"FAITH"

Romans 7:14-15 "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.  For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." At church, we are in a study of a book called The World-Tilting Gospel.  During a recent study we dealt with "sanctification".  While I will never reach the level of "perfect" sanctification until I reach Heaven, I continue to be a vessel used by HIM for HIS glory.   I wonder sometimes "Why I am not a better husband" or "Why I was not a better dad" or "Why I did not better reflect JESUS"?  The Apostle Paul was a FAR, FAR better Christian than I, yet he struggled just as we all do.   I can only strive to be EVERYTHING the LORD has planned for me to be in this life.  Philippians 3:14 says "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.". In 2 Corinthians 12 Paul was talking with The Lord.  Paul was asking why he was still dealing with "a thorn" in his flesh.  GOD told Paul in verse 9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."    GOD has a purpose for whatever HE leads us through.  Sometimes it is for people around us to see how we act/react as a Christian.  We don't have to know the purpose, we are called to "HAVE FAITH IN GOD"!!

"More rain please, Sir."

"More rain please, Sir." From a Facebook friend.  My friend was stating his opinion (our area is still behind in annual rainfall) as to how much rain we have had lately.  In Deuteronomy 11:16-17 GOD told the children of Israel if they  "turn aside and serve other gods and worship them;"  then HE would "shut up the heavens, so that there will be NO rain"!   It seems we humans are SO caught up in what we THINK is best, that we forget the the ONE who controls the rain also controls everything else in life!   I should trust EVERYTHING to HIM!  If HE is in control, then HE is in control!  HE would not be GOD if HE were not "IN CONTROL!"

"For I'm part of the family, the family of GOD"

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

"For I'm part of the family, the family of GOD"

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

"For I'm part of the family, the family of GOD"

1 Corinthians 12:12-14 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

Life Taken vs. Life Given!!

When I was just a little kid I would get angry with Pontius Pilate, the Person who had JESUS crucified, because I felt Pilate killed my Savior!   I felt Pilate was this feared, mean ruler who almost took joy in torturing and crucifying his subjects ........including my LORD! Now adays I read the gospels with a slightly different view!  Knowing a little more about my history and what transpired that day, Pilate was a weak, despicable individual who tried to gain, anyway he could, from the trial of JESUS, THE CHRIST.  Pilate, in my mind, is remembered for being a person with NO morals or belief system who appeased everyone he could to gain politically in everyway way he could.  JESUS was not murdered on the cross of Calvary.  HE willingly sacrificed HIS earthly being in order that I would have a means of redemption!  Had HIS life been forcibly taken from HIM, that would display an inferiority to HIS captors!    HE was never inferior to anyone! HE was and still is GOD ALMIGHTY!   

FIVE YEARS!!!

In Luke 17:11-19 we read where JESUS healed 10 lepers.  Scripture reads (ESV)  "On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.  And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us." When he saw them he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed.  Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.  Then Jesus answered, "Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?"  And he said to him, "Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well." Five years ago TODAY, I was in the Emergency Room of a local hospital. The staff figured I was having a stroke because of my symptoms, but they had to run some tests to confirm their suspicions and to determine if it was a "clot" or a "bleed".    As it turned out, it was a bleed.   A "hemorrhagic stroke" is different than an "ischemic stroke" in that the brain actually develops a leak instead of a blockage.   The survival rate is not very good!   Only 20% of the people who have brain hemorrhage's survive!   And the ones who do survive live with some kind of "reminder" or deficit.   After 31 days in the hospital and 21 days in Rehab, I was able to go home.    My medical records from September 25, 2007 reads as follows "The fact that he has recovered is he has is nothing short of a Miracle from GOD."   I will NOT allow time to lessen the impact that GOD's miracle made in my life.  I have no idea how or why HE did what HE did in my brain five years ago, just as I have NO idea why HE saved my soul!  But I will forever be as the ONE who was healed in Luke 17.  I will shout unashamedly  "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; praising God with a loud voice; and he FELL ON HIS FACE at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks". 

Change of plans!

John 12:1;9-11 1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus therefore came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 9 When the large crowd of the Jews learned that Jesus was there, they came, not only on account of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. 10 So the chief priests made plans to put Lazarus to death as well, 11 because on account of him many of the Jews were going away and believing in Jesus. Why do we get so intent on getting what we want that our whole perspective is skewed? The JEWS were so determined to silence JESUS (because of HIS preaching the truth) that they were going to try and kill Lazarus too! Didn't they realize that JESUS had already raised Lazarus from the dead before? But they were SO intent on getting what they wanted that they were willing to murder to achieve their goal! We need to realize that our plan is not always GOD's plan! We don't need to focus on that new car or the vacation we have planned. We don't need to be so intent on our plans, but we need to be open to what The LORD has in HIS plan for us!

WHO AM I???

Who do WE think will be/is a follower of CHRIST?  We should be careful not to limit who we think GOD can use!  If GOD can use me, then HE can use ANYBODY!  HE has used murderers, adulterers, thieves, liars, and basically the scum of the earth.  It is an awesome paradox in which we find ourselves......Depravity vs. SELECT!   One of the mysteries of GOD's plan!!

David Platt!

When GOD intervenes is YOUR life so plainly that no one else wants to take credit, you are obligated to make it known!   July 09, 2007 I suffered a HEMORRHAGIC STROKE!  In other words, my brain sprung a leak. Now 80% of the people who experience this type of stroke DIE!  Without getting too deep into my story, after 52 days in the hospital (20 days in a coma) I walked out of the hospital!  My doctors records literally say "However, he has had a remarkable recovery that could only be described as a miracle from GOD"!   Today, there are "NO DEFICITS" (stroke language for disabilities) from my stroke.  I have NO idea why GOD chose me to do such a work in my life.   But I have to let everyone that I  come in contact with that JESUS still works miracles today!  Luke 17:15-16 say  "Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a LOUD voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan."

LISTEN!

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. -Psalms 46:10