Reflections, July 5th, 2009

Sunday, July 5th, 2009

Reflections: What Do You Really Know?

"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." Hosea 4:6

Scripture reading for this week: Isaiah 5, Hosea 3; 4, 2 Chronicles 7, Psalm 51, Joel 2

What do we really know? What do we really understand about the Word of God, or even about our heavenly Father? We say we know God. We say that we have a relationship with Him. Yet, we are surprised by the state of the world and the events that are taking place. And we have been heard saying that things are going to get better.

Sorry to burst some shiny bubbles; but the condition of the world is only going to worsen. The state of affairs are going to continue to escalate into madness. Why? Because many have forsaken and rejected the Word of God. Satan himself is walking this earth and accomplishing what he set out to do: blinding people to the truth of God's Word; bringing strife amongst those that do believe.

But all is not lost. So take a deep breath...now exhale. For those that love the Lord, and serve Him with all their hearts, will triumph. We will make it through. We will not only survive, but thrive even in the midst of drought and famine. How? Because of the knowledge that we have in Christ, knowing what the Father has spoken and believing it.

It is my sincerest prayer that this week's Reflection, will be a word of encouragement and enlightenment. It is my hope that it would stir you to action concerning the Word of God, and the wisdom, knowledge and understanding that God wants to impart into your lives. May God bring illumination to your heart and soul concerning your life, and His will for you, and the world that we currently abide in.

The harsh reality is, that we can actually see the prophetic word of Revelations happening before our very eyes. And according to Revelations, and the better part of the New Testament, we see that the world is definitely producing an evil that wants to push God out of everything. We see that men and women are lovers of themselves. We see mothers against daughters. Fathers against sons. Mother in-laws against daughter in-laws, etcetera.

The truth of the matter is, only those that are serving the Lord will find shelter and prosper in the midst of chaos. For those that are walking according to the will and purpose that God has set for their lives; that walk in obedience to God, will receive the promises. For He rewards those that diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6) But for them that reject the Lord; reject His truth and the word, you bring a curse not only upon yourself, but upon your children, as well.

No one really wants to talk about the truth, and what God has spoken and requires of them that love Him. We are not only required to speak the good tidings of the Gospel, we are also charged with speaking the whole truth and saying what God has spoken; that He desires obedience and courage and faithfulness. That He desires a relationship with His children; not only that we would serve Him, but that He may bless us and protect us from the soon coming judgment that is upon the earth.

Hosea 4:1-4
Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish, with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be taken away.

As a minister and teacher of the Word of God, it is not only a part of me to speak truth in words of encouragement and joy, and glad tidings; But it is incumbent upon me to also speak the truth that may hurt. Sometimes the truth may hurt, and many people shy away from speaking it for fear of offending someone, or losing church members or readers to their blogs.

I realized long ago that this is not a popularity contest. It is being about my Father's business and sharing the truth that I know, and testifying and witnessing of the goodness of the God that I serve. It is also speaking the truth; whether the truth is hard, easy, painful, healing, revealing, liked, disliked, received or not received. I learned long ago that I must please God first. And if I say I love the Lord, then I must be who He called me to be, and say what He wants said regardless of how it is perceived.

People are dying everyday without knowing that God really does love them. People are hurting and being misguided, that they have to be perfect in order to receive the blessings of God. The world is in total chaos, causing people to be filled with fear and anger. Most angered at God. Yet, it is because of those that say they have a relationship with God, and have done evil in the eyes of God, that there are consequences. We have compromised our walk in the Lord. We have done grievous things in the sight of the Lord. And the Lord has found controversy with us.

Just as the word of God came to Hosea, it comes to us this day: There is no mercy, no truth, no knowledge of God in this earth. There has been stealing, killing, lying, all in abundance, and because of this, our land has suffered. Do you not see it in the economy? Do you not see it in the homelessness? Do you not see it in the increasing rates of hunger and poverty? Do you not see it in the fall of religious leaders and politicians? The morality of this nation has taken hit after hit. Where we once prospered and flourished, we now struggle.

What does all of this mean to those that believe? It means that we need to fall upon our knees, repent of our sins, and walk upright in the eyes of God.

For those that have been faithful to God?-do not give up or accept the report of the world. Believe and accept the report of the Lord.

Psalm 1:1-4
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

What do you really know? Do you know about the saving grace of God? Do you know of His unyielding love for you? Do you know and understand that God has standards? Do you know that we cannot just call ourselves children of God; but we must walk the walk that we profess with our mouths?

The Lord said the we perish for a lack of knowledge; we are destroyed. We destroy ourselves daily because we do not take the time to sit at the feet of God and receive form him. Our service to God has become in name and lip service only. We have failed to teach the truth concerning God and His Word. It is evident. We have failed to walk in His likeness and represent the God that we say we love.

To know God is to not only love God; but to represent Him upon this earth. Where the Spirit of God is, there is liberty, there is love, there is peace, there is power, there is healing. Even when everything around you is buckling, crumbling, falling apart-those that have knowledge of the truth of God, understand that they will not only survive, but thrive and have the ability to help others.

Here's my truth and the testimony of God's goodness and saving grace for His children that believe and have faith in Him, and seek to serve others. In November 2003, He told me to leave my job. I did. I haven't worked for another person since. I had no income, no coverage, nothing but God Himself. This wasn't the first time being without an income. But I learned from the first time, that God will always provide. During this process I learned even more things about myself; About what God wanted. I gained a deeper revelation who God is and who He called me to be. Knowledge is power. Knowledge of God is extreme power!

As God took me deeper into who He is, and what He has ordained for my life, my marriage, my ministry, my business; I understood that truth must always be at the forefront. God's truth. I cannot be ashamed of Him, or what He tells me to do or say.

Knowledge breaks the chains of ignorance. Knowledge releases people from the hold that the enemy has placed upon their lives. Knowledge of God releases people to become who God has called them to be. Knowledge of God brings people hope. Knowledge of God is life.

Know this: the world is on a collision course with destiny. God is soon to return. Things as we know it are changing daily. However, for those that would believe in the Word of God; for those that would take the time to know God, and His Word, you will receive safety in the arms of a loving Father. As the world's chaos increases, you can experience peace in the midst of it all. Although trouble may come your way, and take a seat at your table, it will not last. For God has made a promise to His children; to deliver them out of all of their afflictions (Psalm 34:17).

With the knowledge of who God is, comes the knowledge of who you are, and the power to stand and triumph. Know that God loves you more than anyone else can, and will reach into the depths of hell to pull you up.

Meditate on the things of God, and believe in what He has spoken to your heart. For God is not a man that He shall lie, nor the son of man that He should repent. Hath he not spoken; shall He not perform what He has promised? (Numbers 23:19)

God loves you endlessly. And I love you, too; enough to tell you the truth, even if it is not the popular thing to do, or is painful. I do it not only because I care about what happens in your life, but because I love my heavenly Father just that much.

I pray that the spirit of peace and prosperity finds rest in your: spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, social, and financial lives. May you increase with the knowledge of who God is, who you are, and what God desires from you. And when you know the truth, don't forget to pass it on! Be Blessed.

©2009. Ruthe McDonald. All Rights Reserved.