just so much and no more

One of the children’s books I read my little ones was about a tiny gold fish in a fish bowl and a young child. The child was allowed to feed the fish but told to feed it just so much and no more. Well, the child felt sorry for the fish and keep feeding it more and more and more. That fish grew and grew and grew until it didn’t even fit even in the bathtub. Although the child thought he was being kind and good, he hurt the fish and himself plus in the process made a mess of everything.

You know we can do that… all the while think we are kind and helpful but make a mess of everything.

Now, I am far from perfect. I do things wrong, though I do not want to or intend to. But I do. I bore 5 children, they gave me 11 grandchildren who have so far given me 6 great-grandchildren. If any of them asked me for a fish I would not give them a snake or if they asked for an egg I definitely would not give them a scorpion. Would you?

But I don’t always give them what they want either.

I had three of my grandchildren for most of last week. The youngest of the three loves to eat and she always wants more… sometimes I think she would eat til she popped if I would let her. Sometimes I misjudge and let her have a bit too much and she is miserable… her tummy hurts. It is because I really love her, that I will give her just so much and no more, even when she thinks she wants or needs more.

GOD is good.. In fact JESUS said that there is no one good but GOD. Sometimes we go to our Heavenly FATHER, the Sovereign wise Creator of heaven and earth and all that is in them and ask something we want or think we need but HE gives us something else.

A guy I know loves the LORD and a hard thing happened so he went to the LORD and asked for something special. He expected it to happen for he knows GOD loves to answer the prayers of HIS people. This man waited and waited patiently for the LORD to answer until one day something happened that showed him GOD was not giving him what he so desperately wanted and had asked for. In reality, he felt he had asked for a fish but GOD gave him a snake.

When that happened the guy felt GOD had cheated him and let him down. If I am honest I must admit that when I asked for a fish, I thought HE gave me a snake. Later I learned differently and realized GOD knew what HE was doing but at that moment I thought HE had given me a scorpion,

Luke 11:10-13 says that if we who are far from perfect know how to give good things to our children, how much more will GOD give what is best for us.

No good thing will HE withhold from them who walk uprightly… So if you are walking with HIM and HE withholds something from you, you can be certain that is it not the best thing for you right now. Trust HIM!

hugs
Sharon

getting down to the line

It is getting down to the line, they amputate my grandson's feet day after tomorrow. So I just looked at this video again and was so encouraged I had to share. It is by Josh Wilson and called,
Before the Morning.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZDQzR8LK-c

hugs
Sharon

stumbled

Just like road signs warn us about dangers ahead, so the LORD in HIS word warns us.

When my youngest son Johnny was a little guy we lived in a small place and to keep him happy yet out of thing I would put him in his walker. He loved being off the floor and scooting around. One day I was baking and he got near the oven so I warned him, “Hot, don’t touch!” A little while later I heard him scream… he had got his walker going and went directly to the stove. His poor little hand. But from then on he stayed away from the stove.

We who know JESUS as our Savior and LORD, want to please HIM. But I sometimes I get focused on me and somehow slip and think or do something I know is wrong.

A friend of mine recently slipped and participated in a sin from his old life. He confessed and turned back to the LORD and HIS ways but oh how conscious he now is of his own weakness in that area.

Walking yesterday, I thought of my friend and a verse came to mind.
Daniel 11:35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless …

Neat verse huh? shows the purpose behind GOD permitting the stumble...

What a marvelous GOD we have who actively conspires on our behalf and “uses all things (good and bad) together for an end result of good to us who love HIM and are the called according to HIS purpose… (that being) to conform us to the image of JESUS CHRIST…” Romans 8:28,29


JESUS warns us, just like I warned Johnny. HE said, “watch and pray lest you enter into temptation.” But if you fall don’t stay there. Get up and confess and GOD will use that to make you even stronger than before.

the one who schedules

Ever been to the doctor and been told we will schedule that test and let you know. So you are on hold. Well even when we make the plans ourselves things can come up.

James teaches us to say, "If the LORD will, I will do this or that"

Yesterday, I was driving down the highway with the windows down and the wind in my hair, when I got a text from my middle daughter Kari so pulled over to text back. I’d planned to meet her on her lunch break before the afternoon appointment with her at her beauty school and she was calling to tell me they had made her a runner so she couldn’t have clients that day.

Oh no! I really was disappointed! Disappointed, because I was looking forward to seeing her. Not only does she pamper me doing my nails and hair when I go to her school but more importantly it is just us and we talk and she shares her heart with me.

A nudge came reminding me that it is the LORD who schedules our lives (Ps 139:16 ) So I said, “LORD, I know YOU have a reason for this, so have YOUR own way.”

Got back on the road and drove to my 1st appointment for the day… the gal was having a stressful day one problem after another and facing so serious stuff in the next week. So I watched her boys as she went to get ‘care n share’ cause they had run out of $ and food. Among the things she received at ‘care n share’ was a cake and she remarked how wonderful that was because it was her son’s birthday and she had no $ for a cake or a present… The cake was awesome and had toys on it so she got both a cake and a present for her son.

My friend came home beaming… The gal at ‘care n share’ got to bless her not me, yet she was blessed by GOD.

If GOD had not scheduled Kari as a runner, my schedule would not have allowed me to stayed to watch the boys and my friend wouldn’t have been able to go to care n share for the food or gotten the surprise decorated birthday cake and present for her son.

GOD’s faithfulness to provide for my friend also encouraged her about the serious stuff she must soon face. For when we see HIM working in the little things we know HE will take care of the big one.

hugs

Sharon

Out of my comfort zone

Mental associations are funny things. The 1st thing I think about when I hear the word abomination is the cartoon adaptation of the Abominable snowman. The encyclopedia says the abominable snowman or yeti, refers to humanlike creature so named because it is associated with the perpetual snow region of the Himalayas. A figure unknown except through tracks ascribed to it and through alleged encounters. There are many myths and hoaxes and even cartoons of this creature.

But the word abomination in the phrase abomination of desolation spoken of in the Bible is something quite different and not funny in the least. This word in the verb form means feel nausea or loathing for food; hense it is used of utter disgust.

When speaking of it JESUS issues a warning and special instructions to the Jews.
Mark 13:14"When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation standing where it does not belong—let the reader understand—then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. (for more details, search it out yourself in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Daniel 9:27, 11:21 through 12:11 and Revelation 13:14,15)

A couple of seemingly random things you need to know before what I will share makes any sence.:
1-JESUS, in several places, said that the 1st would be last and the last would be first. That refers to several things and is seen both in promises and prophesy. Note, the Jews were 1st and the Church was last. JESUS comes for HIS church 1st and then GOD delivers the Jews from the Antichrist. The last big nation is the USA... we are a very young nation compared to the nations of the world.

2-In the Bible there is a rule of multiple fulfillment . That means often prophesy of one event, actually has many small fulfillments leading up to the one big fulfillment.

The term abomination that causes desolation is understood to refer to several instances. In each of the case 1st the offerings and sacrifices to YHWH the LORD of heaven and earth is stopped, after that the placing of the abomination that causes desolation 3rd then begins severe persecution of the LORD GOD’s children.

One such instance of the abomination that causes desolation is when Antiochus Epophane's- king of Syria sacrificed a pig in the holy place in the 160s B.C. Now a pig was an unclean animal that the Jews were forbidden to eat so to sacrifice it in the holy place... a place set apart for only the high priest to meet with GOD once a year to offer sacrifices for the forgiveness of sin (doing what is forbidden) was the height of mockery of GOD and things holy. It was more than an affront to the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY... it desecrated / defiled the place.

Another, is the occupation of the Jewish temple in Jerusalem by the idolatrous Romans under Titus, with their standards and ensigns. After the burning of the temple the Romans brought their ensigns and set them over against the eastern gate (where GOD is suppose to enter) and there offered sacrifices to them and declaring Titus to be emperor (a god).

The big fulfillment of the abomination that causes desolation will be during the tribulation when the satan empowered ruler will desecrate the temple site in Jerusalem by erecting an idolatrous statue of himself (the Antichrist).

The term abomination that causes desolation speaks of someone in authority who places something that mocks the LORD GOD and HIS ways in a special place that desecrates (defiles) it. Each time it marks a beginning of great troubles.

I have asked GOD what I should do about something and I have struggled with and put off sharing this with you but several verses came to mind telling me I was to say what I heard and a fleece came back positive so here goes:

Shaking in my boots cause I am out of my comfort zone, let me tell you a crazy thought I had. Over and over and over again last week I would get online and see the AOL headline telling of President Obama endorsing the building of a mosque at Ground Zero. Each time the phrase... abomination that causes desolation came to mind.

Will the setting up of a mosque at Ground Zero be the USA's abomination that causes desolation? Will it mark a beginning of trouble for believers here in the USA? Does GOD have any instructions concerning this?

Please I beg of you go to our LORD, the LORD of hosts, and ask if there is anything to this and if there is, what are the specific instructions we need for this time.

We need not fear. Remember my precious friends, GOD promises that HE is with us and will never leave us nor forsake us. Neither will HE give us anything that we cannot handle with HIM by our side. But please seek HIS face on this for me and share whatever you get....

We can be greatly encouraged if this is about to take place for it is during the period of persecution after the placing of the abomination that causes desolation that Daniel tells us:

Daniel 11:31 will rise up to desecrate the temple fortress and will abolish the daily sacrifice. Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation. 32 With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. 33 "Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered. 34 When they fall, they will receive a little help, and many who are not sincere will join them. 35 Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined, purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time.

It is all on the LORD( YHWH's) of hosts' time schedule and the persecution will give opportunity to witness and even the falls will achieve (refine, purify and make spotless) for us believers.

hugs
Sharon

temper tantrum

Here is the scenario: You walking down the aisle of the grocery store gathering the things on your list, all of sudden you hear an ear shattering scream, startled you turn to see a young child fighting with all his might to keep something that he has grabbed off a shelf from his mom. He ignores the calming words of his mom for all he knows is he wants what is in his hands and his mom is trying to take it away. He screams and kicks go on and on as he refuses to let go more heads turn and people gawk. Some onlookers are clearly irritated and their eyes unmistakably aim the unspoken words, “Shut that kid up!” at the young embarrassed mom. But others, mainly women and you of course, cast sympathetic glances toward her, clearly showing they understand for they have been there, done that.

How about you? Have you been there and done that? Did you know GOD has?

This week I saw GOD in the mom’s position trying to calm down HIS childish pouting prophet Jonah. But as I thought on these things, (lest I get to high and mighty) the LORD reminded me of times I acted like just like Jonah. But looking back, the crazy thing I see is that at those times I had no clue of my own childish behavior. I self righteously thought that I was right.

One time was when Mac felt we needed a new car. I didn’t think we needed the bill and loved my little green Neon with the sun roof. Since I was at work when he went car hunting and couldn’t tag along and clearly wasn’t encouraging him a bit on this venture, he asked me what color I wanted. My response was, “I don’t care, anything but red.”

So what did he come home with? … a red car. It was pretty, but I refused to accept it graciously. All I could see was Mac got that stupid car and if that wasn’t bad enough after asking me my preferences, he got the color I said I did not want. I pouted and grumbled until finally Mac traded the car off. That trade cost us plenty. So you see, I have been in Jonah’s shoes so I am not bad mouthing him.

But lets look at GOD’s chosen prophet, who chose to be a vessel of dishonor, by demanding his own way.

Notice, as I did, that Jonah was GOD’s much loved child and he did do GOD’s work with amazing results.

Lets look at GOD and how the Sovereign LORD, Creator of heaven and earth gently deals with HIS child throwing a temper tantrum.

GOD had chosen HIS prophet Jonah to go to the wicked people of Nineveh and pronounce judgment. But because Jonah knew GOD was merciful and would quickly forgive if they repented, he ran the other way. For he hated the people of Nineveh because of what they had done to the Jews. Well after a wild storm, getting thrown in the sea, swallowed by a fish and sitting in the acid of the fish’s stomach for 3 days, Jonah, had had enough. HE repented and submitted to GOD. Then GOD had the fish vomit him out on the shore and reassigned Jonah to go to Nineveh and pronounce judgment would hit in 40 days.

Notice: ALMIGHTY GOD gave Jonah a 2nd chance. GOD will always give us another chance if we turn to HIM.

Well, Jonah preached, the people repented, GOD forgave and stopped the judgment, and Jonah got mad and told GOD “I knew this would happen and that was the reason I ran away in the 1st place. I knew YOU are a gracious and compassionate GOD, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. I knew how easily YOU would forgive and cancel YOUR plans to send calamity, Kill me,” cried Jonah, “I don’t want to live!”

GOD gently responded to his dramatics with, “Have you any reason to be angry?”

Ignoring the question, pouting Jonah went and sat down east of the city so he could watch what happened to Nineveh. GOD told him to go and he had done what GOD wanted now GOD had better come through. But the sun was hot, Jonah was miserable, so GOD prepared a vine and had it grow quickly over Jonah to shade him and ease his discomfort. And Jonah was very grateful for the vine. GOD also sent a worm and that night the worm ate through the stem of the vine, so that it soon died and withered away. And as the sun grew hot, GOD sent a scorching east wind to blow on Jonah. The sun beat down on his head until he grew faint and wished to die. “Death is better than this.” he moaned.

And GOD answered and said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry because the plant died?”

“Yes,” Jonah retorted, “even angry enough to die.”

Then the LORD said, “ You feel sorry about the plant, though you did nothing to put it there, and a plant at best is only short lived. But Nineveh has more than 120,000 who don’t even know their right hand from their left (that is a Hebrew figure of speech speaking of extreme youth.. in other words little children), not to mention all the animals. Shouldn’t I feel sorry for such …


Lets look back as GOD flung the storm on the ship, and prepared the fish to swallow Jonah, and prepared the vine, and HE sent a worm to kill the vine and then sent a scorching east wind all to lovingly teach his childish servant what Jonah needed to learn {how to have compassion, forgive and love}

That same GOD is tenderly concerned with the little details of your life. So if there are storms or worms or scorching east winds you might want to stop and ask HIM “What’s up?”

Hugs
Sharon


A bunny trail:
Even with his temper tantrum, there are 2 very special things about Jonah,
1- He knew his GOD well and was able to hear HIS voice clearly
“I knew YOU were a gracious and compassionate GOD, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. I knew how easily YOU would forgive and cancel YOUR plans to send calamity…” Jonah 4:2

Today GOD is the same, gracious and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love, quick forgive and easily turned from bringing calamity if one will just humble himself and turn to HIM.

2- Jonah was painfully honest and received correction when the conviction of the Holy Spirit hit-for it is Jonah, himself, who wrote this about himself.

If you don’t believe me just take a few minutes and read the short book of Jonah.

Is it enough?

This morning a headline on AOL news caught my eye as I got online. The headline read: Why are flamingos pink? My curiosity got the best of me so I clicked on the link and I read the article about the most searched out questions on the internet. The question - Why are flamingos pink? ranked #10 Really life shattering pondering, huh?

Being who I am, my searches concern different things. Just this past week two issues came up. I had searched both of them out before and have firm conclusions yet I didn't vocalize them. There were Biblical reasons I did not do it in the setting where I was. But they are on my mind now so here goes.

GOD is honest and GOD is truthful. HE cannot offer something HE is not prepared to give. GOD offers eternal life to whosoever will (any and every one) who will believe. John 3:15,16 By saying whosoever HE intentionally includes all, whether they choose to believe or not.

Throughout the Bible we see people in great struggles and as in the judgments of Revelations and throughout the Bible we hear the phase but they refused (a choice) to turn to GOD. This clearly shows that the judgments were at least in part falling with the intent of turning people away from their evil and to GOD.

We saw how the fierce winds against the ship caused great fear in the crew of the ship taking Jonah away from GOD. We saw how these men chose to believe Jonah’s witness and turned to GOD during this time.

We saw when Jonah, bleached white from being in the acidity of the belly of the fish for 3 days, declared GOD’s judgment to that great and wicked city of Ninevah that all the people, great and small chose to believe his report and humbled themselves and turned to GOD from their evil ways.

Judas could not have believed in JESUS being the Son of GOD for he did not look to HIM for salvation. He was looking to money. But JESUS still reached out to him in love. Even after Judas made a deal with the Jewish leaders to betray JESUS, JESUS offered him a chance to turn to HIM and away from the evil he intended to do. When JESUS declared HE was being betrayed by one of them (the disciples) and that it would be better for that one who to betray him never to have been born at all, JESUS was anonymously but directly warning Judas and offering him another chance to repent. Judas heard the words but refused (a choice) to believe them.

We see GOD over and over offering life to any who would believe and turned to HIM. GOD who is faithful and true cannot offer what HE cannot give. Therefore, I cannot believe in limited atonement… (that is a technical term meaning that JESUS’ blood paid the price only enough to cover the people who will believe.)

JESUS blood on the cross paid for all sin, past, present and future. But it does you no good unless you turn to JESUS.

Have you gone to JESUS?

hugs
Sharon
ps... fyi... flamingos are pink because of what they eat. Pigments in food like crustaceans break down and are deposited into the feathers and beak.

She did what she could

A woman came quietly into the room with a jar of precious/ expensive oil. The kind a woman kept for her wedding day. She came to where JESUS and his disciples were reclined eating and broke the bottle and anointed JESUS’ head with the oil. Then she anointed JESUS’ feet and wiped them with her hair.

Some of the disciples, Judas Iscariot in particular, began to scold her rebuking her harshly for the “waste” saying that the oil could have been sold for much and given to the poor.

But JESUS told them to stop harassing her for she had done a beautiful and necessary thing for HIM. She had anointed HIS body for HIS funeral.

Did she understand what she was doing? Is she the only one who took HIS words of HIS pending death seriously? Or did she simply obey the nudging of the Holy SPIRIT not understanding why she felt the need to do it? We are not told and I don’t think it matters for GOD can lead us whether we understand or not. What matters is she took what she had and did what she knew she should do.

She was right but severely criticized. Have you ever done right and then been criticized?

JESUS words for her cry out to me, “She did what she could.” Mark 14:8 Literally in the Greek it reads, “She had, she did”

HIS words are a challenge to me. “Do I do what I can? Do I willing use what I have for HIM?”

In Jonah 1 we see how GOD stopped HIS servant who was running away from HIS plan and brought Jonah to the place where he openly confessed GOD before the pagan crew members which along with the ensuing results brought the entire crew to fear GOD greatly and to make vows to HIM.

We saw in Jonah 2 how GOD brought Jonah to where he needed to be to see how wrong he was in running away and Jonah cried out for deliverance from inside the belly of the big fish and made vows to obey GOD. Why? because Jonah knew GOD would listen to his cries.

We saw how GOD had the fish vomit Jonah out within walking distance of where he needed to be to accomplish GOD’s purposes.

And when Jonah did what GOD had told him to do: to cry out that GOD was going to destroy their city in 40 days all the people from the least to the greatest… even the king, humbled themselves and fasted and wore sackcloth and cried mightily unto GOD and turned from their wicked ways. GOD saw what they did and how they had turned away from their wicked ways and therefore GOD turned from destroying that city.

So far we see 100% success rate in Jonah’s witnessing: A boat full of pagans and a huge city full of wicked and cruel pagans and how does Jonah react?

He got mad and pouted and declared: “Was this not what I said when I was in my own country… for I knew that YOU are a gracious and compassionate GOD slow to anger and abundant in loving-kindness and ONE who relents concerning sending calamity” Jonah 4:2

I will talk more about what Jonah said at another time. Right now I want to focus on one thing. Why Jonah had such a wonderful success rate in his witnessing both in the boat and in Ninevah. I am convinced the reason is that Jonah had taken the time to get to know his GOD. Jonah knew GOD’s character, HIS nature, the way HE does things. Jonah knew GOD's voice because he had often listened to it. Jonah was GOD’s witness to the lost around him.

Have you taken time to get to know your GOD? Are you HIS witness those around you?

Just wondering,

Sharon

There is a way that seems right to man…Proverbs 14:12

Just as my husband sees clouds differently than I do, so people see things from different angles. We really see this in connection with our little one Zachary. And may I say here your concern and love and prayers for our almost two year old Zachary-regardless of how you see this situation- means so much to us and encourages us. Up front, let me thank each and every one of you for your love and continuing prayers.

Now back to different perspectives…

One will write to us, “If only you had enough faith, GOD would heal Zachary and GOD would be glorified.”

Another, tells of a documentary of a young boy in a triolathon (huge difficult race) who for years suffered operation after operation on his legs and then the doctors asked him what he wanted and his lower legs were amputated. Now that boy excels in all he does and GOD is glorified.

Back and forth, back and forth the comments come.

Walking to my therapy session yesterday, I was talking to the LORD about this and asked, “what will bring YOU more glory here? Is it healing Zachary and causing his bones to grow? YOU can surely do that with no problem. Or will YOUR enabling us to trust YOU and strengthening and developing Zachary bring YOU the most glory? What is YOUR plan here? What will bring YOU the most glory?

Then later as I read the Word, the question rose again. "What will give YOU more glory?"
Ephesians 3:7 the effectual working of HIS power 3:20,21 Now unto HIM who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above, beyond, all we can ask or even imagine according to the power that is at work within us. To HIM be the glory in the church by Christ JESUS throughout all ages, world without end. AMEN

But this time the LORD countered with: “That is the wrong question, Sharon. The secret things belong to ME. The question is what is MY purpose?”

Romans 8:28,29 And we know that GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD, to those who are called according to HIS purpose. For those GOD foreknew, HE also predestinated to become conformed to the image of HIS SON (JESUS), so that JESUS would be the firstborn among many brethren.
Ephesians 1:11, 12 …predestined according to the purpose of HIM who works all things after the counsel of HIS own will: that we should be to the praise of HIS glory, who first trusted in CHRIST.

What is that purpose? Those that trust JESUS CHRIST are to be conformed to the image of JESUS to the glory of GOD. Now that is incredible.. to look like JESUS, to have HIS love, and joy and peace and goodness and wisdom…. Ooooooh

But how does GOD do this?
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 Therefore we do not lose heart… For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen (our situation) but what is unseen (what GOD is achieving for us through our situation.) For what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.
1 Peter 1:6,7 In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater value than gold though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when JESUS CHRIST is revealed.

JESUS HIMSELF went through all kinds of suffering:
Hebrews 5:7,8 During the days of JESUS’ life on earth, HE offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the ONE who could save HIM from death, and HE was heard because of HIS reverent submission. Although HE was a Son, HE learned obedience through the things that HE suffered

There is a way that seems right to man…Proverbs 14:12

Do not be like Peter: Matthew 16:23 JESUS turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling block to ME; you do not have in mind the things of GOD, but the things of men.”

What is the conclusion of the matter? Be obedient to the Word. Don’t focus on which way GOD will work this all out, (the secret things belong to GOD) but focus on the documented fact that HE- the ALMIGHTY CREATOR/ SUSTAINER HIMSELF is at work behind the scenes and in HIS great love and wisdom is actively conspiring and achieving for Zachary and all concerned for the very best end result of good. Your obedience and trust will glorify GOD right here and now.

Please keep praying for we need your prayers and I am confident that your prayers are accomplishing much for we can feel your prayers!

hugs
Sharon

2Corinthians 1:8-11 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10 HE has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and HE will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11 as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many

This morning I woke to a heaviness in the air and looking outside I saw layer upon layer of clouds, much gray and just a dab of blue here and there. Now I love to watch clouds. To me they are beautiful and I have at times laughed at the crazy shapes they take. My kids also were cloud watchers and would point up and say, “there is a rabbit,” “look at the bear lying down.” "wow! and elephant!"

Many years ago when I was in a time of grief and great distress I am confident that GOD deliberately formed the clouds in a specific shape to get my attention, to speak to me, to encourage and comfort me.

A comment not long ago took me back. I was actually shocked by it. For belatedly I learned that my husband has never shared my delight in clouds. He related that he doesn't see them as beautiful but that clouds make him think of storms. Just as in songs and literature you often find clouds used metaphorically referring to troubles.

But this morning as we walked, Mac spoke a little differently, for now even he is looking longingly to the clouds hoping for them to bring a drop of rain to cool us off and perhaps lift some of this oppressive pressure.

So a little while later, I smiled as certain phrases stuck out as I read in Jonah this morning.

Jonah was running from GOD and the assignment HE had given Jonah. Therefore GOD caused a bad storm (big trouble) to come against the ship Jonah was traveling to Tarshish on. Through that storm and Jonah’s confession, the whole pagan/ unbelieving crew learned to fear the LORD and each man made vow to Jonah’s GOD - Yahwey, the GOD of heaven who made the sea and dry land. (see Jonah 1)

Wow! Each pagan man on that boat feared GOD ( the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom) and made a vow to HIM. Now the Hebrew word for vow used in Jonah means to promise voluntarily to give or do something; the primary idea is that of setting apart, consecrating oneself.

1-So we see that GOD uses troubles to reveal HIMSELF to unbelievers. The purpose of that is so that man might reach out to HIM and be saved. Acts 17:26,27 This those pagans did.

2-We also see a little more what GOD is talking about (2Timothy 2:20,21) when HE says that HIS children choose if they are vessels of honor or dishonor.

Once we become HIS, HE uses us for HIS glory. But we can choose to be vessels of honor- like Joseph, or vessels of dishonor- like Jonah. Either way GOD will do HIS work and get the glory. But if our choices are wrong we ourselves will be humiliated.

Going on into chapter 2 we see that the storm GOD brought on the ship which caused the men under duress to throw Jonah into the sea put Jonah in a place (the fishes belly) where only GOD could help him. It took all of this to wake Jonah up to turn him back to GOD.

I am not bad mouthing Jonah here for I know where he was coming from. It took the death of one of my children to turn me back to GOD.

There in the belly of the fish, Jonah chose to call out to the LORD, and made a vow to HIM. Then the LORD GOD of hosts (even animals) caused the big fish to vomit Jonah onto the shore not far from where GOD had originally told Jonah to go. And so Jonah did what GOD had told him to do.

Wow! The storm brought Jonah to a place where he too feared the LORD greatly and he also made a vow to the LORD GOD. GOD uses troubles for believers as well as unbelievers. For believers we see HIM doing three things through troubles:
1-turning us back to HIMSELF
2-getting us to do the work HE has assigned to us.
3-revealing HIMSELF and thus getting glory.

When I consider how GOD uses troubles: to reveal HIMSELF, to do HIS work, to save unbelievers and correct and teach HIS children, I can really obey HIS word

I Thessalonians 5:18 to give thanks in all things for this is the will of GOD concerning you in Christ JESUS.

Let the clouds that come into your life remind you that GOD is working on your behalf in all things for an end result of good and that HE does nothing without a cause.

Love and hugs
Sharon

mosquitoes

I get up very early, before others are stirring and at camp I would steal away from the campsite for time alone with GOD before the sun came up. On our last morning there, I walked on up to the Silver Lake a quarter mile or so from our campsite. There was a stillness and I saw two geese moving out toward the center of the lake and more joined them with soft honking back and forth between them.

Then all of a sudden things became very clear and I realized all around me were hords of mosquitoes. I was set to run when one of GOD’s names, the LORD of Hosts came to mind.

Now that name: YHWH Sabaoth or Jehovah Saboath means LORD of armies. HE is LORD over all armies whether human or angelic and it is even said HE sends forth an army of scorpions. So when that name came to mind, I knew what GOD was saying to me.

HE was saying, “They are MY army, Sharon.” And I answered HIM quickly, “Tell them not to bite me.”

Calm came over me and I watched the thousands of teeny newly hatched mosquitoes which looked like minute helicopters diving, rushing ahead but never colliding. I was amazed at the seeming confusion yet perfect order in their zooming this way and that.

I was there sometime and yet they never did bite me.

As I stood watching them and later on the walk back down to camp I thought of the end times, days of great troubles. Yet, I was reminded that as the mosquitoes were under the control of GOD so each of the foretold events are under HIS control. Just as HE kept the mosquitoes from biting me so HE is able to protect any who will seek HIS protection.

In Amos 4 this morning I was reminded of HIS armies. This portion says that if people refuse to hear GOD and obey HIM HE is forced to bring hard things their way in an attempt to get their attention so they will turn back to HIM and obtain life. GOD relates 5 such attempts in HIS dealing with Israel and ends each with the words, “The LORD GOD of hosts says, “Yet you have not returned to ME.”

Can’t you hear the anguish in HIS words?

GOD does not delight in the death of the wicked but that they turn and live. Ezekiel 18:23

Earlier HE had said, “Surely the LORD does nothing (what? does NOTHING=not one thing) unless HE reveals HIS secret counsel to HIS prophets. Amos 3:2

That is us, people of the light, we who choose to listen to the voice of GOD in HIS word and go with the nudging of the Holy SPIRIT. Like the young boy Samuel, if we want to hear what GOD is saying, we are told to listen and promised that we will understand. Then we must warn others.

Mark 4:23-24-- If anyone wants to hear, let him be listening and he will perceive and comprehend… Be careful of what you are hearing. The measure of thought and study you give to the truth you hear will be measured back to you in virtue and knowledge and more besides will be given to you who listen and hear.

Then be bold to warn others

Amos 5:4 for thus says the LORD, seek ME that you may live…

If you use the NIV you will not find the name LORD of Hosts… for the translators translate it LORD GOD ALMIGHTY leaving the concept of armies out of the picture. We miss out on a rich illustration that way.

hugs

me

Put up with it cause HE puts up with you.

Put up with each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13

As I read the verse above, I was transported back decades to a scene that seemed like yesterday. I even remember where I stood.

That day I was furious with someone and popped off at GOD, "YOU told me that I would walk away from YOUR plans for me if I walked away from this situation and now he has blocked them so I might as well walk."

Then all of a sudden I began rememberinging things. Situation after situation came to mind showing me stuff GOD had forgiven me for. All of a sudden I realized that I was no longer mad for the anger had seeped right out of me.

It was amazing that as I saw HIS forgiveness (was reminded of how HE had forgiven me through JESUS) HIS forgiveness seemed to flow from me.

Guess that is what it means when the Bible says "we are being changed little by little by the HOLY SPIRIT into JESUS' likeness" (2Cor 3:18) and "we shall be like HIM(JESUS) when we see HIM(JESUS) for we shall see HIM as HE is."(I John 3:2)

hugs