Sunday, July 21, 2013

God speaks through others...

When I moved out here to the desert...I wasn't exactly a rank sinner, but I was far from being in tune with the word of Christ.  For those in my situation who have ignored God speaking to them - sometimes the Word has to come from another human.  That is how God works.  For me it was a chance meeting with Dick Cain.  It happened December 13, 2008.when I met him the first time on the way out to the swimming hole.  It was then that I told him about my befriending Benita.   It took 3 1/2 years for the message of that meeting to finally get my attention.  God works on his schedule and the ways that you will hear Him, but the message is always out there.  Thanks again to my friend Pastor John Wiley for the message today.

Proverbs 1:5 A wise man will hear , and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

Proverbs 13:13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed : but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded . 14 The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death. 15 Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard. 16 Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. 17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. 18 Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured . 19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil. 20 He that walketh with wise men shall be wise : but a companion of fools shall be destroyed .

Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased . 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves : for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief : for that is unprofitable for you.
     

13 comments:

Dizzy-Dick said...

A great post for this Sunday. Kepp up the good works.

Unknown said...

I sure do find myself looking forward to your Sunday Posts! Thanks John!

Unknown said...

I have a hard time understanding these words, they seem like double talk, why are they like puzzles, if they were more clear maybe more would follow.

Ron K said...

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
(1 Cor 1:18)

So, 'Unknown', if you have "a hard time understanding" the words of the bible, it may be a sign that you are perishing, sentenced to hell the moment you die. Forget about wondering why 'more' don't 'follow'-- for your sake, seek your Saviour; you don't have to go to hell.

Grandmama Sarah said...

On the other hand, a big part of the problem may be in understanding King James English. The one commonly used is from 1769. To find these in the newer, more plain English versions, go to biblegateway.com. Just type in, for instance, Proverbs 1:5 and select an English version like the Amplified Bible or the Message. You can have several versions on one page to compare.

Much of what is puzzling may become clear. Proverbs is also written as a series of "sayings." They don't necessarily immediately relate to one another. Try reading each verse separately and thinking about them.

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all the thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Words of Jesus: it is okay to seek him with your mind, your understanding. Matthew 22: 37.

Larry G said...

there are a lot of problems with "reading the word" in "the" Bible.

there are LOTs of "bibles" in this world to start with.

A billion people use the Koran version.

Second - a lot of the "words" are the words of other people - their ideas their recollections, etc.

Third - Bibles are translated and meanings get adjusted sometimes.

fourth- one can spend their whole life learning what the real meanings are in the many different versions of the same bible as well as other versions beyond the King James version.

My relationship with GOD, tells me that when reading words - to be mindful that even when they say "the word of God" - that someone else wrote them.

I dearly love the animals that I know personally - as John did and does and one of my sadnesses is that according to the bible - only humans go on to an afterlife -and perhaps not some of my favorite buddies...

so I'm curious about how John feels about Benita....

David Hooper said...

Thank you John, I always start my Monday morning off with your Sunday message.

Grandmama Sarah said...

My father also loved the few animals he had during his lifetime. He took great comfort in the below, hoping and expecting to see them in, as he called it, The Great Green Garden Planet of Paradise.

It's from Ecclesiastes 3, the same chapter that gives us: To everything there is a season.

"19 Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless.

20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.

21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”

22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work, because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen after them?"

Life is full of not knowing. Living is in the journey, in the seeking, in finding the peace that passes understanding.

Unknown said...

Wow. I was just speaking to a friend about being in tune with God and listening for Him. I also had just given him a link to your blog! Doesn't God work in wonderful ways??!!

Ryan said...

Sigh. Why are you so cryptic, John? Your story starts with hearing the message through Dick Cain and how it took you so long to understand it- now that you "hear" it, please tell the world, what IS the message?

pw said...

The picture of Panther mountain spoke more fully and clearly to me.

Rev.jimmyleebob said...

You've mentioned Pastor Wiley on occasion.I guess every preacher
has a preacher just as a doctor has a doctor.I discovered Dr.James David Manning..a powerful advocate for the truth.You won't find this gentleman on the mainstream media..they won't give him a nonosecond of airtime..not fox,abc,nbc,cbs,cnn,msnbc or the rest of the alphabet satan's brew
masquerading as truth and news.He gets his message out on youtube.I watched one of his messages today
titled "What kind of fools are white people ?" All of his messages are timely..give him a listen...your trusted voice for the alternative view

pamit said...

Hmm...I wonder who "those that rule over" you are, that you should "submit" to. Is that meant for slaves / masters?