The truth is, without God's ability to use His believers, who are His vessels on earth, used as beacons of light to cut through the darkness, the earth without His presence, would evoke the same response by all humankind.
For without God there is no light, peace, or joy, only mirages of what the deceiver, Satan, would like us to think is peace and happiness. He is the master manipulator and this is his territory. OK, so I will share what the Spirit has shown me once you have had a chance to read the encounter below. Thank you Jackie for sharing,<3
"So I paid someone's toll going over the Rip Van Winkle bridge, someone I didn't even know, just as an act of kindness. I told the toll collector "just tell the person behind me ,the girl in the blue mustang says "Happy New Year." As the man's truck that I paid the toll for approached, I thought, he is going to wave and say thank you, instead he gave me the middle Finger. Really? An act of kindness deserves that reaction."
Our first Carnal knee-jerk reaction for most of us, would be the same, Unbelievable, really? how discouraging, how rude, how ungrateful, how ugly, what a jerk, etc. But God spoke so much more in that one simple act, and not just to us as believers, but to this man, this very lost man, who needs our prayers, as Jesus showed us in the scripture below.
Luke 6:27-36
[27] "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. [30] Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. [31] Do to others as you would have them do to you.
[32] "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. [33] And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. [34] And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. [35] But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
My friend Jackie did that from her heart, as the Spirit laid it on her to do so, by obeying and being obedient the Father showed us many things and will bless Jackie as He promised in the above verse. He tells us this as we read His word every day, but as we know, reading and actually living and doing, have very different responses.
We know the world is dark and evil, and belongs to Satan, and that those who don't know Jesus are lost, and don't know peace, the kind our Father speaks of. Unbeliever's can't see the warmth and comfort of His amazing light, love, and joy, but instead they live in fear and darkness, under the control of the deceiver. He keeps them in the dark so they can't see or feel the truth, that is why God needs us.
Our physical bodies are His Vehicle to use. He shines through us in all different ways, for all different circumstances, the more obedient we are, the more light that takes over the planet. We see in this story how we would respond without the Living God within, He wants us to pray and keep praying, He wants us to keep being kind, knowing how hard Satan is going to make it for us to do so, by making people respond just in this same manner ugly and hateful. As with so many of His promises in His word, we find strength and encouragement as in:
Hebrews 13:5
5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,
“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you or His promise in Romans 8:31 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
never will I forsake you or His promise in Romans 8:31 31 What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Over and over in His word God reassures us that through all things He is beside us, in us, and with us. I am so grateful for this little story, because I find it so helpful and confirming, that now more than ever, the Spirit wants us to put God's love out there.
He wants us to share our testimony, keep on witnessing and to remember that when we are kind and give, it is only through God, the glory belongs to Him. It is not meant to stroke our ego, or make us feel good, that's what God's love and mercy are for, that is why He filled us with the comfort and strength of the Holy Spirit.
He has many blessings for all His children, both here on earth and in Heaven. What can we gain from this earthly world that can possibly top that? I pray we all have an awesome week and that this story enlightened us, not discouraged us, but propelled us even further in our quest to be more Christ like. I pray we all have a pain-free as possible week and that we all continue to feel our loving Father's embrace through all circumstances.
I hope the below poem from my upcoming book " Poems of the Eternal Heart a Daily Devotional" will add to the inspiration for you're upcoming week. Love, hugs, and prayers, Patricia xox <3
I Am Always Near
There are days when you can feel me,
and other's you may not,
but always know I'm with you,
to give you all I got.
When you walk along the path I made,
and are doing as I ask,
it allows me to keep on giving,
those crucial, vital, tasks.
For to fulfill My will and purpose,
you must shine brightly every day,
so that Satan's ugly darkness,
shrinks smaller and moves away.
From all my loving children,
for whom I prepared a place,
I look forward to that glorious day,
When I look upon you're face.....
Patricia VanDenburg
1/13/14
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