Proverbs 11:4 Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivers from death.
Someone said, “The difference between try and triumph, is the humph!”
What have we been trying to overcome in our lives that we know will make a difference in our relationship with God? If we could just get over that humph that is hindering us, what would our God-walk look like? We apply so much focus on the problem that we have not stopped to ask God for the help that will actually work in our victory. It seems as though God is the last person we go to for help when trying to get closer to Him.
Seriously, why is that? We spend all kinds of time, money, and energy on things that will give us free time and so-called rest so that we can spend time with God. Meanwhile, the Lord is saying in His word that He will give us the rest we actually need. Matt.11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. However, we have to do it the Lord’s way and in this case it is “Come to me,” says the Lord.
We are trying to get to God with our own logic and interpretations. It is Christ’s righteousness that gets us into a relationship with God and not our own doing. It has to be that way because God is righteous and functions from that position. If it were left up to man we would end up trying to buy, bribe, cajole and steal the favor of God with different antics and activities.
The results of this human attempt for relationship with God would be a hodge-podge of dead works that look like filthy rags. Isa. 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. It’s not that man is not sincere in his attempt to reach God, but man cannot see what is needed from God’s point of view and thus wisdom vanishes from man’s heart. Just look around the world and you will see no lack of stupidity.
I was listening to a story about a smoker who was complaining that his doctor wanted him to quit smoking because the beginning of emphysema had started in his body. Seriously? He was complaining that he should stop smoking because it was killing him.
I wondered if I was that thick when asking God for help as the Lord stated the clear and obvious solution out to me. Seriously? Do I complain to God for the fact that He is trying to save my life? Mal. 3:13a “Your words have been harsh against Me,” Says the LORD. Yes, Lord. Forgive me for my arrogance and presumption toward you. You are Lord! Righteousness delivers from death and you are righteous.
We read the story of Simon the Sorcerer who thought God could be bought. Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.
The apostles were preaching Christ crucified and laying hands on the people that they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this miracle taking place, he asked the apostles if he could buy from them the power that did this great work. Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
The answer that Peter gives is stern and to the point. God cannot be bought! There has to be a heart transplant per-se to be in a relationship with him. Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. As you can see, if left up to man the approach to God is corrupt and devious.
Someone said, “The difference between try and triumph, is the humph!”
What have we been trying to overcome in our lives that we know will make a difference in our relationship with God? If we could just get over that humph that is hindering us, what would our God-walk look like? We apply so much focus on the problem that we have not stopped to ask God for the help that will actually work in our victory. It seems as though God is the last person we go to for help when trying to get closer to Him.
Seriously, why is that? We spend all kinds of time, money, and energy on things that will give us free time and so-called rest so that we can spend time with God. Meanwhile, the Lord is saying in His word that He will give us the rest we actually need. Matt.11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. However, we have to do it the Lord’s way and in this case it is “Come to me,” says the Lord.
We are trying to get to God with our own logic and interpretations. It is Christ’s righteousness that gets us into a relationship with God and not our own doing. It has to be that way because God is righteous and functions from that position. If it were left up to man we would end up trying to buy, bribe, cajole and steal the favor of God with different antics and activities.
The results of this human attempt for relationship with God would be a hodge-podge of dead works that look like filthy rags. Isa. 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. It’s not that man is not sincere in his attempt to reach God, but man cannot see what is needed from God’s point of view and thus wisdom vanishes from man’s heart. Just look around the world and you will see no lack of stupidity.
I was listening to a story about a smoker who was complaining that his doctor wanted him to quit smoking because the beginning of emphysema had started in his body. Seriously? He was complaining that he should stop smoking because it was killing him.
I wondered if I was that thick when asking God for help as the Lord stated the clear and obvious solution out to me. Seriously? Do I complain to God for the fact that He is trying to save my life? Mal. 3:13a “Your words have been harsh against Me,” Says the LORD. Yes, Lord. Forgive me for my arrogance and presumption toward you. You are Lord! Righteousness delivers from death and you are righteous.
We read the story of Simon the Sorcerer who thought God could be bought. Acts 8:9 But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, 10 to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.
The apostles were preaching Christ crucified and laying hands on the people that they would be baptized in the Holy Spirit. When Simon saw this miracle taking place, he asked the apostles if he could buy from them the power that did this great work. Acts 8:18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
The answer that Peter gives is stern and to the point. God cannot be bought! There has to be a heart transplant per-se to be in a relationship with him. Acts 8:20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. As you can see, if left up to man the approach to God is corrupt and devious.
Seriously Simon, you want to buy the Holy Spirit? Seeking God is our privilege, because we are human, but we are to seek and find Him God’s way. There is nothing wrong with putting a bit of humph into our seeking and loving of God. Let us proceed with God’s way of doing things and bring about the Kingdom of God and its fullness.
The first step has been made for us; we just have to believe it and live it by faith. Rom.10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Seriously, it is that simple.
The first step has been made for us; we just have to believe it and live it by faith. Rom.10:8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Seriously, it is that simple.
Thank you. I needed this.