“MY FRIEND!”

 

Isaiah 41:8-10                 (ESV)

    “[8] But you, Israel, MY servant,

        Jacob, whom I have chosen,

        the offspring of Abraham, “MY FRIEND”

     [9] you whom I took from the ends of the earth,

        and called from its farthest corners,

    saying to you, “You are MY servant,

        I HAVE CHOSEN YOU and not cast you off”; 

    [10] fear not, for I AM with you;

        be not dismayed, for I AM your GOD;

    I WILL strengthen you, I WILL help you,

        I WILL uphold you with MY RIGHTEOUS RIGHT HAND.”

“Do not be afraid of the scale of what is coming, because I WILL ALSO send THE RIGHT connections, THE RIGHT helpers, and THE RIGHT resources AT THE RIGHT TIME."

One of the most transformational times in my life was coming out of the coma in July 2007.  I was really “groggy”, but I had been “disconnected” for 17 days!!  Sleeping wasn’t required, for I had been asleep for an extended period of time, but it seemed like my body was in need of restoration???

Our human body has limits!  I was operating on a limited amount of rest, convincing myself that I was doing fine until I awoke and couldn’t walk that fateful morning.  GOD took away my ability to walk, to literally move from my bed and caused me to lie still until my body was ready to operate again.  I had a “new” modus operandi, but it was totally different than I was accustomed to operating!!

It was NINETEEN YEARS AGO this July 09 since GOD SUPERNATURALLY “took over” control of my life!  HE didn’t give me ANY indication of what was coming in my future.  HE simply caused my legs to NOT work and my mobility to vanish!  PERHAPS (?) it was the ONLY WAY that HE could get across the idea in my stubborn head that HE WAS IN CONTROL ……. NOT an insignificant mortal?!?

It is very difficult for this human to grasp that GOD WORKS IN WAYS that are NOT OUR WAYS (Isaiah 55:8-9)!  HE IS “MY FRIEND”!  Yes, HE CREATED the entirety of CREATION, but HE still is able to repair a tiny blood vessel in the brain of HIS SERVANT!  The ONE WHO CREATED THE UNIVERSES could have SPOKE HEALING into my life in a flash, but HE SLOWED me down FIRST and THEN HE did what ONLY HE was able to do!!!  

“MY FRIEND!”

“IN THE WAY!”

 Psalm 32:8                 (ESV)

    “I WILL instruct you and teach you “IN THE WAY” you should go;

        I WILL counsel you with MY EYE upon you.”

These verses were written by King David, “a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).  GOD instructed David in the passage that GOD WILL instruct him “IN THE WAY” he should go!  

But what about Bathsheba and David’s “indiscretions” with her?  David was a flawed man who made his share of mistakes!  GOD “took” the child that was conceived during the unholy act of King David, but since he had married her AFTER he had her husband killed in the battle FOR THE KING, the relationship with Bathsheba produced Solomon, the future King of Israel!  

Even though King David was BROKEN by his unfaithfulness to GOD, he was still used by his CREATOR to continue the LEGACY of the Kingdom of Israel with Bathsheba, “the wife of Uriah” (Matthew 1:4)!  GOD uses the “broken” to GLORIFY HIS NAME …… even though we are imperfect!

JESUS CHRIST said in Matthew 5:28 that “…everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”  We are ALL sinners, but some of us have been CHOSEN IN HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (Ephesians 1:4) to WALK “IN THE WAY” he should go!!!  

FATHER IN HEAVEN, thank YOU that I have been CHOSEN by YOU to WALK “IN THE WAY” to draw honor and glory to YOUR NAME!!!

“SUBMIT YOURSELVES!”

 

James 4:7                 (ESV)

“”SUBMIT YOURSELVES” therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7.                (GOD’S WORD)

“So place yourselves under GOD's authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you.”

It is incomprehensible the PATH that ALMIGHTY GOD will traverse to get “the attention” of HIS CREATION.  GOD “placed” me into a seventeen day coma, altered my total and complete perspective, and ONLY then gave me LIFE again to permit me to SEE how HE can change a heart!  

GOD is GOD!  There is nothing more that can be said to magnify HIS OMNIPRESENCE and OMNIPOTENCE!  HE “placed” me into the coma because I had demonstrated that I was moving at a pace that was unsustainable for a human being.  

The KJV and the ESV seldom use the same translation for an entire verse of Scripture.  But according to my understanding, both translations use “the same words” for James 4:7.  

GOD “very lovingly” utilized a two and a half week “disconnect” to demonstrate to this humble servant that I was NOT IN CONTROL, and HE IS!!!  This is why I write that GOD placed me in the coma because HE used it , FOR HIS GLORY, to get me to SLOW DOWN and LIVE for HIM!!

“SUBMIT YOURSELVES” needs to be understood that HE IS IN CONTROL, not this poor, wretched person!  I am simply living a life that is for reflecting HIS MERCY and GRACE to me!  HE simply ALLOWED me to “SUBMIT YOURSELVES” to HIM and HE would take care of the rest!!!

“TO A SOLITARY PLACE!”

 

Mark 1:35                 (Berean Standard Bible)

“Early in the morning, while it was still dark, JESUS GOT UP AND WENT out “TO A SOLITARY PLACE” to pray.”

Many times I have attempted to put words on paper in order to get going on “my day”!   In the verse of Scripture above, JESUS, GOD IN THE FLESH (John 10:30), left where HE was and went out “TO A SOLITARY PLACE”, and there HE PRAYED!!!  

Spending time ALONE with THE FATHER should be a HOLY and CONSECRATED occasion!  For a retired man, who has no great wealth or accomplishments, to be able to have JESUS LIVING INSIDE OF ME (John 17:23) is something that I don’t always remember!  

Perhaps I should get away “TO A SOLITARY PLACE” more often and be reminded that I am an IMAGE BEARER of my CREATOR?!?  How BIG an HONOR and PRIVILEGE that HE CHOSE ME before THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD (Ephesians 1:4) live inside of me??  

May I consider it a JOY and a PRIVILEGE to retreat “TO A SOLITARY PLACE” and STRENGTHEN my testimony for HIM ABIDING in my life!!!

“CLAY IN THE POTTER’S HAND!”

Jeremiah 18:1-6                 (ESV)

The Potter and the Clay

“[1] The WORD that came to Jeremiah from the LORD: [2] “Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.” [3] So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. [4] And the vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and HE REWORKED IT INTO ANOTHER VESSEL, AS IT SEEMED GOOD TO THE POTTER TO DO.

[5] Then the WORD OF THE LORD came to me: [6] “O house of Israel, CAN I NOT DO WITH YOU as this potter has done? DECLARES THE LORD. Behold, like the “CLAY IN THE POTTER’S HAND”, SO ARE YOU IN MY HAND, O house of Israel.”

“Have Thine Own way, LORD, Have Thine Own way;

THOU art the Potter, I AM THE CLAY!”

These words might be familiar to some, as they are from a hymn written by Adelaide Pollard in 1906.  Truly, we are akin to these words written over a hundred years ago by this author, I AM THE CLAY!

THE LORD is telling me today that HE IS CAPABLE of doing with me WHATEVER HE HAS PLANNED for my life!!!  I am like the “CLAY IN THE POTTER’S HAND”!  

HE could decide to USE this broken vessel, or HE can mold me into whatever HE CHOOSES!!!  I surrender to HIS PLAN, for I don’t have the power nor intellect to do anything on my own!!!  I am like the “CLAY IN THE POTTER’S HAND”!!!

“DENY HIMSELF!”

 

Luke 9:23-27                 (ESV)

Take Up Your Cross and Follow JESUS

[23] And HE (JESUS) said to all, “If ANYONE  would come after ME, let him “DENY HIMSELF” and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY and follow ME. [24] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. [25] For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? [26] For whoever is ashamed of ME and of MY words, of him will the SON of MAN be ashamed when HE comes in his glory and the glory of the FATHER and of the holy angels. [27] But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who WILL NOT taste death until they see the kingdom of GOD.”

Defining the term JESUS is weightier than my feeble mind can totally grasp?  HIS INSTRUCTION and GUIDANCE is FAR MORE inclusive than this brain damaged person can comprehend.   As I began writing this devotional this morning, this passage of Scripture was on my mind.   As I preceded to Sunday School and Easter Sunday service, my mind was continuously being altered by “the cares of this world”!!!

But then I “get back to” JESUS and HIS MESSAGE to ALL!  Yes, JESUS said in the first verse of today’s focal passage to ANYONE who would “come after ME, let him “DENY HIMSELF” and TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY and follow ME”!  

It seems that my biggest challenge in my life is to “DENY HIMSELF”!  For that to occur, I MUST TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, to KILL my selfish desires and LIVE FOR HIM?!?  I MUST doesn’t leave room for error, it simply means that one MUST “DENY HIMSELF”………DAILY!!!  To ASSURE that this HAPPENS, I MUST DIE (TAKE UP HIS CROSS)…….DAILY!!!!

JESUS KNEW that humanity (me!) would never have a chance of living a life where I would TAKE UP MY CROSS DAILY, so HE PAID THE PRICE in my place on Calvary’s Tree!!!  I must “DENY HIMSELF” AND PROCLAIM HIS GOODNESS AND MERCY for my wretched soul!!!

“BE STILL!”

 

Psalm 46:10                 (ESV)

    “[10] “”BE STILL”, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.

        I WILL BE exalted among the nations,

        I WILL BE exalted in the earth!””

Rather than BE STILL AND LISTENING TO GOD,  “I CHOOSE” to do ANYTHING besides putting my “transmission” into neutral and SEEING where GOD would have me go!!!

The internet search engine I currently use has an AI version that comes up with every search I l perform. When the search information of “bible listening to GOD” typed in, the response is:::

“The Bible teaches that listening to God involves being still and attentive, as well as seeking His guidance through prayer and scripture. Key verses emphasize the importance of quietness and openness to hear His voice, such as Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God."”

On the morning of July 09, 2007 I awoke with “great intentions” for my life.  BUT GOD had HIS PLAN, and I VERY SOON found out that HIS PLAN WOULD BE adhered to, with or without my approval!  ALMIGHTY GOD doesn’t need to “consult” with me about anything, something that HE IS STILL TEACHING ME!!!

THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES has very quietly and unmistakably revealed to me that “BE STILL” is not simply a suggestion for me to check before I begin my day!  It is A COMMAND that I need to adhere to……..DAILY!!!