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The "Unseen Hand"

Posted by Tkulp , 09 February 2018 · 951 views

Song "The Unseen Hand", sung by Marty Stuart, at Gaither Homecoming.

 

https://www.vevo.com...ve/US3270404585

 

Life has been a bit heavy lately, but the “Unseen Hand” has always been faithful! Some times it may be very difficult to know the following as a living reality.

 

I believe this was for me, may it help you.

 

Must I come to (arrive at a state of peacefulness) peace, by accepting, as truth, that God has His hand on everything that comes into my life?

 

This Thing is From Me”

 

Will obeying this scripture really help me to stay in ‘Peace’?

 

Is it part the thought of…. Philippians 4:6-9?

 

Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

 

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Streams In The Desert February 1

 

This Thing is From Me


‘The Lord says this: “Do not attack and make war with your brothers, the Israelites. Each of you go home, for I have caused this to happen.”’” They obeyed the Lord and went home as the Lord had ordered them to do.—1 Kgs 12:24 NET

 

“Life’s disappointments are veiled love’s appointments.” —Rev. C. A. Fox

 

My child, I have a message for you today; let me whisper it in your ear, that it may gild with glory any storm clouds which may arise, and smooth the rough places upon which you may have to tread. It is short, only five words, but let them sink into your inmost soul; use them as a pillow upon which to rest your weary head. This thing is from Me.

 

Have you ever thought of it, that all that concerns you concerns Me too? For, “he that toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye” (Zech. 2:8). You are very precious in My sight. (Isa. 43:4) Therefore, it is My special delight to educate you.

 

I would have you learn when temptations assail you, and the “enemy comes in like a flood,” that this thing is from Me, that your weakness needs My might, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

 

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.

 

Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.

 

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, who never consult your taste, who put you in the background? This thing is from Me. I am the God of circumstances. Thou camest not to thy place by accident, it is the very place God meant for thee.

 

Have you not asked to be made humble? See then, I have placed you in the very school where this lesson is taught; your surroundings and companions are only working out My will.
Are you in money difficulties? Is it hard to make both ends meet? This thing is from Me, for I am your purse-bearer and would have you draw from and depend upon Me. My supplies are limitless (Phil.4:19). I would have you prove my promises. Let it not be said of you, “In this thing ye did not believe the Lord your God” (Deut. 1:32).

 

Are you passing through a night of sorrow? This thing is from Me. I am the Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief. I have let earthly comforters fail you, that by turning to Me you may obtain everlasting consolation (2 Thess. 2:16, 17). Have you longed to do some great work for Me and instead have been laid aside on a bed of pain and weakness? This thing is from Me. I could not get your attention in your busy days and I want to teach you some of my deepest lessons. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Some of My greatest workers are those shut out from active service, that they may learn to wield the weapon of all—prayer.

 

This day I place in your hand this pot of holy oil. Make use of it free, my child. Let every circumstance that arises, every word that pains you, every interruption that would make you impatient, every revelation of your weakness be anointed with it. The sting will go as you learn to see Me in all things. —Laura A. Barter Snow

 

“’This is from Me,’ the Saviour said,
As bending low He kissed my brow,
’For One who loves you thus has led.
Just rest in Me, be patient now,
Your Father knows you have need of this,
Tho’, why perchance you cannot see.
Grieve not for things you’ve seemed to miss.
The thing I send is best for thee.’

 

“Then, looking through my tears, I plead,
’Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know,
’Twill not be hard since Thou dost tread,
Each path before me here below.
And for my good this thing must be,
His grace sufficient for each test.
So still I’ll sing, ”Whatever be
God’s way for me is always best.“’”

 

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Ephesians 6:10-18

 

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].

 

Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

 

Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].

 

Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, and having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. [Isa. 52:7]

 

Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith {**note below is an addition in understanding “faith” from Strong's Dictionary}, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.
Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

 

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**What the Amplified translates as ‘saving’ faith is not in the original. Are there really different kinds of ‘faith’?

 

What is it that really brings deliverance (salvation), now and eternally? I find that the entire Bible stresses the idea of ‘obedience’! Doing what you know is correct to do, according to the Spirit of the Word of God!

 

Jesus at the end of the Sermon on the Mount emphasizes the idea of doing what you hear and know is correct to do. It is worthless to hear from the Lord and His Word, and not put into action what you have been told to do!

 

The word used in the Greek here is G4102, most often translated as "faith", as Paul uses it in quoting from the Old Testament, Habakkuk 2:4 "the 'just shall live by faith' Romans 1:17", King James, or Habakkuk 2:4 , "the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness", Net Bible.

 

Is it possible that Paul's understanding of the Word H530 is really different than most translator’s idea of 'H530' is, or the English definition of, 'faith'?

 

Anyone can easily discover the definition of the Hebrew word by doing a search of H530 in a digital copy of the King James Bible with Strong's Numbers. Read and meditate on the context of the verses that you find this Hebrew word, H530 used in. You may find that most preachers are not preaching the Old Testament, Hebrew understanding of Habakkuk 2:4.

 

I found that Net Bible translates it most accurately, "the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness", but Net Bible does not carry the correct translation, from the Old Testament, into their translation or understanding of the New Testament word G4102.

 

The Hebrew word, H530, is defined as, " literally firmness; figuratively security; moral fidelity:".

 

To follow the etymology of H530 is very interesting, enlightening.

 

H530 is the feminine of H529 which means "established, that is, (figuratively) trusty; also (abstractly) trustworthiness:" and comes from the word H539, which is defined as; "A primitive root; properly to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanent or quiet; morally to be true or certain;".

 

The idea that Jesus taught on being 'justified' is found in Matthew 12:33-37.

 

"Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.

 

Offspring of vipers! How are you able to say anything good, since you are evil? For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart.

 

The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury.

 

I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

 

You might find, if you study the Old Testament, that the concept of ‘faith’, as we have been taught, is hard to find. The concept that I have found, in the Old Testament, is the idea of, and importance of, ‘trust’ and ‘obedience’.

 

 

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Our Daily Walk by JB Meyer

 

February 9

 

CHANGING OUR STRENGTH

 

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength."-- Isa_40:31.

 

IT IS more than probable that these lines will be read by some who have lost heart. They are fainting beneath the long and arduous strain of life, and ready to give up in despair. It seems as though God had forgotten to be gracious, and in anger had shut up His tender mercies. To all such, Isaiah says: God is not tired: you think He is because you are. Wait upon the Lord, and change your strength (see margin).

 

The question is not as to altering your environment, but altering your courage, your power of endurance, your assurance of victory; then, notwithstanding every hindrance and difficulty, you will mount up on wings like eagles, you will run without being weary, you will walk without being faint.

 

The inevitable order. Mounting up--running--walking! We should have supposed that it should have been walking in the beginnings of religious experience; then the walk breaking into the run; and finally the runner leaping on wings into the azure, like the eagle a black speck against the blue! But experience confirms the prophetic order. Isaiah is right! We mount, we run, we walk!

 

Let us claim the promise--"They that wait on the Lord shall change their strength." Too often in the past we have depended on the stimulus of services, sermons, conventions which have made the embers glow again on the heart's altar. We have gone back to our homes, to our daily calling, with a new zeal and impulse that has lasted for weeks or months. Then we have found ourselves flagging again; we have run and got weary; we have walked and become faint.

 

To all such comes the word; if you would once more mount up and run and walk, you must change your strength. Time tells on us! Moods influence us! Circumstances impede us! Satan blows cold blasts on our heart-fires and cools them! Sins pile up their debris between us and God! From all these let us turn once more to Jesus and wait on Him. "My soul, wait thou only upon the Lord, for my expectation is from Him." Look not back, but forward! Not down, but up! Not in, but out! Never to your own heart, but keep looking to Jesus, made near and living by the grace of the Holy Spirit. So shall you change your strength, as you wait upon the Lord.

 

PRAYER

Thou knowest, Lord, how often I am sorely let and hindered in running the race which is set before me. May Thy bountiful grace and mercy come to my help, that I may finish my course with joy, and receive the crown of life. AMEN.

 

 

 

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Isaiah 40:31

 

Net Bible Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the LORD's help find renewed strength; they rise up as if they had eagles' wings, they run without growing weary, they walk without getting tired.

 

Amplified Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. [Heb. 12:1-3]






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Sylvia Dombeck
Feb 12 2018 07:03 PM

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.( mathew 25  KJV) 

 

UNDERSTANDING that this is the word of GOD - why is it people who call themselves CHRISTAIN follow a man who uses his office to take from the poorest amoung us ?

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I am sorry Sylvia, I probably do not have the answer you are looking for, but I will try to analyze your words, question and answer it according to the Word of God.

 

The simplest answer is because of deception. Satan can and will work through anyone or anything to deceive humanity. If it were possible He would be able to deceive even God's special, closest children. The only reason that He can not deceive them is because they are full of and lead by the Holy Spirit. Satan can not deceive the Holy Spirit.

 

People will deceive and be deceived until the flesh (selfishness, following the human senses) is totally put to death and replaced by the Holy Spirit as absolute teacher and guide.

 

Satan picked the slyest creature to speak through and deceive Eve. Why did Eve choose to listen to and believe the serpent instead of believing her husband and obeying what God had told them to do?

 

The Bible tells wives to obey their husbands in Ephesians 5:22-24. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church — he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

 

The husband holds the place of authority over the wife even as Christ holds the place of authority over the church.

 

Why don't wives obey? Why don't men obey the Word of God? Why didn't Eve obey?  It must be because they think that they know better than the one in authority over them.

 

Like Arron and Miriam in Numbers 12:1-  "...Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married (for he had married an Ethiopian woman).  They said, "Has the LORD only spoken through Moses? Has he not also spoken through us?" And the LORD heard it."

 

Most people think that they know best. It will be that way until the judgement; many people will be shocked to learn the Truth, good and bad, as stated in Matthew Chapter 7 as well as Chapter 25.

 

It is not what a person calls themselves that matters to God. It is what the life of a person produces that matters. It is the fruit that tells the kind of plant one may be looking at.

 

Jesus said in Matthew 12:33-37 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is known by its fruit.
Mattthew 12:34-36  Offspring of vipers! How are you able to say anything good, since you are evil? For the mouth speaks from what fills the heart.

 

The good person brings good things out of his good treasury, and the evil person brings evil things out of his evil treasury.

 

I tell you that on the day of judgment, people will give an account for every worthless word they speak.  For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."

 

Finally a real Christ-like-person, (Christian) is not concerned about money or the possessions of this world. Those things we have are so that we may help others as the Holy Spirit directs. Isn't that what the verses you quoted infer we should be doing?  Storing up treasure in heaven, like the widow women who gave more than any of the other donors, because she gave the last two pennies that she had. Mark 12:41-44

 

So, I do not know about those that you are referring to!!  Is it because they are not really followers of Christ (Christian)??  Jesus lived to only do the will of the Father, what the Father told Him.

 

Maybe people who do not live like Christ (lead by the Holy Spirit) would be better to be called a Humanist? ("Instead of relying on gods or supernatural forces, Humanists base their decisions on the lessons of history, their own personal experiences, and the application of reason.")

 

I hurt for those who call themselves Chrisian, and believe that they are Christians, but their lives are producing evil (selfish, hurtful) fruit.

 

Jesus spoke of them in Matthew Chapter 6; it is a warning to all of us.

 

Matthew 6:19-22  "Do not accumulate for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But accumulate for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If then your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
 

People who believe that they are Christians yet live in darkness are the hardest to show the Truth (Light). Darkness is 'light' for them and when they see Truth (Light) they believe that it is 'darkness', because they choose to believe a lie (living in darkness). ....because their deeds are evil????  ...they love their darkness rather than the Light???

 

Like Eve they choose to believe and follow a smooth tongue, rather than to obey the Word of God.

 

Is all of this, the reality with those that you are talking about?

 

I have no idea of their hearts, I can only read your words and apply the Word of God to what you have said, to the best of the Light that I have been given to live by....that is for me!

 

I would encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to enable you to take your eyes off of people and put them on Jesus. Fill your heart (thoughts or feelings (mind)) with Him (Jesus) and Shine!

 

The Holy Spirit must influence all life changing towards righteousness. So... Stay under the influence of the divine (the Holy Spirit). Remove all the influences of the world from your eyes and earsWatch the Holy Spirit's influences (as you study and meditate on God's Word, obeying what He shows you.) change your life.

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Sylvia Dombeck
Feb 26 2018 10:28 PM

your information and opinions are very true and helpful 

 

however my concern is the politics of the Church and church leaders who follow one political party almost religously  .

 

I believe that the commandment that charges us not to worship strange gods vy much applies to the current church 

I believe that politics is a very strange god and worshiped by many who call themselves Christian ,

 

further my concern is that the "worship " of one political party over another only serves to alienate those who have come to worship and who have come seeking the savior .

 

Myself as a democrat , I feel very threatened when I enter the church at which I have worshiped for years - as I look around I do not see fellow democrats - and I worry about the lost - is the church making them feel so unwanted that they stop coming

 

after the last election my pastor stepped into the pulpit and told us that Trump was probably good since his children are probably good 

 

i don't know if Trumps children are good or not and personally it is of no concern to me  - but I know they are rich - so does is my pastor saying rich is good?

 

If the mission of the alliance is to seek and save the lost - then why use politics to push the lost out .  

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Sylvia,

 

There are many areas of life that people do not agree on, national politics, local politics, church politics, health care, woman’s rights, human rights, animal rights, etc. The list can go on and on. {As I am rereading this, the thought came to my mind that all of the popular ‘rights’ movements are in some way opposed to the Spirit of Truth found within the Scriptures; the Heart of God.}

 

The prayer that Jesus prayed in John 17 was that His followers, and those that actively believe in Him, should be one. That to me means even more than unity and harmony. That will only happen and is only possible when individuals are full of the true, real Holy Spirit. Jesus also states in His prayer to the Father in John 17, that we should be one with Him as He was one with the Father.

 

How can that be possible? It is possible because of Jesus’ pure and holy sacrifice, which enables anyone that is willing to die, surrender all, take up their cross and follow Jesus, totally surrendered to the Holy Spirit’s control, can have the Spirit of Christ dwelling within their shell of clay. The natural fleshly spirit must go so that the Holy Spirit can come in and be in control. A two-spirited person can not get close to or surrender to God. He would have you either hot or cold. Oh the depth of the darkness within individuals that believe they are living in the light, but before God they are really living in darkness; the light that they have is darkness and not God’s Light!

 

When the individual is one with Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, (with the evidence of fruit produced, Galatians 5) and not just presumed; the unity (oneness between believers) will be a natural reality. Every one that is under the influence and control of the Holy Spirit will be of one mind.

 

The world seeks team work under the leadership of one head. That makes for the most successful businesses.

 

In real, narrow path, Christianity, each individual loses their individual identity and takes on the identity of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit.

 

A law of human design is that each individual will take on the image, identity of that which they submit themselves to, and the influence that they choose to be under.

 

The individual that is under only Divine influences and dead to all the control of the flesh will find Jesus Christ living inside of them, by the Holy Spirit, naturally changing the thoughts and actions to reflect the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

 

Most people that call themselves Christian look and act more like the world than they look like Jesus Christ. Why, because they are conformed to the world, love the things of the world and are double minded or double spirited. They choose to be under the influence of the world, and are conformed to the world.

 

 They spend more time with worldly activities, even within the church setting, than hearing and obeying the Holy Spirit. As Paul told Timothy, they have a form of Godliness but they deny the power of God. They deny the power of the cross, which makes the individual free from the power and control of sin and worldliness. They deny the power of God enabling people to live and mature into the very image of Jesus Christ. They produce the Galatians 5 works of the flesh rather than the fruit of the Spirit.

 

Jesus did not spend a lot of time with national or church politics (politics is defined as - Social relations involving intrigue to gain authority or power) He did warn about wanting power, recognition, pride and living the life of a hypocrite. The need to be a servant rather than to be first and served; true humility.

 

I have not seen a lot of people that make politics there ‘god’. Paul talks about people that have let their stomach be their god, because they follow and are controlled by their appetites, the appetites of the flesh.  Idols or false gods in my understanding might include possessions, such as cars and houses, the government with its health care and welfare programs, the entertainment media, such as internet and television, income, sports, etc. Little ‘g’ gods are those things which people look to and depend upon, for providing their needs and desires.

 

When an individual always turns to and runs to the  God of the Scriptures, trusting Him and Obeying Him, then God is really their “God” for that individual.  “…he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

 

I would not consider it making something your ‘god’ just because you may mention something about it or talk about it occasionally.

 

Jesus regularly warned people about the politics and lives of the Pharisees; they were definitely not as a ‘god’ to Jesus just because He talked about them. Actually, those that were of the party of the Pharisees took offense at some of the things Jesus said.

 

I can not support any political party, person, or church denomination that have turned their backs on the Word, or heart, of God, going against God’s Laws, mentioned in both the Old or New Testament.

 

I do not vote for candidates that support, or are from a political party or denomination, that have turned their backs on the Word, or heart, of God, going against God’s Laws, mentioned in both the Old or New Testament. I do not want anyone acting as if the are representing me, when they do not accept the Truth of the Scriptures.

 

As you have stated that you belong to a political party. Have you ever read the party platform, what that party stands for? Have you ever compared a party’s platform, goals and beliefs with the Bible’s and what the Bible says is right or wrong? As a simple example, I can not support or encourage anyone that wants, abortion on demand, as a right of the woman or that supports sexual rights that the Bible calls an abomination or sin, or that speaks anything that is in opposition to the True Spirit of the Word of God. There are  political parties and denominations that have turned their backs on the Truth of the Scripture. The Bible says that you can not serve two Masters. Should that concept apply to relationships with in worldly politics as well as churches?

 

I do not spend much time talking politics, but I do not consider it wrong for a pastor to warn against public sin and those in the public eye that support sinful activity, if the Holy Spirit tells him to. The focus of every shepherd should be to feed the flock the meat of the Holy Spirit, leading them in righteousness and the knowledge and understanding of the Word of God.

 

If we were all listening to the same spirit how could there be any fighting and quarreling? Would we not all be in agreement, even as Jesus was in agreement with the Father?

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