Pushing against the Rock

Mark 12:³⁰ And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Old email reposted:

A man was sleeping at night in his cabin when suddenly his room filled with light and the Savior appeared. The Lord told the man he had work for him to do, and showed him a large rock in front of his cabin. The Lord explained that the man was to push against the rock with all his might.

This the man did, day after day. For many years he toiled from sun up to sun down, his shoulders set squarely against the cold, massive surface of the unmoving rock, pushing it with all his might. Each night the man returned to his cabin sore, and worn out, feeling that his whole day had been spent in vain.

Noticing that the man was showing signs of discouragement, the adversary decided to enter the picture by placing thoughts into the man’s weary mind. “You have been pushing against this rock for a long time, and it hasn’t budged. Why kill yourself over this? You are never going to move it.” Thus giving the man the impression that the task was impossible and that he was a failure. These troubling thoughts discouraged and disheartened the man. “Why kill myself over this?” I’ll just put in my time, giving just the minimum effort and that will be good enough.

And that is what he planned to do until one day he decided to make it a matter of prayer and take his thoughts to the Lord. “Lord” he said, “I have labored long and hard in your service, putting all my strength to do that which you have asked. Yet, after all this time, I have not even been able to budge that rock. What is wrong? Why am I failing?”

The Lord responded compassionately, “My friend, When I asked you to serve me and you accepted, I told you that your task was to push against the rock with all your strength, which you have done. Never once did I mention to you that I expected you to move it. Your task was to push. And now you come to me with your strength spent, thinking that you have failed. But, is that really so?”

“Look at yourself. Your arms are strong and muscled, your back sinewy and brown, your hands are callused from constant pressure, and your legs have become massive and hard. Through opposition you have grown much and your abilities now surpass that which you used to have. Yet you haven’t moved the rock. But your calling was to be obedient and to push and to exercise your faith and trust in my wisdom. This you have done. I, my friend, will now move the rock.”

At times, when we hear a word from God, we tend to use our own intellect to decipher what He wants, when actually what God wants is simple obedience and Faith in Him…

By all means exercise the faith that moves mountains, but know that it is still God who moves them.

Righteous Dress or Booty Shorts

Isaiah3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.9 The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! for they have rewarded evil unto themselves.10 Say ye to the righteous, that it shall be well with him: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.11 Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths.13 The LORD standeth up to plead, and standeth to judge the people.14 The LORD will enter into judgment with the ancients of his people, and the princes thereof: for ye have eaten up the vineyard; the spoil of the poor is in your houses.15 What mean ye that ye beat my people to pieces, and grind the faces of the poor? saith the Lord GOD of hosts.16 Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:17 Therefore the Lord will smite with a scab the crown of the head of the daughters of Zion, and the LORD will discover their secret parts.18 In that day the Lord will take away the bravery of their tinkling ornaments about their feet, and their cauls, and their round tires like the moon,19 The chains, and the bracelets, and the mufflers,20 The bonnets, and the ornaments of the legs, and the headbands, and the tablets, and the earrings,21 The rings, and nose jewels,22 The changeable suits of apparel, and the mantles, and the wimples, and the crisping pins,23 The glasses, and the fine linen, and the hoods, and the vails.24 And it shall come to pass, that instead of sweet smell there shall be stink; and instead of a girdle a rent; and instead of well set hair baldness; and instead of a stomacher a girding of sackcloth; and burning instead of beauty.

As redeemed daughters of the Most High we are to be set apart.  So are you moving in Isaiah 3:18-24 a haughty daughter of Zion.  Is your righteous dress fake to just hide your sin or are you clothed in Abbas image His righteousness??

Abbas light manifest in the spirit and in the flesh.....so if u are not dressed in the physical can you still be seen as His righteous daughter????   In other words is your walk in the Father a pair of booty shorts or adorned dress.....It matters??

Remember You are in a Battle

2 Esdras Chapter 7:42He answered me, and said, This present life is not the end where much glory doth abide; therefore have they prayed for the weak.43 But the day of doom shall be the end of this time, and the beginning of the immortality for to come, wherein corruption is past,44 Intemperance is at an end, infidelity is cut off, righteousness is grown, and truth is sprung up.45 Then shall no man be able to save him that is destroyed, nor to oppress him that hath gotten the victory.

 Reading on:

2Esdras7:57 Then answered he me, and said, This is the condition of the battle, which man that is born upon the earth shall fight;58 That, if he be overcome, he shall suffer as thou hast said: but if he get the victory, he shall receive the thing that I say.
59 For this is the life whereof Moses spake unto the people while he lived, saying, Choose thee life, that thou mayest live.

1 Maccabees 3:44“Then was the congregation gathered together, that they might be ready for battle, and that they might pray, and ask mercy and compassion.”

Ecclesiasticus 37:15“And above all this pray to the most High, that he will direct thy way in truth.”

Power of Prayer

Psalms 34:17 - [The righteous] cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.

 

2 Esdras 8:24“O hear the prayer of thy servant, and give ear to the petition of thy creature.”

Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Ecclesiasticus 18:23“Before thou prayest, prepare thyself; and be not as one that tempteth the Lord.”

James 5:16 - Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Ecclesiasticus 28:2“Forgive thy neighbour the hurt that he hath done unto thee, so shall thy sins also be forgiven when thou prayest.”

Mark 11:25“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” 

 

Wisdom of Solomon 7:7“Wherefore I prayed, and understanding was given me: I called upon God, and the spirit of wisdom came to me.”

Judith 8:31“Therefore now pray thou for us, because thou art a godly woman, and the Lord will send us rain to fill our cisterns, and we shall faint no more.”

Ecclesiasticus 35:16“He that serveth the Lord shall be accepted with favour, and his prayer shall reach unto the clouds.”

Tobit 12:15“I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, which present the prayers of the saints, and which go in and out before the glory of the Holy One.”

1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing.

Are you wise?

Ecclesiasticus 1:8“There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne.” 

Proverbs 14:1“Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”

 

Building a house takes time effort and energy. If you look at each task of love that  you do in your daily life. Laundry, dishes, cooking, encouragement of your family or friends, kind words, selfless behavior. That's only six bricks. How many more would you need to build an entire house?? So if each thing we do builds our house and we have the ability to tear it down with our words????? We need to be very careful to guard our mouths and conduct our lives as women of wisdom.  

^{Prov 31:25}Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. ²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. ²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Tobit 4:18“Ask counsel of all that are wise, and despise not any counsel that is profitable.”

Psalm 49:3My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.

Deuteronomy 32:29“O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!”

Deuteronomy Chapter 4:5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the LORD my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land whither ye go to possess it.6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

Ecclesiasticus 9:15“Let thy talk be with the wise, and all thy communication in the law of the most High.”

Ecclesiasticus Chapter 6:32 My son, if thou wilt, thou shalt be taught: and if thou wilt apply thy mind, thou shalt be prudent.33 If thou love to hear, thou shalt receive understanding: and if thou bow thine ear, thou shalt be wise,34 Stand in the multitude of the elders; and cleave unto him that is wise.35 Be willing to hear every godly discourse; and let not the parables of understanding escape thee.36 And if thou seest a man of understanding, get thee betimes unto him, and let thy foot wear the steps of his door.37 Let thy mind be upon the ordinances of the Lord and meditate continually in his commandments: he shall establish thine heart, and give thee wisdom at thine owns desire.

 

  Remember the parable of the ten virgins. A wise woman is prepared for the things that she might face in the day. She looks to The Most High for wisdom and direction concerning her day, then she prepares so that she will be ready for what may lie ahead. If you are a mother you really have learned to be prepared because you have a little one depending on you for everything.So whether it is a sweater on a chilly day, a snack, diapers & wipes, or computers and books for a study day, Learning to be prepared in this natural realm can

 translate into the Spiritual realm making us get prepared for Christs soon return.

Matthew Chapter 25:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps

Distractions

Deuteronomy 4:29“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

Just heard a new jam by Mav Bronze and Fred the Genius called distractions.DISTRACTION - Fred &The Genius AHAYAH & Brotha Bron7e They made a good point in there. Have you allowed what is only a distraction to become your idol?? It's all ment to distract us from study prayer and worship. There is an old saying excuses are just lies you will make time for what's important to you. When you sit down and prioritize your life what is at the top of the list? Where did prayer and study fall? Seek me first and all these things shall be added into you.(Luke 12:31) What about time??? You may say I never have enough hours in a day. What about that when you seek the creator of all things he can reach you how to maximize your time to get even more done. No excuses were need commitment!!! The king of kings is soon to come and he asked when I return will I find faith? If your focus is on shopping, cleaning, working, even your family PRIORITIZE so the creator will find you in order when he returns.

Luke 21:34 - And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and [so] that day come upon you unawares.

Zephaniah 2:3“Seek ye the LORD, all ye meek of the earth, which have wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness: it may be ye shall be hid in the day of the LORD'S anger.” 

#devotional

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Are you still connected????

We are in our latter days and all of the systems around us are failing.  So as daughters of the Most High we should be ready for them to fall.  Is your connection strong enough to sustain you????? 

Look around if you can't move physically..... have you truly done so spiritually.  Have you heeded Rev 18:4 or will you leave His promise to please your flesh????

 Revelation 18:4

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

Does your spiritual and physical lamp have oil when it comes down to it(Matthew 25: 1-12)???

Matthew Chapter 25

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

 

The time is now to seek Him if we want His promise  or not !!!!

What is your go to scripture?

No matter how together we seem to have it we all have days where we're not so together. Where we feel down or frazzled, or overwhelmed. That is when the Most High encourages us to get in His word. His word.Some of my favorite go to scriptures are:

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Mark 9:23 “Yashaya said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.”

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

John 15:7

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.


Some popular ones are

Psalms 118:24  “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

 

Psalms 19:1

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.

 

Isaiah 26:3

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

 

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

 

Proverbs 3:5

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

 

Proverbs 3:6

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

Isaiah 55:8For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD  

 

Psalms 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

1 John 5:5“Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

My Ish said his is

 Ps 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

What is yours??