Things Happen for a Reason

A few months ago at a local chain restaurant, we had a delightful, engaging conversation with our waitress.  We shared tidbits of our personal lives, and eventually the conversation led to “Well, things happen for a reason.”  So I asked, “Do you believe that things happen because of something supernatural, because of God?”

“I don’t know, … yeah?,” was her answer.

Too much of pop culture today uses this cliché:  “things happen for a reason.”  Perhaps this sentiment evoled from the once popular “shit happens.”  The majority of people we meet believe that “things happen,” and the reason is fate, somehow implying “God” was involved.  Especially in drug subcultures has this been adapted for every circumstance in their lives.  "Things happen" and, regardless what, it's normal.  The supernatural control they lack allows “things” to happen as if it was "meant to be."  Many people just accept whatever happens as God’s plan for their lives - good or bad.

WAIT … wait … oh, hell nawh … 

Never accept “whatever happens” as merely our uncontrollable fate.  Addicts, prostitutes, and deceivers "happen" because God "made them" that way?!!!  Rather we must realize and acknowledge that “things happen” almost always because of choices we make, absent from Him.  “Things happen,” and more often than not, the reason has absolutely nothing to do with God’s intervention.  He was never involved in the plans we made; thus it was not the “fate” He planned.  “Shit happens” because we most often choose it.

“For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk  and live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery; their god is their appetites and their sensuality; and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party.” – Philippians 3:18-19

“This is the fate of those who trust in themselves; and of their followers, who approve their sayings.  They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd

. . . but the upright will prevail over them in the morning.” – Psalm 49:13-14

ONLY those that walk and live upright – the “righteous” – are those that can claim that God controls their fate.  God promises when we trust Him – when we “know, recognize, and acknowledge” His ways, FIRST – He is then in control of our fate.  This promise applies to both “things” that happen in this life, and what happens to us in the next.  

^“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him; and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” – Psalm 37:23-24

“Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.” – Nehemiah 9:19

Yet it’s still not about being perfectly righteous and making perfect choices.  God always keeps His promises.  Even when we stumble His promise is to “make firm” our steps and to give a helping hand.  What an awesome promise.  He can be the reason “things happen,” but only when we choose Him – even when we fail!!  During the mass exodus of Hebrews leaving Egypt, God directed the paths of millions of people for decades with a cloud by day, and fire at night.  Both our physical fate, and supernatural things that happen, has God's intervention.  We must completely abandon our plans and how we understand things; then learn His ways.  Then by His Holy Spirit; our paths – even the desires and thoughts of our heart – become the destiny He planned for us.

Suggest further reading:  Proverbs 16 and Psalm 37

Listen to these lyrics and consider what the Scriptures above means to your life.  Are you free to choose?

A prayer based on Psalm 119: 

Dearest Heavenly Father, look upon me, be merciful unto me, and show me favor, as is Your promise to those who love Your name and call out to You.  Establish my steps and direct them by means of Your word; let not any of my guilt, shame, or sin have control over me.  Teach me Your ways so I can know which way to go.  Deliver me from the oppression of man; so I will continue to hear, to receive, to love, and to obey Your Word and to know You.  Thank you for Your promise to be the reason things happen – in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.  Amen.

CD GOSPEL - Compre e pague no cartão ou Boleto Bancário: NOVO EP DJ FRANK NUCKLESS 2013 ANO DA PROMESSA

CD GOSPEL - Compre e pague no cartão ou Boleto Bancário: NOVO EP DJ FRANK NUCKLESS 2013 ANO DA PROMESSA: PREVIEW EM BAIXA QUALIDADE, NA COMPRA O CD SE ENCONTRA 320KBPS EXTENDED  Já a venda o novo EP do DJ Frank Nuckless: 2013 Ano da Promessa


PREVIEW the latest by Frank Nuckless; the blessed and annointed Brazilian DJ.  An awesome EP.

Easter Song

New Life, New Growth, 

Fresh start, Clean slate... 

The tomb is now empty
and He did it for our sake. 

 

The following track is an instrumental adaptation of a popular Keith Green song:  

"Easter Song (He Has Risen)"  Lyrics to this song are printed below.

They are profound and mature for any Christian.

<timing of lyrics with instrumental>

<0:17>

Hear the bells ringing, they're singing that you can be born again

 Hear the bells ringing, they're singing Christ is risen from the dead
  <0:37>
The angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said.  Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead
<1:01>
Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah.  He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah
<1:28>
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing that you can be healed right now
 Hear the bells ringing, they're singing Christ, He will reveal it now
<1:48>
The angels, they all surround us and they are ministering Jesus' power
Quickly now, reach out and receive it for this could be your glorious hour
<2:11> Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah.  He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah

<2:53>
The angel up on the tombstone said He has risen, just as He said.  

Quickly now, go tell his disciples that Jesus Christ is no longer dead
<3:16>
Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah.  He's risen, hallelujah.  He's risen, hallelujah, Hallelujah

These lyrics celebrate what Christians have - thanks to how Christ suffered on the cross, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended into heaven to be with God the Father.  Walking in the power of Christ's resurrection creates for the Believer a new life (born again) - a heart that's regenerated, healed, and full of joy and hope; and a mind that receives direction and wisdom to recognize our Creator's own purpose for our life.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ - Ephesians 1:3

 NOTE:  this says EVERY Spiritual blessing

Most people today, when they think of Jesus and the Resurrection, they identify with John the Baptist's introduction:   “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" - John 1:29.  "He died for our sins," is what many quote like cliche. God's plan for the redemption of mankind is prophetically complete in Christ's resurrection.  Our shortcomings and imperfections - that which separates us from God - can no longer keep us apart.  We have access to the Kingdom of God - an eternal life with Him - because Christ willingly died for us.  AND He rose again! -- Are you celebrating, yet?

What most Christians seem to miss is how powerful and accessible that Love really is to us in the present. We don't have to WAIT until death for our NEW LIFE - the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  Today we benefit from Christ's death and resurrection, daily, reconciled in our relationships with Him and each other by Love.  There is so much to celebrate and be thankful for in this. 

 "Hear the bells ringing, they're singing that you can be born again" 

But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11

We were buried with Him (Jesus) through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life  - Romans 6:4

Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again, he cannot ever be acquainted with or experience the kingdom of God.  . . .  unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot ever enter the kingdom of God.  What is born from the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not be surprised or astonished at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above).  The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. -John 3:3-8

Therefore if any person is grafted in Christ, the Messiah, he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old, previous moral and spiritual condition has passed away.  

Behold the fresh and new has come!  

But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation - that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him. - 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

 "Hear the bells ringing, they're singing you can be healed right now"

He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needed to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole.  All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:5-6

 When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return.  When He was abused and suffered, He made no threats of vengeance; but he trusted Himself and everything to Him Who judges fairly.  He personally bore our sins in His own body on the tree - as on an altar and offered Himself on it - so we might cease to exist to sin and live to righteousness.  By His wounds you have been healed.  For you were going astray like so many sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian. - 1 Peter 2:23-25

Easter Sunday, 2012, in Telluride, CO

"Hear the bells ringing, they're singing Christ, He will reveal it now

Quickly now, reach out and receive it  

for this could be your glorious hour"

However, as it is written:

   “What no eye has seen,
   what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”

 the things God has prepared for those who love him—

These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.  The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. - 1 Corinthians 2:9-11

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and lay bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven - Jesus the Son of God - let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. - Hebrews 4:13-15

Are YOU walking with this resurrection power in your life? 

KEITH GREEN (per Wikipedia)

Keith Gordon Green (October 21, 1953 – July 28, 1982) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, musician, and Contemporary Christian Music artist originally from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York  Beyond his music, Green is best known for his strong devotion to Christian evangelism and challenging others to the same. Often considered controversial for his frequently confrontational lyrics and spoken messages, some notable songs written by Green and/or his wife, Melody Green, include "Your Love Broke Through," "You Put This Love In My Heart," and "Asleep In The Light." Green is also known for numerous popular modern hymns, including "O Lord, You're Beautiful" and "There Is A Redeemer," written by his wife, Melody.  Read more about Keith Green.

For us at D-D-Praz studio, Keith Green is a favorite Christian songwriter.  His keen, 70's, upbeat piano-playing attracted me to Green's works when I was very young.  Keith Green's music was one of the very first Christian artists that I ever heard commercially played on the radio.  His style, humbleness, and passion for evangelism are both inspirational and influential.  Among the songs written by Keith and his wife, Melody, D-D-Praz has also performed "There is a Redeemer," "He'll Take Care of the Rest," and "You Put this Love in My Heart."