1 Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.
2 I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; I have no good besides You."
3 As for the saints who are in the earth, They are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight.
4 The sorrows of those who have bartered for another god will be multiplied; I shall not pour out their drink offerings of blood, Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
5 The LORD is the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You support my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Indeed, my heritage is beautiful to me.
7 I will bless the LORD who has counseled me; Indeed, my mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the LORD continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Psalm 16 The LORD the Psalmist's Portion in Life and Deliverer in Death. A Mikhtam of David.
I thank the LORD and bless His Holy Name for giving me His Eternal Inheritance.
I thank the LORD that my children know the LORD, through the Son of God Jesus Christ, our LORD and SAVIOR.
I thank the LORD that my oldest son Richard, knows Jesus and that he is striving to keep his way pure by living it according to the word of the LORD.
Happy Birthday Richard Keoni Rubio!!!
I remember the day you were born. What a glorious day it was!!! Seeing your mother being used by God to deliver you into this world and bringing forth new life, reminds me of the new life that we share in Jesus Christ.
I cannot begin to put to words the emotions that I felt that day. They ranged from fear, to joy, concern, worry.
Many questions flooded my mind:
Will I be a good father to you?
Will I love you, no matter how many mistakes you make?
Will I break the cycle of abuse, that I experienced as a child?
Will I be available to you, to answer questions that you will have in your life?
Will I be a provider for you?
Will you love me, inspite of my flaws and imperfections?
Here are my answers:
I have not been a good father to you.
I have not loved you all of the time when you make mistakes.
I have abused you and have not broken that cycle.
I have not been available to you.
I have not provided for you.
The truth is that no matter how hard I try, I cannot live up to the expectations of man. I will consistently let you down and disappoint you. I say these things to you, to speak truth and not excuses.
I remember what Jesus says in Matthew 19:26 - "With man, all things are impossible. But with God, all things are possible."
Through the power of God and His Holy Spirit, I have been made a "New Creation" through Jesus Christ and His perfect sacrifice on Calvary's Cross.
Jesus has transformed me by the renewing of my mind.
I am a better father than I have been in the past.
I have been more available to you.
I have provided and will continue to provide for you.
I have not abused you.
I have loved you with an everlasting love.
Son, you are my oldest and thereby have the right to an inheritance from me. All that I have will be yours one day (Don't worry, I will leave some things for your brother and sister). But you already have the greatest inheritance of all - Eternal Life with God in Heaven through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ at Calvary, His Resurrection from the center of the earth and His Ascension to the Right Hand of Our Father in Heaven. Any inheritance that I could give you, does not even compare to the great riches that the LORD offered to you through His Son Jesus. My prayer and thoughts are for you to not become like me, but to become like Jesus, more and more each and everyday.
I thank you for blessing me Richard with your love, your talent for music and your fellowship with me. You are so special to me and I will always Love You with an everlasting love. May God continue to pour out His Blessings upon you My Son :)
Love,
Dad
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Monday, January 08, 2007
Proverbs 3:7-8
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8
Over the past few months, my life was a direct result of me "being wise in my own eyes."
I thank God that I have turned away from evil and am pursuing righteousness.
I am grateful that God has done the following for me and for His Glory:
1. Restored my relationship with all three of my children.
2. Delivered me from the hand of the enemy.
3. Gives me His strength, which is being perfected through my weakness.
4. Blessed me with loving brothers and sisters in the body of Jesus Christ, who encourage me and let me know that I am not alone.
5. Transforming my heart and mind through the Power of the Holy Spirit, and the redemptive washing of the Blood of Jesus Christ.
My fervent prayers for today are:
1. That the Body of Christ would MAKE JESUS CHRIST THE HEAD.
2. That God will have His way with me, using me only for HIS GLORY.
3. My wife Laura and her Salvation. She needs JESUS desperately.
4. Restoration and Reconciliation of my marriage.
5. Protection over my family.
6. Protection, guidance, discernment and wisdom for one of my brothers in the LORD who lives in the Outer Banks of N.C.
7. That the lost, would come to Jesus Christ.
8. That the Holy Spirit would guide the Wednesday Community Group that I belong to, leading them to all truth through the WORD of the LORD.
9. Protection for my Pastor and his family. Pray that the fruits of the Spirit would continue to grow exponentially and quickly, to make him a powerful tool unto the KING'S SERVICE.
10. Pray for my divorce to be stopped and that my wife would come to the LORD.
11. Pray for my financial situation.
A short word to some friends that visited my roomate and I last week:
I Love You. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?
You are in my prayers. I ask that the LORD refine you, burning out any sinful thing in you so that You will be without spot, blemish or wrinkle. God is a Holy God. He demands purity and Holiness. Those characteristics are part of who He is. He loves you the most.
God Bless.
Over the past few months, my life was a direct result of me "being wise in my own eyes."
I thank God that I have turned away from evil and am pursuing righteousness.
I am grateful that God has done the following for me and for His Glory:
1. Restored my relationship with all three of my children.
2. Delivered me from the hand of the enemy.
3. Gives me His strength, which is being perfected through my weakness.
4. Blessed me with loving brothers and sisters in the body of Jesus Christ, who encourage me and let me know that I am not alone.
5. Transforming my heart and mind through the Power of the Holy Spirit, and the redemptive washing of the Blood of Jesus Christ.
My fervent prayers for today are:
1. That the Body of Christ would MAKE JESUS CHRIST THE HEAD.
2. That God will have His way with me, using me only for HIS GLORY.
3. My wife Laura and her Salvation. She needs JESUS desperately.
4. Restoration and Reconciliation of my marriage.
5. Protection over my family.
6. Protection, guidance, discernment and wisdom for one of my brothers in the LORD who lives in the Outer Banks of N.C.
7. That the lost, would come to Jesus Christ.
8. That the Holy Spirit would guide the Wednesday Community Group that I belong to, leading them to all truth through the WORD of the LORD.
9. Protection for my Pastor and his family. Pray that the fruits of the Spirit would continue to grow exponentially and quickly, to make him a powerful tool unto the KING'S SERVICE.
10. Pray for my divorce to be stopped and that my wife would come to the LORD.
11. Pray for my financial situation.
A short word to some friends that visited my roomate and I last week:
I Love You. I am sorry. Will you forgive me?
You are in my prayers. I ask that the LORD refine you, burning out any sinful thing in you so that You will be without spot, blemish or wrinkle. God is a Holy God. He demands purity and Holiness. Those characteristics are part of who He is. He loves you the most.
God Bless.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Grace through Faith
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'"
16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
John 14-17 (NASB)
I was so blessed by attending my first "Community Group" Bible Study last night.
My first thought was "Man, I'm too old. The people that will be there, are old enough to be my children. I won't have anything to offer. How will I be able to relate to this young group?"
God reminded me that I need fellowship and that He would be there and He would be the focus of discussion.
When our group leader opened up with the topic of FAITH, I sat back and listened to the people in the group share what faith meant to them. I was blessed to hear from their personal experiences how faith plays such an integral role in their lives.
After listening to everyone, I chimed in and shared my testimony and how it had a direct application to my faith in God. I don't remember everything that I said, but I was blessed so much by the responses from people in the group.
I do remember sharing about how we are saved by Grace through Faith. That in the midst of searching out the LORD for an answer, sometimes when the LORD doesn't answer, that is His answer.
We all have "Spiritual Short-Term Memory Loss" with regard to our faith in God and our relationship with Him. When life is going smoothly, we are full of joy. But as soon as we experience something that doesn't go "our way", then we immediately push every "panic button" available to us. We forget to go to the LORD, like Job did and fall down to the ground and worship Him.
That is my heart's desire - Have a heart like Job and David. Job and David knew where their strength came from. When David had committed adultery and murder, he knew that he must confess and repent to God. When he was being pursued by his enemies, he knew where to go. He went to the LORD.
When Job found out that he had lost his children, cattle, fields in a matter of a few hours, he had some choices to make. Job had to choose from the following:
1. Curse God for taking away everything from him
2. Pursue his enemies and mete out vengeance against them
3. Worship the LORD
At the end of Job Chapter 1, we find out what Job did -
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."
22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.
That's what I want to have and to remember. That I MUST go to the LORD and bless HIS HOLY NAME.
In order for David to have gone to the LORD, he had to have faith. David knew about Grace when he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. All of David's life, he was always seeking out the LORD. This is why the LORD called him "a man after God's own heart."
I give thanks to the LORD for He is good.
His lovingkindness endures forever.
May you always bless the LORD at all times.
15 John testified about Him and cried out, saying, "This was He of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.'"
16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.
17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.
John 14-17 (NASB)
I was so blessed by attending my first "Community Group" Bible Study last night.
My first thought was "Man, I'm too old. The people that will be there, are old enough to be my children. I won't have anything to offer. How will I be able to relate to this young group?"
God reminded me that I need fellowship and that He would be there and He would be the focus of discussion.
When our group leader opened up with the topic of FAITH, I sat back and listened to the people in the group share what faith meant to them. I was blessed to hear from their personal experiences how faith plays such an integral role in their lives.
After listening to everyone, I chimed in and shared my testimony and how it had a direct application to my faith in God. I don't remember everything that I said, but I was blessed so much by the responses from people in the group.
I do remember sharing about how we are saved by Grace through Faith. That in the midst of searching out the LORD for an answer, sometimes when the LORD doesn't answer, that is His answer.
We all have "Spiritual Short-Term Memory Loss" with regard to our faith in God and our relationship with Him. When life is going smoothly, we are full of joy. But as soon as we experience something that doesn't go "our way", then we immediately push every "panic button" available to us. We forget to go to the LORD, like Job did and fall down to the ground and worship Him.
That is my heart's desire - Have a heart like Job and David. Job and David knew where their strength came from. When David had committed adultery and murder, he knew that he must confess and repent to God. When he was being pursued by his enemies, he knew where to go. He went to the LORD.
When Job found out that he had lost his children, cattle, fields in a matter of a few hours, he had some choices to make. Job had to choose from the following:
1. Curse God for taking away everything from him
2. Pursue his enemies and mete out vengeance against them
3. Worship the LORD
At the end of Job Chapter 1, we find out what Job did -
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked I shall return there The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD."
22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.
That's what I want to have and to remember. That I MUST go to the LORD and bless HIS HOLY NAME.
In order for David to have gone to the LORD, he had to have faith. David knew about Grace when he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. All of David's life, he was always seeking out the LORD. This is why the LORD called him "a man after God's own heart."
I give thanks to the LORD for He is good.
His lovingkindness endures forever.
May you always bless the LORD at all times.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Trust In God
"Trust in the LORD with all of your heart; do not lean upon your own understanding, acknowledge HIM in all of your ways, and HE will straighten your path." Proverbs 3:5-6
This verse has been my heart's cry during the past 3 years.
I strive to walk this narrow path of righteousness everyday. I can clearly see where this verse is so vital to my walk and my life.
After a recent conversation I had, I felt the enemy of my soul attacking me, by attempting to get me to believe that I have not changed. That I am still the same angry, resentful, selfish, self-centered old person that I always was.
And then the LORD intervened on my behalf. HE reminded me that these statements occurred in the past are not any part of who I am today. I have cast-off the "old man" and put on the "new man" everyday.
I did my best to listen with patience, respect. I stated my love for this person and what I would and would not do.
During this conversation, the LORD showed me how confused this person is and that they are in the grip of the devil and do not even see it. This really saddened my heart, because I really love this person, and want them to come to repentance and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and LORD.
So I continue to pray, asking for the LORD's will to be done in their life and also in mine.
What has been really cool, is that the LORD has been waking me up in the early morning hours and directing me into HIS WORD, to be ministered to, and to receive instruction from HIM.
I'm truly blessed. No matter what happens in my life, I know that I have no life anymore, because my life was bought at Calvary's Cross, by my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Jesus said, "He who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life will find life everlasting..."
LORD,
I fall down at YOUR feet to worship YOU.
YOU are my STRONG TOWER.
YOU ARE MY SALVATION.
YOU ARE A SHIELD ALL AROUND ME.
YOU ARE MY VICTORIOUS WARRIOR.
YOU ARE MY KING LOVER.
YOU ARE MY STRENGTH.
YOU ARE MY PROVIDER.
YOU ARE MY FIRST LOVE.
YOU ARE MY CREATOR.
YOU ARE MY FATHER.
YOU ARE MY LIFE.
HELP ME LORD JESUS TO KNOW YOU MORE, AND TO SERVE YOU WITH AND UNDYING LOVE AND PASSION, THAT ONLY YOU CAN PROVIDE TO ME. JESUS PLEASE HEAR MY CRY!!! I CONFESS MY SINS TO YOU AND YOU SAY "WHAT SIN?" I GIVE THANKS TO YOU MY LORD FOR YOU ARE GOOD, YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS ENDURES FOREVER.
I PETITION YOU FOR A DEEPER, STRONGER FAITH IN YOU. PLEASE GRANT ME YOUR WISDOM SO THAT I WILL NOT STUMBLE OR FALL INTO THE ENEMY'S TRAPS. GUIDE ME AND DIRECT MY STEPS LORD. I GIVE THANKS TO YOU THAT YOU SAY THAT ANY WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME WILL NOT PROSPER. MAY I ALWAYS GLORIFY YOUR NAME LORD.
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, MY LORD AND SAVIOR, AMEN!
This verse has been my heart's cry during the past 3 years.
I strive to walk this narrow path of righteousness everyday. I can clearly see where this verse is so vital to my walk and my life.
After a recent conversation I had, I felt the enemy of my soul attacking me, by attempting to get me to believe that I have not changed. That I am still the same angry, resentful, selfish, self-centered old person that I always was.
And then the LORD intervened on my behalf. HE reminded me that these statements occurred in the past are not any part of who I am today. I have cast-off the "old man" and put on the "new man" everyday.
I did my best to listen with patience, respect. I stated my love for this person and what I would and would not do.
During this conversation, the LORD showed me how confused this person is and that they are in the grip of the devil and do not even see it. This really saddened my heart, because I really love this person, and want them to come to repentance and receive Jesus Christ as their Savior and LORD.
So I continue to pray, asking for the LORD's will to be done in their life and also in mine.
What has been really cool, is that the LORD has been waking me up in the early morning hours and directing me into HIS WORD, to be ministered to, and to receive instruction from HIM.
I'm truly blessed. No matter what happens in my life, I know that I have no life anymore, because my life was bought at Calvary's Cross, by my LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. Jesus said, "He who finds his life will lose it, and the one who loses his life will find life everlasting..."
LORD,
I fall down at YOUR feet to worship YOU.
YOU are my STRONG TOWER.
YOU ARE MY SALVATION.
YOU ARE A SHIELD ALL AROUND ME.
YOU ARE MY VICTORIOUS WARRIOR.
YOU ARE MY KING LOVER.
YOU ARE MY STRENGTH.
YOU ARE MY PROVIDER.
YOU ARE MY FIRST LOVE.
YOU ARE MY CREATOR.
YOU ARE MY FATHER.
YOU ARE MY LIFE.
HELP ME LORD JESUS TO KNOW YOU MORE, AND TO SERVE YOU WITH AND UNDYING LOVE AND PASSION, THAT ONLY YOU CAN PROVIDE TO ME. JESUS PLEASE HEAR MY CRY!!! I CONFESS MY SINS TO YOU AND YOU SAY "WHAT SIN?" I GIVE THANKS TO YOU MY LORD FOR YOU ARE GOOD, YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS ENDURES FOREVER.
I PETITION YOU FOR A DEEPER, STRONGER FAITH IN YOU. PLEASE GRANT ME YOUR WISDOM SO THAT I WILL NOT STUMBLE OR FALL INTO THE ENEMY'S TRAPS. GUIDE ME AND DIRECT MY STEPS LORD. I GIVE THANKS TO YOU THAT YOU SAY THAT ANY WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME WILL NOT PROSPER. MAY I ALWAYS GLORIFY YOUR NAME LORD.
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, MY LORD AND SAVIOR, AMEN!
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Non-Conformity
DO NOT CONFORM any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-His good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2
Most of you who know me, know that I do my best to follow Jesus Christ. I do not follow Jesus perfectly.
I am also a surfer.
The surfing culture is stereotyped as being dark, amoral, hedonistic, and non-conformist.
Surfers are "Non-Conformist?"
Here's a non-inclusive list of characteristics that are found in most every surfer:
Surfers are generally individualistic, self-centered, brash, egotiscal, and opinionated.
Surfers do not want to follow the "party line."
Surfers do not want to be told what they can and can't do.
Surfers want to be unique.
Surfers want to have their own "Secret Spot", to surf at or hang-out.
Surfers do not like crowds.
Merriam-Webster defines nonconformist as:
Main Entry: non·con·form·ist
Pronunciation: -'for-mist
Function: noun
1 often capitalized : a person who does not conform to an established church; especially : one who does not conform to the Church of England
2 : a person who does not conform to a generally accepted pattern of thought or action - nonconformist adjective, often capitalized
I see a link between Jesus Christ and lost sinners.
Here's why.
Jesus Christ opposed religion. He refused to conform to the oppressive religious laws that the Pharisees, Saducees and San Hedrin were using to control and oppress the Israelites. In most of Jesus' conversations which indicated that He was angry, it was for the most part, when He talked to the "religious authorities."
I love what Jesus says in the gospels - "...no one comes to the Father except through me..."
When He said that, He was letting God's word speak against the religious law that had the Jews in a spiritual chokehold.
Lost sinners oppose the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People who do not know Jesus, live in sin and are adamant that it is their right to "live their life" the way that they want to.
Sin blinds and deceives people. Even those things that may have the appearance of being "right" can deceive us.
The bottom line is this -
Without having Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOR of your life, the hole that you're trying to fill up in your heart will always remain empty and huge. There is never enough money, alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, or materialistic things to fill the God-sized hole in your heart.
Jesus is the only way that your heart will be filled with His joy, and your eternity sealed with His precious blood that was shed for you at Calvary's Cross.
If you want to be a true "Non-Conformist", take up Jesus Christ and your cross, and follow Him.
I promise you that your life will only get more difficult, and that you will be consistently attacked by satan and that there will be much suffering and persecution.
But the joy and peace that you will experience, far outweighs the temporary things of this world.
Most of you who know me, know that I do my best to follow Jesus Christ. I do not follow Jesus perfectly.
I am also a surfer.
The surfing culture is stereotyped as being dark, amoral, hedonistic, and non-conformist.
Surfers are "Non-Conformist?"
Here's a non-inclusive list of characteristics that are found in most every surfer:
Surfers are generally individualistic, self-centered, brash, egotiscal, and opinionated.
Surfers do not want to follow the "party line."
Surfers do not want to be told what they can and can't do.
Surfers want to be unique.
Surfers want to have their own "Secret Spot", to surf at or hang-out.
Surfers do not like crowds.
Merriam-Webster defines nonconformist as:
Main Entry: non·con·form·ist
Pronunciation: -'for-mist
Function: noun
1 often capitalized : a person who does not conform to an established church; especially : one who does not conform to the Church of England
2 : a person who does not conform to a generally accepted pattern of thought or action - nonconformist adjective, often capitalized
I see a link between Jesus Christ and lost sinners.
Here's why.
Jesus Christ opposed religion. He refused to conform to the oppressive religious laws that the Pharisees, Saducees and San Hedrin were using to control and oppress the Israelites. In most of Jesus' conversations which indicated that He was angry, it was for the most part, when He talked to the "religious authorities."
I love what Jesus says in the gospels - "...no one comes to the Father except through me..."
When He said that, He was letting God's word speak against the religious law that had the Jews in a spiritual chokehold.
Lost sinners oppose the Gospel of Jesus Christ. People who do not know Jesus, live in sin and are adamant that it is their right to "live their life" the way that they want to.
Sin blinds and deceives people. Even those things that may have the appearance of being "right" can deceive us.
The bottom line is this -
Without having Jesus Christ as LORD and SAVIOR of your life, the hole that you're trying to fill up in your heart will always remain empty and huge. There is never enough money, alcohol, drugs, illicit sex, or materialistic things to fill the God-sized hole in your heart.
Jesus is the only way that your heart will be filled with His joy, and your eternity sealed with His precious blood that was shed for you at Calvary's Cross.
If you want to be a true "Non-Conformist", take up Jesus Christ and your cross, and follow Him.
I promise you that your life will only get more difficult, and that you will be consistently attacked by satan and that there will be much suffering and persecution.
But the joy and peace that you will experience, far outweighs the temporary things of this world.
Monday, January 01, 2007
The LORD is my strength and LORD of my life
Praise be to God Almighty, Creator of the Universe!!!
Before I go any further, I do wish everyone reading this blog, a Haouli Maka Hiki Hou! (Happy New Year)
In my morning time with the LORD, I was blessed to read Psalm 1 and Proverbs 1. They encourage me that when I trust in the LORD, He is my strength. Proverbs 1 says that those who do not know Him, He will mock them.
Wait a minute...
God says that He'll mock people who do not have fear of Him?
But I thought that God is a God of LOVE??
That doesn't sound like LOVE to me!
YEP.
Proverbs 1:26 says - "I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes,"
But that can't be. I thought that God was at OUR beck and call, to play the role of "Genie In a Bottle for us?"
NO.
NADA.
NYET.
God is the most High God. There is NO ONE like Him.
He demands that people be in fear of Him. The fear He refers to is "Reverence" to who He is.
And when we do not have a "fear" of the LORD, He will laugh at our calamity and mock when our dread comes.
I don't know about you, but I'm thankful that I know God through the atonement of Jesus Christ and that I do have a reverence for Him.
He is my MIZPAH (Strong Tower).
He is my STRENGTH.
He is EVERYTHING to me.
I pray that those of you who know the LORD JESUS, have a reverent fear of HIM and that you live your life for HIM. He bought all of us with the perfect sacrifice of HIS life and blood shed at Calvary's Cross.
I pray that those of you who do not know my LORD JESUS, would talk to HIM. Repent of your sins and receive HIM into your heart and life.
Don't be the person who is laughed at when their calamity comes upon them. Don't be the person who is mocked when their dread comes.
I pity the fool who doesn't know JESUS CHRIST as SAVIOR and LORD of their lives.
Starting off the first day of 2007, my only resolution, is to know JESUS more and more.
Everything else will fall into place.
God's plan for my life is perfect, warts and all.
He planned for me to go through a divorce.
He planned for me to be angry at Him for 17 years.
He planned for me to endure the agony of the sins of my unsaved wife.
He planned for me to endure my children not being close to me at this time in my life.
He planned for me to endure financial hardship.
He planned for me to receive ridicule from brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.
He planned for me to trust in him 100%.
I know that all of this is perfect because all of the things that were meant for evil, the LORD will turn to good for those who know HIM and LOVE HIM.
May God Almighty REIGN SUPREME in your life.
AGAPE,
Alex
Before I go any further, I do wish everyone reading this blog, a Haouli Maka Hiki Hou! (Happy New Year)
In my morning time with the LORD, I was blessed to read Psalm 1 and Proverbs 1. They encourage me that when I trust in the LORD, He is my strength. Proverbs 1 says that those who do not know Him, He will mock them.
Wait a minute...
God says that He'll mock people who do not have fear of Him?
But I thought that God is a God of LOVE??
That doesn't sound like LOVE to me!
YEP.
Proverbs 1:26 says - "I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes,"
But that can't be. I thought that God was at OUR beck and call, to play the role of "Genie In a Bottle for us?"
NO.
NADA.
NYET.
God is the most High God. There is NO ONE like Him.
He demands that people be in fear of Him. The fear He refers to is "Reverence" to who He is.
And when we do not have a "fear" of the LORD, He will laugh at our calamity and mock when our dread comes.
I don't know about you, but I'm thankful that I know God through the atonement of Jesus Christ and that I do have a reverence for Him.
He is my MIZPAH (Strong Tower).
He is my STRENGTH.
He is EVERYTHING to me.
I pray that those of you who know the LORD JESUS, have a reverent fear of HIM and that you live your life for HIM. He bought all of us with the perfect sacrifice of HIS life and blood shed at Calvary's Cross.
I pray that those of you who do not know my LORD JESUS, would talk to HIM. Repent of your sins and receive HIM into your heart and life.
Don't be the person who is laughed at when their calamity comes upon them. Don't be the person who is mocked when their dread comes.
I pity the fool who doesn't know JESUS CHRIST as SAVIOR and LORD of their lives.
Starting off the first day of 2007, my only resolution, is to know JESUS more and more.
Everything else will fall into place.
God's plan for my life is perfect, warts and all.
He planned for me to go through a divorce.
He planned for me to be angry at Him for 17 years.
He planned for me to endure the agony of the sins of my unsaved wife.
He planned for me to endure my children not being close to me at this time in my life.
He planned for me to endure financial hardship.
He planned for me to receive ridicule from brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ.
He planned for me to trust in him 100%.
I know that all of this is perfect because all of the things that were meant for evil, the LORD will turn to good for those who know HIM and LOVE HIM.
May God Almighty REIGN SUPREME in your life.
AGAPE,
Alex
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