Be still and know that I am God - Part 8

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD [PART 8]

WE NEED TO KNOW GOD (WITH A BIBLICAL HEAD KNOWLEDGE, AND A HEART KNOWLEDGE THAT COMES FROM HAVING A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM).

BRIEF RECAP.

HE HAS REVEALED HIMSELF IN THE OLD NEW TESTAMENTS AND IS:

A GOD WHO HATES SIN

A TRIUNE GOD!

A HOLY GOD!

AN INFINITE GOD!

A CONSUMING FIRE!

A MERCIFUL GOD!

A GRACIOUS GOD!

A MIRACLE WORKING GOD!

JONAH WAS UPSET BY GOD’S MERCY; HE WANTED GOD TO DESTROY NINEVEH.

IT IS EASY TO CONDEMN JONAH, BUT WHAT ABOUT US, ARE WE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR COMFORT ZONE THAN WE ARE ABOUT ALL THE PEOPLE AROUND US THAT ARE HEADED FOR HELL? [EVEN OUR ENEMIES!]

GOD IS MERCIFUL & GRACIOUS.

MERCY: IS GOD NOT GIVING US WHAT WE DESERVE (IE: HELL)

GRACE: IS GOD GIVING US WHAT WE DON’T DESERVE (IE: HEAVEN)

GOD’S MERCY FOR THE UNDESERVING!

LORD HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER

2 Chronicles 33:9-13.

Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites, So, the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. In his distress he sought the favour of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.

James 2:12-13. Speak and act as those who are going to be judged  by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

WE ARE ALL SINNERS.

NONE OF US CAN BOAST. WE ARE ONLY SAVED BY GOD’S GRACE.

EPHESIANS 2:8

A W TOWZER

The Lord dealt with my self-righteousness during some difficult times I went through years ago.

Do you know the Jesus who stands with arms open to embrace those broken and enslaved by sin, if not, what are you trusting in? Remember the woman taken in adultery and brought to Jesus. (John 8:11.)

NEITHER DO I CONDEMN YOU,

GO AND LEAVE YOUR LIFE OF SIN

The Lord dealt with my self-righteousness during some difficult times I went through years ago. Do you know the Jesus who stands with arms open to deliver those broken and enslaved by sin, if not, are you trusting in your own righteousness and are ready to throw stones?

Luke 7:36-48. When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself,

If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is that she is a sinner. 

Luke 7:40-43.

Jesus answered him, Simon, I have something to tell you. Tell me, teacher, he said. Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?

Simon replied, I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.

Luke 7:43-50. You have judged correctly, Jesus said. Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 

Luke 7:43-50. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little. Then Jesus said to her, Your sins are forgiven. The other guests began to say among themselves, Who is this who even forgives sins? Jesus said to the woman,  Your faith has saved you; go in peace.

Titus 2:11-15. For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

WE USED TO SING A SONG WHEN I WAS A YOUNGSTER

“WONDERFUL WONDERFUL JESUS IS TO ME

SAVING ME KEEPING ME FROM ALL SIN AND SHAME.”

Ephesians 2:8-10.    For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God,  not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

THE CHANGE IS GOD’S HANDIWORK AND THE PURPOSE IS “FOR GOOD WORKS”

WORKS ARE THE FRUIT OF SALVATION AND NOT THE MEANS

2 Chronicles 33:13-16.{MANASSEH}

Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God. Afterward he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, west of the Gihon spring in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate and encircling the hill of Ophel; he also made it much higher.

He stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah. He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the Lord, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. Then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel.

 2 Corinthians 7:8-11.(REPENTANCE BRINGS CHANGE) Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern.

2 Chronicles 33:20-24.

Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon worshiped and offered sacrifices to all the idols Manasseh had made. But unlike his father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the Lord; Amon increased his guilt. Amon’s officials conspired against him and assassinated him in his palace. 

MANASSEH’S SON

James 4:6-7. God resists the proud,

But gives grace to the humble.

James 4:6-8. (AMP) (Pride will keep you from God’s grace)

 But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it). So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

Romans 6:14.

For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. 

A CHRISTIAN MAY SIN BUT NOT WALK IN DARKNESS, CONSEQUENTLY, THEIR SIN IS VERY QUICKLY EXPOSED SO THAT IT CAN BE REPENTED OF.

John 8:12.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Psalm 90:8.

You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.

John 3:20-21.

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

A Christian may sin but not walk in darkness, consequently their sin is very quickly exposed so that it can be repented of.

Romans 6:14-18. Sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.  

YOU CHOOSE!

WALK IN THE FLESH.

FLEE TEMPTATION.

OFFERING YOURSELF AS A SLAVE TO SIN.

FLEEING FROM THE SLAVERY OF SIN.

WE SAW THAT THIS IS VITAL IF WE ARE GOING TO:

PRAISE AND

PRAY

IN A WAY THAT IS ACCEPTABLE TO GOD.

ANOTHER RECAP.

Psalm 46:10. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

ANOTHER RECAP.

Psalm 46:10. Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.

BE STILL (STOP WORRYING)

BE STILL (GOD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU).

BE STILL. (STOP YOUR BUSYNESS).

BE STILL, (START LISTENING).

1 Exodus 4:10-12. But Moses said to the Lord, Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.

The Lord said to him, Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.

GOD WANTS US TO BE WITNESSES, WHAT EXCUSES ARE WE MAKING? 

BE STILL, STOP MAKING EXCUSES..

Matthew 10:19-25. When they arrest you, don't worry about how to speak or what you are to say, for the Holy Spirit will give you at that very moment the words to speak

YOU STILL NEED TO KNOW GOD’S WORD, SO THAT IT CAN BE BROUGHT TO REMEMBRANCE

YOU SHOULD HAVE A TESTIMONY OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE IN YOUR LIFE!

Acts 4:20. We can not but speak the things that we have seen and heard.

BE STILL, STOP MAKING EXCUSES..

YOU MAY SAY THAT YOU HAVEN’T GOT OUT OF A WHEELCHAIR, BUT THE GREATEST MIRACLE IS BEING BORN-AGAIN

OR PERHAPS YOU HAVE ONE OF THOSE TESTIMONIES OF HOW YOU WERE HAVING SUCH A WONDERFUL TIME LIVING A LIFE OF SIN AND THEN THE LORD CAME INTO YOUR LIFE AND SPOILED ALL YOUR FUN

THE ISRAELITES WERE ALWAYS REFLECTING ON THEIR LIFE IN EGYPT BUT SOMEHOW FORGOT THEIR SLAVERY THERE!

BE STILL, STOP MAKING EXCUSES..

1 Job 31:2. I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.

BE STILL, STOP BEING SELF RIGHTEOUS..

1 Job 31:5-8. If I have walked with falsehood or my foot has hurried after deceit, let God weigh me in honest scales and he will know that I am blameless if my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled, then may others eat what I have sown, and may my crops be uprooted.

BE STILL, STOP BEING SELF RIGHTEOUS..

I HEARD OF A BOOK BUT HAVE NEVER READ IT, HOWEVER I WANT TO COMMENT ON THE TITLE

“WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE”

THE BIBLE TELLS ME THAT NO ONE IS GOOD EXCEPT GOD.

IT ALSO TELLS ME THAT THERE IS NO ONE GOOD NOT EVEN ONE.

BE STILL, STOP BEING SELF RIGHTEOUS..

Romans 3:10-12 & Psalm 53:1-3.

As it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”

BE STILL, STOP BEING SELF RIGHTEOUS..

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE DESTRUCTIVE POWER OF SIN AND WHAT IT CAN DO IN ANYONE OF US UNCHECKED BY THE GRACE OF GOD!

LOOK AT ADOLF HITLER AT STALIN, AT IDI AMIN, AT THE SERIAL KILLER, AT THE CHILD MOLESTER.

I AM SO GLAD THAT THE LORD SAVED THIS SINNER BEFORE PAYDAY (the wages of sin is death).

IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT PAYDAY LOOKS LIKE!!!

LOOK AT THE FLOOD AND THE TRIBULATION AND BEYOND THAT HELL {SIN IS A STENCH IN GOD’S NOSTRILS}

BE STILL, STOP BEING SELF RIGHTEOUS..

HAVE YOU LIKE JOB FELT THAT YOU WERE BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY AND THAT YOU ARE A CUT ABOVE THE REST?

IF SO LET US SEE HOW GOD ANSWERED JOB!

BE STILL, STOP BEING SELF RIGHTEOUS..

Job 38:1-4.

Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.  He said: Who is this that obscures my plans  with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man ; I will question you, and you shall answer me. Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.

BE STILL, STOP BEING SELF RIGHTEOUS..

Job 38:5-7.

Who marked off its dimensions?  Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it?

On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone, while the morning stars sang together and all the angels  shouted for joy?

BE STILL, STOP BEING SELF RIGHTEOUS..

Job 42:1-6. (JOB REPENTS)

Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak;  I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore, I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.

BE STILL, STOP BEING SELF RIGHTEOUS..

Did you know that a Donkey is the only animal with a cross on its back?

BE STILL, GOD CAN USE A DONKEY..

Jesus the messiah came into Jerusalem on a cross and he also left Jerusalem with a cross.

Numbers 22:21-23. Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the Moabite officials. But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, it turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat it to get it back on the road.

BE STILL, GOD CAN USE A DONKEY..

Numbers 22:24-25. Then the angel of the Lord stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So, he beat the donkey again.

BE STILL, GOD CAN USE A DONKEY..

BE STILL, GOD CAN USE A DONKEY.

Numbers 22:26-27. Then the angel of the Lord moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff.

BE STILL, GOD CAN USE A DONKEY.

Numbers 22:28. Then the Lord opened the donkey’s mouth, and it said to Balaam, What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?

MAYBE GOD WANTED TO WARN THE BRAKPAN AGF, SO JUST LIKE HE USED BALAAM’S DONKEY HE SAID I AM GOING TO USE THEIR DONKEY TO WARN THEM.

“SON OF MAN {KEN}”

I HAVE A MESSAGE FOR YOU TO DELIVER

AND HERE WE ARE TODAY.

SO PLEASE DON’T HIT YOUR DONKEY!

BE STILL, GOD CAN USE A DONKEY..

HOW DO WE RESPOND WHEN PEOPLE COMPLIMENT US BECAUSE OF A GIFT THAT GOD HAS GIVEN US? I HAVE BEING COMPLIMENTED AT TIMES:

BUT ESPECIALLY RECENTLY, I AM AWARE THAT ANYTHING OF VALUE THAT COMES FROM ME IS ONLY BY GOD’S GRACE.

1 Corinthians 4:6-7.   I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favour of one against another. For who sees anything different in you?  What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

BE STILL, GOD CAN USE A DONKEY..