven and earth.
16 As regards the heavens, to Jehovah the heavens belong, But the earth he has given to the sons of men.
17 The dead themselves do not praise Jah, Nor do any going down into silence.
18 But we ourselves will bless Jah From now on and to time indefinite. Praise Jah, YOU people!

Sing to Jehovah, Jehovah's Witnesses' current ...
Sing to Jehovah, Jehovah's Witnesses' current hymnal (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Enhanced by Zemanta