What Will The LORD Reveal About You

                                                       When The Door Slams

What more could have been done for my vineyard than I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad? Now I will tell you what I am going to do to my vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it will be destroyed; I will break down its wall, and it will be trampled. I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and briers and thorn will grow there. I will command the clouds not to rain on it. The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the nation of Israel, and the people of Judah are the vines he delighted in. And he looked for justice, but saw bloodshed; for righteousness, but heard cries of distress.                                            Isaiah 5:4-7

        The prophet Isaiah told the story of a man with a vineyard on a fertile hill. The man cultivated the ground and removed the stones so that nothing would hinder the vines' growth. He planted only the best quality vines. He built a tower in the middle of the vineyard so he could watch for wild animals and intruders. He constructed a wine vat so that he would be ready for the ripe grapes. Then he waited. Rather than producing good grapes, however, the vineyard produced worthless one. 

        This story illustrates the relationship between God and His people. God has done everything necessary for us to produce an abundance of spiritual fruit in our lives. He saved us when we were without hope. He gave us His Holy Spirit to produce fruit in our lives (Gal. 5:22-23). God removed our sin so that we are free serve Him. 

        We have the Bible in numerous translations. We have access to more Christian books, music, videos, conferences, school, radio and television stations, magazines, and seminars than ever before. There are churches of every kind and size. We have teachers and pastors to instruct us and encourage us. Most of all, we have direct access to God through prayer. Jesus said that to whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 1248). 

Think about this: One day God will hold us accountable for all that He has done for us. God will ask us to show Him the fruit of all of His bountiful provision for our lives. What will He find?         

May I not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the LORD with all my heart. May I not turn aside to go after worthless things which do not profit or deliver, because they are useless (1Samuel 12:20-21). 

Ask the Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

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Take It From Scripture -- Your Heavenly Father

                                                        When The Door Slams

When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba, Father!"          Galatians 4:4-6

        The word father conjures up different images for everyone. To some it brings the picture of love, laughter, respect, and acceptance. Unfortunately others associate the term father with fear, rejection, and disappointment. That is why it is so important not to take your understanding of your heavenly Father from your experience. Take it from Scripture. 

        You undoubtedly had an imperfect earthy father, perhaps even one who brought you harm. But, as in all of your Christian life, the key is not to understand the Bible based on your experience, but to understand your experience in the light of the Bible. God is your model of a Father in the truest sense of the word. 

        Your heavenly Father was willing to pay any price in order to save you (Rom. 8:32). Your heavenly Father is always ready to meet your needs (Luke 11:11-13). Your heavenly Father loves you so much that He is willing to discipline you to bring you to Christian maturity (Prov. 3:11-12; Heb. 12:5-10). Even when you rebel against Him and reject His Love, your heavenly Father continues to do what is best for you (Rom. 5:8). He does not make His love for you conditional upon your love for Him. He loves you even when you are not loving Him (1 John 4:19). He has made you His heirs and reserves a home for you in heaven (Rom. 8:15-17). 

        Think about this: This is what a father is like biblically. If this has not been your experience, it can be be now. There is One who has adopted you and who wants to love you in a way you have never experienced. Take comfort and strength from Him--your heavenly Father. 

Jesus is Your beloved Son in whom You are well pleased (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22). Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who came into the world (John 11:27). Jesus is Your Son, whom You have chosen (Luke 9:35). The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand (John 3:35). 

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

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Faith Or Lip Service To Your Trust in God

                                                        When The Door Slams 

This is what the LORD Says:                                                                                                                                      "The man who trusts in mankind, who makes human flesh his                                                                        strength and turns his heart from the LORD is cursed."                                                                                                                                                                                         Jeremiah 17:5 

        The Israelites of Jeremiah's day believed they could trust in their army, the diplomacy of their king, and their foreign alliances to protect them from the powerful Babylonian empire. They gave lip service to their trust in God, but their actions showed where their faith really was: in their military and financial might. God spoke through Jeremiah to warn them that He would not bless those who trusted in anyone or  anything instead of Him. 

        Placing your ultimate trust in anything other than God is idolatry. How can you know if your faith is not truly trusting in God? Ask yourself these questions: Where do I turn when I experience a crisis? When I am hurting or afraid, what do I do? When I have a financial problem, who do I want to tell first? Where do I seek comfort when I am stressed or discouraged? 

        The Israelites were so stubbornly committed to trusting in man or human strength instead of God that, even as the Babylonian army approached Jerusalem, they continued to desperately seek for a person, or a nation, or an army that could rescue them. They realized too late that they had neglected to trust in the only One who could deliver them. 

        Think about this: Could it be that you are saying you trust in God, but your action indicate otherwise? God often uses other people as His method of providing for you. Be carful lest you inadvertently misdirect your faith toward His provision instead of toward the Provider. God may meet your need through your friends, but ultimately your faith and trust must be in God. 

        Don't make the same mistake as the Israelites. Go straight to the Lord when you have a need. He is the only One who can provide for you. 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil (Proverbs 3:5-7).   

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the LORD and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

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The Consequences Of Your Sin Often Remain

                                                        When The Door Slams

Why then have you despised the command of the Lord by doing what I consider evil? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife as your own wife--you murdered him with the Ammonite's sword. Now therefore, the sword will never leave your house because you despised Me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own wife.              2 Samuel 12:9-10  

           

        What is required for God to forgive sin? Repentance. But even repentance does not ensure the removal of the consequences of sin. The consequences often remain as a reminder of the terrible, destructive nature of sin. 

        David was forgiven for his grievous sins of lust, adultery, robbery, and murder. God forgave him absolutely and removed his sin from him completely (Ps. 103:12). God did not, however, remove the pain that David would endure as a result of his transgressions. 

        The child born of David's adultery died (2 Sam. 12:14). David's son Amnon raped David's daughter Tamar (2 Sam. 13:14) David's son Absalom murdered Amnon (2 Sam. 13:28-29). Absalom brought the kingdom into rebellion (2 Sam. 15). For the rest of David's reign, violence filled his home and his kingdom. Although David knew he was forgiven, he bore the painful consequences of his sin for the rest of his life.

        Think about this: It is arrogant to assume that God removes every consequence the moment you repent of your sin. Do not think that the instant you show remorse God will restore everything as it was. God may not. Some sins, such as adultery, come from a flawed character. God forgives sin immediately upon repentance, but it takes longer to build character. It is character, not forgiveness, that determines what God brings next to your life.

Has the Lord as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry (1 Samuel 15:22-23). May I put away all things without complaining or arguing, so that I may become blameless and pure, a child of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom I shine as a light in the world, holding fast the word of life (Philippians 2:14-16).   

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

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You Must Stand Guard Over Your High Points

                                                     When The Door Slams

After He said good-by to them, He went away to the mountain to pray.                                                                                                                                                        Mark 6:46

        

        What do you do after a spiritual victory? Where do you go after reaching a high point in your Christian life? Jesus went to pray. Jesus had just fed a multitude with only five loves of bread and two fish (Mark 6:34-44). If there were ever a time to relax and bask in the glow of God's power, it should have been then. Instead, Jesus climbed a mountain to pray. When Jesus prayed,  the Father clearly revealed His will and His ways to His Son. It eventually dawned on Jesus' disciples that Jesus prepared for every major decision and difficult challenge with a time of prayer (Luke 11:1) 

        As Jesus prayed on the mountain that day, the Father knew His Son was about to face a fierce storm (Mark 6:48). The disciples raced headlong into the tempest unprepared, but Jesus entered the storm after communing with His Father in prayer. The Father had prepared Jesus for what was coming, and Jesus met the crisis with all the power of God.

        Think about this: It is tempting to relax after a spiritual victory, but a crisis could follow at any time. You must stand guard over your high points. It is at these times when you experience God spiritual victory, that you should immediately get alone to pray. Then you will not be caught unprepared when trials come and they will come. Have you experienced a spiritual victory? Follow your Lords example and go immediately to a place of prayer so the Father can prepare you for what is coming.

Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; May Your good Spirit lead me on level ground (Psalm 143:10). May I listen to counsel and accept instruction, That I may be wise in my latter days (Proverbs 19:20). May I be strong and courageous; may I not be afraid or discouraged because of my adversaries, for there is a greater power with me than with them, for the Lord my God is with me to help me           (2 Chronicles 32:7-8).  

Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

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God Said They Would Have To Fight For It.

                                                     When The Door Slams

I said to you: You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the Lord our God is giving us. See, the Lord your God has set the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as Yahweh, the God of your fathers, has told you. do not be afraid or discouraged.                                                                                                                                                                             Deuteronomy 1:20-21  

        One of the paradoxes of the Christian life is that God's gifts often require labor on our part. God brought the Israelites to the Promised Land and told them He was going to "give" it to them              (Num. 13:12). The gift of the Promised Land sounded great to the Israelites until they realized that with the gift came battles against giants and fortified cities! Perhaps they assumed God was going to remove the inhabitants of the land before they entered. From the Israelites understanding, they could then have entered a vacant land with houses and cities already built and ready to inhabit.

        Instead, God said they would have to fight for it. They would not have to fight in their own strength, however; God would be present to fight for them. God would bring down the walls of cities, give them strategies to defeat their enemies, and empower their warriors to fight. The Israelites would have a divine advantage over anyone they fought, but they would still have to fight.

        Think about this: It would be wonderful if, when we become Christians, God would fill our minds with a complete knowledge of the Bible and with Bible verses already memorized. It would be easy if God would instill in us a delight in spending hours in prayer each day and a fearless desire to share our faith with others. But God doesn't relate to us that way. Instead, He gives us the free gift of His salvation and then tells us to "work out" our salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12-13). Are you discouraged because the Christian life is more difficult and challenging than you expected? Don't be. All God gifts come with a price, we must work it out. God's gifts to you are perfect because, through them, God makes you perfect as well Matt. 5: 48; James 1:17-18).

May I receive the words of wisdom, And treasure her commands within me, Turning my ear to wisdom And applying my heart to understanding. If I cry for discernment, And lift up my voice for understanding, If I seek for her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures, Then I will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. Then I will understand righteousness and justice and honesty-Every good path. For wisdom will be pleasant to my soul. Discretion will protect me, and understanding will guard me (Proverbs 2:1-5, 9-11).    

 Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness. 

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Stress Free

                                                     When The Door Slams

   

You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.                   Isaiah 26: 3-4 

        Jesus' life was a model of calmness and peace-the very opposite of overstress. Look at Him asleep at the back of a ship in Mark 4:38. A great storm comes up, with waves beating into the ship so that it is almost  full of water. And Jesus goes on sleeping! Was He oblivious of the storm? No. Was He uncaring of the lives of others? No-when the disciples woke Him and asked, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He not only calmed the sea but asked them, "Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

        Surly our lack of faith must be behind our stress. Most of the time we just don't believe God is in control! If we saw our world as Jesus sees it, would we be as crazy as we are? If we loved the world as he loves it, would we be as obsessed in our quest for self-fulfillment? I believe not. 

        Think about this: Ask yourself, "What would Jesus want me to do first? What would He want me to forget? Who would He like me to forgive?" Establish clear goals so that there is purpose to your life. More important, be clear about what really matters. Put down everything and sit at Jesus' feet for a while. This will help you to deal with the waste-products of your life, to dump the unnecessary disappointments or the criticism that comes from someone who doesn't matter anyway. Transform the desert of your pain into a beautiful garden full of fruitfulness. Receive from our Lord and Savior the assurance of a balanced, unhurried mind that knows the will of the Father God in all things-and you will begin to be stress free.

Related Bible Texts: Matthew 11:28; Luke 10:38-42; 2 Peter 3:8 

Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Purify my mind and my heart; For Your lovingkindness is ever before me, And I have walked in Your truth (Psalm 26:2-3). May I sow righteousness, Reap the fruit of unfailing love, And break up my fallow ground; For it is time to seek the Lord, Unit He comes and rains righteousness on me (Hosea 10:12).  

 Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart and reveal any areas of unconfessed sin. Acknowledge these to the Lord and thank Him for His forgiveness.

                                                                            Never Rest Ministries