“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!!!

“I HAVE FOUND!”

 

Luke 15:3-7                 (ESV)

“[3] So HE told them this parable: [4] “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? [5] And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, REJOICING. [6] And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for “I HAVE FOUND” MY sheep THAT WAS LOST.’ [7] Just so, I tell you, there will be MORE JOY in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

“This world” is entirely made up of people who have the “opinion” that the pompous person can somehow unwittingly KNOW THEIR NEED and come to a loving SAVIOR and convince HIM of our need for HIM and beg HIS FORGIVENESS to save us???  However, John 15:16 PLAINLY says that “YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, but I CHOSE YOU and APPOINTED YOU THAT YOU SHOULD GO AND BEAR FRUIT and that your fruit should abide, so that WHATEVER you ask THE FATHER in MY NAME, HE MAY GIVE IT TO YOU.”  We DO NOT possess the capability of CHOOSING to perform “good works”, for they ALL come from ABOVE (James 1:17)!!!

The Apostle Paul writes many times, most notably in Acts 9:15, about GOD CHOOSING

him to be a servant for HIS Kingdom!  The Apostle Paul also writes in Ephesians 1:4 that GOD CHOSE him BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!  

So the ALL-KNOWING BEING WHO SPOKE this world into existence KNEW BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD that I would serve HIM!  HE also KNEW that it would cost an UNIMAGINABLE price for me to be ACCEPTABLE in HIS SIGHT!  Yet HE CHOSE to pay the PRICE to REDEEM me…..FOR HIS GLORY!!!

Human language isn’t adequate to encapsulate the love, compassion, and appreciation that I have, BECAUSE “I HAVE FOUND” MY sheep!!!  I am certainly NO BETTER than a dumb, lost sheep!  But JESUS CREATED me so that ONE DAY HE could tell THE FATHER that “I HAVE FOUND” my precious sheep in the midst of the wickedness of “this world”!!!

“I AM GRATEFUL!”

 

1 Timothy 1:12-17                 (LSB)

“12  “I AM GRATEFUL” to CHRIST JESUS our LORD, WHO has strengthened me, because HE REGARDED ME FAITHFUL, putting ME INTO HIS SERVICE, 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. YET I WAS SHOWN MERCY BECAUSE I ACTED IGNORANTLY IN UNBELIEF; 14 and THE GRACE of our LORD was more than ABUNDANT, with THE FAITH and LOVE which are in CHRIST JESUS. 15 It is a trustworthy saying and deserving full acceptance: that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, AMONG WHOM I AM THE FOREMOST. 16 Yet for this reason I WAS SHOWN MERCY, so that in me as the foremost, CHRIST JESUS might demonstrate all HIS patience as an example for those who are going to BELIEVE upon HIM for eternal life. 17 Now to the KING of the ages, immortal, invisible, the ONLY GOD, behonor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”

Simply because of the GRACE and MERCY of THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, I WAS CHOSEN to be brought into this portion of my LIFE!  Just as the Apostle Paul was DELIVERED on the “road to Damascus” (Acts 9!), I experienced “the Brain Hemorrhage” of 2007!  Both instances were used to by THE CREATOR AND SUSTAINER OF LIFE as a demonstration of HIS POWER AND STRENGTH to do WHATEVER HE NEEDED to do to OPEN OUR EYES to SEE TRUTH and BE USED for HIS GLORY!!!

To say GOD WAS GRACIOUS is the biggest UNDERSTATEMENT ever, as HE certainly COULD HAVE allowed me to continue on my own “road to Damascus”?  To unceremoniously say that “I AM GRATEFUL” to be RESTORED to a PHYSICALLY “operable” life is one thing, but to ALWAYS be reminded of where I “was going” is something that is TOTALLY in another realm!  

GOD is CONTINUALLY REVEALING to me that HIS GRACE and MERCY far exceeds my expectations!  To simply say “I AM GRATEFUL” seems so inadequate, yet there are NO WORDS that can encapsulate my TOTAL DEPENDENCE on HIM for giving me LIFE (Isaiah 42:5) and allowing me to continue living in “this world”…..for HIS GLORY!!!

The mortal words “I AM GRATEFUL” seems so INADEQUATE, not only for surviving life thus far, but to have HOPE for ETERNITY adds a WHOLE NEW DIMENSION, as ONLY HE CAN!!!  Yes, “I AM GRATEFUL” that HE HAS BLESSED me so TREMENDOUSLY in the past, but THE HIS GREATEST MIRACLE OF ALL was when HE SAVED MY WRETCHED SOUL from an eternity without HIM!!!

“THE WORD OF THE LORD!”

 

1 Kings 19:9-15                 (ESV)

 The LORD Speaks to Elijah

“[9] There he (Elijah) came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, “THE WORD OF THE LORD” came to him, and HE said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [10] He said, “I have been very jealous for THE LORD, the GOD of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken YOUR covenant, thrown down YOUR altars, and killed YOUR prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” [11] And HE said, “Go out and stand on the mount before THE LORD.” And behold, THE LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before THE LORD, but THE LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but THE LORD was not in the earthquake. [12] And after the earthquake a fire, but THE LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. [13] And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [14] He said, “I have been very jealous for THE LORD, the  GOD of hosts. For THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL HAVE FORSAKEN YOUR COVENANT, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” [15] And THE LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria.”

Getting directly to the point today, Elijah must not have thought that he was very effective in his mission for THE LORD because he didn’t SEE results that were very indicative of success, at least in “worldly” standards???

GOD PLAINLY STATES in Isaiah 55:8-9 “For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, declares the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are MY ways higher than your ways and MY thoughts than your thoughts”.  

We are not always placed in a place of success and earthly rewards to GLORIFY JESUS?!?  Sometimes we have to get ALONE and LISTEN INTENTLY to be able to HEAR “THE WORD OF THE LORD”???  We get our minds so “busy” that we forget that GOD can speak to us, even if HE has no place us in a SEVENTEEN DAY COMA!!!

“THE WORD OF THE LORD” is quite capable of getting through to us without any help!  But HE USES the circumstances that we are placed in FOR HIS GLORY to accomplish HIS PLAN for our lives!  Elijah was taken to HEAVEN by a windstorm (2 Kings 2:11), something that only happened one other time (Genesis 5:24) in the history of mankind!  

“THE WORD OF THE LORD” sometimes has to get us alone to where we are able to HEAR HIM SPEAKING to us?!?  Are we listening to AND for HIM???

“THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!”

 

Ephesians 6:10-20                 (ESV)

The Whole Armor of GOD

“[10] Finally, be strong in the LORD and in the strength of HIS might. [11] Put on “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”, that you may be able to STAND against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we DO NOT WRESTLE against flesh and blood, BUT AGAINST the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to STAND FIRM. [14] STAND therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. [16] In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take the helmet of salvation, and the SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is the WORD OF GOD, [18] praying at all times IN THE SPIRIT , with all prayer and supplication. To that end, KEEP ALERT with ALL PERSEVERANCE, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be GIVEN to me in opening my mouth boldly to PROCLAIM THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

There are times, and MANY THEY ARE, when I NEGLECT discovering a TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE to find something else that is surrounding whatever I am focused on at the time!!

The MAIN THING that I must glean from the passage above is that “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” has to be kept in my Brain Damaged Mind when I am contemplating THE WORD OF GOD!!

John 1:1-5 informs me that JESUS, GOD IN THE FLESH, is THE WORD!!  I can do NOTHING GREATER than to put on “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” to GUIDE my life into HIS PLAN!!

“WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET!”

 

Luke 10:38-42                 (ESV)

Martha and Mary

“[38] Now as they went on their way, JESUS entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. [39] And she had a sister called Mary, “WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET” and listened to HIS teaching. [40] But MARTHA WAS DISTRACTED WITH MUCH SERVING. And she went up to HIM and said, “LORD, do YOU not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? TELL HER THEN TO HELP ME.” [41] But THE LORD answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about MANY THINGS, [42] but one thing is necessary. Mary has CHOSEN the good portion, which will NOT BE TAKEN AWAY from her.””

My wife is THE BEST caretaker ever!  She used to have company over to our home and cook EVERYTHING, AND serve EVERYTHING, then clean up EVERYTHING, with hardly any assistance!  My grandmother was precisely like this.  She would do EVERYTHING for her family and guests, except she would permit the dishes to be washed by others.  

But JESUS was dealing with Mary and Martha at this particular moment.  Martha was SO engrossed with performing the “earthly needs” of those around her that she was unable to SEE the HEAVENLY NEEDS of those who THE LORD had allowed to be in her presence!  Mary was “content” hearing THE WORD from THE LORD, when Martha was consumed with filling their stomachs, while THE SOULS of the guests were what JESUS was dealing with at the time!!!

My wife has “the gift” of taking care of the physical needs of the guests who GOD has assigned to our family, probably as well as my grandmother!!  But I don’t fulfill the “heavenly needs” requirement NEARLY as well as my SAVIOR!!!  Mary, “WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET”, was yielding to HIS TEACHINGS.  Martha was TOO BUSY “doing” rather than making sure that the SPIRITUAL NEEDS were being addressed!!!

People wouldn’t appreciate my culinary skills if a meal was served to them by me!  But do I perform the servant skills that I have been SET ASIDE to perform???  I need to discover what GOD has set me aside to do and perform those DEEDS precisely how HE reveals them to me!!!  Perhaps I can provide the scenario for those “WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET” to be alone with HIM???

“IN THE MORNING!”

 

Psalm 5:1-3                 (ESV)

Lead Me in YOUR Righteousness

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

    “[1] Give EAR to my words, O LORD;

        consider my groaning. 

    [2] Give ATTENTION to the sound of my cry,

        my KING and my GOD,

        for to YOU do I pray. 

    [3] O LORD, “IN THE MORNING” YOU hear my voice;

        “IN THE MORNING” I prepare a sacrifice for YOU AND WATCH.”

King David began this Psalm pleading with THE LORD to Give EAR to his pleading and groaning!  It is EVIDENT to say that King David understood that the ONLY ONE WHO had the power and authority to get him out of the predicament that he was experiencing was THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES!!!

Notice that David writes “IN THE MORNING”, or when everything is starting for a new day, he needed THE ALMIGHTY to direct his thoughts and mind!!  Most of the time I begin my day without thinking that GOD in HEAVEN, busy with the “cares of this world”, might not be concerned with an insignificant being in an insignificant place?  But John 17:23 says “I (JESUS) in them and YOU (THE FATHER) in , that they may become PERFECTLY ONE, so that the world may know that YOU sent ME  and LOVED THEM even as YOU loved ME.”  GOD IN THE FLESH freely gave HIMSELF on Calvary’s tree to PURCHASE Salvation for this “insignificant” creature, so HE CARES ABOUT ME!!!

HEARING the Stillness and Quietness (silence ) of before the birds start chirping, traffic begins to make noise, and everything starts trying to gain our attention is a TREASURE that isn’t duplicated by anything in “this world”! Maybe that is why I awake sometimes “very early in the morning” and can HEAR instructions from HIM, when distractions are limited….”IN THE MORNING”???