You Are Not Insignificant

There are many people walking in the earth who have been physically, verbally, emotionally, mentally and sexually violated.  These offenses have left them in a state of brokenness, feeling wounded and in a state of down.  The truth of the matter is the devil meant it for their demise, but God can turn it around for their good.  Our heavenly Father knew you before you were even formed in the womb of your mother; way before your mother and father were born; even before their father's father and mother's mother were born, "GOD KNEW YOU!  God is well acquainted with you for He created you and "YOU ARE NOT INSIGNIFICANT!"

Let's take a look at the story of Rahab.  Everyone has come to know her as a prostitute, someone who most will look upon as INSIGNIFICANT.  It is one where Joshua the son of Nun was appointed leader of the Israelites shortly after the death of Moses.  Joshua along with Caleb about forty years prior to this, had accompanied a group of men who were sent to spy out a land being urged to siege it.  Joshua now being the leader sent our two spies to Jericho to investigate their secrets.  Jericho was a city fortified by walls that were 12 to 15 feet apart and were so considerable that houses were built on them which made them most distinquished.  In their quest, they found their way to Rahab's house, a harlot, a prostitute.  She was a resident in one of these houses.

Let's explore some questions that one may ponder...

1.  WHY WOULD THE HOUSE OF A PROSTITUTE BE A GOOD PLACE FOR THE
     SPIES TO GO WHEN THEY ENTERED THE CITY?

It was very common in the days of Joshua to build houses on town walls.  These houses were built with wooden logs and laid across the top of these walls.  It is believed that this is the type of house that Rahab resided in with a window that looked out of the city itself but also of the area outside of these protective walls.  She probably had a view not only of the city itself, but also of the area outside of these protective walls which proved to be most beneficial to the spies as providing an ideal location for quick escape.  This view also gave her the perfect advantage point for spotting potential customers because she entertained locals and welcomed guests from various caravans whose routes crisscrossed Jericho.

Men from all over the East brought a noise about a particular group of people encamped east of the Jordan known as the Israelites.  She had heard the marvelous stories about the exploits of the great God of the Israelites; how He had dried up the Red Sea so they could escape their Egyptian slave masters; how He had given them victory in the battle against Sihon and Og; (the two kings of the Amorites)  How for forty years the God of the Israelites had trained and toughen them in the desert.

Perhaps the good Lord Himself led the Israelites spies directly to Rahab's house because He knew she would be receptive to them by opening her heart to the God she had heard about through the marvelous stories of His mighty acts.

2.  WAS RAHAB JUSTIFIED IN LYING TO SAVE THE LIVES OF THE ISRAELITE
     SPIES?

We know that lying is a sin and the Word of God does not condone this act nor does it speak negatively about it.  Rahab was deceiving the enemy, a normal and acceptable practice in those wartimes; Rahab not being a Jew could not be held responsible for keeping the moral law; she broke a lesser principle--telling the truth----to uphold a higher principle in protecting God's people.  Rahab was both clever and wise.  She knew judgment was inevitable and was able to implement a plan of escape for the spies as well as provide protection for her and her family.

SUMMARY

Rahab was a prostitute living in the middle of an idolatrous and heathen people.  Her story clearly illustrates how God's grace accepts those who we may look upon as having no value, not being of any importance or to make it plain and simple, INSIGNIFICANT...
It reveals God's willingness to use the less than perfect, the outcast, who we may see as unsuitable to accomplish His Holy purpose.

She found joy in the God of the people of promise because He had given her, an idolater, a prostitute a chance to know Him and to belong to His  people.  Her victory was in her faith that saved her and her entire household from the terrible death that was decreed for her city.

Rahab is the only woman singled out by name and commended for her faith as part of the great "cloud of witnesses" mentioned in the Book of Hebrews.

IN CLOSING

God does not wait for us to become spotlessly clean or totally mature in our faith in order to use us.  Instead, He takes ordinary, willing people and accomplishes the extraordinary, both in their lives and in the lives of those around them.  God chose a stutterer name Moses to speak for Him; a weakling name Gideon to defend Him; an infertile woman named Sarah to be a mother of a nation; a ruddy younger son name David to become the most unforgettable King of Israel; an unknown virgin name Mary to become the mother of His Son Jesus; and a persecutor of Christians name Paul to take the gospel to nations.  If God can take a prostitute and use her for His glory as He did Rahab, just think of what He can use you for.

Please remember, YOU ARE NOT INSIGNIFICANT...

Wait and Don't Give Up!

Waiting on something that one really wants requires plenty of patience and discipline.  Many single Christian women are waiting on that special man that seems like it is taking forever for him to find her.  Proverbs 18:22 (KJV) reads- Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the Lord.
In order for something to be found, it must be in a place not easily accessible; a hidden place. Women that are a part of God's Kingdom are to keep themselves chaste and set apart from the world.  They don't conduct themselves like those in the world as the world's philosophy is "go after whatever you want."  They don't bring attention themselves by dressing loosely and provocative. A "REAL MAN OF GOD" will not allow himself to be lured by the trappings of a big butt and a smile, remember that girl is poison.  What are you doing while you are waiting?  It is very important to keep your mind clear from the devices that the enemy will surely place there.  It is also important to guard your heart and not allow it to continually lead you into places where you and it should not be. Also be very careful of where you spend your time and how you carry yourself.  Find yourself diligent in the things that pleases God while He is preparing you for what and whom He has prepared for you.

Here are some important things to do while waiting:

1. 2 Corinthians 10:5 reads - Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that comes to exalt itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.  The enemy is going to constantly bring images of the past of those you were in a lot of love with; those you had a crush on or even one you are attracted to. These images will not be ones that are honorable to God.  They will be perverted and very displeasing.  Rebuke and cast those thoughts down and bring them into the obedience of Christ by His Word.  Plead the blood of Jesus over your mind and thoughts.  Be careful what you allow your mind to focus and stay on.
2. Jeremiah 17:9 reads-  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  The heart is the seat of our emotions.  It has led us into some very hurtful places.  It has caused one to trust when there was none; believe when there was nothing but lies; and to give those things that are most precious of ourselves away.  The enemy will always keep you on a path that he knows your heart is weak to.  We must give total control of our hearts to Christ in order to be prepared to wait on God and what He has ordained for us.
3. Romans 12:1 reads- I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your body as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  Just as Christ presented His body as a living sacrifice to atone for all of the sin of mankind, we too must present our bodies back to God which is the least we can do considering what Christ did to redeem us back to His Father.  Our bodies were not created to be instruments of sin.  Sexual immorality is one thing that has separated many from God.  Sexual sins are the only sins committed against our body as these sins causes one to be linked with souls ties.  Souls ties are very damaging as the soul that you have attached yourself to could be attached the souls of many others.  Whatever bondage that person had, has now been attached to you.  Soul attachments separates one completely from God and He knows the danger of one's soul connected to that of another.  God created all men for His glory.  We were not meant to demean or partake in any activity that will bring shame to God and defame our temple. 

In summarizing all of the above, while waiting it is very important to guard your thoughts and what you allow your mind to linger on.  Remember to immediately cast down those imaginations (deceptive fantasies) and high thing (deceptive reasoning) that come to elevate itself against that which you know is not pleasing to God!  Guard your heart by giving it completely over to Jesus Christ.  Don't continue to allow your heart to take you back to where your flesh has deceived you.  Last but not least, your were created for God and his Holy purpose. Remember, "but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint.  This is a great advantage afforded to you just by waiting. This strength is one that can only come from God himself which is rewarded to those that just wait.......

The True Blood

Scripture Reference:  Hebrews 10:1

What is The True Blood?  The True Blood is the authentic blood that could only be shed to atone for the sins of mankind by Jesus Christ as a result of Him being wounded for our transgressions; bruised for iniquities and being chastised for our peace.

Hebrews 10:1 reads, For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.

The sacrifice of animals to atone for the sin of mankind on a yearly basis could never make those coming perfect.  That blood could not be compared to the pure untainted blood that would flow from the hands, feet, side and head of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Let's look at the significance of the blood that was shed.  Isaiah 53:4-5 reads:  Surely He hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows, yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed.

• Wounded: His body was pierced through for our transgressions (willful sin).  In the Hebrew "pierced through" means perforated. His scalp was pierced by a crown of thorns.  His hands and feet were pierced with nails on the cross.  His side was  pierced by a Roman soldier in which blood and water came out.  Jesus' skin was torn and punctured with many holes in it.  No one else on this earth could have endured what He suffered on the cross just because of His love and the love of His Father!
• Bruised:  His body was crushed for our iniquities (immorality and gross wickedness). The crushing and bruising of Christ began in the Garden of Gethsemane, the night before He was crucified, when Jesus was in agony, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  He who was without sin, bore the sins of the entire world upon Himself.  
• Chastisement:  He was punished for our sin (transgression).  The punishment for our sin was inflicted upon Him.  The only way we could have that peace that surpasses all understanding was through the punishment sustained by Jesus Christ Himself.

No animal or any other blood sacrifice could endure the harsh treatment received or atone for the sins of mankind.  That blood would not suffice as it was not pure blood, sure it may have been one without a natural blemish, but the sacrificial lamb slain before the foundations of the world held the only true and pure blood.  This was no ordinary blood.  What other red blood can wash someone as white as snow?  Nothing but the blood of Jesus could do this!

As you take time out the celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, take some alone time to sincerely reflect on just how much Jesus loves you.  He left His royal throne in heaven to be found lying in a manger in  the confines of a smelly barn only; wrapped in swaddling clothing signifying the depths of His humility and just how far He would go to prove His love to you and I.  He knew that He was born to die!  Do you know that accepting Jesus Christ as Your one and only personal Savior signifies your rebirth to a new life in Him and death to that old sinful person.

The true blood of Christ is not tainted, impure or inadequate and allows direct access to the One and only true God, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob.  Get Jesus and get life more abundantly!

GOD KNOWS AND LOVES YOU!

The Lord has searched and known us.  Searched is defined as "looked carefully for."  Known is defined as "being familiar with."  God is familiar with us as He knew us even before we knew ourselves.  God knew us before our mother and father ever knew each other.  HYAH!  The thoughts that God thinks toward us are not of evil but those of peace to give us an expected end.  God wishes above all things that we prosper and be in health even as our very own soul prospers!  He does not wish that any of us perish, but that we all come to repentance! God loves us so much that He gave His One and Only begotten Son to die for  our sin, so that our expected end is eternal life through Christ Jesus if we only believe!   Jesus was wounded for our transgressions; bruised for our iniquities and the chastisement for peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed! We are  healed in our body, we are healed in our mind and we are healed in our soul!  Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross and rose on the third day and ascended back to His rightful place in heaven where He is seated on the right hand of His Father.  He is not only just sitting, but He is making intercession for you and all others who believe, serve and live for Him!

When you know that God knows and loves you it will not be an issue to be Single, Saved and Waiting.   Allow yourself to be found as God hides you while that special someone He has prepared especially for you finds you!

I WON'T GO BACK!

Philippians 3:12-14 reads:  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. KJV

Her in the book of Philippians, Apostle Paul is speaking to the church at Philippi as he writes this letter from being imprisoned.  Particularly, in this third chapter, he is speaking from a personal standpoint of view on the high calling of God.

He starts off by stating "not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect."  
In this he is saying that he has not already accomplished, achieved, gained, obtained, or even reached perfection, be he is pressing on to make it his own.  I have a question for you, "what is he making his own?"  That mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, this is what Paul is aiming to be perfect.  He was determined that he was not going to go back to where God God had saved him from.  He decided no matter what is was he had to suffer, he was going to remain focused on what was before him, "the prize" and leave those former things behind him.  

It is a dangerous thing to accept Christ as your personal Savior and go back to the former things of old. that you claimed He saved you from.  Many are abusing the gift of grace as a liberty to continue in sin.  God forbid!  Many have one foot in the Kingdom of God and the other foot along with the rest of their body, mind and soul in the world.  There are too many that have turned away from their first love and the things that kept them close to Jesus when they first believed.  I want to share with you some of the dangers of going back.  

THE DANGERS OF GOING BACK

You Crucify the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame

• Hebrews 6:4-6 reads~ For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, if they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

The scripture is letting us know that it is impossible for those who were once spiritually aware; had spiritual knowledge or insight through the power of the Holy Ghost which resulted in having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ to be renewed again unto repentance because of their falling away from the things of God and returning back to the world.  You have crucified the Son of god afresh and put Him to an open shame.  This brings Christ to an open shame because it sends the wrong message to the world that you can't be kept by Him and his work on the cross was in vain!  You are as guilty as those who crucified him first, they received no repentance!

The Latter End is worse that from the beginning

• 2 Peter 2:20-22 reads~ For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered into them.  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb.  The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.

This scripture is saying one who has been rescued and saved from the contamination of the world through the knowledge of Jesus Christ and are not twisted and caught up in it after overcoming it, the condition of their spiritual state is worse with them than from the beginning.  it would have been better if they had never known the way of righteousness in God, than after having known the truth that has set them free, to turn from it.  What happens to them is what is  said in the true proverb, they have returned back to their sinful ways and are no wallowing in it.

You are no long fit for the Kingdom of God

• Luke 9:62 reads~ And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Here Jesus is speaking to one of His disciples while teaching them the things of discipleship.  No one having begun to walk with Christ and begins to long for those former things of the old man, is fit for the Kingdom of God.  Take Lot's wife for instance.  She was instructed by the angel that led Lot, her and their daughters out of Sodom and Gomorrah, not to look back, but Lot's wife looked back from behind him, and became a pillar of salt.  Don't go back because you may never have a chance to return.  Those who remain in Christ are supposed to be the salt of the earth and the preservers of His righteousness in it.

IN CONCLUSION

Are you souled out?  Are you sold out?  Are you fully committed to God and the things of Him?  Is your mind made up?  1 Corinthians 5:17 is a Christian's mandate...Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed way; behold, all things are become new.  If you are a new creature in Christ Jesus, old things should have passed away all thing are become new.  A new way of living, a new way of thinking; a new way of walking; a new way of talking; you are brand new and not like the old former self.

We must be like Paul who left those former things behind and pressed towards the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus and:

• Wrote four of the Epistle Letters- Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians and Philemon
• Endured being whipped many times without number 
• Faced death again and again
• Endured 39 lashes by Jewish leaders on five different occasions
• Endured being beat with rods 3 times
• Endured being stoned once
• Endured being shipwrecked 3 times
• Endured being adrift at sea one whole night and one whole day
• Endured many sleepless night while working hard and traveling long journeys
• Endured facing danger from rivers and robbers
• Endured facing dangers in cities, deserts and in the seas
• Endured facing danger in dealing with men who claimed to be believers but were not
• Endured going hungry without food and inadequate clothing to keep him warm

Yet in all of this Paul DID NOT GO BACK to the former things of old or allow any of these trials, setbacks and tribulations separate him from the love of God through Christ Jesus!  I stand on my faith today just like Paul, determined, "no matter what I have had to suffer or endure, "I WON'T GO BACK!"

Chronicles of Truth - SINGLE SAVED WAITING - "Waiting"

Waiting: The action of staying where one is or delaying action until a particular time or until something else happens. 

Waiting is a valuable asset  for the single Christian.  Waiting on God and His perfect timing produces a patience we did not know we possess.  It cleanses the mind of fleshy desires and draws us closer in our relationship  with Him.  To sum it up, it causes us to be submitted the more to God. 
I can personally attest to the blessing of waiting on the Lord in my singleness.  Everytime I think about who I could have ended up with, I can't do anything but thank God.  God knows what is best as He knows the ending from the beginning.  He knows the danger, damage and destruction to our soul when we get ahead of Him and choose that person who was not ordained by Him for us.

Isaiah 40:31 reads- But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

There are benefits in waiting on the Lord:

• Your strength is renewed
• That renewed strength gives you strength to mount up
• In that strength you can continue to run this race focused and unwearied
• In that strength you can continue to walk in faith and confidence and not faint

Continue to wait on the Lord in your singleness remaining steadfast, unmoveable and always abouding in His work.

Chronicles of Truth - SINGLE, SAVED, WAITING - "Hidden"

Hidden

Hidden means to be kept out of sight; concealed.

Proverbs 18:22- He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtain favor from the Lord....

In order to find something, it has to be kept out of sight; concealed and hidden.

A woman’s heart should be so hidden in God that a man has to seek God to find her. (Max Lucado). When we are hidden in the things of God we will not be vulnerable to the predators that the enemy will send our way as a distraction, hindrance and counterfeit.

You are jewels. Before a ruby, diamond, sapphire, emerald or pearl became that beautiful ring, earrings or necklace, they were hidden deep in the earth and sea waiting to become a precious jewel.

You are rubies, diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and pearls hidden in God, fearfully and wonderfully made, not to be mishandled or mistreated.

I admonish you to remain hidden in God, allowing Him to prepare you to be that good thing that when found, favor will be obtained to him that finds you. 

The Chronicles of Truth - SINGLE, SAVED, WAITING - "Beware of the Counterfeit

BEWARE OF THE COUNTERFEIT

Counterfeit is defined as a fraudulent imitation of something else; deceptively genuine.
The enemy sends a counterfeit in disguise as the real thing. Many single women in the kingdom have fallen for this.   Many carnal minded men have infiltrated congregations preying on women who are impatient, desperate and lack the spirit of discernment. These men pretend to be men of God when in reality they are wolves in sheep's clothing.

Please allow God to prepare you for whom he is preparing for you. Don't become impatient and end up falling for the wrong guy. Find yourself trusting and waiting on God.
 
THE COUNTERFEIT: Is not holy; Conversation is carnal; Wants to isolate you to himself; Will pervert the things of God.

THE REAL THING: Is holy; Conversation is pleasing to God; Will always keep himself and you accountable; Will not pervert the things of God.

Learn how to be content in your singleness until God sends that saved, submitted and sanctified man who has waited on God to find you!