CLEAR GLASS
CLEAR GLASS, “WORTH CONSIDERING” 11/19/20 From Ken Smith<><
Today’s Scripture (In my mailbox this morning from a church in Texas.)
Miriam and Aaron talked against Moses behind his back because of his Cushite wife…They said, “Is it only through Moses that GOD speaks? Doesn’t he also speak through us?” GOD overheard their talk. (Numbers 12:1–2, MSG)
God is Listening
Moses’ sister and brother, Miriam and Aaron, began to talk against Moses because he married a woman from a different nationality. They were trying to make him look bad and questioning his leadership. Notice that when people are talking about you, God hears it. He’s your defender, and He’s never lost a case. It goes on to say this angered the Lord, and He dealt with them because they had spoken against the reputation of one of His children. God takes it seriously when someone tries to discredit you, belittle you, or make you look bad. You don’t have to get upset. God is listening. He knows how to change their mind. Sometimes He’ll cause them to be quiet; other times He’ll let them keep talking and just keep promoting you. The more they talk, the higher you’ll go. They think they’re hurting you, but they’re doing you a favor. God is paying you back by taking you to new levels.
A Prayer for Today
“Father, thank You that You are so aware of and intimately involved with what is going on in my life. Thank You that You haven’t left me on my own, but You step in and defend me when I need it. I am going to relax and stay at peace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
Ken Comments:
There is a rather obscure scripture that I am reminded of that I have never heard any ministry preach on. God created us to be filled with love, faith, joy, peace, confidence, and success. But fist we must allow HIM to rule over us and really be our LORD for that to happen. The verse is found in 1 Cor. 11:29-31, “ For anyone who eats and drinks [without solemn reverence and heartfelt gratitude for the sacrifice of Christ] , eats and drinks a judgment on himself if he does not [a] recognize the body [of Christ]. 30 That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason why many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep [in death]. 31 But if we evaluated and judged ourselves honestly [recognizing our shortcomings and correcting our behavior], we would not be judged. In this Chapter Apostle Paul is teaching on the Agape Meal or the Lord’s Supper that as Christians we were invited to celebrate each week as we are supposed to come together as per Acts 2:41-42 called the breaking of bread. This Saturday evening gathering would start off with the testimony of new converts, Rom.10:9-10 and proceed to a time of instruction which would be followed by the Agape Meal (Pot Blessing) and at the end of the meal have the memorial of the Lord’s remembrance of HIS payment for our sins. Then the gathering would go into prayer, ministry to one another and the ministry of the Elders and there was no time limit and all were invited to participate as in 1 Cor. 14:26-33. It was a gathering more like a party and full of Joy and Freedom. IT WAS NOT A THEATER CHURCH SERVICE OF TRADITIONS…. In fact, you really never knew what the Holy Spirit was going to do. Some folks would come about 5 and many not leave till 3 AM as it was so much JOY to be there. I really miss those times….
But Paul also took the time to also mention that sever judgment could fall if there was hypocrisy. If sin in the camp was not dealt with it could bring weakness, sickness and even death. Actually I have had several experiences of people being removed by death due to being in church leadership and also being a hypocrite or actor. So transparency with yourself and with GOD is very important in being a part of the cure and not a part of the problem. Keeping a continuing real honesty with God is what HE loves most. Ps. 2:12, “ Kiss (pay respect to) the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame. How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him! 1 John 1:9, “ If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].
Repentance also includes the humility and obedience factor to ask for God’s Grace for the Victory in any area of weakness. Sometimes even a deliverance from a demon is needed if the failure is of long time in our being use to. Many social sins are tied to fear. Fear often keeps us from sharing the Gospel to those who need it, who are all around us. Fear of rejection or persecution is often used by our enemy to keep us quiet. And of course there are the demonic facades and false promises that appeal to our emotions and our earthly carnal nature. I can remember feeling totally justified in teaching my adult Sunday school class in 1965 that today is not like the Book of Acts that those day were over with the death of the last apostle and the Holy Bible being put together. And I was totally wrong and really obstructing the Holy Spirit at that time. Some tell me today that it is up to God to save souls. That it is not their calling. I can quote a dozen scriptures to indicate that it is not true. That God has trusted us clay vessels with the Word of God to share with the lost world around us. But that does not change their mind. And when they stand before Jesus, they will need to give an account of what they did with the Word of God concerning the lost on a personal level. Isaiah 28:9-20 would be good to consider as to your position on God’s Truth and sound doctrine. Emotions and Intuition have no place in learning what is God’s Truth to set us free. It is not what we wold like it to be but what God tells us by His prophets what His Truth really is. Take scripture out of context and you can prove most anything to true. Scripture must be interpreted by scripture to really find God’s Truth. Many do not do that and that is why there is no real UNITY (John 17) in the so called church today. There really is only ONE Church of Christ Jesus in HIS TRUTH to set us free. And only those who truly Love, Honor and Obey HIM are eternal members. It is in the Book, read it for yourselves. There is only Light and Darkness with God, Lukewarm is not acceptable, Rev.3:14-22, Rev. 12:11. There is no comfortable coasting. You are either going up stream or down.
Yours, in HIS great Love and wonderful Grace & Mercy, Ken<>< www.trinity-aloha.org
There was much more to share but my computer ate it….
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