A CROSS BY THE SEA: 74TH PSALMS

I was led to the 74th Psalms today while researching another subject. At first things weren't registering but as I read more of the Psalms line by line I began to realize what it was saying is closely related to the current times. Psalms 74:4 Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations: they set up their ensigns for signs. It seems in those days that there was discord and disruption in the church as it is today.

In today's times, we hear of prayer and God being offensive to some who in turn make attempts to banish prayer and God in public places. The sad part is our government allows the baning of prayer and God to appease a select few but allows some to teach impressionable minds that there is no God. Psalms 74: 7 They have cast fire in their hearts, let us destroy them together: They have burned up all the synagogues of God in the land. Even on public air waves , the word of God is prohibited as being offensive. It is almost as if a few with influence want God taken out of our lives permanently.

Psalms 74: 10 Oh God, how long shall the adversarys repraoch? Shall the enemy blaspheme thy name forever? It appears that way doesn't it? And this was written back in biblical times and can be applied in today's times I would think. The seemingly current trend by some organizations today is to marginalize God's presence or simply state there is no God and no laws to follow. Only what seems right to you personally. Almost seems like the rebellions of some of God's people in biblical times.

Psalms 74: 23 Forget not the voice of thine enemies: the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually. And to this day that is still happening. Satan's time is short in this world and I am sure he has increased his efforts to turn more against the Lord for his own gain. The question is : Will we be misled in following the wrong path and miss the promise of eternity in the Kingdom, or will we not falter in our faith in God?

A CROSS BY THE SEA: MATURITY

As I think I am maturing in the faith, I have began to realize that I am not as mature as I think I am as far as faith. Much like when I was a teenager thinking I had all the answers to life's mysteries only to find out later in life I didn't have a clue back then.

There are so many mysteries and miracles in having faith in God that even as adults we cannot fathom the ramifications of all those mysteries and miracles. Only by the scriptures do we gain an understanding of what God is telling us but yet there are still mysteries to be disclosed by God. I would imagine when He feels we are mature enough to accept these mysteries, He will reveal them to us. I have begun to understand this based on my reading scriptures. As an example I read a passage say a few years back and didn't get a message. I re read the same passage today and the message pops off the page opening up a door to a new understanding of that passage.

In reading Revelations, ( which I have read a few times over the years) I get a deeper understanding each time. It is as if I am given more knowledge each time I read Revelations even though the words were there all this time. Yet there are still mysteries to be revealed from Revelations. As I mature, I would imagine more mysteries will be revealed to me in time. I am beginning to get the idea that all of the mysteries and miracles are embedded in the scriptures and that in time they will all be revealed to all of the faith. As it has been said, the heavens will be revealed to us and there will be an expansion of knowledge beyond our imagination. I would have to think that time is fast approaching.

Have I reached maturity yet? No. I am still a child in the faith. I have much to learn and a short time to do it. How is your maturity in the faith?

PRIME TIME WITH GOD: SOLID FOUNDATIONS

"But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand." - Matthew 7:26

There were two kinds of people in the days of Jesus. Some heard the words that Jesus spoke and were awed by His wisdom and understanding, but did nothing about what they heard. Others heard those words and acted on them. Jesus said that those who heard the words but failed to put them into practice were foolish and likened them to building a house on sand. How foolish, indeed, it would be to build a house on sand.
The person who followed what Jesus taught was a person who would be sure to weather life's storms.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock (Matthew 7:24-25).

You never know how well your house is built until it is tested by the elements. Torrential rains reveal the quality of your roof. Wind and cold reveal how well your home is insulated. Heat and sun reveal the quality of your paint and siding. All these elements reveal whether a solid foundation has been laid to make your home a secure and lasting place to live.

Many of us find that we have given only lip service to God's commands. We are faced with the reality that our foundations are not strong enough to weather life's storms. How do we react when the trials come? Do we fret and worry? Do we take life into our hands? Do we respond inappropriately when we don't get what we want? The Lord uses these times to help us recognize whether our foundations are sand or rock. Ask the Lord today if you have built on His rock. If so, you can be comforted to know that you can weather any storm that may come your way.

By O. Hillman

A CROSS BY THE SEA: TEAMWORK

"Also in Judah the hand of God was on the people to give them unity of mind to carry out what the king and his officials had ordered, following the word of the Lord." - 2 Chronicles 30:12

I have often marveled at the "V" flight formation of Canadian Geese while migrating. A perfect V formation which allows additional lift for the flock to travel with less effort over long distances. All the while the leader is constantly receiving encouragement through loud honking by the other geese. As the leader tires, he relinquishes the lead and another goose from the flock takes up the lead with encouragement from the flock that is following in perfect unison. This activity occurs the entire trip until they arrive at their destination which some times involves hundreds of miles.

This is a case of the flock depending on one another to be successful in their trip to their destination which requires team work from all involved. There is no individualism at work here. All contribute to the success of their journey much like the functions in the body of Christ. We all have a purpose in service to the Lord and all are a vital part in our journey. We work as a team to generate the desired results and lead others to Christ. As one of us tires another will take up the lead and continue on all the while getting constant encouragement from the assembled team.

As a single individual we cannot accomplish as much as an individual working with in a team effort with others focusing on the same goals and united together in the same cause. That same fact is true in the Body of Christ. There in lies the dependency of all to offer their share in order to succeed. In the Body of Christ, we need team members to minister to others in need and with illnesses. We need team members to be prayer warriors and pray for these that need prayers. We need team members to be teachers of the scriptures. We need team members to be prophets and share God's words to others. We need team members to be evangelist and win souls to Christ. We need team members to sing praises of God's words. We need team members to welcome and seek out others seeking God's grace and make them feel welcome.

United in the Body of Christ, all play a vital part in service to the Lord through encouragement and love to others. It was never intended for us to go it alone. Going it alone will insure failure. Where is your place in the Body of Christ?

A CROSS BY THE SEA

I find these songs to be spiritual in nature sung by voices of angels. Celtic Women.

What I want to do with this new venture is rely on spiritual music as well as a word from scripture and will include what I feel may move you in worship. I have always had a soft spot for music most of my life and have played an instrument off and on over the years ( mostly by ear and rather badly at that). I can't read notes at all so I have to transpose the notes to letters. I recently took on the challenge of learning to play the violin thinking it might be easier than drums or piano. Boy was I wrong. It has been an up hill battle. To make it even harder a challenge, the cancer surgery in my left arm has made the arm muscles a bit stiff and painful when holding the violin. Perhaps I should switch to something a bit bigger.

I should be adding more later but this should suffice for now. Got to hit the books to come up with a topic for the week end. Hope you enjoyed the music.

A CROSS BY THE SEA

A CROSS BY THE SEA

An old friend (Jamie) from across the pond had always said I should build a church next to the sea for others to worship the Lord. Considering the cost of real estate on beach front property, this is the closest I could come up with for now. Perhaps some day it will be a reality.

I have always been one to sit on the beach and listen to the incoming waves splashing against the beach sands in a constant soothing rhythm allowing me to get lost and relax. The one thing I found is the ability to marvel at the glory of the Lord as I sit, meditate, and give thanks for what I do have. It is at the beach when I feel closer to Jesus. Just me and Him. As I look back along my walks on the beach, I keep looking to see if there is another set of foot prints in the sand. Some day I might be able to see them.

With this in mind, I have decided to change directions with my blogs and rename the blog "A CROSS BY THE SEA". I want to open this blog with an invitation for all that are lost and hurting and can't find a place to call their home church. Perhaps you are shut in and can't go to church or are suffering from an illness that prevents you from attending on a regular basis. Perhaps you are in a toxic church ( been there/ done that) and feel left out of the click groups. Perhaps you are looking for fellowship with others and want to share your sadness, joys, and faith in the Lord.

I welcome all to make suggestions and give me ideas of what you want from this adventure. For me this is a new venture and I am excited as I can be as I feel the Lord is leading me to do this for His glory and reach out to others wanting to share their faith in Jesus. As we all know, a gathering of 2 or more to worship Him is a body of Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father. I pray to you to lead me in your name's sake to begin on this new journey and exalt your name . Help guide me to make the right decisions in service to You so that others will have a place to worship Your loving grace. I pray that you give me the strength and courage to minister to others in service to You. I pray that you can guide me to seek out pastors, leaders, prophets, evangelist, and disciples that can help this ministry grow in service to others. I pray that some day we will be able to go national and plant seeds glorifying Your name. In Jesus name , Amen.

PRIME TIME WITH GOD: IN GOD WE STILL TRUST

Why, O Lord, do You stand far off? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?" - Psalm 10:1

One of the great mysteries of God is His ways. Some of His ways almost appear to bring us into the most difficult places, as if He were indifferent to our circumstances. It would appear that He is turning His head from our sorrows. These events in our lives have a particular objective to perform for us. That objective is to bring us to the end of ourselves that we might discover the treasure of darkness. "Yet when I hoped for good, evil came; when I looked for light, then came darkness" (Job 30:26).

When we are taken into these dark periods, we begin to see light that we never knew existed. Our sensitivities become heightened and our ability to see through spiritual eyes is illuminated. Unless we are taken into these times, our souls never develop any depth of character. We do not gain wisdom, only knowledge. Knowledge is gained through understanding; wisdom is gained through the experience of darkness.

After we go through these periods, we discover that God was, in fact, with us throughout the entire time. It does not feel or appear that He is there when we are in the midst of the dark periods. However, He is there walking with us. He has told us countless times that He will never leave us. However, when we are in those dark periods, it does not feel like He is there because He does not rescue us from the circumstances. He does this for our benefit in order that we might become more like Jesus. Jesus learned obedience from the things He suffered (see Heb. 5:8). What does that say about how you and I will learn obedience? Embrace the dark times and gain the wisdom that God intends for you from these times.

By O. Hillman.

Need I say more?