GREENE STREET LETTERS: How Long Lord?

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

How Long Lord?

I've been in Habakkuk, reading and studying. More reading than studying.
Lots of prophetic Scripture about God revealing his plans for the future of Jerusalem.
It's hard for me to read about God warning the people time and time again. He sent prophets to speak his word. He sent signs to awaken the people and yet they still held onto their sin. Their disobedience multiplied by their rejecting God and turning to idols and other forms of worship.

Poor ol' Habakkuk is stuck in the middle of this mess. Do you ever wonder whether or not he was tempted to join the crowd? Chapter one begins with Habakkuk asking God a question. Well, it more of Habakkuk crying out to God out of frustration and anger.
"HOW LONG! How long O Lord must I call for help? But you do not listen! Violence! I cry, but you do not come to save." Isn't that part of our problem? We look around at the state of our country, at the state of the world and cry out to God...."What's up with all of this? The bad guys are winning. Hey God! What about us? What about those of us who have chosen to be on your side?"

I think I have to remember that God is still in control of everything even when it looks like he isn't. If you read on in Chapter one at verse 5 God answers Habakkuk's cry.
The Lord replied, "Look at the nations and be amazed! Watch and be astounded at what I will do! For I am doing something in own day, something you wouldn't believe even if someone told you about it."

God tells Habakkuk, quit whining and crying (even though Habakkuk probably had reason to) and realize that a greater work is taking place. God goes on to say that you might not be able to see or discern it at this moment, but keep watching and you will see what I am doing.
I find comfort in that passage.
To know that no matter what is going on in my part of the world, God already knows. God is working a plan that I probably can't see. I think this part falls under faith and trust. My faith to trust God that he knows best and that no matter what happens, he isn't caught off guard. No matter what happens, he still is at work to bring his Kingdom in.

In Chapter two there is an interesting verse where God continues his dialog with Habakkuk.
Verse 3, God says, "But these things I plan won't happen right way. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed."

Be careful what you take into yourself.
Be careful what you watch and listen to.
The news on TV and the Internet is full of fear right now. Don't let that become a part of you.
Fear leads to anxiousness.
Anxiousness leads to doubt.
Doubt leads to making bad decisions.
Why?
Because you are fearful.
Time and time again in Scripture when God would speak to someone or someone would receive an angelic visitation, the first thing spoken was usually "FEAR NOT!"
Find the peace of God for your heart today.
Then walk in it.
Don't let the world or its message rob you of it and know that God's plans are being worked out around you in you this day.
Think on these things.

God on you.......
mb

4 comments:

Bobby said...: Fear not is the message of the hour. But if someone is afraid turn to Ps.46 or 91 and don't forget 37!; March 5, 2010 at 8:37 PM
Greene Street Letters said...: I want to learn to ever trust God on an increasing level. I dont' want to be a slave to fear again.
mb; March 6, 2010 at 2:30 PM
sHiBu said...: I am sure i lead by the Holy Spirit when i came to your blog, it was just accidental. This message is just what i needed at this hour.. For me it is some important decisions to take in life, i doubt is that out of my fear? And the message i got is this “I have to take those in peace which Christ" :) God Bless; March 7, 2010 at 2:31 PM
Greene Street Letters said...: Doubt does come from our fear sometimes. Fear keeps me from trusting God to help me with whatever situation I am facing.
We all struggle with this so I don't want you feel as though you are alone.
I will be praying for you that the peace of God would fill you. Please pray the same for me and my family. Thank you so much for sharing with me here at the Greene Street Letters.
mb; March 8, 2010 at 7:58 AM

Looking At The World Through Cracked Lens

As ol' Paul wrote in his Corinthian letters.."We see in part and we know in part." Now what piece of this bit of wisdom do we not get? I wish to not run around acting and trying to be some sort of Biblical G00-Ru (I meant to spell it wrong). Or a sage of sages.

I simply want to be able to communicate some of what God has given to me. Why? Do I think what I get is better than what you may have received from Him? Nope. But I do think encouragement comes when we share our daily story of struggle and victory in an effort to encourage each other.

Thanks for letting me share.

Time to soldier on..

mbb

Our Statement of Faith

We believe that God is the eternal king. He is an infinite, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in holiness, wisdom, goodness, justice, power and love. From all eternity He exists as the One Living and True God in three persons of one substance, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit equal in power and glory. we believe that God created mankind in His image, male and female, for relationship with Himself and to govern the earth. Under the temptation of Satan, our original parents fell from grace, bringing sin, sickness and God's judgment of death to the earth. Through the fall, Satan and his demonic hosts gained access to God's good creation. Creation now experiences the consequences and effects of Adam's original sin. Human beings are born into sin, subject to God's judgment of death and captive to Satan's kingdom of darkness. We believe that Jesus, God's Son, was sent to this world, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, Mary, fully God and fully man in one person. He is humanity as God intended us to be. Jesus was anointed as God's Messiah and empowered by the Holy Spirit, ushering in God's kingdom reign on earth, overpowering the reign of Satan by resisting temptation, preaching the good news of salvation, healing the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. Jesus' atoning death on the cross took God's judgment for sin which we deserved as law-breakers. Jesus' resurrection and ascent back to heaven opened the door for those who received salvation to begin a relationship with God.

Little Nets Into Deep Waters

Fishing nets were designed for one purpose only. To catch fish. Nets are no good if they stay on the boat. Nets serve no purpose if they are never used. I think maybe God sees us this way. We are all created for a purpose (by the way, the creator gets to define what our purpose is). Any other use besides the one we were created for does us no good. But when the creator places His hands upon us, casting us out into those scary, dark places with deep waters, it is then we can see the reality of our purpose. He knew there would be a catch waiting for us. I think I will be the net God has called me to be.

The Twelve Steps

As a community of people in recovery, we affirm that our higher power is Jesus Christ. He did for us what we could not do for ourselves. Just as God told the children of Israel He was going to give them a promised land, He has revealed to us that He desires to give us a "Promised Life." When Israel got to the promised land, God instructed them to go and in a possess it, fight for it and claim it. In recovery, the 12 Steps are the directions given to us on how to fight, possess and claim this promised life.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

How Long Lord?

4 comments:

THE REALITY OF THE NAME OF GOD