Because the
couples’ wardrobe looks good on those doing the commercial, but may not fit the
one going to exotic island. And the “one” going on this trip may not need an
alcoholic beverage because they have had issues in their past with all kinds of
liquor. And will everyone still be
dancing, kicking sand up with naked toes, and laughing without any control when
the visit is finished and the plane ride is the next thing home! Masks anyone?
I told my
husband I wanted to go to this one car dealership who advertises constantly on T.V. and ask them if we could take
out one of their vehicles for a test drive and ask them if I could drive it
like their commercials show. I mean we can certainly see those who hi-jacked
someone’s car do all kinds of jumps over barbed-wire fencing, flying over the
top of an interstate exit and slam into a tree to prove it can stand the
strain. But the looks of it on the outside
describes it only as that of destruction and of no use to anyone. And for
those commercials, and I could list many here, but I am not sure what these
people are trying to sell: only destructive type driving skills, destroy the
new vehicle in short time by driving over gravel roads, snow and ice and traveling at 100 miles per hour or so to prove what? For those who have hijacked someone else’s vehicle, some have taken this
to the max for they certainly took it from those commercials! Well if they are demonstrating that, is that right for us to do?
My son, if your heart is wise, My heart will rejoice---indeed, I myself. When our daughter was growing up, we were all about her education, then her development to live in a home and do work as others living within that home. There was things to been done in living under one roof. We expected her development to grow in the workplace and did not stop her from getting work as her grades always maintained that 4.0. She knew if she owned a car, she was going to pay for all its maintenance. There would be no forgetting insurance or any other thing connected to its maintenance.
Then Proverbs
23:16 yes, my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak right things. 17
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all
the day; 18 For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off.
And this is
a must for children to not curse their parents or any family member. Children as
they grow are to respect their parents and I am certain some parents did not
live unto their parenting roles as expected, but you have the parents you have
been given by the Lord. Whether they be right or wrong, still it is God who
will judge. He has His eyes on those who
He is looking to be His own children. And we are to obey His instruction when
becoming that born again unto His kingdom which has come to us spiritually.
We are to speak right things. We are to speak right about our lives, about our parents and about the faith we have in our Lord Jesus.
Our faith
is to demonstrate where our trust resides! A deliberate trust will reveal who
we serve. And certainly God the Lord does not want the members of His church to
follow the example of unbelief! Hebrews 4:2 For indeed the gospel was preached
to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them,
not being mixed with faith in those who hear it. We are to not just hear Gods
gospel of truth but we are to believe it. We are to share it, participate in it
and yes be a companion to it! Partaking of Christ is a daily activity. We are
to understand and live in cooperation to God’s kingdom, and it comes by the
revelation of the Holy Spirit to us. It is the Holy Spirit revealing Jesus to
us, to help us focus on adoring Him in His perfect reflection of God’s glory
and by His blood, our minds are cleansed to serve him without hesitation.
It was the
prophet Isaiah who penned words here in Isaiah 43:1-3, 5 Fear not, for I have
redeemed you; I have called you by your
name; You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and
through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the
fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. 3 For I am the
LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; “Fear not, for I am with
you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west;
Throughout
His Word it is God Who has promised us His protection. And He is especially watchful
to protect those who will carry out His great command! Those who will be His
witnesses, whether in Seattle, Washington, or Lyle, Washington, whether it be
in Tokyo, Japan or the Isle of Man. God can deliver you from those who might
want to harm you in evil ways. He gave us parents that we might learn of Him
and know Him. And for some today, many never had a parent to teach them of
Jesus or the right way to live. Oh, they might teach them of being slaves to
something, but not experiencing life that is free in Jesus Christ. And the Lord
Jesus can deliver us from situations that are life-threatening, and deliver us
into that peaceful place but He does not guarantee to cover our foolishness
when we ourselves persist into putting our lives in those potentially dangerous
situations. He is God and He abhors being tempted as if He needs to prove
Himself and His power to us. ( example seen in Psalm 78)
As parents we have that desire that our children grow up safe and act as mature individuals showing responsibility to their own lives and for showing a compassion for their neighbors. And that “faith” thing appears in whether we truly trust in the Lord or just throwing some words around and see if they stick to anything.
NOW this account is only given in the book of Mark! We also know that there are presented here that point to the commission of the apostles: as in Matthew 28: 16-20 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20”teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen. ( and is also found Luke 24:36-49)
But it is here in the book of Mark that we are given this: “signs will follow those who believe.” Now there
are Christians who will deliberately handle snakes ( and yes this is tempting
God), but in truth the very meaning has to do with trust that Christians are
protected if they are bitten. We are reminded of Paul on that ship headed
toward Rome. NO cruise ship and no islands of pleasure with music, men
delivering mixed drinks to the cabana, nor people dancing toasting the day
away, no this was on the island of
Malta.
And the ship Paul was on, well, it fell apart into splinters,
for the seas were rough and those who should have been paying attention to Paul’s
warnings, decided they knew more about ships, and the seas, so these
navigators, ship owners, and even a centurion made up their own minds about it!
But warnings came by the Holy Spirit to stay put and you will know that even
today, money speaks louder than words. Stay put and people go headlong into disasters!
Acts 28:1-6 Now when they had escaped, they then found out
that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us un usual
kindness; for they kindles a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain
that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle
of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and
fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his
hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer whom, though he has escaped the sea,
yet justice does not allow to live. 5
But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However,
they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But
after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was
a god.
It was Luke the physician who wrote in Luke 10:17-20 Then
the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us
in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from
heaven. 19”Behold, I give you that authority to trample on serpents and
scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means
hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject
to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”
He also recorded in Acts 5:12... . through the hands of the
apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people."
BUT Mark says: Mark 16:17…. . these signs will follow those
who believe." He did not list who
they were just that to all believers, to all Christians, regardless of when
they live, they will have sings to follow them.
Well, for Paul he had prayed and the Holy Spirit revealed to
him of the trip to Rome and what would transpire if they did not wait! In Paul
what was revealed was a man led by the Holy Spirit in His power, love and sound
mind. And is that operating within us? For any parent, we desire great things
for our children and our grandchildren, but it will come by trusting in the
Lord and praying for them. We desire our children and grandchildren to be the
wise, to revere God, respect their parents who gave them a home to live in and the resources to grow and become what
God intended. And prayer is the thing required to see it come to pass. Prayer
is the major purpose for us to draw near to God for us to be comparing
spiritual things with spiritual…that is …….spiritually discerning. And we do
that with the Holy Spirit for we will harmonize
with God when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us through prayer. With God’s
Spirit we are eternally equipped to live eternally in peace and oneness with
God, to hear what He has spoken & what He has done so that we do the same. Praying stimulates our faith, helps us to trust
more fully & to lean on & in His truth.
Faith is paramount! Hopefully you will not be on a cruise
distend to stormy seas, where the cruise director has never you locked down
because of some corona-virus thing or the such? Psalm 37:37 Mark the blameless
man and observe the upright; for the future of that man is peace.
Surely we will not be those who blame another for our
failure if we have not prayed for our spouse, our children or neighbor? Surely
we will not be those who whine and complain when our desire is not met for this
nation or its leaders, if we have not touched God with prayer? May we bring into remembrance His words
spoken …so surely deliberate that we will not lead those astray in thinking we
are all that, but that we are among His people, we are led by His power for His
glory and in Him we will continue to see light, will see the wise among His own
and declare His glory for He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday. Wait patiently in Him for in Him there is
nothing to fear and nothing to be envious about! Amen.
