Is This Your TIME? (Time and Chance - Part 7)
June 2nd, 2009 | Michael Q. Pink
“I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise… but time and chance happen to all” Ecclesiastes 9:11
“Only rebel not against the LORD, neither fear you the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defense is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.” Numbers 14:9
“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11
Bread is another way of saying provision. That is what Jesus was speaking of and certainly what the audience would have understood. But I want you to notice a couple of things about provision you might not have seen before.
When Joshua and Caleb returned from spying out the Promised Land which had walled cities and giants living there, they were excited. What they saw was provision. Everything the enemies of God had built was just waiting for them to possess. Yes, there was this nasty little detail about giants but Joshua and Caleb knew they were well able to deal with the giants and possess the land as long as the Lord delighted in them and they did not get in fear.
Fear is a force much like faith. Faith makes God’s power available to us. Fear makes the devil’s influence available to us. Get in fear and you open the door to the devil to move in ways you really don’t want. Get in faith and you open the door for God to do things the devil cannot stop. Fear and faith both involve a strong belief. Fear is usually a belief in a bad outcome and faith is a belief in a God kind of outcome.
When they saw big problems, they also saw big opportunities. That’s why I am so excited about the day in which we live now. Big problems (bigger on the way) and big opportunities (bigger on the way). In the midst of the reality that problems are always joined at the hip with opportunities, we find Solomon’s claim that the wise don’t always succeed in getting the bread because time and chance happens to every one.
Time and chance are code words to indicate where God is at work. Joshua and Caleb recognized that in the natural the enemy had more bread and more strength than them but they also knew it was “TIME”. This was their chance. And they pleaded with their countrymen to no avail and that moment, that opportunity was lost forever. Everyone who got in fear and wouldn’t possess the land, though they relented shortly afterwards, still missed their opportunity and they died in the wilderness over the next 40 years.
My brothers and sisters, is this your TIME right now? Has God shown you an opportunity fraught with danger, toil and snare? Choose wisely this day.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm
Good stuff, Michael. I’ve heard it said that fear is faith in reverse: having more faith in the devil’s ability than in God’s ability. That’s when we need to remember 2 Timothy 1:7, that fear does not come from God.
June 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I honestly don’t know why I’m responding. I think it’s the “TIME” thing. I’m 52 yrs old and just served 16months in the womens correctional prison in TX. Now, back in my youth, I was a bit wild a crazy - was in & out of prison several times-before and after I accepted Jesus. I’ve lived through accidents that can only be to glorify God because I sure don’t derserve it. I’d had actually done ok from 86 to 05 when ny dies dad and I just cratered. When I had my car aaccident and was taken to jail, my lbloodcount was a 6 and I had duble pneumonia and they honestly couldn’t figure out how I was walking around. For God’s glory - not mine - so ok - but I don’t feel any direction and I need some. I just don’t know what I should do right now? Your welcome to just discard this when you get it, I just felt blessed when I read this and had to write back.
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:16 am
Prayers for Stacey. It’s amazing that God always has a plan for us that is exceedingly better than what we can imagine. Faith is the sail that catches the wind of the Spirit and hope is the anchor of the soul when we’re waiting for the wind to come up.
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:02 am
Hi Stacey;
Your email posting is definitely not being discarded. I have asked a few folks to read your post and offer some input. I will be watching those and post later. Thank you for taking the time to share your situation with us!
Blessings, Michael
June 3rd, 2009 at 9:42 am
[...] share your thoughts on this and for those of you who feel so inclined, please check out yesterday’s blog comments. There is a 52 year old woman named Stacey just out of prison. She needs a little encouragement. [...]
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:12 am
Stacey, I am a volunteer minister in prisons. If there is one thing that I have witnessed in peoples lives by doing so, is this. It was no suprise to God that you were there. But as He changed your heart and mind during that time (As you know you had a lot of free time to seek Him), He was preparing your testimony for others who are in the same condition. You have been places where others have not tread. Now use those experiences to touch a dying, crying, sighing humanity.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:30 am
STACEY:
My heart goes out to you and I will be praying for you, sister. Immerse yourself in the Word of God and He will give you direction. Read the Psalms, read the book of John. More than anything KNOW that the love of God is amazing, unconditional, and because He knew you before you were in your mother’s womb, and knows all about you, He cannot be disappointed in you because He knows the end from the beginning of your entire life. And because He is FOR YOU not against you He will fight for you as you delight in Him and seek Him. Stacey, I can truly say by experience that the Lord God Almighty is a restorer and He will do just that in your life and in your relationships — restore. God bless all that you put your hand to do!
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 am
Stacey, forget what is behind and press on towards the prize that God has for you. You have much to offer because of your experiences. Be mindful of who you put yourself around and what you feed your mind - excellence in/excellence out. God has a plan for us all.
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:54 am
Hello Stacey,
Whatever else may be going on around you (on the exterior), God is preparing you on the inside for your next step(s). You are going to be very surprised by what He does, and you are going to look back and say, “NOW I get it! You were there all along!” He always first works IN US what He is going to work out FROM US AND THROUGH US to the situation we’re in. And you have the heavy weight of glory residing IN YOU, even Christ, and the Spirit of Him Who raised Christ from the dead, the very same Spirit! Let me encourage to cast all your cares on Him and to THANK HIM and PRAISE HIM for every single situation you’re in right now, to acknowledge His Presence in your life this way, and HE WILL DIRECT YOUR PATHS. With Christ in us, who can be against us?
Cheers in Christ,
Mark
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:55 am
This message is solely dedicated to STACEY!
IT is amazing that you had the opportunity to read this great blog of Michael Pink and moreover the courage to post – Congratulations!
Sounds like you had a rough ride lately, but I want to tell you that your life is not a wreck. It is not too late to bring great change to it, according to God’s word of truth, you are highly valued and esteemed in His sight because you ARE a child of God through Christ. You may not feel like your life justifies that right now. But Stacey, it is time to look forward, not in the mirrors. It may take time, but if you make the irrevocable decision of faith, that everyday from now on forward, you will accept to learn and grow and be transformed in the true person you are in His sight, then many things will fall into place, your hope will increase, your strength will increase, your faith will increase, your finances will come to life, your relationship crowd will change. It may not be easy, but it can get better everyday if you offer everyday of your life as a conscious gift to God, and decide wilfully to learn new things, new skills, ask for practical help, even in little things, act daily in any way meaningful to you, get in physical shape, always chose to go for a walk when you are tempted to watch depressing stuff on TV. Get involved in serving others, and get mad at your past, No more of that stuff. Welcome the destiny God has for you, for you have no lesser value that any other person. You can do it, today do something you have never done before. Look at yourself in the mirror and declare the goodness of God over you because it is real.
Go for it STACEY, people are cheering you on! All things ARE POSSIBLE by faith in HIM!!!! May Father God bless you abundantly:) If you want to email me here it is: edrick.dunand@amaris.ca
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
Stacey,
Today , the very fact that the Lord would have me to take my break and read this whole article at this time, was not just for me. I truly believed that the words of Psalm 139, Jeremiah 29: 11-13 , is right for you. I cannot say that your experience in jail i understand, however, the God that created YOU with a purpose in mind has NOT changed His mind about you. I usually don’t read to the very end of the whole writing daily, i believe this is a Divine appointment for both of us. Be encouraged that God has not planned any defeat for YOU. whatever life has brought your way due to whatever the circumstances were, and are, wherever the deficiencies were and are- trust GOD to make it right. It amy not happened overnight, as i write this to you, God is speaking to me, i am in some very impossible things right now- however i know this ONE thing God is with US and He is for US- no matter what is going on. Don’t let go of the people that God will put in your path at this CRITICAL time in your life. Allow God to use others to make the change for you- do the repairs, the restoration, whatever He desires..
God Blessed You- take hold of His word for you through all those that He sends your way.. praying for YOU.. sister in Christ - Ena
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:04 am
Stacey, let me add my support with the others who will be praying for you–and I know that, if given half a chance, we would all be willing to add ‘feet’ to our prayers and pray WITH you in asking our Lord to guide you now to eternity. Psalms is always a wonderful place to start.
Unless one has suddenly lost everything this world can provide–either with or without the ‘benefit’ of incarceration–one cannot truly display the empathy of knowing where you are right now. I really do feel your pain.
Just your spelling of Stacey–with the ‘e’ reminded me of my former administrative assistant who ‘wanted to be different’ but craved to be around someone ‘traditional’. She always refered to our relationship as my “AA and his second daughter”. Count on my praying, too, Stacey.
Why don’t you continue to keep us informed through Michael’s column? The Lord has a WONDERFUL plan for your life. Get with someone locally who knows the Word and can be both a counselor and mentor to you. Please know that you are loved.
In His marvelous grace,
Steve
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:08 am
Bless your heart Stacey “for such a time as this”. I don’t have anything specific to say right now other than I too just got out of prison. Not the same prison you were in but a prison of bondage; a prison of being in Egypt for the past 52 years. A prison of having to believing the lies of who I think I am or was because of the abuse I had to deal with as a younger child and even into adulthood. But I can tell you God is good. He loves you. He is wooing you to be closer and closer to Him. He has not left you nor forsaken you and will never even consider it. He has a plan and a purpose for you (Jeremiah 29:11-14) and it is good. I would love to connect with you and would be happy to talk via email and/or phone. If you are feeling led, respond back to me and we can exchange phone numbers. If not, that’s ok. I’ll hold you in prayer and know that the Lord is shining His light on your life. God bless you Stacey.
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:23 am
Hi Stacey:
I want to tell you that I understand you, I want to encourage you and tell you that all of us make many mistakes but God forgive us completely. I want that you see the rainforest, the vegetables, the fruits, the animals, the sea, the sun, etc, etc, God create all this things for us, He create beautiful and amazing things, and He create you and He made you with all of his love.
June 3rd, 2009 at 12:56 pm
Stacey–Our Good God doesn’t give up on us and we need not give up on Him. It would take hours to tell you of the many, many times I’ve been saved and restored from bad choices, decisions, chances, and timing. The path of the just grows brighter and brighter until the perfect day! Go for it.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:00 pm
Stacey,
I hope you can see from all of the posts above that you are not alone. There are Brothers and Sister in Christ here to help you, pray with and for you. Because we hurt when another hurts and we rejoice when another rejoices.
Keep reading scripture, don’t stop. Pray for understanding and drink it all in. Then listen to what the Holy Spirit tells you. As you draw closer to our Father things will become more clear. And remember all the positive steps you have taken; focus on those and use all of it to Gods glory.
I am quite sure that some day there will be someone in the same “place” as where you have been before and you will be that shining light to show them the correct way - the path. Know that God is and will be using you, even when you can’t see it or feel it.
Trust Him, then move forward.
And I praise God for you this day! That He is able to use you to His glory to help others that I cannot reach. We truly have an awesome God!
Please do keep us updated Stacey. And we will continue to hold you up in prayer.
Ever under His wings,
Bonnie
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
Stacey, it sounds like God has used your ‘pit’ experience to chasten and sharpen you as He did for Joseph. Remember, He chastens whom He loves. I have lived through my own pit experience [domestic abuse] and put the same scripture spoken by Joseph on a work of what I learned from being abused by a man and then chastened by God. Death and suffering can be great clarifiers. Deep is calling unto deep. God uses these times to work on your soul. And you may find that He turns your greatest sorrows to your greatest joys. But you must fight for yourself especially now. I pray the 91st psalm everyday. Pray, study and remember that through Christ all things are possible. Be well, be strong. Rise and shine!
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Stacey,
I was placed in jail for 3 days due to being falsely accused of felony theft. I am an engineer and have not been able to make any money since that is on my record and I do not have enough to get it expunged so I can reenter into the working world of engineering. There is a demonic spirit that is over any prison system I have never felt so much burden in my life as when I was in jail. I as innocent, knowing I was not there for long but I was so oppressed I could hardly look at my wife in the courtroom. SO please know that there is a time when God places us in a “Holding” pattern until HE sets up or lines up our next mission. We like Joseph are all molded by circumstances. God uses circumstances to allow us to be able to witness and relate to others in the same situation. I can understand what you are feeling and I know that God allowed Joseph to be placed into all of his bad circumstances to make him the man God wanted him to be when he was placed over all the food during a famine. God needed a Godly man to save the people from starvation so God used Joseph to mold him and make him the Godly man he was meant to be. Read the book “The Upside of Adversity” by OS Hillman it will answer many questions off what God is doing. It is about the life of Joseph and Job. Just remember God Restored Joseph and Job to a greater place than before while they were living not waiting until they were in heaven. God Restores those that are faithful and that believe what the Bible says about it. May god bless you and show you the plans He has for your life.
June 3rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Stacey, great step you took in just writing down what you’ve gone thru and to ask for prayer. No one who has been rescue by the hand of God will disregard your message, because we all have a past. Now ask yourself what is the next step, and direction will come your way. I would find a good church to attend and devour the word of God daily. Wake up every morning thanking God for another day and for everything you do have, your life, another chance, to be able to praise Him…write down what good there is in your life now. Praise until God presence turns into worship. Start your day before anything else, if possible, just like this.
It is change my thoughts, which have change my speaking, which has chaned my habits, which has changed my situations, which has created opportunities for me..
In Him
Paul
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
stacey, cheer up, move on! there is nothing to fear in our life. Look around you there are so many good things you can focus on. God wants you to experience joy, contentment and peace. Read Palsm 27 and feel the touch of God’s hand in your life - free from fear and loneliness. Here are two encouraging notes from John and Charles for your thought:
We are either the masters or the victims of our attitudes. It is a matter of personal choice. Who we are today is the result of choices we made yesterday. Tomorrow, we will become what we choose today. To change means to choose to change.
John Maxwell
We shouldn’t deny the pain of what happens in our lives. But, we should refuse to focus only on the valleys.
Charles Swindoll
Blessings from your brother in Australia!
June 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Stacey,
Thanks for opening up to folks. It’s hard to look at much of the suffering in my life and comprehend what Paul meant when he said the sufferings of this present age are not worthy to be compared with the glory to be revealed in us (Rom 8). The pain of the shame and guilt is a very real part of the suffering I’ve faced, much for things I’ve done and some for things that I had no part in, yet had to live with the consequences of. And then to grapple with the reality that God allowed all this, some would say even purposed it for a greater good, is overwhelming. Yet somehow God speaks softly to my soul and bids me to believe that He is good and has good in store for me, a plan, not for calamity but to give me a future and a hope. He calms the storm in my soul and empowers me to trust Him one day at a time. I would encourage you to check out an interesting community called Celebrate Recovery. http://www.celebraterecovery.com I go to one in my town and teach classes on the materials at a local prison where we are seeing men come to trust Christ and gain freedom from their hurts, habits and hangups. It’s in community with others who accept me and and don’t judge my failures in the past that I have found the love and grace of Christ deeply touch my life and transform me. I’d also highly recommend Waking the Dead by John Eldredge. I have actually found healing in my life and it has literally blown me away. I love John’s heart and His passion for God.
Mike
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:23 pm
Miss Stacey,
If your willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19), and I (your Heavenly Father) will restore to yo the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you. (Joel 2:25).
God is ready to restore you in all areas. Seek His Kingdom (or God’s way of doing things) and His righteousness, and all things shall be added to you. (Matt 6:33)
Make this your priority
and watch Him work on the things that are out of your physical reach.
David
June 3rd, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Dear Stacey,
Be encouraged! Your Father has the wisdom and direction you need (Matt 7:24, James 1:5). Know that He loves you (Matt 14:21, 1John 4:16-18). His desire is to bless you (Eph 3:20, Ps 34: 4,8). He will never fail or forsake you (John 6:37, Ps 9: 9-10, Ps 91: 15,16). He has given you victory! (1John 5: 4, John 16: 33, Rom 8:37). Be blessed!
Marshall
June 3rd, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Stacy hang tough. I can promise you That the best is coming. God loves you. read Job no matter what went wrong Job did not forsake God and God did not forsake Job. When in doubt Read James. I think James sums up the Christian life and does not sugarcoat anything but still let us know how complete God’s love and protection is. You are in my prayers.
In His Hands,
Rodney
June 3rd, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Stacy, you stated that you are in Texas. We are in east Texas and would love to help you find your direction. Go to our website at www.LivingstonRiverOfLife.com and please contact us.
Debby Schmidt-Director
June 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Stacey girl! put to work everything everyone else has offered you and FIND YOUR TRIBE. find your Christian group of people whom you can PHYSICALLY TOUCH and RELY ON and PHONE and VISIT and…..you get the idea. take Jesus seriously and hang on so tight to sincere Christians who will love you and love you and love you. to have HIM and HIS - unbeatable for you to stand strong. i will be praying for you too. FOR EYES OPENED AND LIGHT IN THE OPEN DOORWAYS TO A DIVINE SUPERNATURAL LIFE IN CHRIST. YAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. you are here for such a time as this Stacey.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
CheriLu
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:17 pm
Hi Stacey, hello…….appreciate your honesty of where you are. Many people are on the outside and still can’t be honest about where they are. The Lord Jesus has brought you to this place in the exact moment and the exact time that you need. This is no accident. Think it not strange considering the trials that life has dealt to you. Many things are beyond our control and we don’t understand. If we live very long and I consider being over 50 as having lived at least a long time…..I am 54 and have had many trials and tests especially over being alienated and abandoned by my entire family except one aunt. Believe me when I tell you that the choices that were made my others about me has not been easy on me. Choices come everyday to each of us and I truly believe that if we look to Father God, He has promised that He will help us. You keep looking to Him and relying upon Him…..stay focused on good things. If there’s people in your life that are so involved in ‘drama’; you need to literally remove yourself from them. Focusing is very important….it’s like the lens of a camera…if it’s dull, it doesn’t take very good pictures. I encourage you to keep focusing in the right direction…..
There is an old gospel that I’ve heard thousands of times in my life…..here are a few lyrics in it…..
it will be worth it after all, after all……………
May you find new hope, new peace and the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead reign in your body, soul and spirit. Remember this as well……
1. you are spirit (that’s the part that belongs to the Lord)
2. you have a soul (that’s your mind, will and emotions….remember to cast all your care upon Him because He cares for you)
3. you live in a body
I don’t know you in the natural but I love you in the spiritual and will pray for you.
Hugs, Debbie
June 3rd, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Stacy, by replying to this blog it shows that God is leading you. You are loved by all of these people. They truly have compassion for you and it show by their comments. You need a good Godly advise and how to do things different and walla here you are on this blog. That is how easy the Kingdom of God operates. God will never tell you to do something wrong or against His word. Keep a conversation with Jesus going daily. The more you talk to Him the more he will talk back to you. His voice is like an inner knowing or a still small voice that whispers something to you that you can’t get off your mind. Have you ever woke up with a song on your mind? Or like you did here You decided to comment. All of this is Jesus talking to you. That is how he will lead you to your next step. Talk to Jesus He WILL talk back. When I talk to him I don’t use fancy prayers. I talk to Him like he is my best friend. If I am happy, tired, confused, angry I tell Him. Just get your self still some where begin to talk to Him then listen to what He says back. Be Blessed!
June 4th, 2009 at 2:28 am
Stacey,
The following may be a little long but take the time to read it.
It will give you some insight as to some steps to take for your life to become all that HE has ordained.
Melvin
The Fear of The LORD
This article is to give some insight as to what I have come to see and understand what the “fear of The LORD”
is and how we as God’s people must begin to live in it or by it.
There are many scriptures that use the phrase “fear of the LORD”. I will use only a few of them as I am not trying to do a complete study of the subject at this time.
Job 28:28 And to man He said, ‘Behold, “the fear of the Lord”, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.”
Pr 1:7 ¶ The “fear of the LORD” is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
If someone asked if you want to be wise and have knowledge in your life, most if not all would say certainly. Here we see in at least two verses that to have wisdom you must operate in the fear of the LORD.
De 31:12 Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law
Ps 34:11 ¶ Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
In the above two scriptures we see that the “fear of the LORD” is learned. If then the “fear of the LORD” is learned behavior then how do I learn it?
We see in these two verses that you have to hear and listen. Now I think that the hearing and listening is done on purpose. It is not just letting sound go in our head but on purpose hearing and listening to what our Father God is saying.
If I am wise I will choose on purpose to hear and listen. Look at these verses;
Pr 1:7 ¶ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Pr 1:29 Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the LORD,
30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
Pr 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate
If I don’t like what I am experiencing as far as how my life is going I may not have heard and listened to the counsel of the LORD.
Once again I will say hearing and listening is not just letting sound go in our head but on purpose hearing and listening to what our Father God is saying and then prove I heard and listened by doing what HE said.
Next I want to give you a definition of the “fear of the LORD”. I believe that the “fear of the LORD” is manifested in our lives in the following ways;
1. I love God greatly.
2. I respect God greatly.
3. I hate what HE hates.
4. I love what HE loves.
Now if I love God and if I respect God I will begin to imitate HIM in my thoughts, my words, my deeds, my attitudes and what I allow to motivate me.
I could say it this way that I will begin to on purpose take on HIS nature and character. Now I realize that the preliminary step to all of this is the new birth. However being born again is not necessarily proof that you are walking or living in the fear of the LORD. I will deal with this a little later.
First I must find what God Himself says about His nature and character if I want to imitate HIM. If we go to the O.T. we will find a clear description given by the LORD Himself of who He is, what HE is like, what HE does and why HE does it or what His character and nature is.
Moses was talking to the LORD and said;
Ex 33:18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. To say that in our terms he asked the LORD what HE was like, what HE did and why HE did it.
The LORD said back to Moses
Ex 33:19 And he said, “I will make all the light of my being come before you, and will make clear to you what I am;”—Bible in Basic English
Then the LORD enlarged on this in; Ex 34:6 And the LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth,
7 “keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin—–,
From these verses the LORD Himself tells us that HE is “merciful (Heb. Compassionate), gracious (full of grace), longsuffering (slow to anger), full of goodness and truth, keeping mercy (Heb. Lovingkindness, covenant keeping) and one who forgives.
Our statement that we are to imitate Him if we love and respect HIM is valid because we see Jesus Himself doing this.
Joh 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.
Joh 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Joh 8:26 I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of (from) him.
Joh 8:29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.
In these four verses we see Jesus in effect saying I only do what I see my Father do and say what I hear my Father say. He loves and respects His Father so much that He imitates Him in all that He does.
We have instructions from the Apostle Paul as follows;
1Co 11:1 ¶ Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
Eph 5:1 ¶ Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
So clearly if we will set our hearts to learn the Word, Will and Way of our Father and imitate Him in our everyday life we will be living in the “fear of the LORD.
Apostle Paul gives us further instructions;
Eph 4:21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
No longer allow the old Adamic nature to rule your life “PUT OFF” the old man
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
HE SAYS “PUT ON” THE NEW MAN, THE NEW CREATION, THE HIDDEN MAN OF THE HEART.
On purpose begin to imitate Jesus and act on the Word of God. Let His love and His very nature and character be made manifest in your life by presenting to HIM your body for HIM to live HIS life thorough.
Now to go back and deal with the statement I made earlier “being born again is not necessarily proof that you are walking or living in the fear of the LORD.”
We see evidence of this in the scripture when Paul told the Romans;
Ro 12:1 ¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
If the Romans were really loving God, respecting God and were imitating Him then Paul would not have told them to “ be not conformed to this world.” Obviously they were being conformed to this world or not imitating God because they were not living in the “fear of the LORD.”
We see a similar situation in Eph 4:17 ¶ This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
The Ephesians were walking as other Gentiles (unbelievers), so Paul is instructing them to live as those who are born again and imitate God. He even says in Eph 5:1 ¶ Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
He is telling them to “imitate Christ” who loved HIS Father, respected HIS Father and presented HIS body to HIS Father as a sacrifice that was “a sweet-smelling aroma” to HIS Father.
June 4th, 2009 at 8:45 am
Stacey,
Reading the responses to your posts has been amazing. Thank you for being honest and thank God for the out pouring of love.
If you are in the Houston area (I see you mentioned Texas) and need to talk with someone, please call The Bridge Ministries at 713-838-5225. www.bridge-church.net
You are important to God and important to us.
Michael
June 4th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Hi, I wrote two books on the life of Joseph - it is titled: ‘R U in prison’ and “Go from a Ditch to Success”. I will gladly mail it to you free of charge should you want to read it.
I agree that time and chance happens, but more than that - how we respond counts.
Can we spot God’s opportunities - or is our needs greater than the moment of opportunity. I have seen myself mess up moments of opportunity all because my focus is on the past or getting justified.
Be blessed.
Sonja Squires
June 5th, 2009 at 1:19 am
Hi Stacey,
I just got around to checking my e-mails and read your post from Tuesday. I started praying for you and wondered what the Lord would have me to say; all the post were so wonderful and I pray that you not only read them but keep them to read when you need to be encouraged. The Lord asked me “what does the name Stacey mean??” So I looked it up and your name means “resurrection”! (Isn’t that just like our Wonderful Daddy God??) You are not forgotten and God has a purpose and destiny for your life and IT IS GOOD. Rise up Stacey for the glory of the Lord is upon you. When Joseph was summoned before Pharoh it was “suddenly”. I imagine they had to hurry up and get him presentable, wash him and change his clothes quick fast and in a hurry. Prepare your self for the suddenly summons and watch the outcome of elevation and celebration come upon you. Only you be strong and of a good courage. Don’t look back; look to Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith.
Liz Carr
Chicago, Illinois
June 5th, 2009 at 6:58 am
Hi, I just wanted to say that the first 20 years of my life were a train wreck, I was a drug addict and a drunk.I eventually went to jail for selling pot. In 1978 God reached out to a sinner such as I and rescued me from myself. Lifes had its ups and downs but God has blessed me through it all. I have a wife and family who loves me in spite of the hardships and a small business to help pay the bills. God is great all the time and I thank him for his mercy everyday. Thank you for your testimony Stacey. I’ll be praying for you. Yours in Christ.
June 5th, 2009 at 9:16 am
I feel very good for all your comments and support about Stacey, I want to congratulate all of you,
God bless you,
Martha
June 17th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Stacy, May God Bless You this day. I feel as your time is coming and God’s blessings will be upon you in the coming months. Stay close to Him in prayer and keep studying his word each day. I will be praying for you.
Jim
June 24th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Stacy,
The bible talks of being held in the palm of God’s hand. Isaiah 41:10-21
fear not the Right Hand Of God will preserve you. Amen.
Innocent Morai - Africa Kenya