Thank God for God part 11

What a wonderful chapter describing who is in control, and why we should respect and be reverent to Him. Because there are rules in this universe not to appease God, but because that is what is most healthy for us to follow. Why doesn't He want single people to engage in premarital sex of any kind? Physically because promiscuity leads to STDs and pregnancies with which unwed parents are quite unprepared to deal. Understand what I mean by premarital, because that differs from generation to generation in human terms. In God terms premarital means sex without commitment. Have two people decided to spend the rest of their lives together? That's all it took for Isaac and Rebekkah. There was no formal bride-in-white gown, groom-in-tux marriage. But he announced that Rebekkah was his, there was an exchange of a dowry and the deed was done. They were together forever. Premarital means to have sex without commitment, to do it wantonly, lustfully, with anyone. That does not please God. That includes phone sex, cyber sex, oral sex, etc. If there is no sense of commitment it is premarital. Or extramarital. Hebrews Chapter 4 is such a wonderful book because it gives a reason that I must treat God and what He wants with respect. Number one I cannot hide from Him. I may cover myself with fig leaves but I cannot hide from Him. He knows me. He knows my innermost thoughts. He knows when I am trying to be good. He knows when I am wanting to sin. he knows when I stray and when I am on the road with Him. Number two, I am from a disobedient crowd. But I am told that I should work out my own salvation, and labor to stay in His rest and put all things in His hands, not trying to take control, because after all I have no control, then He will keep me. That means He will protect me. From storms, from rain? Maybe...but I believe it is from Satan that He will protect me. What was Adam and Eve's big sin? Pride, yes, but it was thinking that they were God and they wanted complete control of their lives. That happens so often with me,that I am surprised God still wants me around. But He does and He speaks the desire through the leadership and fellowship of the church. If I walk in His light, accepting His rest and peace and live in that rest and peace because quite frankly once I accept Him I am already home, if I stay true to Him and listen to His voice like that of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) calling upon His name (Revelation 3:12; Revelation 1:3-10) God's rest is mine. But, and I have always found this interesting, that takes work. That takes discipline. It takes continually renewing one's mind (Romans 12:2). It takes saying "no". For I am not static but a dynamic creature, and because the universe is heading toward entropy and the loss of energy I must use the talents, the tools and the mind that God gave me to produce enthalpy and gain of energy to remain in His rest. It takes as much energy to stay perfectly still as it does to move around, just redirected. God promises protection, He promises a life in heaven, He promises food and shelter and companionship and that He will always love me...He also promises me sorrows on earth...so that it isn't all rosy in Him and He knows that. Any preacher that says differently is not reading His Scripture carefully. That's why this thing works and that is why it is hard to follow...

Thanks be to God for things that really matter. To me what really matters is my home. Where is my real home? Why should I worry when there are dangers? In 2002 the US was imminently in danger of a war with Iraq. So is my home in danger? Maybe my earthly home. Not my real home. God gives me a home in heaven, not a mystical kingdom where there are Dances of Sugar Plum Fairies and from which I must wake up to once again face troubles on earth. No, God is wonderful in that He has made a place for me in heaven. My heritage and my home are here in Jerusalem. (Galatians 4:26). But the Jerusalem that my heritage and home are set is spiritual, it is actual but it is not here on earth, and God loves me enough to provide for me designs it. Because I am in His church, I alsoe have a counterpart home in the spiritual Jerusalem. Hebrews 4 talks about both the spiritual rest I must enter into as a Christian and at the same time how I must walk in order to be a citizen. "Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, "As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. For He spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise. And God did rest the seventh day from all His works. And in this place again. If they shall enter in my rest. Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief. Again, He limiteth a certain day, saying in David,'Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that has entered into His rest, he has also ceased from his own works, as God did from His. Let us labour to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow and is a discerner of thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:1-6)

Thank God for God part 9

In my inner most beings, He hears me. (Psalm 130:1-8). When I am in trouble, He knows it and listens to me while I plead to Him. (Psalm 140:1-13). Even though He hears me and provides all things, I still ask Him. Is this always necessary? Not always. But sometimes it helps keep Him in my mind in the loop although in reality He is always in the loop. I don't know why there are times God wants to hear it from me and there are times He has no problem rushing to my aid. Someday I hope to figure it out, or at least some day I hope to ask Him,, except that I am reminded of the blessing that He gives me without me asking, such as my friendships and my cats. Neither one did I actively seek, but in the Church, God has seen to it that I have many friends and at home God has seen that two cats have come my way to give me enjoyment. Nevertheless, sometimes things don't come my way until I ask. Why? Is it because God wants to see just how important these things are to me? Or is it because by hearing myself ask for things stirs up just how important those things are to me? In any case, God distributes as He sees fit, and saves me from those who would want me hurt in His timing. I can say, "Help me!" as often as I want to. If it is according to God's purpose that I am in chains a little while there shall I be. He doesn't like to see me suffer and so has supplied me with hymns and sweet memories of friendships with brethren. And in the meantime I am dragged and drawn and quartered, either physically, emotionally or mentally or all three. And still I cry out (Psalm 143:1-2). And still He gives me peace, like He did Peter in Acts, when he was in chains and was able to sleep.