Tag Spirituality

10 Signs you Need a Faith Lift

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

  1. When genuine joy is dependent on the state of your circumstances.
  2. When you begin to lose the distinct aroma of the fragrance of Christ in your life.
  3. When you begin to feel or act as if self-worth and acceptance is dependent on how well you perform.
  4. When victory or success depends on you and your ability rather than on the adequacy of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
  5. When you place undue emphasis on programming and planning to the exclusion of His direction, leading and guidance.
  6. When more time is spent in the “activities arena” than in the prayer closet.
  7. When the praises of men and women become more important than the approval of God.
  8. When relating to and caring for people is less important than programs, planning, meetings, and budgets.
  9. When you assume responsibility to worry and fret over things and people that God in His sovereignty and power would take charge of (if you would allow Him to do so).
  10. When your rights become more important than God’s will and way.
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Between a River and the Deep Red Sea

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (GW)

Who heard God and rebelled? All those whom Moses led out of Egypt rebelled. With whom was God angry for 40 years? He was angry with those who sinned and died in the desert. Who did God swear would never enter his place of rest? He was talking about those who didn’t obey him. So we see that they couldn’t enter his place of rest because they didn’t believe. Hebrews 3:16-19 (GW)

Location of the Red Sea

Image via Wikipedia

 

They say the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. But sometimes that straight line can end up being a very long trip when you reach the land of indecision. It is the place were fears are birthed. Given time these fears can paralyze an individual for a lifetime. Rendering them unable to move from the status quo.

 

Israel had a hard time getting to where God intended for them to be. The plans and purposes he had in store for them were far greater than where they had already been. The place God was taking them was beyond their ability to comprehend. Not being able to see the end from the beginning left them to wander in the wilderness for a generation. They were unable to move beyond their own fears, doubts, and eventually unbelief.

Egyptian bondage had taken its toil. The people had lost their ability to be free and independent. They felt secure in their bondage, even though it meant daily persecution. The familiar and safe seemed far better than embracing the freedom the Lord offered.

It became a mindset. Get up, do the same thing over and over and look forward to much of the same (day after day) Although they cried out to God for relief, I am not sure they really knew nor wanted what God had in store. It seemed that the more God provided the more they complained, even to the point of refusing to follow into the promised land.

They remembered the stories of the promises God had made. They read about it in the books of their prophets. They longed for a time of autonomy. They were looking for a time when they would no longer be oppressed. God heard their cry and came to their rescue. But what happened? They refused the help.

Jesus came unto his own to rescue them from the bondage of sin and to offer a new kingdom. They crucified the Savior. They rejected the offer. They much preferred the way things were, to the way things ought to be. How many times do we miss out on the best God has to offer because we refuse to change? A state of mediocrity seems far better than pristine paradise. We much rather remain in the morass in which we find ourselves then to be redeemed for the life abundant Jesus taught about.

I know first hand how difficult transition can be. We become accustomed to being looked after by those who are not seeking our welfare but rather seeking to enslave us for their own selfish ambitions. Rather than being a free and independent individual we find ourselves compromising our values and beliefs for a loaf of bread.

Once when Jacob was cooking stew, Esau came in from the field, and he was exhausted. And Esau said to Jacob, “Let me eat some of that red stew, for I am exhausted!” (Therefore his name was called Edom.) Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright now. “Esau said, “I am about to die; of what use is a birthright to me?” Jacob said, “Swear to me now.” So he swore to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright. Gen 25:29-34 (ESV)

Esau sold his rightful birthright for a pot of stew. Many today are doing much the same thing. Instead of reaching for the promises of God set before us, we sell out to the lowest bidder, not even the highest, for a pot of stew. When you think about it, that is how many live their lives, eating from a pot of stew, convinced that is all there is  never realizing their fullest potential in Christ.

 

After leaving Egypt and crossing over the Red Sea, beholding the miracle that God wrought before them, Israel was still unable to enter into the land of promise. Their biggest challenge was behind them. The Red Sea was far harder to cross over than the Jordan river would be. Having seen the miraculous it is hard to believe that they could not believe once again for a miracle. Oh do not kid yourselves into thinking you would have done anything different. I find in this day and age not many who are able to cross a small stream let alone a raging river.

I do not want to be too harsh on the Israelites because I too am faced with insurmountable obstacles as I try to step out and follow hard after God. I want to emphasize the word HARD in the preceding sentence. Following after God is not easy. It is not impossible but it certainly is not for the faint of heart. Take heart, be not afraid, He promised He would always be with us, even unto the end of the earth. Take a step of faith, be like Peter and get out of the boat of indecision and attempt to walk on the water of opportunity. Cross over to the place where you totally trust in God and you will be far happier and fulfilled than if you remain in the land of indecision.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

 

 

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On Eagle’s Wings

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

My verse for life is Isaiah 40:31- For those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up on wings as eagles.

An eagle soars on the updraft of wind and can glide on those air currents for miles. They wait to catch a wave so to speak and ride that wave through the sky. That is like the leading of the Lord; it is a strong UP current that takes you soaring above your problems and gives you a much higher perspective of things. There is calmness about it a soaring of your spirits, you are uplifted. Your situation may not change but you are energized internally to weather the storms you are faced with.

From this lofty position riding on the waves of the spirit of God you are able to look further into the future and see more of your surroundings. You are able to see things you may not have been able to see before while wallowing in self pity or anything else that kept you grounded. If you are actively seeking the Lord while waiting upon him He will send along a spiritual wind current to lift you up.

Choosing the Right Path

You will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way. Follow it, whether it turns to the right or to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 (GW)

So the leading of the Lord comes as a strong urging to go in a particular direction. You may not know where the road leads but you just know you are supposed to take that road. As you travel along that road you are to be watching for the signs of God’s leading and direction. He will place blessings along the way as you journey.

 

I guess the best way to describe it is like going on a treasure hunt. You have a basic idea where to go but you are not really sure what you are looking for but you will know once you find it. So it is when you journey with God. He sets you on a pathway and gives you clues and guidance along the way and as you go you find blessings in places you never would have thought to look on your own.

Continue reading “On Eagle’s Wings” →

The Gambler

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

The Gambler

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”

A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

19 He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, But he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! 20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, But he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. Prov 28:19-20 (NKJV)

and those wishing to be rich, do fall into temptation and a snare, and many desires, foolish and hurtful, that sink men into ruin and destruction, 1 Timothy 6:9 (YLT)

 

Lottery tickets are sold by the millions to people who believe one day they will strike it rich when they have the winning ticket. Gambling is not the way to acquire riches. In fact it is a better way to loose riches. One is much better for having worked for what they possess then to try to win it at a game of chance. I may not be a gambler but I do understand that the roll of a dice can cost you great amounts of money. Some people seem to think they can beat the odds, or beat the house, but anyone who knows, knows the house always wins.

Gambling with the will of God

Some people choose the will of God by a toss of the dice instead of seeking His voice to hear what it is He would have them do. The devil would have us think that we too can beat the odds by rolling the dice and taking our chances on salvation by skirting the way that God prescribed for us to be saved. We must call on the name of the Lord. There is no other way prescribed under heaven whereby a man can be saved. It is not a crap shoot, it is a done deal. We can trust in God’s word and God’s ways of doing things. His will and way will end up being beneficial to us, skirting His ways will not be. Gambling with the plan of salvation is foolish.

Flipping a coin, rolling the dice, spinning a wheel, Eenie meenie minnie moe, does not sound like a solid plan for decision making. I know many people like to just take their chances in life and really have no actual plan of how they are going to achieve anything. They are of the persuasion that no matter what happens, the government or someone is going to come to their rescue. They think someone is always there to bail them out no matter what bad decisions they may make. That is a bit naïve at best and not very sound when planning for the future.

It is true, for the most part, the poorest person in America still lives better than two thirds of the world’s population. Being part of a blessed nation does have its advantages but to go through life hapless and without purpose seems like a gamble. Life is full of surprises but if you take care of the basics and build on a solid foundation then you can be assured that your house will not fall into complete ruin when disaster strikes.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV)

We can have confidence that someone will be looking out for us if we build our life on God’s word and His principles. That same word will be looking out for us no matter what it is we face in life. No matter what storms life may throw your way, if you base your life’s decisions on the word of God then you have confidence that God will be there for you. He is the rock solid foundation you can rest assured will never fail.

 

I do not know about you but I would hate to base my financial future on a roll of the dice, a flip of a card, a spin of the wheel, or some lottery somewhere. I like to know that for the most part my future is secure and not up to chance. I can be confident that my financial house is in order by proper planning and preparation. So too it is possible to be sure that my spiritual house is in order as well. Taking care of the important things in life is not something to be left up to chance.

Do not place your hope and life choices on a roll of the dice.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

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Non-Remedies For Life’s Ills

Allen Frederick Leave a comment

Insight for your “Journey across the Sky”
A View from the Nest www.eagleviews.org

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16 (ESV)

MEH

Allergy medicine that does not relieve the symptoms and religions that does not relieve distress of the people are both ineffectual.

 

I suffer from allergies. Some days are better than others when it comes to symptoms. When I am having a bad day I want relief from the itchy eyes, the runny nose, and the scratchy throat. I tried many different over the counter medications and most of them did not help on severe allergy days so I went looking for the drug I used to take to remedy the symptoms. And it worked!

I am pretty loyal to brands once I find something that works. I like Tide. It does the job I expect it to do-get my laundry clean and fresh. I like Quaker Oats products, they have always proven themselves to be of high quality at least to my liking. I prefer Coke to Pepsi. I like Hershey chocolate and a Baldwin concert grand piano.

I am not saying that others are not good I just have a preference. Now when it comes to my salvation I found someone who does what He says He will do and can be depended on to fulfill (the promises he made to us). Jesus was the answer to my life’s search for answers.

You may not like Jesus so you are searching for other answers. I hope you do not find like I did that some remedies are not remedies at all. In fact the money I spent on those ineffective allergy medicines could have done far more good being given to a charity somewhere. The drug company that produced these pills only took my money and offered me nothing as far as relief is concerned.

I can think of many things that take money and offer nothing in return. The government comes to mind as a big taker of money and offering very little value in return. Drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, and other vices always take more from you then they offer in return. So do mega-ministries. They offer BIG promises to get your money and then are impotent when it comes time to actually provide the help they promised.

In all my searching for Jesus I am sad to say I tried all the well known manufacturers of the ‘God’s pill’. None of their prescribed methods of salvation worked for me. It was not until I was basically kicked out of every major denomination in the United States did I actually find the ‘God’s pill’ that worked.

Jesus came to me when I sought him with my whole heart. I had given up trying to work out my salvation. I had given up trying to find my own way of making life make sense. I realized I was a failure and had no answers, only questions. When I took those symptoms and questions to the churches representing Christ in the world I was given all kinds of prescriptions to remedy my life symptoms and they all proved ineffectual.

Where was I to go? To whom could I find to represent the truth of God? What did work? What pill could I take to relieve me of the suffering? It was not until I actually tried Jesus, not a denominational view of Jesus, but the actual living breathing resurrected Jesus spoken of in the scriptures, did I find relief from all of life’s ills. No church membership was able to cure my soul sickness. None of the methodologies espoused by the many denominations were able to address my need for soul cleansing. Their prescription masked some of the symptoms but where unable to render a real cure. If I was only seeking to ease the symptoms of my sin sick soul then the denominational church structure was able to provide the needed relief, although temporal at best. Jesus however offered an eternal cure.

Churches need to get back to the basics of the gospel and spread abroad the good news of Christ and his saving power rather than promoting their particular brand of doctrine. What the world needs is more cures from sin sickness and not simply remedies of symptoms.

When people are looking for relief from their spiritual afflictions they too want something that works. When I was spiritually desperate and searching for answers that is when I found Jesus to be the answer to all my spiritual problems.

Drixoral worked for my allergies and Jesus works for my soul sickness. I tried all the rest. I am sticking with the best.

But those who are waiting for the Lord will have new strength; they will get wings like eagles: running, they will not be tired, and walking, they will have no weariness. Isaiah 40:31 (BBE)

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