#69.  IS....... GOD IN CONTROL?

Recently this question along with some very graphic illustrations has proven to cause a stirring within many individuals.  Myself included.  Undoubtedly each of us know of something in our life or that of another, that we wish had never happened.  When we think of that incident we ask ourselves...where was God...why did this happen...why was it 'allowed'...etc.  My thoughts are stirring too.

Years ago when I heard a bad report followed by the remark..."God allowed it!"  That made it sound like it must be okay because God Himself....the Top Authority over the entire world... allowed it.  Yet it did not make me love God more.  If anything, I withdrew because if God allowed seven people to be killed in an auto accident, that made 'my God' a murderer and there was nothing loving or kind about such a thought!

Also, it seemed to absolve all responsibility from anyone and everyone who walked on this earth.  My spirit told me something is wrong with that thought so I needed to 'Think' some more.  The point being, my spirit did not have a witness from the Holy Spirit that such words were truth.  If anyone knows what the truth is, it is the Holy Spirit.  He is called the Spirit of Truth.  So although I do not have all the answers, I know personally the One who does.  As I take time to commune with him in the Secret Place my time is well spent.  

It is one thing to just speak a flippant answer as to your opinion and feel smug or satisfied that you got your point across.  It is another thing to do some research with a Source that provides only truth, no error.  The truth being, when the truth.... is known; the carnal mind will not necessarily like it.  Why?  Because the carnal nature, the flesh wants to be pampered and comforted without having to change.  i.e. If it feels good, do it.  That is not God's way though.  Change is not necessarily an ugly word.  It is a necessity daily if we are to become more Christ-like and continue to mature spiritually.  Sure enough, as I sought the Lord I gained understanding. 

With the understanding came eye opening truth that was so bright it made me squint my eyes shut again...because darkness does not like it when it is exposed.  BUT GOD...answers prayer and knowing the truth is how to get set free.  Truth is when the auto accident that did happen years ago, though I did not know the family that died it had quite an impact on my life.  Not to mention the fact that twice the same thing happened on the same stretch of highway within a year.  I do not believe in coincidences. It's a God instance, He wants our attention.

Which brings us to God's viewpoint.  Now that is where wisdom is clearly seen.  He saw the vehicles collide and knew who made an error in judging speed of another, thus causing the accident.  The driver had a free will and made a simple error, or was distracted by someone in the car; regardless of the exact reason...lives were lost.  God's fault because He allowed it?  Absolutely Not.  God is love and God is just.  Bottom line.  

There are multiple variables in play...we are complex beings.  A driver who has been running the yellow light for years eventually runs a red and there is a price to pay.  Just because he got away with speeding through the intersection many times did not mean he was not in error.  He was not submitting to the law of the land.  Someone could have been used by God to warn the driver...like I did to a lady at the nail shop because she was proclaiming that she speeds all the time.  

I told her of someone who was in an accident and now is in a wheelchair, same age as her, 20's...let her know she is playing with fire when she knowingly speeds.  She thanked me and that response was a welcome surprise.  She received correction.  The words were food for thought to help...help save her life and that of others.  If she continues and someone is killed is it God's fault? No, she broke a law and there is a price to pay.  it is not complicated.  

When she broke a law she put her life in jeopardy.  She knowingly moved out from under the umbrella of protection provided by those laws.  Speed signs are there for a purpose.  Not for a bird to sit on! "The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy..." John 10:10. He is hard at work and uses people who allow... him to! Speeding is serving the enemy and putting self in his trust...  Not wise.  When someone is killed then I've heard...."Oh God wanted another little angel so now so and so is in heaven with Jesus".  Rubbish.  God does not need children in heaven.  He wants us to have a long full life.  

He says, "With long life shall I satisfy your soul." PS.91:16.  Yet He tells us that "my people perish for lack of knowledge."  Uh oh...God's people...perish for lack of knowledge?  Yes.  That puts some responsibility on 'people'....does it not?  Hello? (Read Hosea 4:6 "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.") That is the Bible, folks!

Let's move to another area....two accidents taking many lives, same year, same highway, same very spot, could this be a curse of the enemy?  Many never think of such a thing as they get in their car to go somewhere.  Nor do they pray for traveling mercies.  Their thoughts are not on God or safety, but on the list of things to do.  Those who DO pray, will find themselves led by the Holy Spirit to go a different route and they will obey the nudgings....and be safe.  That is what happened to those who survived the twin towers attack.  Testimonies proved that God spoke to each person that day...gave an instruction, yet few obeyed.  It cost their lives.  Not God's fault, people perish for lack of knowledge.

We do not want to hear that God is NOT in control because that shakes us up.  It just might make us feel insecure to think such a thing.  It might also wake us up out of mediocrity mindsets.  We WANT the assurance that He IS in control.  If not, it is almost like saying the police are there... but they have no authority.  Well they ARE there and they DO have authority, but does that stop crime? No, because who... is in control? Not the law, when people break the law the officers hands are tied, so to speak.  People reap what they sow.  There are always repercussions for wrong doing.  

Does God allow cancer to take lives or do people perish for lack of knowledge.....Jesus did what the Father told him to do.  He took those stripes on his back that all will be healed. (1Peter 2:24) The price has been paid for our healing.  Yet few believe and less receive.  It is one thing to believe and another to learn to receive.  Know the Word and know how to apply and implement it in your life.  We are told to Study.....to learn....so that puts some accountability on us.  2Tim.2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

God wants us to learn how to use the power we have in Christ.  We have power to put sickness under our feet.  How many run to the medicine cabinet first, not to prayer for solution yet God is there waiting, 24/7.  If Jesus is not Lord of all he is not Lord at all.  We can not have selective obedience and and expect to avoid every roadblock the enemy erects....or that fear erects.  We are called to have a spirit of excellence.  Do what Jesus would do, think like Jesus thinks, act like Jesus and speak like Jesus speaks.  

How many times have you heard someone say...."That makes me sick to think of such a thing." They just opened a door for sickness with such words.  Life and death in the power of the tongue.  We are accountable and when we do not look at such situations spiritually we will suffer due to lack of understanding.  Ignorance is ugly.  Being wise is a choice...that results in making wise decisions.

Our decisions decide our future.  God loves us and wants us to do things His way, yet He gave us a free will and we choose our future by our decisions.  Why did so many people go to church after 9.11 and then the attendance dropped to all time low years later?  They do not have a fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom.  Without wisdom your life is like a ship without a rudder...at the mercy of whoever it comes in contact with...aimlessly floundering in life...day by day...an open target for spiritual warfare because the enemy hates believers and non-believers.  He has no love in him.  That makes everyone a target and only those who have learned how to use the sword, the Word of God effectively will move forward in the Kingdom of God to His glory.  You are in a battle for your life daily.  Choose your weapons and time and place because if you don't, your enemy will.  

When the Holy Spirit is your Master Mentor you will be a learner that is excited about life and learning to grab hold of a World Class Attitude & a World Class Lifestyle, as Bible principles are learned and applied.   You can not be effective in the army of God if you do not know how to use your weapon...sword...the Bible....effectively.  That is why God positions people in the fivefold ministry and gives you opportunity to mature, improve, learn, succeed.  Ephesians 4:11.

When you see God's perspective and something bad happens to someone you will realize life is a result of personal decisions whether wise or unwise.  A tree is known by its fruit.  As for someone serving God and learning yet suffering from some mishap...yes, bad things do happen to good people.  The difference is when armed believers are hit, they retaliate with the sword of the Spirit and they have the ability to become overcomers in Christ.  

I know personally because of overcoming attempted murder, lung cancer, domestic abuse, five auto accidents, one motorcycle accident, (no I was not always the driver!:)) but Jesus Is Lord of my Life and He sees me through every trial.  My faith in him does not waver, it only gets stronger and stronger because I see his hand at work on my behalf daily.  We are one.  I made a decision to live this way and he has never let me down.  I thought he was late more than once but he still worked things out for my good so how can I question His timing?

Long story short...God is in control of those who will stop, listen, hear, and obey what the Spirit of the Lord is saying...and he says a lot.  He loves to talk.  What is the last thing he said to you?  If you don't remember it is time to go to your secret place and have a listen.  His phone number is Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me and I will answer thee and shew thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not."     Conversation is two way....take a pen and paper....write down what he says because he will speak to you.  Ask questions, enjoy your communion.  In fact, you just may stay longer in his presence than you expected.  It is addictive as is truth.  You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.  

Is GOD in control?  The DECISION is YOURS!

Written By: Linda Lou Jones
                      PS.45:1 My tongue is the pen
                      of a ready writer.
                      Glory to God.

 

#68. SILENCE.....With A SMILE!

One quick visit to the closest convenience store on a Sat. afternoon and sure enough, opportunity knocked.  Several people in the store.  I was at the counter paying.  Man at opposite end of the counter waited for the clerk to serve me, then go to him.  He got impatient and started swearing.  Noone said anything.

I looked over and we made eye contact.  Decision time: be bold or ignore the sin...condone it?  I said in a normal voice, "You are in the presence of ladies....don't talk like that."  His eyes got bigger, voice got louder as he quickly defended his behavior by saying, "I can't help it, I HAVE to swear, I have a letter from the doctor.  Do you want to see my letter?"   

We held eye contact, a lady stood between us quietly, looking at me, obviously not knowing what to expect next.  I looked over her head and said to him,  "You are accountable for every word..... EVERY word."  I looked up, and back at him.  He said once more, "I can't help it, I HAVE to swear!"  I said, "I will pray for you. God...CAN... help you."  He kept looking at me, I know God touched him in that moment.  He said nothing more.  Hope... touched his heart.  I believe it.

It was what I call a Divine appointment for this young man, maybe 22 years of age.  He has obviously believed lies of the enemy.  Not to mention lies of the   medical professionals too, from the sound of it. I smiled as I exited the store while he kept looking.  I discerned a new peace in him.  His countenance had  changed.  It does not necessarily take laying on of hands for someone to receive a touch from God.  A touch of deliverance.  Nothing is too hard for God.  He is looking for vessels to flow through.  Pure vessels, vessels of honor that He can anoint and pour into others lives. 

The enemy hates anything to do with holiness, pure hands, clean heart; and exposes himself quickly in the presence of such.  He has no peace because   darkness can't hide.  Light and darkness do not mix.  In the presence of light and truth, darkness can not hide.  It will manifest sooner or later so be ready Church.  When your light is bright darkness is attracted to the difference, only to be evicted from the premises.  That is what happened in just moments.  The anointing of the Holy Spirit destroys yokes of bondage.  Glory to God.

As for the other customers and clerk, not one word was said.  They acted as if this man and I were invisible.  Yet seeds were sown by the words I spoke.  I claimed them to be fruit bearing for the Kingdom of God.  In brief, when I walked into that store the atmosphere changed.  Why?  Because of Christ in me.  He's not just in my heart, I breathe him, I reek of his presence, I dine with him, I commune with him, I live with him 24/7.  

I only go where he wants me to go, my cup runneth over with love for him.  He has done so much for me.  Every step I take is with the Holy Spirit at my side, nudging me, encouraging me, giving me the right words, protecting me, flooding me with peace and making me wiser than my enemies always.  Living without fear has been just one of the huge victories God has enabled me to enjoy.  The fear of God, I do have.  

To be totally transparent I must tell you that when I got outside I did say somewhat exasperatedly ...."Lord...for the love of mercy...what is with this swearing lately?!!" His response to me was: Silence....with a smile!  That was what I received.  If he can smile and it is not my name but his name that is being used wrongly, then I can smile too!!  It was a special unspoken kinda hi five today!  Hallelujah.

The longer I serve him the better I understand him.  It's really kinda neat....in fact...some kinda wonderful indeed!  Too good not to share.  Hope you agree.  

I hope each reader will agree with me in the Name of Jesus as we claim that man's salvation for the Kingdom of God, total deliverance from swearing, that he will never ever do it again.  Also that he will know without a doubt the desire left because God answers prayer.  Prayer for him.  May his heart be thankful and as a result of the change, now want...to trust God more, knowing God really does want to help him.  This is the beginning of a personal relationship between he and God.  He has hope now.  We proclaim it in the Name of Jesus!  Amen.  Hallelujah.  

Sometimes a prayer for someone who believed noone ever prays for him...is all it takes to change a heart that is hurting, hungry, and ready to receive a touch only God can give.  The world is full of hurting people.  Even one by one by one...we CAN make a difference if we pray, obey, remain 'in Christ'.  Thank you for praying and reading.  Lots more to be written because my life is never dull.  :))    Praise the Lord!  NEXT...........?  Silence...with a Smile...Makes It All Worthwhile!!!

#67. THIS Is What It's All About  

My quick stop at Shopper's Drug Mart provided an opportunity to be bold. It was another one of those times of being 'Instant in Season'....as we are told. The clerk was looking after my items when four teenage girls came in.  They stood right behind me while talking together.  One was not hesitant to raise her voice in response to her friend, and say something with foul language.  She was about three feet from me.

I looked over at her...right in the eye.  She froze, looked at me and I said in a normal voice, "I don't want to hear that....I don't want to hear talk like that.  This is a public place." She looked like I struck her in the stomach, well the truth has power to convict.  Then she said, "All right...and spoke loudly and briefly in another language." I'll let you guess what she said.  Since the rebellion was strong I simply said, again, same tone of voice as I used before.....even softer...  "It's all about .......r e s p e c t."  (Filthy language is still not good even if NOT in a public place.)

None of her friends said a word, and she stayed silent.  I continued with the clerk, we visited like there had been no incident, I got my things and left.  Then I caught myself thinking (I hope they don't come out the store and start yelling at me as I am walking home.)  "Lord"...I prayed...."I know I am in the world but not of it, but lately it seems no matter where I go there is some kind of incident like this."  The Holy Spirit said, "True.  I like using you."  

I then tried to decide if that was a compliment or not.  It just goes to show, we really do have to be ready...24/7. And folks, I am well aware this is small stuff. Yet people need to read the 'how to' apply the love of Jesus in a practical every day situation.  Classic example.  It is how I live. I live it then write it to the glory of God.

It would have been easy not to say anything.  The majority would not have.  Yet, to say nothing is to condone sin!  Hello?!!  The sin of DISRESPECT and I have come too far not to speak up and let it be known, I am changing the atmosphere...with God's help!  I will not be guilty of being a Christian whose mouth is silent because of fear of offending someone.  The Word offends people's flesh so do we stop speaking the Word of God?  Think!

As I walked out of there and had my little talk with the Lord he gave me something else to say.....if I happen to run into a similar situation again.  He was giving me ammunition for the spiritual battle.  He said I could say to the person:  "Your face was pretty...until you opened your mouth." I said, "Lord, THAT is a Tweet!"  He told me to turn it into a blog post.  I did. :))

Hope you see there is a way to be a bright light, speak the truth with love, not cause a scene, not get religious, yet allow the Holy Spirit to convict, then move on peacefully.  Each of those teenagers will remember what was said.  I pray it is seed that produces a good harvest.  Think...before speaking especially if your words show disrespect.   If every believer would do a little bit, let their light shine, before long a whole lot of good would be done.  

Think about it.  There is far more graffiti coming out of peoples mouths than there is being painted on buildings, bridge, and overpasses.  People have their own way of drawing attention so in case you happen to be in the so called 'line of fire' be ready.  Answer their cry for help.  I did and you can too.  The righteous are bold as a lion.  CARE.....Enough......To.....Confront, Please. 

Written By: Linda Lou Jones

                      PS. 45:1 My tongue is the pen

                      Of a ready writer.

                      Glory To God.

 Twitter:       rightlady7