The "Unseen Hand"
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]
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 ?