The Dilemma

'God never speaks to us in startling ways, but in
ways that are easy to misunderstand, and we say,
"I wonder if that is God's voice?" Isaiah said that
the Lord spoke to him "with a strong hand," that
is, by the pressure of circumstances. Nothing
touches our lives but it is God Himself
speaking. Do we discern His hand or only mere
circumstances?

Get into the habit of saying, "Speak Lord," and
life will become a romance. Every time
circumstances press, say, "Speak Lord;" make
time to listen. Chastening is more than a means
of discipline, it is meant to get me to the place
of saying, "speak Lord." Recall the time God
did speak to you. Have you forgotten what He
said? Was it Luke 11:13, or was it 1Thess. 5:23?
As we listen, our ear gets acute, and, like Jesus,
we shall hear God all the time.

Shall I tell my "Eli" what God has shown me?
That is where the dilemma of obedience comes
in. We disobey God by becoming amateur
providences--I must shield "Eli," the best people
we know. God did not tell Samuel to tell Eli; he
had to decide for himself. God's call may hurt
your "Eli," but if you try to prevent suffering in
another life, it will prove an obstruction between
your soul and God. It is at your own peril that
you prevent the cutting off of the right hand or
the plucking out of the eye.

Never ask the advice of another about anything
God makes you decide before Him. If you ask
advice, you nearly always side with Satan.'
(Oswald Chambers, January 30th)

"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you
completely, and may your whole spirit and soul
and body be kept blameless at the coming of our
Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful:
He will surely do it." (1Thess 5:23,24)

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble."

"Be still and know that I am God."
(Ps 46)

Take heart, dear reader, God is present.

Things

Yesterday I waxed eloquent on treasures, today the
passage of scripture gets into things. Jesus says, 'Don't 
be anxious about your life, what you will eat, drink, 
wear, for life is more than food, and the body is more 
than clothing.'(Matt 6:25-34)

It is such a temptation to fret about these things as the
world system closes in on our comfortable life-style. I
notice that birds are content with seeds; that flowers are
beautifully dressed in colors worn all season. God says
we are of more value than the birds and flowers, but do
our expectations exceed what is necessary?

Here is the bottom line: 'Seek first the kingdom of 
God and His righteousness, and all these things will 
be added to you. Therefore do not be anxious about 
tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.'

In George McDonald's book, Behind the North Wind,
there was a little boy whose Mom was so upset about
what they would eat tomorrow. The boy looked into the
basket containing lunch and said, 'but, God has given us 
what we need today.' The point seemed to be that the
mom was not able to enjoy what God had given to
them that day because she could not see how God would
provide for them tomorrow.

Reader, I enjoy McDonald's books because the characters
discover the heart of God and are able to trust in ways
that seem hard for me. I have to go back again and again
to the birds and flowers in order to have a deep trust in my
heavenly Dad to take care of all the details of my life.
And, yes, He really wants us to let Him take care of the
little things!

Treasures

'Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where
moth and rust destroy; where thieves break in and steal,
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where
your treasure is there is your heart also.' (Matt 6:19)

As I read these verses, my first thought is, 'But here in
the west we must have money, houses, cars, education,
health care plans, retirement plans.' Then I read it again
and I realize that the emphasis is on the last sentence--
'where your heart is.' It is so easy to get caught up in the
world's system in terms of what is important. The world
has only one opportunity for life, lasting but 70-80 years.
My time on this earth is rapidly diminishing!

Christians, on the other hand, step into eternity when they
step into Christ. My life here on earth is a short moment
in light of the eternal riches to be mine. So, with hands
open, I turn from the ads on TV, those things I must have,
to that which will never break, never fade, never age,
which are reserved in heaven for me.

So, reader, as I look at glorious sunrise--beyond my power
to create--I sit in awe of what the Lord has planned. For

'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard what God 
has planned for those who love Him."

The Groom

To whom do I turn when events come to the nation and
enter my life? I turn from that which I do not
understand toward Him who holds everything together.
Psalm 45 is a beautiful psalm that fills my heart with
joy, trust and anticipation as I say to Him:

'My precious Savior, You are the most handsome of men.
There is none like You!
Grace pours out from your lips. God has blessed You
forever. You see the events happening in real time,
therefore, You gird your sword upon Your thigh. In
your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of
truth, meekness and righteousness. Your arrows are
sharp and go deep into the King's enemies; they fall
under You.

Oh, Jesus, your throne is forever and ever. The scepter
of your kingdom is a scepter of righteousness. You
have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Therefore God, your God has anointed You with the
oil of gladness beyond your companions. Your robes
are fragrant with the oils of myrrh, aloes and cassia.
From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you
glad. Daughters of kings are among your ladies of
honor. At your right hand stands the queen in the gold
of Ophir.'

I read on:
'You want me to forget the hurts of the past, from
those closest to me. You desire my beauty, the beauty
that comes from gazing upon You. I look and see the
bride, your bride. She is all glorious within, with robes
intertwined with gold. She will be led to her king in
many colored robes, with her virgin companions
following. With joy and gladness they are led as they
enter the palace of the King.'

Dear reader, when I read this psalm I see pictures
through a glass darkly of what it will be like in the
age to come. As I write out the psalm of hope and
joy, I am reminded of the day 45 years ago when I
walked down the aisle to be married to my handsome
prince. I could hardly contain myself! I knew deep
down that I was experiencing a small taste of what
we, as His bride, will experience one glorious day!
That day may come sooner than we think.

May you see your life in light of eternity.

Maranatha!

Expectations vrs Expectancy

'But when it pleased God...'
(Galatians 1:15)

I woke up this morning thinking about my expectations. One
of my biggest problems is that I calculate and then expect a
certain outcome. I don't leave room for God to surprise me
Actually, I would rather not be surprised. I have expectations
for myself, for others, even for God. Invariably, I am
disappointed. Others need to change so I am more
comfortable. They do change--move on, go to work, get old
and sick, stop writing, die. Life is in flux and seems to dish
up more challenges, not fewer as I expected, in the so called
'golden years.' Disappointment can harden into 'bitter root'
expectations. Bitterness dams up hope and leaves God out of
the equation. Oh, that is the rub. Expectations kill expectancy.
I must not look for God to come in a certain way, but to look
for 'Himself' to show up.

Oswald Chambers puts it this way:
'Keep your life so constant in its contact with God that His
surprising power may break out on the right hand and on the
left. Always be in a state of expectancy, and see that you
leave room for God to come as He likes.'

May the grace of Christ our Savior
And the Father's boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit's favor
Rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord;
And possess, in sweet communion
Joys which earth cannot afford.
(John Newton)

The Sign of Jonas

In the past 48 hours I have been digging into scripture

and a few websites which may or may not interest you,
but writing the blog has helped me to sort out some facts.

The name Jonas has at least two meanings:

In Hebrew it means, A Dove--Jonah

In Greek it means, A Sign--Jonas

Jesus says this in Luke 11:30,32

'For as Jonas was a sign to the Ninevites, so shall the

Son of Man be to this generation...The men of Nineveh

shall rise up in the judgement with this generation, and

shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of

Jonas; and behold, a greater than Jonas is here.'

Jonas or Jonah was a sign to Nineveh--who must have

looked pretty tacky after his three day sojourn in a fish--

'Repent, or experience sudden destruction.' They chose

repentance and the Capitol City was spared for hundreds

of years. So now, a very destructive storm has come to

our Capitol City. It was named Jonas, perhaps a sign to

this generation? It is interesting to look at patterns within 

scripture.There is a generation that will see all the signs.
Could we be that generation?

But wait, there is more:

The Fast of Jonas, also called the Fast of Nineveh, is a
three day fast observed by the East Orthodox Church
and held this year from 1/18-1/20. The fast ends on
the day that the Sun leaves Sagittarius, the sign of
Nineveh depicted by the Centaur.

The ten day Sundance Film Festival began on 1/20 

outside of Salt Lake City. On the 22nd of the 

Sundance Film Festival a film was shown called Goat
whose main character is played by Nick Jonas from the
Jonas Brothers. On that day the sun entered the
constellation Capricornus, associated with Pan, Satan,
the goat.

Did you know that Genesis 1:14 says that the 'lights in the 

heavens shall be for signs?  In addition to the changes
noted, five planets are lining up just before sunrise from
January 20 to February 20.

I noticed that in the last few days a big volcano 35 miles

from Mexico City has been blowing smoke. Indonesia,

which is also on the Ring of Fire, has 21 active volcanos.

Alaska just experienced a 7.1 earthquake and the west

coast has had several recent earthquakes ranging from

4.3 to 5.4. There have been at least ten earthquakes over
6 since the beginning of the year. Speaking of earthquakes,
the financial markets worldwide are unstable. A committee
has gathered in DC and will decide on 1/26 whether to
move the Doomsday Clock. It now stands at three minutes
to midnight.

Is the sign of Jonas a warning to this generation?

In Luke 21 and Matthew 24 Jesus speaks of the days in
which we seem to be living? (I am not predicting):

'And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and
upon the earth dismay among nations, in perplexity at 
the roaring of the sea and of the waves, men fainting from
fear and the expectation of the things which are coming 
upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be 
shaken....
But when you see these things begin to take place, 
straighten up and lift up your heads for your redemption 
is drawing near...But keep alert at all times, praying in 
order that you may have strength to escape all these things 
that are about to take place, and to stand before the 
Son of Man. Therefore be on the alert, for you do not 
know which day your Lord is coming...for the Son of Man 
will come at an hour when you do not think He will come.'

Reader, do you know the Lord Jesus as your Lord and 

Savior? Believer, knowing all this, how shall we then live?

'Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance 
of faith...Let us hold fast the profession of our faith 
without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 
And let us consider one another to provoke unto love 
and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of 
ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but 
exhorting one another: and so much the more, as 
you see the day approaching.' (Hebrews 10: 22-35)

Well, reader, this is a heavy blog, but we are in heavy

times. I will post three sites below for those interested
in further study.

Latest from Anne Graham Lotts, AngelMinistries
Snowzilla's Message
http://www.annegrahamlotz.org/category/messages-from-gods-word/latest-from-anne/

Daniel Valles 1/21/16 The Sign of Jonas
informedchristians.com/index.php/blog/the-sign-of-jonas

Jonah in the days of Noah 1/23/16 MP
dailycrow.com/jonah-in-the-days-of-noah/#more-1898

Jonas

Today the super storm, Jonas, is predicted to take out DC,
Philadelphia and New York. Not a single flake has yet
fallen, but schools are closed, government offices are shut
down, the National Guard has been called out. We grew
up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and weathered some
very heavy snow storms. We also lived in the DC area over
a 20 year period. I remember an ice storm dropping six
inches of ice and I had to crawl out to get the paper for a
week; Glen skiing down 'busy' Connecticut Ave. after a 20"
storm; snow piled high in our town house neighborhood in
VA after two storms of 28" and 10" within a weeks time.
Storms were part of life twenty, forty years ago. People
managed. They helped each other, built snow forts, went
sledding with the kids, put snow tires on in December.
Yes, people were inconvenienced, but snow events were
expected in winter and few people died.

The storm today is called Jonas, but it makes me think of
Jonah, the prophet who was told to go to a city called
Nineveh and preach repentance to its people. Jonah caught
a ship instead and ended up in the belly of a great fish. The
experience caught his attention and he obeyed God, which
resulted in the whole city from the king down repenting of
their rebellion against God. The city thrived for a thousand
years. There is much more to the story and it would be a
good read for those of you listening to the howling wind
tonight.

So, reader, perhaps there is something different about the
storm Jonas. Perhaps God is asking this nation to repent, to
seek His face that He may turn away from judgement and
refresh us with revival.