Month: February 2018

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Day 24 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2Corinthians 5:7

  • “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2Corinthians 5:7

God has called us to be “by faith” BELIEVERS. Not to be “by our wisdom” UNDERSTANDERS.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6

If we choose to place our ability to reason over the Word of God then we are idolators.

“You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.” Exodus 20:4

To avoid idolatry we must not imagine anything of this world to be like that of the Heavens. We can never make our will above or even equal to that of God’s. We can not think our wisdom equivalent with His.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.” Isaiah 55:8

Why would I ever choose to lean on my own limited understanding when instead I have the ability to place my faith in the author and finisher of that faith? The Alpha and Omega, the very Beginning and the End, instructs me to call upon Him and reminds me that His Will ultimately prevails.

“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” Isaiah 46:9-10

“Who can fathom the Spirit of the LORD, or instruct the LORD as His counselor? Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten Him, and who taught Him the right way? Who was it that taught Him knowledge, or showed Him the path of understanding?” Isaiah 40:13-14

Even the apostle Paul included himself among those to be reminded of the compass we should rely on when he wrote:

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2Corinthians 5:7

Join me in my walk,

Billy

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Day 23 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com Focus/3D-Vision John 15:7, “If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

I love movies. I always have. I especially love 3D movies. I also love DisneyWorld. There are several 3D movie rides at Disney. But there is a problem. Over the past few months I began to notice something different about my vision. It became apparent at Disney. My brain is not processing 3D images as it should. There is a condition where one eye is doing much more image processing than the other. My brain takes most of its informational inputs from just one eye. I am quite sure this stems from my excessive smartphone use over the years.

Maybe I’m not seeing everything that is being offered!

I can see fine in the real world and my depth perception isn’t effected so I didn’t give it much thought until I read the article below:

 Prophetic Word: The Lord Is Saying in This Season, ‘Whatever You Ask, I Will Do’     Karen Hardin/Elijah List

Jesus said in John 15:7, “If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

What if money and time were not an issue? What would you do?

That is a question I often ask in training sessions I give. But it is also a word about this season. I sense the Lord saying, “Whatever you ask, I will do.” We know that is a biblical truth, but this season is special—different. The only limits on this season are what we put on it.

The Lord often speaks to me in real life scenarios, more so than dreams. I’ve had two such instances recently that reveal the importance of sight. What we can see we can possess in this season.

 

Seeing Half

Whenever something “weird” happens in my life, I’ve learned to ask if there is a deeper meaning. That happened this past week. I was having difficulty reading my computer screen. I picked up a book and experienced the same thing. The words were not clear. “Oh no! My vision has shifted,” I thought to myself. I reached up to adjust my contact and immediately realized there was no contact in my “reading” eye. (One eye is corrected for reading and the other for distance.)

Now that was bizarre, because I distinctly remembered putting the contacts in that morning. I went to my contact case and sure enough, no contact was in it. But there was definitely not one in my eye either and none to be found anywhere near where I put it in. I’ve worn contacts for years and never had a contact just “disappear” like that.

“Are you trying to say something to me?” I asked the Lord as I dialed the optician to order a new one.

“Yes,” I sensed Him say. “You’re only seeing half.”

I also knew He meant more than just my ability to see at that particular moment. I was only seeing half. But half of what? What was I missing?

 

Switch Your Lens and See What He Sees

I continued to pray into that for the next week until I had another weird situation arise. After getting ready for the day, I went downstairs to make breakfast for my son and get him off to school. I looked at the clock, and it was blurry. By now, I had received the replacement contact and so both contacts were in my eyes. Yet the clock was blurry.

Oh brother! “You need to switch your lens,” I heard the Spirit speak to my heart. I went back upstairs and popped my contacts out and switched which eye they were in (yeah that hasn’t ever happened before either), and immediately my vision was clear again.

 

And that’s when I began to get it.

Later that day as I sat with Him, the realization of what He was speaking became even more clear and it is what I share with you now. This is a season like no other, but we must switch the lens we are viewing from to see what He sees. We must see things from His sight rather than our own. In order to see the full picture, not just half, we have to see what He sees.

He says, “Switch the lens from how you view things and see from My lens. Take the lid off. Whatsoever things you ask for, I will do. It’s simply up to you to ask. The only limits are what you put on this season. If you can see it, you can possess it. Come up higher and see from My perspective.”

-Karen Hardin/Elijah List

After reading that, now I realize that maybe I’m not seeing all that is available to me.

 Even worse, maybe I don’t even expect to see all that is available to me. I’m not even looking for it.  It’s as if I’m disappointed in the outcomes even before I begin the effort.

Dear Lord let me see all that You have prepared for me. Please don’t let my potential be limited by poor vision. Amen

Billy

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Day 22 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com Focus, “He sat in my sermons focused on every word, wide-eyed as if it were the first time he had ever heard them.”

I love to tell the story,
For those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting
To hear it like the rest.

At my uncle’s funeral a few years ago, the thing that made the biggest impression on me were the words of his pastor. Uncle CW was 92 and had spent decades in the church but this is what his pastor noticed.
“He sat in my sermons focused on every word, wide-eyed as if it were the first time he had ever heard them.”

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” (Hebrews 12:2)

It is good to hunger and thirst.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).

“He sat in my sermons focused on every word….”

“Look straight ahead,
    and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet;
    stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked;
    keep your feet from following evil.” (Proverbs 4:25-27)

 I love to tell the story,
For those who know it best

 

I have told the glad news of deliverance
    in the great congregation;
behold, I have not restrained my lips,
    as you know, O Lord.
I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart;
    I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation;
I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness
    from the great congregation. (Psalm 40:9-10)

“I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.”

Here is the original two poems on which the song is based:

The Old, Old Story, in Two Parts
by [Katherine Hankey]

Part 1—The Story Wanted
Tell me the old, old story
Of unseen things above,—
Of JESUS and His glory,
Of JESUS and His love.Tell me the story simply,
As to a little child;
For I am weak and weary,
And helpless and defiled.

Tell me the story slowly,
That I may take it in,—
That wonderful redemption,
God’s REMEDY for sin!

Tell me the story often,
For I forget so soon!
The “early dew” of morning
Has passed away at noon!

Tell me the story softly,
With earnest tones and grave;
Remember, I’m the sinner
Whom Jesus came to save.

Tell me the story always,
If you would really be,
In any time of trouble,
A comforter to me.

Tell me the same old story
When you have cause to fear
That this world’s empty glory
Is costing me too dear.

Yes, and when that world’s glory
Shall dawn upon my soul,
Tell me the old, old story,
“CHRIST JESUS MAKES THEE WHOLE.”
Part 2—The Story Told
You ask me for “the story
Of unseen things above,—
Of JESUS and His glory,
Of JESUS and His love.”You want “the old, old story,”
And nothing else will do!
Indeed I cannot wonder,
It always seems so new!

I often wish that some one
Would tell it me, each day;
I never should get tired
Of what they had to say.

But I am wasting moments!
Oh, how shall I begin
To tell “the old, old Story,”
How Jesus saves from sin?

Listen, and I will tell you;
God help both you and me,
And make “the old, old story”
His Message unto thee!

Once, in a pleasant garden,
God placed a happy pair;
And all within was peaceful,
And all around was fair.

But oh! they disobeyed Him!
The one thing He denied
They longed for, took and tasted;
They ate it, and—they died!

Yet, in His love and pity,
At once the Lord declared
How man, though lost and ruined,
Might after all be spared!

For one of Eve’s descendants,
Not sinful, like the rest,
Should spoil the work of Satan,
And man be saved and blest!

[He] should be son of Adam,
But Son of God as well,
And bring a full salvation
From sin and death and hell.

Hundreds of years were over;
Adam and Eve had died,
The following generation,
And many more beside.

At last, some shepherds, watching
Beside their flocks at night,
Were startled in the darkness
By strange and heavenly light.

One of the holy angels
Had come from Heaven above,
To tell the true, true story,
Of Jesus and His love.

He came to bring “glad tidings,”
“You need not, must not, fear;
For Christ, your new-born Saviour,
;Lies in the village near!”

And many other angels
Took up the story then—
“To God on high be glory,
Good-will and peace to men.”

And was it true—that story?
They went at once to see,
And found Him in a manger,
And knew that it was He.

He whom the Father promised,
So many ages past,
Had come to save poor sinners;
Yes, He had come at last!

That was indeed His purpose,
To seek and save the lost,
Although He knew beforehand—
Knew all that it would cost.

He lived a life most holy;
His every thought was love,
And every action showed it,
To man, and God above.

His path in life was lowly,—
He was a working-Man:
Who knows the poor man’s trials
So well as Jesus can?

His last three years were lovely!
He could no more be hid;
And time and strength would fail me
To tell the good He did.

He gave away no money,
For He had none to give;
But He had power of healing,
And made dead people live.

He did kind things so kindly!
It seemed His heart’s delight
To make poor people happy,
From morning until night!

He always seemed at leisure
For every one who came;
However tired or busy,
They found Him just “the same.”

He heard each tale of sorrow
With an attentive ear.
And took away each burden
Of suffering, sin, or fear.

He was “a Man of Sorrows!”
And when He gave relief,
He gave it like a brother,
Acquainted with the grief.

Such was “the Man Christ Jesus!”
The Friend of sinful man!—
But hush! the tale grows sadder,
I’ll tell it—if I can!

This gentle, holy Jesus,
Without a spot or stain,
By wicked hands was taken,
And crucified, and slain!

Look! look! if you can bear it—
Look at your dying Lord!
Stand near the cross and watch Him:
“Behold the Lamb of God!”

His Hands and Feet are piercèd,
He cannot hide His Face;
And cruel men stand staring,
In crowds, about the place.

They laugh at Him and mock Him!
They tell Him to “come down,”
And leave that cross of suffering,
And change it for a crown.

Why did He bear their mockings?
Was He “the Mighty God?”
And could He have destroyed them
With one almighty word?

Yes, Jesus could have done it;
But let me tell you why
He would not use His power,
But chose to stay and die.

He had become our “Surety;”
And what we could not pay,
He paid instead, and for us,
On that one dreadful day.

For our sins He suffered;
For our sins He died;
And “not for ours only,”
But “all the world’s” beside!

And now, the work is “finished!”
The sinner’s debt is paid!
Because on “Christ the Righteous”
The sin of all was laid.

Oh, wonderful redemption!
God’s remedy for sin!
The door of heaven is open,
And you may enter in!

For God released our “Surety,”
To show the work was done;
And Jesus’ resurrection
Declared the victory won!

And now, He has ascended,
And sits upon the throne,
“To be a Prince and Saviour,”
And claim us for His own.

But when He left His people,
He promised them to send
“The Comforter,” to teach them,
And guide them to the end.

And that same Holy Spirit
Is with us to this day,
And ready now to teach us
The “new and living way.”

This is “the old, old story!”
Say, do you take it in—
This wonderful redemption,
God’s remedy for sin?

Do you at heart believe it?—
Do you believe it’s true,
And meant for EVERY SINNER,
And, therefore, meant for you?

Then take this “GREAT SALVATION”
[For] Jesus loves to give!
Believe! and you receive it!
Believe! and you shall live!

And if this simple message
Has now brought peace to you,
Make known “the old, old story,”
For others need it too.

Let everybody see it,
That Christ has made you free;
And if it sets them longing,
Say, “Jesus died for thee!”

Soon, soon, our eyes shall see Him!
And, in our home above,
We’ll sing “the old, old story”
Of “Jesus and His love!”

I love to hear the story,

I love to tell the story,

What story does your life tell?

Billy

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Day 21 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com Forgiveness and Faith in Action

“Some people have faith; others have good deeds.” But I say, “How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith BY my good deeds.” James 2:18

We are first made Christians because of Christ’s forgiveness of us. We cannot continue to be Christians in either name or truth if we do not reflect the same level of forgiveness to others.

                     CLICK HERE to see Forgiveness, Faith in Action                          

The video above reminds me of James chapter 2:

2 My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

2 For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. 3 If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, 4 doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

5 Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? 6 But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

 8 Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 9 But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

10 For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. 11 For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

12 So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. 13 There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when He judges you.

14 What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? 15 Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, 16 and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?

17 So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.

 

As a Christian one must be very careful when reading James. One of two things will occur. First you may be called to repentance when you see your reflection in its uncompromising depiction of what a true Christian is. If not then you will decide to define Christianity on your own terms, which I believe is the true “Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit” the “Unpardonable Sin.” Please do not read James casually, tread lightly through its potentially perilous path.

Forgiveness, Faith in Action, must exist in the life of every Christian. We used to sing, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” That is based on John 13:35:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

If the world does not see Forgiveness and Faith in Action even in the walls of the church they will have trouble accepting its sincerity in the streets.

Brennan Manning put it this way:

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”

Forgive, that is the only way to release your Faith to Action.

I too struggle, help me and I promise to help you,

Billy

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Day 20 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com “…..And watch the river flow…..”

I heard it said yesterday that the only way to fix Washington’s problems was to build a wall around it and fill it with water.  That made me think about something the great philosopher Dylan once said:

People disagreeing on all just about everything, yeah
Makes you stop and all wonder why
Why only yesterday I saw somebody on the street
Who just couldn’t help but cry
Oh, this ol’ river keeps on rollin’, though
No matter what gets in the way
and which way the wind does blow
And as long as it does I’ll just sit here
And watch the river flow

People disagreeing everywhere you look
Makes you want to stop and read a book
Why only yesterday I saw somebody on the street
That was really shook
But this ol’ river keeps on rollin’, though
No matter what gets in the way
and which way the wind does blow
And as long as it does I’ll just sit here
And watch the river flow

We can’t just keep watching the river flow.

People disagreeing on all just about everything.
People disagreeing everywhere you look.

Here’s my quote, “ain’t nobody ever fixed nothin’ by arguin’ ’bout it!”

Who will step up and be the adult?  Quarreling siblings are rarely devoid of blame on both parties.   As grown ups we allow them an acceptable time to work out their differences among themselves,  but we intervene before they either cause each other irreparable harm or disrupt our home.

Well it’s time.  This is our home, we suffer when they refuse to cooperate.  We must be the adults.

Proverbs 15: 18 tells us, “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.”

We calmly count to three to get children to settle their arguments and then if they do not, we take action.  As a nation we reach “3” on Tuesday, November 6, 2018.  If they haven’t found common ground by then we grab a switch and clean house.  The greatest term limiter should be “the vote.”

As a parent I am free to use the term, “I don’t care who started the fight, I’m going to finish it.”

2 Timothy 2:23-24 says, “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”
 

I think anyone, regardless of their political persuasion or religious leanings or secular slant, would agree with Paul’s statement.  For while he was an Apostle, a Jewish scholar even, he was also a citizen of Rome and respecter of the law.

Solomon, the wisest man that ever lived wrote:

Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13: 10 

Pride is what is causing the strife in politics and no one will find wisdom, since it is only found in advice, which requires someone  to stop talking long enough, to listen to someone else.

And the nation keeps singing along with Bob:

No matter what gets in the way
and which way the wind does blow
 And as long as it does I'll just sit here
 And watch the river flow

No more………..

It’s time to sing a different song!  And I don’t even care if there is an “R” or a “D” behind the singer/songwriter’s name!  The song may be so old that it’s only on vinyl or so new that it’s only available on iTunes.  Either way let’s make it number one on the charts.

How about we compromise with a ReMix of R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

Join with me, “I’d like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony.”

Billy Dylan

 

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Day 19 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com Founding Fathers. “I was hungry, and you fed me….”

This is the invocation I delivered today before the Governor of Louisiana spoke:

Most Gracious Lord, our God.

We come humbly before You with petition in hand asking for Your continued blessings upon our land.

In the Declaration of Independence our forefathers acknowledged You as the source of certain irrevocable rights, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. In the same sentence they acknowledged that You created all persons equal thereby distributing access to Life, Liberty and Happiness to all regardless of our personal biases.  The founding fathers wished to above all establish a government here to defend these rights.

Scripture tells us O Lord that it is You who “changes times and seasons; removes kings and sets up kings; and gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.”

As a dual-citizen of Heaven and the Great State of Louisiana, I come before you asking that you bestow wisdom and knowledge upon our Governor and all those who serve in office, regardless of the jurisdiction within their charge.  I acknowledge as well Dear God, that all of us here in positions of leadership within our communities and our homes, also bear the responsibility to ensure Life, Liberty and the opportunities of Happiness to those you have placed in our care.

You Lord Jesus have told us that when we one day stand before You, if we have fulfilled the duties You prescribed to us as leaders we will hear You say, “I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”

If we are created equal, how can we expect Life, Liberty and Happiness from You Oh Lord, if we have not made sure that the same are available to all?

We pray Dear God that we do not find that our desire to be fiscally prudent should attempt to override the irrevocable right to Life, Liberty and Happiness you have bestowed upon our fellow citizens.

May we be found in the Last Day to have been good stewards of the freedom you have given us all.

Continue to grant us mercy, wisdom and favor as a parish, a state and a nation.

This we ask in Jesus’ Name,

Amen

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Day 18 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com Fount of Every Blessing. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above” James 1:7

“Come Thou fount of every blessing!”

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” James 1:17

“So that in the ages to come He might show the immeasurable riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.  For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—” Ephesians 2:7-8

 

All God asks is to be invited into your life. We don’t have to beg Him or beat upon His door or attempt to drag Him into our presence. Just invite Him in with a loving and humbled heart.

“The LORD is not too weak to save or his ear too deaf to hear” Isaiah 59:1

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:13

Whisper His Name right now with a smile on your lips, Jesus.  All good parents want to hear their children’s voice.  Everyone who loves wants to hear their name whispered by the one they love.  God is no different.

“Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know.”

Billy

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Day 17 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com The Family of God. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children..”

Day 17 of 500.

TheNewAndLivingWay.com

The Family of God

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children..”

When I wrote yesterday on family I planned to avoid that topic again for a long time.  Then a friend asked me to take his Sunday School Class for tomorrow.  The title of the lesson was, “Foundation for a Godly Family, God’s truth is meant to be the foundation of the home.”

So much for my plans.

HERE ARE MY NOTES:

 

 

Our regular teacher lost his dad two days ago and we will bury him today.  We extend to the family our prayers, tears and love.  And not just because they are our friends, but we as Christians know that they are OUR family as well.  We too lost a brother.

We used to sing a song years ago that went:

I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,

I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I’m part of the family,

The Family of God

 

You will notice, we say “brother, and sister” ’round here,

It’s because, we’re a family, and these are so near;

When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,

And rejoice, in each victory, in this family so dear.

 

I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,

I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!

Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,

For I’m part of the family,

The Family of God

Welcome to Sunday School, especially those that rarely attend.  It is good that we can have you via Facebook if not in person.  Sunday School is the most important church gathering of the week.  Many have heard me for years walk the halls singing:

Everybody ought to go to Sunday School,

Sunday School, Sunday School.

Everybody ought to go to Sunday School,

and learn the Golden Rule!

 

Class, I know you all studied this week’s lesson; what are we going to be talking about this morning?  

FAMILY!!

Our Golden Text today is:

Deuteronomy 6:6-7 “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.”

Where are we in the bible here, what context?  This is after the 40 years in the desert.  God’s people are finally going to cross over into the promised land.

Moses reminds them that they are indeed God’s chosen people and they should act like it.

IT WAS LIKE WHEN YOU TELL YOUR KIDS, “DON’T YOU EMBARRASS ME!”

They must remember their manners, remember the rules.

So Moses speaks first to the parents, the ones that should know better.

He knew that the spiritual health of this new nation would be gained or lost in the home.

History has a way of repeating itself. That is why this is so important to us now.

Deut 6:1-5

1“Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, 2 that you may fear the LORD your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. 3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. 4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one.  5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.

Do not forget the things that you learned, Moses is saying.

How and where did they learn them?  In the streets, hanging out behind the tents?

You must make sure that you and your children, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, etc are in church.

Why? Look at verse 2, so that you learn to fear the Lord.  It is not something born into us.

Like fire it is powerful and does great and mighty things, but if not respected it is dangerous.

Why else?  Verses 2-3.  Long life blessings and come from learning and adhering to the Word of God.

In verse 4, the first word means, LISTEN…It’s like snapping your fingers, telling kids to pay attention to what I’m going to say next.  And what he says next is, “THIS IS WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT, THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD!!!!

This is what we stand for.  This is what separates us from the world.

Moses lets them know the they can hold to this and not give in to the world if they live by Verse 5, Love God with ALL their heart, ALL their soul and ALL their might.

ALL!! Their emotions, thoughts and even physical abilities.

OK GOD YOU GAVE ME THE WHAT, NOW HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THIS?

Deut 6:6-9

6And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Verse 6, YOU have to know them yourself, THEY MUST BE ON YOUR HEART.  Burnt into all that you know and love.

Verse 7, you WILL teach them, that’s a WHEN not an IF. When you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Like saying you only have to do this on days that end in Y.

Verse 8, speaks of this figuratively, but some “RELIGIOUS” people did it literally. He was saying that we must remember God’s teaching in everything we put our hand to.  Whenever we work.  Whenever a deal is closed in a handshake.  God is there, our inward acceptance of His teaching is reflected in our outward actions.

Verse 8 also mentions, “Between you eyes” What is there? It’s all we think of, our thoughts.  It is also a reminder to control all we see. BE CAREFUL LITTLE EYES WHAT YOU SEE, the song teaches us.

Verse 9, speaks of two things; your house, at home and your gates, which would symbolize the entry in a town with walls.  He is saying, “Live like you are God’s child everywhere you go, not just at home.  NO HIPOCRISY.

Again “religious” people did it literally. They hung boxes of prayers on the doorposts or carved symbols in their gates.

Deuteronomy 6: 10 “And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you—with great and good cities that you did not build, 11 and houses full of all good things that you did not fill, and cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees that you did not plant—and when you eat and are full, 12 then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.

God will bless you.  He will give you what He wants you to have.

He wants you to have the best, but never forget, He got you where you are, He loved you even when you were lost in sin.

Like Bill Cosby used to say, “I brought you in this world, I can take you out.”  “I can get rid of you and make another one that looks just like you”  God says, “you are my chosen people, but I’m free to choose again.”

This is important because He is “God the Father.”  We have to relate that to something here on Earth to understand.  If you don’t have an Earthly loving Father, then GOOD, GOOD, FATHER is a song you can’t understand.  We need Godly parents here on Earth for context.

And not just Father analogies exist in scripture; God knew the importance of mothers.  Remember, He went to Mary first.

Hosea 13:8 “Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I will attack them and tear them asunder…”

Isaiah 66:13 “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you; you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.”

Isaiah 49:15 “Can a woman forget her nursing child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.”

Matthew 23:37 and Luke 13:34 Jesus said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”

He wants to be mother and father to us all.  Not that God is trans-gender or pan-gender, but He is a God of compassion and correction both at the same time.

Verse 12, “take care lest you forget the Lord.” God’s blessings for you speak to Him, His power, His mercy, not to anything you or I did to deserve it.  He will receive the glory, the credit, either for standing you up, or sitting you down.

They needed to remember these things as they went into the promised land.  They would not have His pillar of fire or cloud, they would not have Moses and his rod.  They would see temptations they had never seen, hear of gods they had never imagined.  Meet people that believed in many gods, and even no gods.  Sound familiar?

They were coming out of 40 years in the desert. But remember, time in the desert in the bible is never intended as punishment or “busy work.”  Jesus went into the desert to reflect on what he had learned, away from the constant distractions and negative influence of this world.

Find time this week to get with your children, your nephews, nieces, younger siblings, kids in the neighborhood, and tell them about Jesus.  Don’t just say, “don’t do that.”  Show them why in God’s Word.  Bring them to church, especially Sunday School, to see that there is an alternative to the life they may see at home or on TV.  Adults that love them and want the best for them, and ask nothing in return.  Let them know that people exist that want to pour into there lives and not just take.

They need to know what it means to be “A part of the family of God.”

There own homes may not have a Good, Good Father or a Praying Mother.

They sure won’t see a model family on TV.

The hope for the nation is found in the home.

Hate, racism and physical abuse are developed or curtailed in the home.

If their own homes and families won’t give them a model for Christian love, then we the church must become their family.  Love on them.  Encourage them.  The world beats up and belittles them enough.  Give them a place of hope.

Hope to see you this Sunday!

Your fellow family member,

Brother Billy

 

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Day 16 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com Family “Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind.” Proverbs 11:29

Day 16 of 500.

TheNewAndLivingWay.com

Family

“Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind.” Proverbs 11:29

I have one struggle that is hard for me to overcome, keeping in touch with family. Realize that when you read these blog posts, I have read them at least six times before I share them. I am always the primary recipient of the message. I sit on the front row of every sermon I preach.

A good friend that I consider family sent me this yesterday:

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,

“Oh excuse me please” was my reply.

He said, “Please excuse me too;

I wasn’t watching for you.”

We were very polite, this stranger and I.

We went on our way and we said goodbye.

But at home a different story is told,

How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,

My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.

“Move out of the way,” I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.

I didn’t realize how harshly I’d spoken.

While I lay awake in bed,

God’s still small voice came to me and said,

“While dealing with a stranger,

common courtesy you use,

but the family you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,

You’ll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.

He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,

you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.”

By this time, I felt very small,

And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;

“Wake up, little one, wake up,” I said.

“Are these the flowers you picked for me?”

He smiled, “I found ’em, out by the tree.

I picked ’em because they’re pretty like you.

I knew you’d like ’em, especially the blue.”

I said, “Son, I’m very sorry for the way I acted today;

I shouldn’t have yelled at you that way.”

He said, “Oh, Mom, that’s okay.

I love you anyway.”

I said, “Son, I love you too,

and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.”

 

“Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days.

But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don’t you think?”

 

The news is rampant about the improving economy, 401K and other investment plans are at record highs. Yesterday however there was a record loss on Wall Street. There are no certainties in those investments except uncertainty.

However yesterday a friend of mine also had a tremendous loss, his dad.

“Those who bring trouble on their families inherit the wind.” Proverbs 11:29

The opposite of that is also true. My friend’s dad by choosing Christ and showing that example to his family inherited something forever true, not a myth, not a vapor, not the wind as atheists will say. He did not end his life on earth with silver and gold:

“…knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” 1Peter 1:18-19.”

Instead my friend’s dad knew the importance of following the investment advice of Jesus Christ:

“Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” Mathew 6:20-21

I made sure yesterday to stop and spend some time with my Dad. I spoke with both of my children in person or on the phone and had a “date night” with my wife.

However my day began with my mother letting me know on Facebook that she found out I had a new job on Facebook. I have not made a deposit into my relationship account with her in a while. The same is true with my sister, they both live 100’s of miles away, but modern technology gives me no excuse.

My new employer has an excellent 401k match program, but they can’t come close to matching the dividends time invested in my family rewards me.

I struggle to make time to pray, write, exercise and meet the needs of my job each day. I made time to talk to an old friend on the phone last night. But I must be more vigilant visiting with family.

God knows the hurt when his children neglect him. Read Malachi 1:

Verse 2 “I have always loved you,” says the Lord.

But you retort, “Really? How have you loved us?”

And the Lord replies, “This is how I showed my love for you…..” Then the Lord lists all he had done for their family, their forefathers.

In verse 6: The Lord says: “A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve?”

 

“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12

 

God promises not just a long life but a full life. That long full life includes time with your family. Apple seeds planted reap apples. Time invested with your family now will reap time with them when you are old, and if you have all accepted Christ then time together forevermore is your inheritance.

This post is my longest to date because it is where I need the most help.

As I struggle with my oldest living away I understand more what my mother feels. It is summed up in this video:  https://youtu.be/7b3313ch6lU

Pray for my friend in his time of loss, but let us use the reminder to hold close to our own loved ones while they are here.

Friends and family, although I don’t say it enough,

I love you,

Billy

TheNewAndLivingWay.com

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Day 15 of 500. Forget the Former Things. TheNewAndLivingWay.com “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!”” Isaiah 43:18

Day 15 of 500. TheNewAndLivingWay.com

Tomorrow I start a new job with a new company.  I spent 25 years consistently moving up in my old career.  Then I reached a plateau, no new level of which to ascend.  That is not the life God intends for us.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

This blog I write daily is titled “The New And Living Way.”  That is God’s intention for us, constant rebirth.  We should start each day as I will tomorrow, with nervous excitement for what lies ahead.  Potential for growth, new areas in which to minister, new people to introduce to hope in Christ, there are no limits to what lies ahead.

We don’t always know what God has for us, but you can be sure of two things it will be NEW and it will be life-changing!  “See, I am doing a NEW thing!”  Isaiah 43:18a “Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that He opened for us through the curtain, that is, through His flesh.” Hebrews 10:19-20

God’s plan will not be what we expect, “Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Isaiah 43:19a.  The path will not follow our natural progression, “I am making a way in the wilderness..”  nor will it’s destination be based upon our or the world’s expectation, “I am making…streams in the wasteland.”

Remember what Christ said, “I’ve come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.”  Only God promises us more that just existence, more than just making a living, but instead abundant life.

Forget the former things, the former job, the former life, instead look forward to the future God has for you.  As Paul prayed:

“When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.  Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.”

 “Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21

Join with my as I jump into the Sea of Forgetfulness; just keeping swimming…..

Billy