Clouds (Chambers)

Reading for Friday 29th July 2011

WHAT DO YOU SEE IN YOUR CLOUDS?

Behold, He cometh with clouds.
In the Bible clouds are always connected with God. Clouds are those sorrows or sufferings or providences, within or without our personal lives, which seem to dispute the rule of God. It is by those very clouds that the Spirit of God is teaching us how to walk by faith. If there were no clouds, we should have no faith. "The clouds are but the dust of our Father's feet." The clouds are a sign that He is there. What a revelation it is to know that sorrow and bereavement and suffering are the clouds that come along with God! God cannot come near without clouds, He does not come in clear shining.

It is not true to say that God wants to teach us something in our trials: through every cloud He brings, He wants us to unlearn something. His purpose in the cloud is to simplify our belief until our relationship to Him is exactly that of a child - God and my own soul, other people are shadows. Until other people become shadows, clouds and darkness will be mine every now and again. Is the relationship between myself and God getting simpler than ever it has been?

There is a connection between the strange providences of God and what we know of Him, and we have to learn to interpret the mysteries of life in the light of our knowledge of God. Unless we can look the darkest, blackest fact full in the face without damaging God's character, we do not yet know Him.

"They feared as they entered the cloud . . ." - Is there anyone "save Jesus only" in your cloud? If so, it will get darker; you must get to the place where there is "no one any more save Jesus only."
Revelation 1:7

A Grade of 86

Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:16

And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Gal 5:24

Much grace is needed, when we would hurt others to make ourselves look good.  Much grace is needed when we desire the approval of others.  Much grace is needed when pride becomes our practical god.  We can be living in the lust of the flesh and not even realize it.  Many times we are blind to our own self righteous and approval seeking pleasures. 

The works of the flesh are evident, which are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outburst of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murder, drunkenness, revelries, and the like....those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Don't glaze over this list.  Watch you life.  Watch your reactions to circumstances.  Watch your interactions with others.  Ask God to reveal these fleshly works and desires. 

Thankful for Grace that covers my sin.  Thankful for a Savor who provides forgiveness and cleansing.  Thankful for grades that reveal my heart.  Thankful to Christ who has made a way of escape.  God could turn His back on us and leave us to our self satisfying pleasures. Yet, He is faithful in growing us and changing us into His likeness.  Open your eyes and watch.  Repent and turn to Christ.  He is a real alive person, who will come and invade your life.  Invade my life Jesus.  For I am thankful you show me my sin.  I am thankful you do not leave me in my state.  What great mercy, yesterday proved!  I am thankful indeed for a grade of 86. 

But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.  Gal. 6:14

Repentance

REPENTANCE

Turning from sin and turning back to God

REPENTANCE

Confessing I've been wrong and God is right

REPENTANCE

Willing to come to God to deny my own will and selfish motivation

REPENTANCE

Laying down my own agenda for God's agenda

REPENTANCE

Receiving His mercy,grace, love and peace

It is not difficult to drift away in the ocean of life; to awake and see how far we have drifted from the shore line.  But unlike living in the ocean the struggle back can be easy if we repent.  God is able to carry us to the shoreline of His presence. 

I am thankful God does not leave us in our rebellion of sin.  It is by His mercy that He draws us back into His presence.  Open your eyes to see how far you have drifted.  Cry out to God to open your heart to be able to see as He sees. Don't live in condemnation.  Repent and begin fresh and new once again.  What mercy!

If we confess our sins,

 He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteouness. 1 John 1:9

Jessica Ann Hatcher

Life can take unexpected turns when you least expect it.  That is what we experienced

today, as we attended a funeral.  A beautiful 18-year-old young woman lost her battle with cancer.  I did not know this girl, but my Kolby did.  We made the trip to Edmond, Oklahoma as an encouragement to my sister and niece and of course closure for Kolby. 

Jessica Ann Hatcher…I did not know you.  I have never met you, but you have made an impact on my life.  Your short life on this earth had a purpose and you accomplished God’s will.   I am sure you were met with these words, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

The funeral was a combination of great grief, sadness, encouragement, and rejoicing.  It was just emotionally challenging. The family and friends were grieving greatly at the loss of Jessica, yet Christ was lifted up, and stories were told of Jessica’s faith encouraging others to walk with the Lord.  You see, Jessica’s dad spoke. He shared that Jessica led him into a prayer of surrender at her bedside to our great Lord.  Jessica’s life had meaning and purpose.  She was dying yet her concern was not on herself but on her lost dad and friends.  God is using the life of Jessica to encourage my heart to live purposefully for Him.

Jessica’s life counted.  A couple of days before she passed from this life to be forever in her Lord’s presence, she called family and friends together to encourage, love, and say goodbye to them; Just an example to live by.

Her dad made an impacting statement.  I am paraphrasing because I cannot remember the exact words but it was something to this magnitude: “Don’t let it take something like this for you to find your faith.”  The pastor addressed the dad to explain, he had received a great blessing from the Lord.  Jessica was a gift and I am told she impacted several lives. 

A rough count of 42+ people made a profession of faith today at the funeral.  The pastor shared the gospel.  He made a great point.  You don’t come to Jesus to make you happy and to remove your pain.  You come to Him in surrender.  Salvation is a commitment and relationship to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Jessica lived her life with no regrets.  Family and friends hoped and expected God to heal Jessica on this side of heaven.  God had other plans and His plans are bigger than we could ever hope for.  Yes, life can and will take unexpected turns when we least expect it.  God shows up, changes hearts and glorifies His name among His children.  Thank you Jessica for living your life out before us. You will be missed.

Random Questions

Listed are random questions, I am asking myself this morning.

I wonder if the circumstances occurring in my life are furthering the Gospel of Christ?

Are my circumstances due to my sin or a a witness against Christ?  Both can further His kingdom; it depends on how you react to them.

Am I striving to change my circumstances (wanting more or less money, less pain, more blessings, etc) or am I learning to be content in whatever state I am in?

Are others receiving encouragement and confidence in grace by watching me walk out the hardship and blessings in my life?

Is Christ magnified in my life by the way I live?  Will He magnified in my life by the way I die?  He must be magnified in my life as I live or He could never be glorified in the way of my death.

Am I standing fast with others in unity, working together for the faith of the gospel?  Am I consumed with my problems, hardships, and blessing or am I consumed with Christ?  It has been granted to me to believe and also to suffer for His sake.

Am I walking in selfish ambition or conceit?  Am I of humble mind, esteeming others better than myself.  Am I looking out for your interests?

Am I doing all things without complaining and disputing, shining as lights in the world?  Am I holding fast to Christ, the Word of Life, so I may rejoice in the day of Christ?

Friend don't try to change your circumstances but walk through them in worship, crying out to the ONE who has power over your very life and death.