Contending with the Creator

Contending with the Creator?

There are things we face and go through that are beyond our abilities. Sure, we may be able to withstand for a time but inevitably our own strength fades. During these times we often think we can handle the situation better than God.

"Woe to the crown of pride" Isaiah 28:1 Only pride could cause our hearts to swell in such a grievous way!  Are we really stronger than He, smarter than He or wiser than He? God forbid, NO!!! Yet this is exactly what we act like when we butt heads with Him and what He wants for us.

In Job 41 the Lord questions Job about the great Leviathan; his strength, wickedness and ability to devour anything. Vs 34 says, "... he is the king over all the children of pride." In essence he's asking Job, what can you do with such evil? Can you defeat it?

Basically the Lord showed Job how weak we really are as well as how limited our knowledge and understanding is in comparison to God. Even the most vile and wretched creature is no match for the God we serve.

"Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not." Job 42:1-3

Sometimes we need reminded too. I encourage you to read Job 38-42. Who are we to question the Creator and His capabilities? We are but dust! There's nothing He cannot do! He is greater than we are by far, for He can do everything! Will we struggle in our out strength and attempt to contend with God or come to trust His capabilities far exceed our own?

The cause to call on Christ

He's still the Saviour in the storm... the cause to call on Christ

"And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" Mark 4:37-40

Can you picture being here? Wow, what an incredible scene, right? Can you see past this event to circumstances you might be facing? Does your faith teeter with new developments or changes in intensity?

When these men focused on the storm, they allowed doubt in! What did they ask Jesus, "Master, Don't you care if we die!?!" (paraphrased) Doubt is opposite of faith and it grimly causes us to question Christ! Notice He was with them the whole time and when they called on Him, He answered!

Jesus didn't beat around the bush, He knew they had seen Him do many miraculous things. He was right in saying, "how is it that you have no faith?"

Since He is unchanging, we know He still speaks "peace be still" to our life's storms. Are we calling on Him in faith, trusting and believing He is able or are we doubtfully questioning His care, concern and capabilities?

The fight against the false witness

Have you ever had to deal with a "false witness"?

"A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow." Proverbs 25:18

Think how destructive these weapons are! A 'maul' or mallet breaks, a sword separates and a sharp arrow pierces!

"A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies." Proverbs 14:5

Safe to say then a false witness reflects the character of Satan. Doesn't he "come to steal, kill and destroy"? (John 10:10) It's also a byproduct of the heart's evil state (Matthew 15:19).

Truth is, "A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape." Proverbs 19:5 The Lord God has a lot to say about such malicious slander! Why? He hates the destruction it brings!

To the false witness---> Be sure "... your sin will find you out"! (Numbers 32:23)

To the believer, secure in Christ ---> "The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace." Exodus 14:14 May we cry out as David saying, "Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me." Psalm 35:1

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 12:19-21

Though the situation may be overwhelming, there is hope! Trust in the Lord and praise Him in the meantime!

"The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies." Psalm 18:2-3

Plug in to the LIFE Source

"Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8

Why is the one who trusts in the Lord blessed? Because it is the Lord who sustains!

According to Webster's dictionary, look at the definition of "sustains":

to provide what is needed for (something or someone) to exist, continue, etc.
: to hold up the weight of (something)
: to deal with or experience (something bad or unpleasant)

Full Definition
1 : to give support or relief to
2 : to supply with sustenance : nourish
3 : keep up, prolong
4 : to support the weight of : prop; also : to carry or withstand (a weight or pressure)
5 : to buoy up <sustained by hope>
6 a : to bear up under
   b : suffer, undergo <sustained heavy losses>
7 a : to support as true, legal, or just
   b : to allow or admit as valid
8 : to support by adequate proof : confirm <testimony that sustains our contention>

A tree planted by the waters draws up waters from the river. It's roots are PLUGGED IN to the LIFE Source! This IS Christ! Are you plugged into Him that you'll more that just survive life's elements, but be FRUITFUL in and through them? Jehovah Jireh is our provider! Is your confidence in Him or are you trying to accomplish this life on your own, by your own menial strength?

Pay attention! It's that important

3 days in a row the Lord has taken me to these 3 chapters... Daniel 7,10 & 11

There is hope within these prophetic pages, HOPE that applies to those who are in Christ! Though rebellion has been continuously increasing, the Lord's mercies and forgiveness have also been outstretched!

Yes, judgement is upon us whether we like it or not and whether we believe it or not. Yet, here in this moment if we surrender to Christ, there is peace in the midst of the turmoil and chaos! Not the false peace so many are eager to share. Real genuine peace that only Christ can give. It surpasses our human understanding!

My heart has been so heavy for those close to me under severe enemy attack. Remember y'all, the enemy knows his time is short and he's doing his best to wear us all out! He's using every tactic possible... family, friends; those close to us, as well as sicknesses, finances, losses, conflicts between races and with those in authority, countries ready to wage war, natural disasters, etc.the list goes on and on!

Remember though, our hope isn't found in people, places or things. True hope is found only in the King of kings and what the enemy intends to use as harm, (we know he comes to kill, steal and to destroy) our God can use it for our good and HIS GLORY. I know these aren't light issues surrounding and affecting each one of us, but if there's ever a time to make sure we are right with God, walking with Christ, denying ourselves and daily carrying our cross, the time is NOW!!!

Even being forewarned by our precious Lord and Saviour these days would come, doesn't make it easy to endure, but He does grant everything we need in Him.

A couple things we MUST be willing to SELF examine are:
* our prayer life
* our study time
If we are lacking in these areas we need to sincerely with all diligence ask God for help! Everything Jesus said would happen, IS HAPPENING and increasing just as He said a woman in labor experiences. They're closer and with greater intensity!

So, with a grieved and heavy heart I asked the Lord for comfort and encouragement. He gave me Isaiah 40. Please take the time to read it, ponder it, delight in it and give Him praise for it!!! "For such a time as this" are we blessed to be here in the now. Are we prepared? Are we continuing to prepare?

Jesus said, "The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves." Luke 10:2-3

Be honest... Are your eyes fixed upon Him? Is your oil lamp full? Will Jesus find faith upon the earth upon His return? Are you clothed in Christ and His righteousness?

Go learn the meaning

Oh to have been a fly on the wall for this conversation!!!

"And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Matthew 9:11-13

Honestly y'all, the religious of our day still respond this way. Can you imagine the modern attack the Pharisees would have for Jesus today?

I love vs 13 where He tells them to "GO LEARN THE MEANING" of what He said! Today He would be ridiculed and accused of being prideful for saying such a thing. After all, the self righteous Pharisees "knew so much". Not to mention the false accusations of Him being rebellious; especially since Christ went against their idea of things. I'm certain it would spurn quite the whirlwind.

However, Jesus was neither prideful nor rebellious. He had more wisdom, understanding and compassion in his pinky finger than they had combined as a whole group. He was right!

How do I know He would be treated this way? I've endured similar encounters, just as countless other true believers have. The Jesus many worship today doesn't even come close to the One who spoke here. Please make sure you have the right One, the Jesus Christ found in the Living Word of God; the Bible.

May we be mindful, the true Risen Christ stood for Truth, His Father's Truth and He wasn't afraid or ashamed to stand for what was right. Even if it stepped on toes and the pride of others. May His Holy Spirit help us be more like Him!

"Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:20-21

Are we daring enough to ask for His boldness, that we may speak boldly, in love, as He leads?

To be or not to be stereotyped

Let's face it, stereotypes are everywhere. Especially in the world of religion. With countless beliefs, theologies, doctrines it's easy to see how one can form their opinion without seeking facts.

Many of you, whether you've been my acquaintance or friend for a few days, years or known me for a lifetime already have your opinions formed. After all, it's natural, right. Or is it?

Are our thoughts based on facts: biblical, scientific or are they theoretically shaped by our modern culture? Truth is, the latter of the 3 wins. Without seeking understanding there is prejudice, preconceived notions and bias misunderstandings everywhere!

It's quite likely I won't fit your idea of a Christian. Honestly, I'm quite thankful for that! Why? Because there are countless misconceptions about my God and His perfect Son that my way of thinking, living, speaking, acting and reacting is probably just as cynical as your presuppositions about my foundation in them.

I'm not trying to be rude or crass. Whether we like it or not, scads of people try to put God in a box; which includes those who follow Him. He's given us a code of ethics to live by and every day is a new adventure. It's a daily walk full of trials, temptations, life lessons and victories. Unless you come to know Him, you cannot understand His people.

If you're afraid of being stereotyped, understand this... whether you whole hearted follow Christ or not, society has already labeled you! Question is, who is it you're living to please?

As for me, "For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10