Guardians of Life

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Month: January 2016

The Turnbuckle

January 26, 2016 /

A couple of Sunday’s ago the Lord was telling me of a turnbuckle (pictured). Having used these before I understood what He was talking about. I just didn’t know what He meant by it. As I pondered it for a little bit I had a close friend pray with me about it and I asked him what the Holy Spirit was saying to him. He gave me what he was impressed with by the Holy Spirit and I thanked him. But I kept thinking about this turn buckle.

First let me explain its purpose and how it works. Its purpose is to tight or loosen tension between two points. This is used often with gates to keep them from sagging in the middle. I have used it at work for an emergency pull cord to quickly stop a conveyor. It works in a manner that it is attached between two points. Such as a cord and a device that controls tension like the emergency stop device. Tension is adjusted by turning the center part in either direction. One way it will tighten it or the other way will loosen it. Drawing both ends of the turnbuckle in or out at the same time.

One of the first thoughts is how does this apply to me spiritually? Well what I noticed is that I like many people will focus on my situation only. Now if you cover up half of the turnbuckle you will only see a bracket and an end part that turns. So we start to urn the end part trying ti fix our problem or to change our situation. We don’t always think about the rest of it. Because we aren’t seeing the whole thing. Please note that we may not be allowed to see the whole thing because God doesn’t allow us to. Often times its after the fact that God shows us the whole picture. So, if we now focus on our half of the turnbuckle we know that its the “bracket” part that doing all the work of the adjustment. This is God doing His thing on two ends at the same time. This is of course leading us to another question. How do we know what is happening at the other end? The answer is that we may not know. But, we do have one thing going in our favor. Its called FAITH. In Hebrews 11:1 it states “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (NIV). We need to continue to do what is expected of us without worrying about the rest of it. Controlling the outcome is not our duty or choice. Being obedient to God and doing what He asks of us is. Believing in God to handle the other part can be the hard part. It does come easier to us the more we let go and just have faith. And when its time for us to see the other part, God will show us.

One example of this is Saul’s (Paul) conversion. As our Lord blinded Saul and spoke to him about going to Damascus He spoke to Ananias about Saul coming to see him and what he was to say and do for Saul. This is a good example of God working both ends at the same time. This is found in Acts 9:1-19. At first Saul didn’t know exactly what was happening but, He listened and obeyed God. When He needed to know something God told him at that time. Faith is a powerful thing to have. Faith is letting God be God. Allowing Him to do what He does when He does it and how He does it. Then we say Thank you and give Him all the praise.

So, keep a turnbuckle near you in your prayer/study area. This can and will remind you to have faith and let God be God. Doing exactly whats best.

Be blessed, Ken

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Turnbuckle

Change

January 4, 2016 /

Well here we are in the new year and The Lord gave me a word to share with you. At the end of the year The lord told me this. “Change; refinement, adjustment. Not who you are, for you have been prepared for this time. Just your habits need work. Don’t settle for that which is good or even pleasing. Perfect is the key. No need to strive for this. You are already there. Only one vision is needed and that’s mine. Why go there where I’m not. My will, my vision is perfect. Don’t doubt. Listen to me. I won’t put you where I don’t want you. I’ve laid out before you a path that I want you to walk. Trust and obey. That which is, isn’t. That which should be, isn’t. That who is before you is. Look up and take hold of who is.”

In the first part of this we get a definition of change. This is His definition. Not what we think of when we hear the word change. Its a rather small change. Using the words refinement and adjustment leave us to thinking that we are close to where He wants us. Then giving us the area of what needs work. Our habits. Often times we start out with good intentions, but fall short of what is truly needed. Its easy to stray from that which is challenging. There is an expression that says old habits die hard. Do they really need to die or just be refined.

So our Lord gives us more guidance by telling us not settle for good or pleasing. We will get started and find that it is hard and stop at good or pleasing. Thinking that this is enough. Its not. He wants us to go all the way. Like when He told Peter to come to Him on the water. Yes, Peter asked a question and Jesus answered by telling him to come. So Peter left the boat and went to Jesus. When he saw the waves he became frightened. Jesus then reached out His hand and helped Peter up. At that point Jesus said to Peter “you of little faith, why did you doubt” ( Matthew 14:22-34). Doubt and fear go hand in hand.

Continuing in this tone the Lord tells us that perfect is the key. But, don’t get all worked up about. Because He says that we are already there. Going on to tell us that His point of view is the only one that matters. Don’t look in a mirror and tell the Lord that He is wrong. Though remaining humble about it is also what he wants Not someone being overly proud of themselves. Adding that His way is perfect and just walk the path He has set before us. It may be hard, but we need to do it. He didn’t say it would be easy. He did say to trust Him and obey Him.

This last part is also a warning and an answer. We are not to trust what we see. Things will appear to be the right way but are not. Answers and responses are going to be the correct ones. At least that’s what we think. To know for sure, we are to look up to Him for the answers. We look up by going down to our knees in prayer. Having a conversation with Him who matters most. Him who has all the answers. Him who is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus has our best interests in mind. Lets just trust Him and obey. It is not easy tom do all the time. But it is what we need to do. I am saying this because this prophecy is speaking to me. And if its speaking to me I’m sure its speaking to many of you. Your not alone in this walk. The Lord said that he will never leave you nor forsake you. This is my comfort. Is it yours?

Be blessed, Ken

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