LaNora Means Ministries
KJV Luke 11:13 - If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your
children: how much more shall
your
heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
Are we fully aware of God’s greatness of giving His best
to us through His Spirit?
If there is so much emphasis upon how an earthly father should
want the best for his child who asks, how much more The Almighty God,
our Heavenly Father, gives of His Spirit who desires His presence!
When He is petitioned, it never wearies Him as it would
someone of the earthly sort, for He alone gives us His best with
continual blessings we do not deserve.
©
Consider this thought! Taking the meaning of the word,
“empty”, (in the sense of lacking value, sense, or purpose),
you could note the fact of a deficiency of fidelity in true
direction; also, not realizing or becoming aware in a capacity
of thinking in truth; moreover, having no purpose to accomplish
what is truly utmost and healthy in the sight of the Supreme
Judge, who is God Himself.
Being aware that there is no actual “good” that a person
could “be” or “do” brings us to a point to acknowledge the
need for the True Mediator, Jesus Christ, and the ability
through The Holy Spirit to live “by” that grace He gave through
accepting His mercy, then live “in” the strength of The Holy Spirit.
The furtherance of this understanding would bring one to the
point to grow healthy in God’s ways and becoming even more
conscious of the fact that we are to live our lives fully devoted
to Him according to what is pleasing in His sight. In turn, this
brings true “fullness” to our lives rather than “emptiness” that
leads to destruction.
Psalm 14:1 - The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God.
They are corrupt, they have done abominable
works, there is none that doeth good.
A beautiful verse for us to consider is filled with a wealth of
blessing to those who apply it.
Ephesians 4:32- And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath
forgiven you.
Let’s look at the words, “kind”, “tenderhearted”, and “forgiving”.
The word “kind” in this verse describes how we should be in our
usefulness in our demeanor to others. This word correlates with
the noun used in Galatians 5:22, “gentleness”. We could never truly
put this into practice in a useful quality that is pleasing to God without
the love of Jesus in our hearts. His Spirit gives us the ability
to put this into action thus giving us a distinguishing quality
in attitude and conduct.
Next, we notice the word, “tenderhearted”. This is how we are
to conduct an inward affection with an ability to understand in great
depth of feeling and expression the compassion we are to extend
toward others. Walking in a Christ-filled life, we will live a pleasing
life before Him and others in our conduct and lifestyle.
These words actually work together by the divine influence of God
through a heart and life in humble submission by His gracious act of
love toward us in Christ Jesus and gives us favor with Him to be “forgiving”
to extend favor to others in the kindness of the love of Christ
Jesus our Lord and Savior.
Taking another look at Psalm 138:2, as also with the comments page,
it can be noted that His Word is pure and His promises are sure
through Christ Jesus. God has magnified in all and above all in an
intensity of enlargement of His faithfulness and truth according to
everything His mighty name stands for. He is that living Word that
is alive and well today! He lives within hearts by His Holy Spirit giving
us every reason to rejoice at His existence and praise His mighty name
for His everlasting promises that He perfects all things concerining us in
the light of His promises He gave us through Jesus Christ.
With all this known to us, we should in all acceptance give ourselves
fully to Him by humbly asking Him to help us to submit our whole lives
to prostrate ourselves toward His Holiness in utmost reverence to
Him.
If words of promise are of importance to us, and the frailness of
pronunciation of every human life, then a clear look at saying
the word by writing it this way, “
shaw-khaw’
” makes the point
absolutely plain that we are to bow ourselves down all the while
elevating our attention to God, for He alone is worthy of all praise!
Psalm 138:2 - I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise
thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast
magnified thy word above all thy name.
We see how subjection in this life has a place in the reason of
work as we see it; but one must keep in mind that only God our
Savior has done the ultimate work to bring us in line with His
standard for our lives. We could never be right before Him apart
from His grace, and that can only come through Christ Jesus our
LORD. Remembering His mercy is of utmost importance in the
Christian life, applying those principles of the love of Christ to
our lives in full assurance of faith in Him.
Take a look at Titus 3:5- “Not by works of righteousness which we
have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”
First of all, there is nothing we can work of our own efforts
to be justified before God. It is of His compassionate mercy
and ultimate love that gives us our right standing with Him.
That could only happen with HIs grace applied to our lives,
saving us, cleansing us from sin, and filling us with His presence.
If we would inspect the word “regeneration” in context of “washing”,
we would note that a cleansing takes place at salvation; and that,
in turn would mean a changed life, a renewed life. For, “regeneration”,
in this sense denotes a change from the carnal nature to a life
renewed by the grace of God in His loving mercy of salvation in
a life and heart. It places us “at one again”, which means the right
standing of our lives accepted before The Just and Almighty
God being justified by His grace that can now be put to practical use
in our lives that we may live pleasing in His sight. It is by this that
we may then understand “renewal”.
Next, if we would examine the word “renewing” in light of The
Holy Ghost, we would notice as what could be called a “renovation”.
This is the change that makes all the difference from the state of
being lost to a saved life, changed by The Spirit of God to live a life
consecrated by The Holy Spirit now living within. This is what makes
a person different in the life to be lived now verses the way one lived
before. Now, with The Holy Spirit enablement within a life, there is
not only a change of heart but a renewed mind. Our thinking should
then be transformed and have a capacity to grow and mature into a
life well pleasing in God’s sight with a hunger for His Word and
work within our lives. (Refer to Romans 12:1-2).
One might think that blessings are only based on an ideal situation,
but that is not always so, as with taking a look at the Beatitudes in
Matthew 5:3-12; for, being blessed is the favor of God received making
those “well off” no matter what the circumstance may be. So the
Greek word “makarios” in this context has a much richer meaning
than just what one would think of as being “happy”, for then that
would just seem to derive from a favorable condition. It is every
bit possible to be “fully satisfied” in a state of “blessedness” by
accepting salvation through Jesus and what He taught in instruction
of a life well lived in the blessings of Him. The demonstration of
our lives in the principles He gave us assures the fact of His blessings
upon our lives and the greatest experience of that when we partake
of the eternal blessings to come.
Keeping in mind of the “blessings” we have in Jesus, take a look
at a word in pronunciation, “eh’-sher” in Hebrew. While noting it
stated both in the KJV as well as in the AMP as “Happy is…” in
Proverbs 3:13, it is stated “How blessed is..” in the NAS and
“Blessed is..” in the NIV. Although a happiness and joyousness
does exist in living a godly life developed in the wisdom of God’s
Word applied to one’s life in the knowledge of Him, one must
fully acknowlege that the true wisdom of Him brings about a more
lasting advantage by the awareness that it is not mere knowledge
in the terms of material advantage, but a peace filled life centered
on His promises in a quality that is lasting and in direction of His
ways. That is why the word “blessed” is so important in Psalm 1:1
in the terms “well off”; for, one is “well off” not to go astray from
God’s principles that guide the right way to live. The “blessing”
then is in the conduct of living a life well pleasing before God in
His Precious Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
A person’s life is either filled up in reward of either good or bad
of what is spoken. For it produces in communication gain in
really opening up of what is inside to come out. It has consequence
in one’s self because the power it has upon the life one lives.
That is why one should take the time to discover just what
impact it has and real meaning in the influence of the love of God.
Taking a look at Proverbs 18:20, the word “satisfy” and the
pronunciation, saw-bah’ or saw-bay’-ah as with the meaning
“filled” certainly views this whole situation of what one’s self
is filled with in basis of what is said and the action of what
is felt in the heart. So, if one really means well, one should
be more careful what is said and how it is delivered forth
out of one’s mouth through the door one’s lips. It feels one’s
insides and produces forth in either a good moral standing
or a corrupt demeanor. Also read Proverbs 18:21, and ask
God to examine your heart and life by what you say!
Also see the words of Jesus in Matthew 12:33-37, and
allow yourself to be pricked in heart to repent from ill
words and turn to Jesus in the forgiveness extended
to live in victory with words of life that produce
eternal effects.
If one could only realize, in postion of Christ’s love,
the servant attitude of humbleness displayed to those
learning His ways long ago, then, Oh, how much more is
required of us today to trust the Holy Spirit’s presence in
order to follow His example, which reminds us to open
our eyes and stir us day by day with a broadening of
our understanding by His instruction to both learn and
and instruct of His ways of how He sustains and helps
in every hour of need. So the use of things said by
direction of His Sovereign care is of utmost importance
as noting Isaiah 50:4. The “learned” is a descriptive word
describing the tongue, (the instrument that God uses of us,
that is to bring forth the goodness of the Sovereign Lord),
“of the learned” that we would understand with a learned tongue.
For we hear and understand by what we know and are familiar
with. Then those who are of God would understand by His Spirit,
a language spoken by the heart, sometimes not even in terms
of any other understanding than the sure mercies of God,
for any purpose that He sees by His Almighty direction of
use to admonish, save, console, instruct, any way He chooses
upon a heart and life is God’s business not ours. So taking
a glimpse at the word “limmud”, we can understand this as
the skillfull way we are to use what God gave us by His Spirit
by being receptive to the voice of the Holy Spirit upon our lives
to both hear His voice speaking to our hearts and be instructed
in His presence that we may skillfully instruct of His help
He extends to those that need it at whatever time necessary.
In these terms, no matter how much failure and rebellion, God
holds true to the promises He has made through the deliverance
of what Jesus gave us. So the “learned” are those with a firm
grasp in a skillfull way, yet Spirit driven to lean on the Spirit,
showing forth in example as being taught by Jesus, His disciples,
by principles of HIs grace and mercy extended to those who need
the comfort that He alone can give.
It is dangerous to have a lack of perseverance in the commitment
we are to have to Christ Jesus. If noting the word “perseverance”
as a verb meaning “persist” and going further into meaning as
“going on having a fixed purpose in spite of difficulties”, we can
truly determine the importance of that persistence in the cause
of the salvation plan God gave through Jesus Christ in the joy of
the Holy Spirit. Despite the weariness stemming from constant
pressures of opposition to that truth, we are to keep the flame
kindled brightly of what God has given us. There is much in
learning to endure hardships and not growing tired of the
way we are to live in the grace of Jesus Christ without
compromising that commitment with the world’s ways
of immorality.
The presence of God should be of great desire to those
who seek to grow into the maturity of a strong heart
yearning to worship Him in praise and honor to His
glory. With a look at Psalm 84:11, in desire of His
dwelling with the abundance of His glory, and then
Isaiah 60:19 in a prophetic glimpse of the brightness
of His glory, then also Malachi 4:2 in healing and
renewal by mercy of His glory, we can see why it
is so important to reverence Him for His glory.
First in reference to Psalm 84:11, The Self-existent,
Eternal and Supreme God is stated in the likeness of
a sun and shield. First of all, in this life we travel
through, it is important to acknowledge God as source
of protection in the brillance of His excellent glory,
extended in His grace, in the favor of His mercy, by
the conduction of our lives in submission to reverence
Him by living in a manner of integrity befitting to the
lifestyle we are to live. The words are not meant as
a worship to objects we see either in the sky or else
objects as to what we understand as protective
measures on earth; rather, the depth of meaning is
supposed to imply as with the word “sun” as to give
the meaning of the radiance shone in the glory of His
presence bestowed and our “shield” that is, protector
in the mercy in the strength of His glory that we do
not even deserve to be near. But by His favor and honor
bestowed, He doesn’t withhold any good thing He extends
to us who have a willing heart to live a life pleasing to Him
in a blameless way of uprightness with a sincere mind
in truth and virtue of His Word to us.
As yearning for the presence that we cannot fully
understand as of yet (because of our weak and delicate
disposition as human beings), we still have the expectation
that in time to come will be the reality of seeing the
opening of the gates into His presence that is forever open
and the acknowledgment of the tangible Glory we
will behold some day that will be brought to our greater
awareness, for then we will see and understand more clearly
and the things we behold now and see in the atmosphere will
no longer be needed for the brightness of His glory will
be forever and outshine any earthly element of place
holder in the sky as we see from our earthly perspective.
Our protection in God will then ever be secured by the
wall of salvation built upon the work through the ages
of care in those who took part and the understanding
of the One true Savior as Jesus Christ our Lord has
ushered in by His Saving work that the Almighty GOD
had planned from His plan that would make it possible
in the entrance of praise through the gates because of His
grace. For as with Isaiah 60:19 and affirmed also in
Revelation 21:23 and 22:5 no place holder in the sky
that we acknowledge by our human perception or
earthly object of benefit will be needed because Jesus
is that light and the brillance of God shining is so
bright that we will see in the clearness of His presence
forever beholding His Glory!
Keeping all this in mind, there is great need to
reverence God in the fullest capacity that our hearts
can realize of His great judgment upon sin and stay
strong in the firmness of His care for there is healing
in Him and an expectation of joy through Jesus given
to those that stay true to Him. Renewal is just as true
to those in God as judgment is real and sure to happen
to the wicked! (Malachi 4:2)
It is of utmost importance to remember that we must
keep our minds alert to know that GOD is the One we
are to worship and not the things of this life where some
who err by placing an emphasis on loving the things
of this life above God (which is contemptible practice
not only before God- but also which God despises the
disobedience and the rebellious acts of those who pay
homage to such practices.) He is a “jealous” God, and
He requires our attention to Him to be in the way that
our attitude should be brought in line with an obedince
on our part to His command for us to put Him first!
First, lets look at the word, “jealous”, in regard to God.
The Hebrew word in the KJV for “jealous” using the
phonetic sound of the word which is kan-naw’ and is an
adjective (a descriptive word and describes a distinguishing
feature of how God feels toward those who stoop to such
levels in that He doesn’t tolerate such behavior
(refer to Exodus 20:3-5).
A further look into the word itself is a word in comparison
which in phonetic sound is kan-no’ which means “jealous” or
“angry” and which would help us acknowledge His justice served
to those who in contempt of that mandate as in Exodus 20:3-5.
Taking a glimpse into Exodus 20:5, we notice the effects it
has upon the future generations of those who transgress.
But what is so wonderful as to what God has done throughout
the ages has its anwer in the next verse. In Exodus 20:6, we
can understand how God is faithful to His Word that out of
His favor (to those who love Him and who have heeded His
divine instruction) He showed His lovingkindness to
generations well beyond that by justification through
faith promised long before (see Genesis 15:6) and given to
those who trusted and believed far into the future. For this
we can be thankful for His grace in the New Covenant given
through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, Who redeemed
us and brought us in union with that perfect love through
His perfect WORD to us and brings the unity in the body of
His believers to heed the second greatest commandment as
the words of Jesus say clear in Matthew 22:39, “…You shall
love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus is referring to Scripture
stating The Word in Leviticus 19:18, and He states in
Matthew 22:40 the fact of testimony that these Scriptures
have in regard to those who have understood and took
to heart and applied to mind the principles involved invoking
blessings when applied the way God intended.
So we must reason our belief that He is not a human that
would lie nor change His mind and what He has spoken He
makes good. (Numbers 23:19) and that His gifts and His call
are incapable of being revoked (Romans 11:29).
All of this is why we must take it seriously the grace He gave
us and be assured He is just to be “jealous” whenever wrongdoing
causes bondage that takes much time to heal generations ove
r.
A firm acknowledgment of the goodness of God can be noted
in James 1:17, where it states, “Every good gift and every perfect
gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights,
with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”
First of all, take a look at the word “good”. We can understand
that God is good in relation to the action of His influence in
power and effect to give to us freely what is profitable for us
in usefulness, and it doesn’t lack in what is needed in moral growth;
for, it brings completeness and doesn’t fluctuate like a ray of
light shining through passing clouds. It doesn’t change like
shadows that shift with position, or obscured by rotation, as
in the changing of seasons. Instead, “Every good and perfect
gift comes from the true source, God Himself, Who is the Father
of all such who seek Him. He not only bestows to us the wisdom
we need to live right, but that by faith and not doubt, we can
endure the trials we face and be steadfast in position to the
truth He has given us through Jesus His Son. As the Father Who
shone His love divinely through the Son, manifesting Himself
and gave us His best gift ever of Himself, we have the assurance
that if we live our lives morally correct in Him and not according
to giving in to evil nature, we will be in right standing both now
and blessed even more in time to come.
LaNora G. Means
Continue
Keeping the above statement in mind, one could draw the
conclusion in observing Psalm 14:1 that “the fool” spoken
of is one who lives in such a way as if God didn’t exist.
A “fool” is someone who is corrupt morally, disregarding
moral restraints that is purposed in God’s Word that brings
a right standing with Him in the sight of Christ Jesus our Lord.
