Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the Ancient Paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. Jeremiah 6:16
I thought now would be a good time to remind everyone to BE THANKFUL! and stop complaining – sure there are things to complain about, and YES, there are people to complain about (hey, remember God made them) , but that’s not the way godly people should conduct themselves……
When the Israelites complained and murmured ( in Deut) the Lord became angry. By complaining, they were actually refusing to trust the Lord. They were ungrateful! Unthankful! Dt 6:16 says don’t test Him by complaining. Again in Numbers 11:1; The Lord heard the complaints and His anger blazed and destroyed them, as in Duet, complaining is defined as revolting against God.
Let’s clear up some things first because I know many of God’s people and His prophets voiced their complaints and grievances to God – and that’s okay – there’s a different kind of complaint that just tells the Lord how you feel and what you’re going through and there’s a complaint that’s a constant whiny, self serving, selfish, unthankful, unfaithful, always coveting complaint like an annoying dripping faucet …blah blah blah blah blah woe is me, blah blah blah life sucks, blah blah blah blah gossiping about others, complaining about the weirdos in your life, complaining that things aren’t perfect, complaining that people aren’t as perfect as you, complaining that you never have enough, why can’t I be like them, why don’t I have that, covet covet, unthankful ungrateful, faithless, untrusting complainer – the person listening to all this complaining would rather be alone starving in a hot dessert than listening to you complain. hahahaha- thats in proverbs….so true.
Philippians 2:14 Do all things without grumbling or questioning,
We can air our grievances to God, sure, but the quarrelsome constant complainer described in Proverbs 21:19 is the complaining I’m talking about.
Philippians 2:14 instructs us to do everything without complaining, and even if it is worth complaining about. Doesn’t it take more energy to complete a task while complaining than just to complete it and keep quiet?//// plus it will keep your blood pressure down and keep you from aging so fast….
Jude 1 talks about the ungodly and mentions that they are grumblers and complainers , they live for their own desires – isn’t that the truth? don’t we complain because we don’t get our way. And why don’t we get our own way? Read James 4 if you want the answer to that, and besides that wisdom of truth, Jesus tells us to give up our own ways and follow Him.
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. James 4
Expect more complainers….as per Jude 1:17 , in the last days, there will be more scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. They create division amount you and do not have God’s spirit in them.
THE JUDGE IS AT THE DOOR: Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. James 5:9. and remember we are held accountable for every thing we say – scary thought- that could take forever.
SHOW HOSPITALITY WITH OUT GRUMBLING -Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9 hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
but YOU are to build others up, be thankful for this day, Fix your thoughts on what is pure, holy, honorable, worthy of praise and sometimes you just need to be quiet.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Jesus was nailed to a cross, beaten, bloodied, mocked and He didn’t complain. He was silent.”He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” Is 53:7
For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you. Mt 7:2
You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Romans 2:1
“Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
When the Lord said this to Paul, He wanted Paul to know that He (The Lord God) was in control over everything. Paul was not abandoned by the Lord in this trial, but he rejoiced and boasted in this weakness, because it is here- when Paul was weak, that God was strong. Let every part of your life glorify God – the good times and the struggles. When we are weak, God is strong . When we’ve fully given God the reign/ reins to our life and when pride is forced out of our heart, we will finally see that it is God who must be glorified in all things. The only way you will make it through trials victoriously is when you hold on to the Lord, trust in every step along the way.
BITTER OR BETTER? IT’S UP TO YOU
You have the power to control your mind and your thoughts. Philippians 4:8 tells us and commands us to fix our thoughts and think of things that are “true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise”
When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-4
The Lord wants you to know that in whatever circumstance you are in:
He has your today, your tomorrow and your future in His hands (So stop worrying! Cast fear and worry out of your mind)
Today is 100% in His control of today and everyday (Trust in Him)
Tomorrow is already taken care of so you don’t need to worry, fret or dread
He will pull you out of stormy waters
He is walking with you in the storm
He is your refuge, your high tower and your safety
He hears your cries to Him
Charles Spurgeon said that this thorn in the flesh was about destroying pride in Paul. Pride may have wanted to creep into Paul’s heart. That would make sense, not only for Paul but for each one of us. Pride is the sneakiest of all sins, it creeps in unawares without the victim knowing. Perhaps this thorn did keep Paul’s heart in check. When we consider Paul’s upstanding life (on his own account) his family heritage (Benjamite) and his authority before his conversion, he was a powerful and famous man. His life suddenly changes with a meeting with the Lord Jesus, supernatural events, visions, healings and visit to heaven – that could send a person today on a pride trip, don’t you think? Maybe or maybe not. Sometimes we can get so caught up in our knowledge, fame, and favor among people (and maybe God) that we no longer have an open door to learn new truths. When pride slips in the teaching, it can ruin the message. Pride is seen by everyone but the one who has it. It’s invisible but seen, it’s silent but heard.
Pride? Me? pride comes in all forms : judging others, gossip, unforgiveness, anger… pride is a root to many sins. Pray this : Lord, my heart is not prideful, my mind is not haughty (psalm 131) and see what the Lord reveals to you
His Unfailing Mercies surround us
You are surrounded by His lovingkindness, tender mercies and unfailing love When we fully understand the great depth of God’s grace, we know that we are on the Path He has prepared for us. I imagine it like this- a large supernatural cloak of the Lord’s Tender Mercies, Loving Kindness and Unfailing love that covers me. (TM, LK,UL)
1-He surrounds you with unfailing love.The Lord wants us to trust in His UNFAILING LOVE for us. His unfailing love protects us, leads us, covers us, rescues us, pursues us, is better than life, lasts forever, supports us, teaches us, silences our enemies, came through Jesus Christ
Exodus 15:13“With your unfailinglove you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home
Exodus 20:6But I lavish unfailinglove for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
Psalm 13:5But I trust in your unfailinglove. I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
Psalm 21:7For the king trusts in the Lord. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling
Psalm 23:6Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life
Psalm 40:11Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me
Psalm 63:3Your unfailing love is better than life itself; how I praise you!
Psalm 94:18I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.
Psalm 119:64O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees
Psalm 143:12In your unfailing love, silence all my enemies and destroy all my foes, for I am your servant
John 1:17For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ.
2- He surrounds you with Tender Mercies. He crowns you with Tender Mercies and He surrounds you with Tender Mercies that always protect you.
Psalm 103:4He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
Psalm 119:77Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight.
Psalm 40:11Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
Psalm 69:16Hear me, O Lord; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.
3- He surrounds you with Lovingkindness. His lovingkindnes preserves you and is always with you.
Psalm 26:3For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth
Psalm 40:11Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me
Psalm 42:8Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.
Psalm 119:159Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thylovingkindness
Hosea 2:19And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in lovingkindness, and in mercies.
If the Holy Spirit lives in you, you can be assured that you are covered under Grace of God. The Lord wants you to know and understand that:
He will get you through today and tomorrow
All you need is His grace – that is knowing that His unfailing love, tender mercies, loving kindness covers you
Don’t let the enemy fill you with fear, doubt, worry and hopelessness- you have been set free ; ”For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord (in you!) is, there is freedom.2 Cor 3:17
In a previous post on God’s Grace, I found, according to scripture, that grace is like a current or pathway that the Lord God has us on to keep us safe. We are the apple of His eye and He leads us to the life He has planned. He will turn your sorrow to gladness and crown you with everlasting joy. Psa56:8: “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.” Though tough times may surround you, lift your head up for your redemption draweth nigh. Don’t let mans words fill you with fear and dread, trust in God. God’s word is always true. (romans 3) In your weakness, God will show Himself strong. Your sorrows will turn to joy and the troubles of today will soon be gone as He carries you though each day.
David’s prayers during tough times:
David had many struggles as Paul did. David always found a way to praise God even in the worst of circumstances. In death, in fear, in life, in rejection, in hiding, in despair – David would cry out for help, remember and recite God’s promises while praising the name of the Lord.
David’s prayer during storms and trials (from Psalm 42-43,142-143)
Remember the Lord: He is your strength. He is your help. He is faithful and righteous
Meditate on all His works and His words
Muse on all the Works of His hands
Praise Him, enter His gates with thanksgiving.
Cry out to Him
Declare His Good works
Pour out your heart to Him
Lift up your hands
Take Shelter in Him
HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD:
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, Romans 15:5Romans 15:4Matthew 5:4
The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord. Ps 27:14 Ps 9:9
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all Ps 34:17-19
Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: Is 26:3-4 Psalm 147:3 Ps 55:22
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.Isaiah 40:31,
Dear Friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. James 4:10, 1 Peter 4:12, 5:7, 2 Peter 2:9
But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry.He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire.He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along.He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. Psalm 3:3 Ps 40:1-3
“That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.”
Anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself.That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.
Take time for reflection and a heart check before taking communion. Ask the Lord to show you any ways, any sins, any wrongs committed or lurking in your heart – anger, unforgiveness, gossip, judging other wrongfully, lying, coveting, unthankfulness….. Remember the body that was broken for you and the blood that was poured out for you – by your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Consider your ways before you take communion.
Check yourself
Examine your ways
Ask forgiveness, acknowledge your sins
Consider the path you’re on
Ask for the old godly way and walk in it
You are called to be Holy, Separate, not of this world
1 Cor 11 :
For I pass on to you what I received from the Lord himself. On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some breadand gave thanks to God for it. Then he broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.
So anyone who eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord unworthily is guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.That is why you should examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup.For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself.That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.
But if we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.So, my dear brothers and sisters when you gather for the Lord’s Supper, wait for each other.If you are really hungry, eat at home so you won’t bring judgment upon yourselves when you meet together. I’ll give you instructions about the other matters after I arrive.
Hebrews 10:29
Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.For we know the one who said,“I will take revenge.I will pay them back.”He also said,“The Lord will judge his own people.”31 It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Corinthians 13: Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine.
Don’t take your salvation lightly, work it out with fear and trembling. In revelation, the Lord says: ” I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other!But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” Rev 3, Phil 2:12
Spread God’s truth to your friends, loved ones, and all people – warning everyone in love as the day of the Lord draws close.
aclj photo credit 2018
Ancient Paths 