Category: Mankind’s Relationship With God

God Desires That We Behold His Great Physician!

On By SonjaIn Godly Living and Maturing, Growing In The Lord, Mankind's Relationship With God, Prayers For Spiritual Growth4 Comments

This week in my quiet time with the Holy Spirit, his guidance allowed me to take a trip all the way back to Genesis Chapter 22, the first book in the Holy Bible.

I distinctly heard the Spirit ask me if I really understood the reasoning why God told Abraham to go to the land of Moriah and to take his son Isaac with him.(*)

God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac as a burnt offering upon one of the mountains that God would point out to him.

(Free pexel image of Modern Day Abraham and his son, Isaac.)

So, to answer the Holy Spirit’s question, I searched my file cabinet because deep down in my spirit, I remembered delivering a teaching to a group of women in my Tuesday Morning Bible Study class in February 2018. And sure enough, I found it! So, as I skimmed through my presentation, I soon realized that back then, 6 years ago, the Holy Spirit distinctively told me to present the Lord to the ladies as The Great Physician. (The background biblical text for my teaching was based on Matthew 4:32 – 5:12).

"REMAIN IN ME, AS I ALSO REMAIN IN YOU."

This morning we are going to learn about how to be at peace and in good health even when our bodies are racked with pain and troubled with disturbing thoughts and our spirit is questioning our faith.  In other words, like our magazine story suggests, although we have put our physical dilemmas into the hands of medical professionals, we are going to look to the Word of God and discover how to get to the real source of the matter...HOW TO ARRIVE AT A BETTER HEALTH POSITION.

With the help of the Master Teacher, the Holy Spirit, I will attempt, by using Scripture, to apply a certain reasoning to why Jesus used so many examples of life's emotions to teach on how to be blessed and content when all hell is breaking loose around you.

Our Scripture comes from two chapters in Matthews, chapters 4:23 to 5:12, so let's read and get our foundation.

While living down here on earth we ought always to be salt and light to the world regardless of what physical, mental or material state we find ourselves in.  If we are to be disciples of Jesus Christ, our ways and demeanor should bring illumination and savor (preservation) to our fellow man.  Living in a manner befitting the atmosphere of the Kingdom of God!

The word "Blessed" means more than just happy.  It takes on the ultimate well-being and distinctive spiritual joy of those who share in the salvation of the kingdom of God.

So, Jesus is referring to the broader meaning of "blessed" when He says blessed are those who are poor in spirit, who mourn and who are meek.  Why?  Because they are dependent on God and not the world.  They are sensitive to their spiritual faults and seek God's help and comfort.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Why?  They have a deep longing for both personal righteousness and justice for the oppressed. 

Blessed are the merciful...they both forgive and have compassion for others.  When you are sensitive to God's forgiveness it frees you from feeling guilty and brings comfort.

Blessed are the pure in heart...they have no guilt trip as they engage in their devotion to God and therefore are spiritually able to feel God's presence.

All of these qualities or emotions allow us to bring peace to others.  But it is also a catch 22 situation because it can also make us vulnerable to persecution.

Jesus goes on to teach Blessed are the peacemakers...they will be called the Children of God.  Here on earth, our only reward may be to be called "Sons and Daughters of God".  And we may have to experience God's kingdom rule while here on earth by becoming a peacemaker thus proving our fitness for the kingdom by suffering.

Jesus wanted to make clear to his Jewish audience that with this new teaching style, He did not come to abolish The Law of Moses.  But to say that it was not enough to be righteous according to the Law...you must be righteous according to what would Jesus do. (WWJD)

Take up your cross (your idiosyncrasies) and follow Him.

Reference Isaiah 61 Jesus' mandate.

REMEMBER, sickness and infirmities can come about through bad habits, weak constitutions, exposure to danger, crimes, accidents, birth defects, etc.  But while experiencing sickness it can also reveal attitudes, values and motives which must be transformed if human beings are to be truly in harmony with God.  Matt. 5:19-48

(*) NOTE OF IMPORTANCE: Have you ever wondered why Jehovah Jireh is another Name attributed to the Son of God! In the Book of Genesis where in God provides a lamb as a substitute for the life of Isaac (Abraham’s beloved son), God himself would repeat this very same act when he put Jesus Christ on the cross and shed His blood for all mankind (Gentiles and Jews) to give salvation and eternal life to all those persons who confessed their sins and who believed on the Name of Jesus Christ and received Him as the Son of the Living God.

SO OBVIOUSLY, THE HOLY SPIRIT WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR RECOGNITION OF THE ABRAHAM/ISAAC/SUBSTITUTE LAMB STORY meant more to the reader than just God not having to kill little Isaac. The Holy Spirit wants readers of each generation to see God’s redemptive plan for man’s initial sin (perpetuated by Adam and Eve) in the Garden of Eden.

For if it had not been for Jehovah Jireh, Our PROVIDER, the Lamb of God, Christ Jesus’ shed blood, death on the cross, burial, resurrection and ascension; eternal death, hell and the grave would have been man’s epitaph instead of eternal life with the Son of God in heaven. Amen!

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.wordpress.com every Friday for a new post from The Master’s servant manager…Me!

God, I Need Your Wisdom, Part 2

On By SonjaIn Building Spiritual Bridges, Mankind's Relationship With God, Prayers About God and Me3 Comments

This week’s blog is a continuation from last week’s blog concerning the conversation my brother (deceased) and I had some 40 years ago. The subject of the conversation was ’How can a person believe in God but not his Son, Jesus Christ.‘ You see, my brother only believed in God but refused to accept Jesus Christ as his personal savior. I, on the other hand, believe God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to be an ultimate capitulation for mankind’s sins and to unite humanity back to God.

As stated in Part 1, my brother thoroughly humiliated me and sent me fleeing from the room in tears. But much later, after much prayer and supplication, the Holy Spirit began to minister to me through God’s holy scriptures. So let’s continue discovering just how the Holy Spirit comforted me as I wrestled with my dilemma.

What is Truth? Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6  (Jesus’ life style showed mankind that doing and being in God’s will {which is the true way to live} in a consistent and obedient manner.)

And God said to the Apostle Paul, His prisoner… (Column 1.)

And God said to me, His prisoner…(Column 2.)

12. For the perfecting of the saints
for work of the ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ:



Then he tells what the results
should be once the gift is
shared. Perfecting saints,
furthering the ministry work,
glorifying the Body of Christ.

Don’t forget the sharing of the
gifts is to be done in peace,
so that the recipient receives
in peace and leaves in peace.

They don’t have to agree,
but if they do disagree,
than disagree in love.
13. Till we all come in the unity of
the faith, and of the knowledge
of the Son of God, unto a perfect
man, unto the measure
of the fulness of Christ.

14. That we henceforth be no
more children tossed to and
fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by
the sleight of men, and
cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to
deceive;

15. But speaking the truth in
love, may grow up into him
in all things which is the
head, even Christ.

Suppose every profession
decided to share at the
same time in the world so
that every human being
was receiving from
someone the teaching of
the “one faith, one baptism,
etc., and we all heard and
received and even though
some disagreed, the end
result was peaceful and
respectful…

Then verse 13 would be
manifested and in that one
hour of sharing, because
of the “perfect” end results
we would no longer be
children, but on our way to
mature adults…unto
the measure of the
stature of the fulness of
Christ.

Showing no hate because there
was no angry disagreement, but
a sense of respect and love for
one another… and the more we
perfect this attitude, the more
Godlike we become and God
is the Head of all this.
16. From whom the whole body
fitly joined together and
compacted by that which
every joint supplies, accord-
ing to the effectual working in
the measure of every part
maketh increase of the body
unto the edifying of itself
in love.		If you haven’t followed me
down to verse 15, don’t even
try verse 16…forget it.

If you’ve been sitting there
doubting, countering, repeat-
ing to yourself…”she doesn’t
know what she is talking
about.” Than the “oneness”
is not in you and you have
blocked this one great hour
of sharing.

If your attitude has been
“I don’t quite understand
so I’m going to go to God
for myself…than that’s
O.K., everything is golden.
So now we can enter into
Verse 16. (This goes for
me as well.)

If any part of your body
is not working, then the
Head sends out less
supplies for it. When the
body begins to work,
the Head supplies its
needs. Christians
believe that all of this
“order” comes from the
Godhead. God’s knowledge
(free gift) is given to each
of us.
Part 3 will be presented next
Friday		Part 3 will continue to
show you how God
revealed it is impossible
to only believe in him
and not his Son, Jesus
Christ.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Provides Visible Signs To Worship By

On By SonjaIn Godly Living and Maturing, Mankind's Relationship With God, Prayers About God and Me2 Comments

Hello my dear friends. Can we talk? I truly would like to know if you would like to receive a few components on how to develop a daily Spiritual Life Support System. It’s easy if you have the right tools. Let me show you how it’s done.

Let’s say you wake up in the morning and right off the bat, all hell breaks loose. Your clock alarm didn’t go off and now you’ll have to drive the kiddies to school because time wont allow them to be ready to catch the school bus. You didn’t wake up in time to let the dog out and he messed all over the kitchen floor. You reach in your closet for that black business suit and remember that you forgot to pick it up from the dry cleaners on yesterday after work.

There you stand in the middle of your bedroom floor, disarrayed, asking yourself what’s wrong with me. I didn’t use to be this unorganized! A still small voice whispers inside you and says, remember the 4 B’s and start reciting them out loud.

But dear Jesus, you said I am a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.  Your own special people, that I may proclaim the praises of Him who called me out of darkness into His marvelous light..."
(...continue praying with the help of the Holy Spirit concerning how your day has gone so far.)

Because, did You not say that he who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life?"  (...continue in your own words on just how much you trust Him.)

So, behold, Lord Jesus, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.  Therefore, my Lord, I will call my best friend right now and ask her to pray with me that I might be stead fast and unmovable in serving You no matter what the circumstances.

At the end of your day, when you have had time to reflect on your conduct and interactions with others, seek God's approval by praying this prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father, did You not say to Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed.  Rightly dividing the word of truth?  How did I do?

Thank you God for once again instructing me and your children on how to stay in harmony with you and your many blessings, directions and loving care. We love you Lord and always want to be under Your protection and guidance. Continue to instruct us through constant prayer on how to conquer our fears, oppositions, disillusions and Ole slew foot…the devil himself! We ask it all in Your precious Name. Amen and Amen!

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Loves To Give Pet Names To His People – Go Figure!

On By SonjaIn Mankind's Relationship With God3 Comments
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is image-3.jpeg

One Lost Sheep | God’s Story – YouTube

3:22

YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com › wat

Last Friday, the Holy Spirit inspired me to blog about God’s “Chicks”. (To review that blog, scroll down this page.) Guess what? This week, the Holy Spirit desires that I enlighten myself and my blog readers concerning why God also refers to his followers as “Sheep”. As quiet as it’s kept, I love to read about the metaphors and parables in the Bible. But before we get started, please take about three minutes to check out the YouTube video above. (Just click the red time 3:22 to view it.) Hopefully, it will set the stage and pique your interest about some very important information that you probably did not know concerning sheep.

Sheep get a bad rap…

Have you ever wondered why when the Holy Scriptures refers to the people of God we are called ‘sheep’ instead of ‘lambs’? And why Jesus Christ is referred to as the ‘Lamb of God’ instead of the ‘Sheep of God’? You might also ask are not sheep and lambs the same animal? The answer is a resounding ‘Yes!’ But, the two descriptive words for the same animal are not interchangeable and are never used synonymously. Suffice it to say, grammatically, between ‘lamb’ and ‘sheep’, the former word refers to a baby/young offspring of the latter. Another interesting fact about the word ‘sheep’ is that its singular and plural forms are the same.

Biblically, we are the ‘sheep’ of His pasture(*). (Notice, grammatically, it would be incorrect to put a ‘s’ at the end of ‘sheep’.) The descriptive word ‘sheep’ is the more mature form of a ‘lamb’. And the caretaker of the sheep (The Shepherd or herdsman) is a more distinguishing name than ‘Lamb-herd’, based on the fact that God cares for his little children (his sheep…us…as his offsprings).

Additional facts and myths concerning sheep are…

  • Sheep’s wool will grow forever around its body and become like a restraining sleeping bag if the herdsman does not regularly sheer it. This could cause the sheep to become cast; fall over on its back and is prevented from getting upright again. Thus becoming vulnerable to prey and death. The herdsman comes with his rod and staff or uses his hands to lift the sheep upright. Biblically, the ‘sheep’ of God’s pasture (humans) can also become so bogged down with cares of this world that we, too, can become ‘cast’ down and need the rod and the staff (literally a good licking) from our Savior to correct, comfort and lift us up again.
  • Because a sheep’s eye pupils are rectangular in shape instead of round like human beings pupils, they can see around corners without turning their heads. Although they cannot see all the way around to their back, their peripheral viewing range is between 270 and 320 degrees. Sheep also have a keen sense of smell and have special scent glands located in front of their eyes and between the digits of their hooves. Both features are of great advantage because sheep are animals of prey. These extrasensory perceptive features enables sheep to see and smell in a wide circumference range. According to Scripture (Psalm 139:14), mankind is aware that we, too, are fearfully and wonderfully made. And we should always give God the honor and the glory he rightfully deserves.
  • In biblical times, shepherds named each one of their sheep and knew the head count in his flock. The sheep recognized their names, their shepherd’s voice and each other (their mates). It is believed that sheep respond to different colors and can also discern between a person’s smile and a frown thus respond in an understanding mannerism. In other words, sheep discern how to react to the shepherd’s emotional state. What a blessing it would be if only mankind-sheep would trust in the Lord at all times and His praises would be continually in their mouths.
  • Click the red YouTube Title below to see what herdsmen do to right a cast sheep. And try to picture all the devoting ways God cares for us (especially John 3:16 and the significance of Easter).

YouTube·Caenhill Countryside Centre·May 13, 2021

https://youtube.com/watch?v=%3Fenablejsapi%3D1%26rel%3D0%26autoplay%3D0%26playsinline%3D1%26fs%3D1

(*) NOTE: Biblically speaking, every person (i.e., sheep) born into this world belongs to God, no matter what nationality, gender or faith. (Psalms 100:3) And because God so loves his created world that he gave, etc., etc. etc., (John 3:16). Some of his lambs have no desire to become his sheep, but God, never the less, sent his Son, Jesus Christ, into the world and commissioned Him to run hard after those lost sheep. Also to shed His atoning blood and to destroy the prey (Devil). Thus, in so doing, proclaim the righteous and upright those into Eternity who otherwise would have been cast down into eternal Hell. Amen

Scripture Lesson: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:5-6)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME! 

GOD’S PRESENCE ALONG WITH HIS PROMISES GUARANTEES POSSIBILITIES

On By SonjaIn Mankind's Relationship With God, Prayers For Life Changes2 Comments

Is Covid-19 on its way back to our USA states? Some people have voiced that they think so, as well as many medical professional care-givers. So, that is why I am once again RE-BLOGGING this addition. Also, during this political season in the states, hope is once again in the atmosphere.

So, hopefully, you are claiming that you are blessed and highly favored and can be counted on as participating in spreading the Good News about our Maker and His ability to make everything all right. Needless to say, I encourage you to bend the knee and depend totally on Someone who can make everything alright.

————-TRUST IN THE LORD AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING————–

I can only imagine that during this Covid-19 life-threatening and deadly pandemic; the California wild fires causing loss of life and property; and the nations’ political unrest which is arousing citizens to feel disenfranchised, betrayed and demoralized; that these situations are empowering skeptics, god-fearing people and agnostics to call out, ‘God, where are you?’!

No doubt, in times past, God has been your anchor-father, and you communicated with him with ‘no problem’. But lately, you are experiencing a deafening sound of silence. Just when you thought you were dancing with the star-angels, you became a wallflower. (Did I forget to gargle this morning?)

Did God not say we should come as we are? Did he not invite us to enter his gates (presence) with thanksgiving and his courts with praise? (Psalms 100:5) Ask yourself…have I not demonstrated a faith that is steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord? (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Did not the Lord promise that He would never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) And did He not profess that with man, certain things were impossible, but not so with God. For all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27)

All I can say to you morally depleted people, is welcome to the wilderness of life’s journey!

Did you not know that God often places his people smack dab in the middle of the wilderness to allow them to grow and be refreshed? That’s right! God wants us to become equipped and fortified to do his bidding here on earth. He also wants to give us experiences so that we are equipped to recognize the enemy (Satan) and to navigate his territory successfully with the aide of the Holy Spirit.

So, as you can see, getting through these dry seasons is not just a matter of waiting on God, ringing your hands and shouting out loud, but you should use this time to search the Scriptures, pray fervently, and encourage and lead others to join you in becoming a partner with God; to hold fast to his unchanging hand and to know that he is up to something good and beneficial for all of his children.

My personal testimony…

Hopefully, we will all learn how to pray with conviction, fortitude, trust and confidence that our Lord and Savior has the whole world and all of its situations in His hands. In October 2013 while on a Buckner International Mission Trip, I attempted to pay for some souvenir books I had purchased. But when I put my hand on my waist to retrieve my money belt it wasn’t there. At that moment, all my strength left my legs and I slumped to the ground. My colleagues were at a loss as to what had caused me to almost faint. As I sat there on the floor trying to compose myself, my first thoughts were that I had somehow been robbed of my money belt. But a holy reassurance came over me and I experienced reassurance that my lucre would be replaced by simply making a phone call to my son back in the United States. So I picked myself up and brushed myself off and continued on my mission assignment for the Lord.

Needless to say, when I returned to my hotel room that evening after visiting the children’s orphan homes, there on the floor and partially hidden under my bed was my fanny purse. Evidently, that morning, I did not tightly secure the fasteners on the purse to my waist. Yes, because I had turned that whole situation over to the Lord, plus I did not harbor ill feelings against the citizenry of Russia, nor did I fret over lost spending money, I experienced peace all that day and performed as a positive witness for the Lord, bringing joy, peace and hope to the little children.

Let us embrace today’s dilemmas with the same frame of mind.

Scripture Lesson: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

God Answers Formal And Informal Prayers

On By SonjaIn How To Witness To Others, Mankind's Relationship With God3 Comments

This morning was a day for me to thank God for answered prayer.

“Oh, to be free, to be completely unattached…what wondering I would do.  I would travel to far off places and visit cities anew.  I would live in a dream world and pretend to be a queen who ruled over all the lands, all the people and all the seas. But, Bah! tis nothing but fantasy with no depth, nether reason, nor cause…because truly I am satisfied just the way things are.”

So for this week, I’ve started my blog with a stanza from a poem I wrote many, many years ago.  In those days I was young and my hair was still black and my limbs operated on my cue.  Those days are far spent.  And my worldview has also matured from fantasy to realism and Truth.

“Nevertheless, something in side me keeps crying out aloud…seek love, adventure and excitement and you will thereby obtain power.”

Listen, readers, I learned a long time ago to transfer my dependence from myself into the ever loving arms of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I’ve become the queen in His court, and the apple of His eye.  What gives me such assurance?  The main fact that He answers my prayers either through conversations with Him or by osmosis.  He also causes other human beings to unknowingly relay His messages to me.  And when I put my thinking cap on, I can remember Him using birds, weather, radio and TV commentators and shooting stars to convey His messages to me.

“For then a swelling in your breast will come from joys you’ve never known, as you gaze out upon the world and turn its love into songs.  But, Bah! tis nothing but fantasy with no depth, nether reason, nor cause…because truly I am satisfied just the way things are.”

Yes, in my youth, I kept saying that I was satisfied…but was I.  My family and friends labeled me as a dreamer.  Always thinking of lofty aspirations.  Keep your feet on the ground they all warned.  Remember where you come from.  Get your head out of the clouds.  You’re going to end up just like us.  Living right here in this hick town, getting married and having babies.  OH, but have I surprised them!  I KNOW SOMEBODY!!!

“Yes, because life is not always a pleasure, it causes many persons to dream.  To manufacture make-believe of which things they hold high in esteem.  But Bah! tis nothing but fantasy with no depth, nether reason, nor cause…because truly I am satisfied just the way things are.”

I no longer have to recite that poem I wrote all those many years ago because this one thing I have learned.  My God heard my plea and felt my desire for something greater than what I was living at the time.  He alone understood that Whom I was seeking was Him!  My God finally knitted my will and my heart together and caused me to recognize His proposal.  “Come unto to me  He beckoned me…..”

So now, instead of daydreaming, I have learned to pray and to call on my Savior not only for my hopes and dreams but also for my fears and desires for others.  He has caused me to take my mind off of myself and to embrace life in a much broader worldview.  It’s not all about me.  Its about serving and giving and helping and caring for others.

My God is Real.  He lives within my soul.  Surely, while He was on the cross I was on His mind.  Our conversations get sweeter and sweeter every day.  I see my prayers for my family answered.  I see my prayers for the orphan children I ministered to while on international mission trips become a reality.  (Once I personally met a Russian teenager who had been adopted and brought to Dallas.  I was shopping at Walmart and by happenstance we met and began to talk. She shared how the Lord had placed her with a couple who wanted to adopt a teenager.  I had just been to St. Petersburg on a mission trip and had prayed for the teenagers who had ‘aged’ out of orphanage care.  The Lord allowed me to see His intervention in this situation.  Hallelujah!)

Earlier this morning I received a phone call from my sister exclaiming how our brother had called her and conversed with her as though their riff had never happened.  On another occasion, recently, a severe storm passed over an area in Oklahoma that I was praying for on behalf of a friend’s family who lived there and was in harms way.

I could go on and on witnessing to you how and in what diverse ways God answers prayers.  But I trust you already know them and have tried Him for yourself.  Its true, God responds to our prayers basically in three ways: Yes! No! and Wait!  All I want to say is this;  HE IS NEVER LATE…BUT ALWAYS ON TIME!  AMEN.

Blog God Answers Prayer

So, in summary,  wait on the Lord to answer you. Wait at His door with your prayers; wait at His feet with humility; wait at His table with service and thanksgiving; wait at His window with expectancy that He will open it and pour out many blessings.  Through it all, WAIT.  

 

Scripture Lesson: “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.”Psalm 27:14.

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!