"OUR VISION"!

John 11:47-53   (KJV)

"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man (JESUS)  doeth many miracles.  If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both "OUR" place and nation.  And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all,   Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.  And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation;  And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death."

I can remember coaching my oldest son in 9-10 year old baseball.  Our team was not the most talented, not the swiftest on our feet, and our coach certainly was lacking!  Yet, we won our division and then our Post-Season Tournament to the amazement of a lot of people!  

No one "THOUGHT" we had a chance!  I recall one of the moms of our players saying after our first three games "We are terrible, we will be lucky if we win a game"!  Her VISION was on the 20 game season, while I tried to keep my VISION on developing each player into getting better.  

The VISION of the "Pharisees and Chief Priests" in this scripture was all about "OUR" position.   They were comfortable with the status-quo and JESUS was interested in setting people "FREE" (John 8:32).  

JESUS was not murdered, yet HE gave HIS life freely.  The "Pharisees and Chief Priests" took counsel to do something that GOD had preordained before the world began.  HE provided a sacrifice for my sins so that HE and I could fellowship for eternity.  

The joy of winning the 9-10 year old baseball tournament was tremendous!   But the thrill dicipates as time goes on.  The joy from my relationship with The FATHER will never fade!   

Lamentations 3:22-23 says "It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

"CHOICES"!

Joshua 24:15   (KJV)

"And IF IT SEEM evil unto you to serve the LORD, "CHOOSE" you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, WE WILL serve the LORD."

We are all faced with "CHOICES" everyday.   The interesting thing is, YOU are responsible for the results, no one else!  Governments can write laws that make us feel we have "rights", but GOD is the only ONE who grants "mercy and grace".  

You can legally "choose" to drive under the influence of alcohol, up to a certain limit.  You can "choose" to worship wherever you please, or not worship at all.  You can "choose" eat yourself into an early grave. 

Now, you can "choose" to have a legal union with someone of the same sex.  You can "choose" to terminate a pregnancy for convenience.  

You can "choose" to do about whatever you want, except NOT pay your taxes, or NOT buy health insurance, or NOT license your vehicle and the drivers in your household, or pray in schools, or display Scripture in public forums, and on and on!  

People are free to choose (what they call a RIGHT) evil or good.  As I stated earlier, "The interesting thing is, YOU are responsible for the results, no one else."  CHOICES have CONSEQUENCES!  The CONSEQUENCES for living a sinful lifestyle will be net with "weeping and gnashing of teeth" according to Luke 13:28.   The alternate CHOICE is "but as for me and my house, WE WILL serve the LORD!"  

The "CHOICE" and "CONSEQUENCE" are yours!  "CHOOSE" wisely!!

"SPIRITUAL NEEDS"!

John 4:7-27   (KJV)

"A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.). The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.). Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water."  The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water?  Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock." Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,  but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.". The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.". Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here.". The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband';  for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true."

The woman said to him, "SIR, I PERCEIVE THAT YOU ARE A  PROPHET".  Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.". Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.  You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.  But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him.  GOD IS SPIRIT, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."  The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I WHO SPEAK TO YOU AM HE."  Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you seek?" or, "Why are you talking with her?"

There are times when I am left to wonder what GOD is telling (or maybe Teaching is a better word) me.   Sometimes it seems HE has to "slow things down" so that I can spiritually comprehend.  

The "woman at the well" was having one of those moments.  She was drawing water from the well.  When I want water, I just go to a faucet and turn a valve and produce water!  But, she had to lower a cistern (or similar vessel) into a well and pull it up and fill her vessel.  

JESUS asked for water and the woman asked HIM why HE wanted water from her, a Samaritan?  She eventually got around to telling JESUS she was not married.  HE replied that HE knew that she was not married and proceeded to reveal her past to her.  But, HE was not concerned as much with her physical past as HE was concerned with her current spiritual needs! 

Then she says what I consider a very telling sentence!  "SIR, I PERCEIVE THAT YOU ARE A  PROPHET".  The lady KNEW that she was talking to a man who was unlike others, but she didn't know "THE CHRIST"!  

JESUS told her "GOD IS SPIRIT", and then "I WHO SPEAK TO YOU AM HE."   JESUS is more concerned with our spirit because our spirit is what is eternal.   Later in Chapter 4, the Bible records that many Samaritan's believed on JESUS because of the encounter at the well!  Had JESUS been more concerned with helping ease the woman's issue of getting water from the well, her eternal needs would have not been met.  

Our physical needs tend to draw most of our attention until we "grow" more mature.  Our spiritual needs tend to become more noticeable as we mature spiritually.  I pray my attention to the "spiritual needs" of me and those around me and THEY WILL NOTICE A DIFFERENCE in me for HIS GLORY!  I pray that I will minister to their physical needs AND then their spiritual needs. 

"SOLUTIONS"!

Joshua 1:7-8   (KJV)

"Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: TURN NOT from it to the RIGHT hand or to the LEFT, that thou mayest PROSPER  whithersoever thou goest.  This book of the law SHALL NOT DEPART out of thy mouth; but THOU SHALT MEDITATE therein DAY and NIGHT, that thou mayest observe to DO ACCORDING to all that IS WRITTEN therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."

Joshua wrote his book of The BIBLE  around 1400 BC, or 3400 years ago.  GOD did not just give the writings to the people of old to live by.  GOD gave us instruction and guidance many years ago that is still "valid" today.  

I recently observed a ministry pointing out that marriage can be an "ordeal" and people need to look to GOD for an answer.  The writer offered nothing from scripture to base his suggestions.  The problem is not recognizing "the Problem",.....sin!   

Only GOD offers a solution for man's problem.  

The "SOLUTION" to problems is STILL in scripture.  If "The book of law shall not depart out if thy mouth", then our actions would certainly improve.  GOD's word is a guide book for our lives.  GOD instructs us to obey HIS words.  We see the consequences of NOT walking in "HIS PATHS" all throughout scripture, and it is not pretty! 

FATHER, guide me to follow YOUR path for me.  Help me, O GOD, not get tangled in the web of lies and deceit offered by the enemy!  

"WAIT, I SAY"!

Psalms 27:14   (KJV)

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD."

Many, many times words are repeated in an effort to EMPHASIZE the desired point!  When that occurs, often times there are no "better" words that can be used, so the person making the point will simply repeat it in an effort to relay the importance of the matter. 

 I feel as though GOD was doing that in Psalms 27:14.  "Wait, I say" is HIS way of telling me that I need to take a breath and make sure of what HIS plan is.  

I have been told for most of my life "Everyone has opinions, and most of them are wrong"!  Why then, do we justify our actions by other people agreeing with us?  Our "justification" should come by whether or not scripture is supporting our view.  

But the enemy convinces us that we are "TOO BUSY" to slow down and listen to GOD's word.  We are "SMART" enough to get through the day on our own.  The children of Israel were "SMART" enough to turn a two-three week journey into a 40 year expedition when leaving Egypt! 

Scripture tells us in Matthew 11:25 "At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the WISE and PRUDENT, and hast revealed them unto babes."  If GOD chooses to "hide" things from the "wise and prudent", then HE can choose to reveal them to those who seek HIM!  

FATHER, I pray that I will always remember the enemy is seeking to prevent me from knowing and doing YOUR will.   I need to "WAIT" on YOU and make sure I am following YOUR direction in my life!!  

"TEMPORAL THINGS"!

I was privileged to attend my 35th High School Reunion this weekend.  I saw friends and acquaintances from a "few" years ago!  

The organizers of the Reunion did a fantastic job in the planning of the weekend.  One thing they did was displayed photos of ones who had predeceased the remainder of us.  Along with those photos were pictures of previous reunions and our school days.  Memories were bountiful!

Various people have become differing professionals.  One classmate became a welder, one a prison guard, while another works for an art studio.  At least one of my classmates became a Physician. It must be interesting to have the responsibility of giving advice to impact someone's physical well-being.   To know you are helping people live a healthier lifestyle has to be rewarding.  

But, what about someone's spiritual well-being?  Our body is going to wear out and die, decay, and decompose.  Our "SPIRIT" will live eternally, IF WE DON'T NEGLECT IT NOW!  

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 says "For our light affliction, which is but for A MOMENT, worketh for us a far more exceeding and ETERNAL weight of glory; While we look NOT at the things which are SEEN, but at the THINGS which are NOT SEEN: for the things which ARE seen are TEMPORAL; but the things which are NOT SEEN are ETERNAL."  

I need to be more concerned with the things that "ARE NOT SEEN" in this life, and not be so caught up with the "TEMPORAL"!  

All of what I am or hope to be is HIS!  LORD, create in me a heart to serve YOU and YOUR KINGDOM!    

"EYESIGHT"!

The journey for the children of Israel  from Egypt to The Promised Land should have taken anywhere from 4 days to 3 weeks, depending on which article you choose to read.  Why did 1.5 to 4 million people have to die before GOD would open their eyes to the correct path to The Promised Land? Why did a seemingly one week journey evolve into a near lifetime of struggle?  

When my oldest son was around a year old we moved into my in-laws house while I remodeled the house I grew up in.   We were "guests" for almost six months!  I cannot imagine being unsettled for forty years!!  To have a place to "hole up" and re-charge yourself is vital to your disposition.

GOD only allowed TWO of the Israeli refugees from Egypt to survive the journey.  TWO out of millions!  The grumbling and complaining people could not trust GOD!  Even in the New Testament we are reminded in 2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight".   In Hebrews 11:6 scripture records "But without FAITH it is "impossible" to please HIM: for he that cometh to GOD must believe that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM."   Three words to be remembered...."WITHOUT", "FAITH", and "IMPOSSIBLE"!  

Too many times we feel our journey has to be guided by "sight"!   I have a quote saved that says "We have a GOD who delights in impossibilities".   Our "eyesight" determines what "realm" (address) we live in.  I pray my "eyesight" will not be on the wilderness I may have to travel, rather on the GOD who made the wilderness, as well as The PROMISED LAND!! 

"LORD OVER ALL"!

Genesis 47:7-11   (KJV)

"And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and JACOB BLESSED PHARAOH.  And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.  And JACOB BLESSED PHARAOH, and went out from before Pharaoh.  And Joseph placed his father and his brethren, and gave them a possession in the land of Egypt, in the best of the land, in the land of Rameses, as Pharaoh had commanded."

Most of us have heard the story of how Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers.  I have read the passage many times, yet this morning it "became" real to me.  Joseph was sold because his brothers were jealous of him and his fathers love for him (Gen. 37:3).  BUT GOD used their deceit and malfeasance to bless HIS people.

In v.10 of Chapter 35 of Genesis, scripture says that Jacob was RENAMED Israel by GOD HIMSELF!  Then in Genesis 47:7;10 Jacob (Israel) blessed Pharaoh!  Israel BLESSED Egypt, worshipper of many false gods!  GOD blessed Israel by using the bounty HE had provided Egypt.  Keep in mind, in Deuteronomy 28:2 scriptures records "And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God."  It doesn't say how the blessings will come!!!

My GOD can cause arch enemies to eat from the same table.  Don't let preconceived ideas or notions direct your thoughts.  GOD can use ungodly people to accomplish a GODLY purpose!  Though HE may not be LORD of all, HE IS LORD OVER ALL!!!!

"50 YEARS AGO TODAY"!

Psalms 33:12   (KJV)

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD: and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance."

Quite literally, my wife is my best friend!  I have many other friends, of which I am thankful for, but no one else is as caring and supportive as she is.  She was born in 1963.  (And yes, she will be 50 years old this year!).  Recently, she pointed out an article in our local newspaper to me called "This Week in History" that discussed an "advertisement" ran in June 1963.  I have made the decision to reprint the article on my blog.  

"In response to the Supreme Court (of the United States) ruling on separation of church and state this week, many local business in Texarkana showed their opposition to the ruling by running an ad that show a picture of the statute of Liberty, the American flag, an open Bible.  It states "The Church is the greatest factor on earth for the building of character and good citizen ship.  It is a storehouse of spiritual values.  Without a strong church, neither democracy nor civilization can survive.  Man is the child of a living GOD: we are made in GOD's image.  Here is explained the Dignity of the Individual.  Our national flag, our church flag would not be here today were it not for the open Book."

Now there are a couple of grammatical errors, but there is so much TRUTH to what was printed that one has to take notice!  These were businessmen of my city 50 years ago this month that bought this newspaper ad.  They could see the beginnings of our downward spiral then.  Unless we, Americans,  "HUMBLE" ourselves (2 Chronicles 7:14) and pray, seek HIS face, and "TURN" from our sinful and wicked ways, we are set for destruction!  

And don't think we are TOO STRONG, too powerful, too mighty to experience failure!  Remember the Roman Empire? Remember  September 11, 2001 when nineteen hijackers stopped the most powerful nation mankind has ever known!  Only NINETEEN HIJACKERS!!  JESUS alerted us to this in Matthew 11:25 when HE said  "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."  

The "WISE AND PRUDENT" have been leading the USA for too long.  It is time for us to "HUMBLE" ourselves and "TURN" from our wickedness!  I pray it is not too late!  

"LIGHT and Darkness"!

Genesis 1:3-4   (KJV)

"And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness."

GOD has always provided "light" to those who desired to be out of the darkness. If you have LIGHT, then darkness is no more.  The brightness of the light may need improved, but the darkness is gone when LIGHT is present.  Below are a few scriptures that demonstrate that LIGHT and DARKNESS cannot fellowship.

John 8:12 says "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the LIGHT of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in DARKNESS, but shall have the LIGHT of life."

John 1:5 says "And the LIGHT  shineth in DARKNESS; and the DARKNESS comprehended it not."

John 8:12 says "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the LIGHT of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in DARKNESS, but shall have the LIGHT of life."

Ephesians 6:12 reminds us "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the DARKNESS of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

GOD is HOLY and HE cannot and will not share HIS glory with any other god.  Scripture is clear that the enemy will try to "deceive" anyone and everyone, just as he did Adam and Eve.  We have our warnings, unlike Adam and Eve.  

I choose "LIGHT"!!  

"THREEFOLD CORD"!

Genesis 2:24   (KJV)

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be ONE flesh."

The enemy likes for me to think of the many failures of my life,  The times when I quit just before the blessing arrived.   The times when I tried to "do it all" on my own!  But, I "choose" to remember the blessings in my life!  The times of  insufficiency are dim in comparison to the all of the successes! 

GOD has blessed me with a "help meet" that is just perfect for me.  Just as GOD creates Eve for Adam, HE created my wife for me.  For me, she is just what I need.  She is there for me when I need her to be "public" and she is there for me when the situation calls for her to be more  "private"!  And before I move on, I must say "She can cook"!  

My oldest son is a calm, yet high energy, driven young man.  He married a young lady to compliment him perfectly, as GOD designed.  One thing about him......they recently bought a house.  Upon closing, he and his wife went to the house they had just purchased and he prayed over the house!   That made tears come to his dad's eyes!!

My youngest son has a heart for people that is unmatched.  His wife plans to earn her Doctorate in nursing premature babies.  He and her have a special gift for "seeing" needs that others overlook because they are too busy.   They constantly take in "orphan" animals for a couple of months to allow the animals "time" to be placed with new owners.  

And then there's JESUS!  HE is the biggest blessing of my life!   My wife and kids are a great joy, but there is nothing like the joy and peace that knowing that I have "LIFE, and that they might have it more abundantly" as stated in John 10:10.  

Most of today's problems could be avoided if people lived the scripture in Genesis 2:24.  If husband and wife were "ONE" and fought problems as a team, they would be a team hard to beat.  Ecclesiastes 4:12 says "And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

I am thankful for my "blessings" and pledge to verbalize it more to them.  And I will always remember that we are a "threefold cord" (husband, wife, JESUS)!  

"SMILING IN THE STORM"!

Every persons life is a journey to "mold" each person into what GOD desires them to be.  The trials, sorrows, disobedience, joys, times of obedience, and blessings ALL play a part into making us  into what can glorify and edify a HOLY GOD!  

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 (ESV) reveals "Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?  In the day of prosperity be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him."   

GOD makes "GOOD" days as well as HE makes "BAD" days.  They are all HIS, and so are we.  If you look for HIS presence more during the difficult times, why would HE send joyous times?  Exodus 34:14 says "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God."  Do not find it strange that HE allows difficult times in our lives to cause us to refocus our attention to HIM!  

It is my desire to Praise HIM for the good times, as well as the tough times, and realize that ALL comes from HIM to make me what HE desires!  

"The JOY of FATHERING"!

Proverbs 23:24  (KJV)

"The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him."

I know traditionally the sons make a fuss over their dads on Fathers Day. But I saw this verse this morning and actually teared up thinking if how blessed I am!  

Both of my sons are GOD honoring with their lives in most everything they do.  They are married to GODLY women that compliment them greatly!  When I read "the father of the righteous shall GREATLY rejoice", I am humbled!  

To know you are loved as a father, there is nothing better.  To know The FATHER is loved by your children is something indescribable!!

"REVELATIONS"!

Mankind continues to become "smarter", more intelligent.   Yet "WISDOM" (GODLY WISDOM) has become in less demand.  And I think the moral decline is in direct correlation with the lack of GODLY WISDOM!

People seem astonished that GOD chooses to reveal HIMSELF and HIS ways to the humble and "unlearned"!  Acts 4:13 is one of the most revealing scriptures in The Bible.  It says "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were "unlearned and ignorant men", they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS."  Just being with "JESUS" gave them a manner of utterance that made them significant.  

In Luke's Gospel chapter 10 verses 21-24 JESUS spoke "In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the *wise and prudent*, and hast REVEALED them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight. All things are delivered to me of my Father: and no man knoweth who the Son is, but the Father; and who the Father is, but the Son, and he to whom the Son will REVEAL him.  And he turned him unto his disciples, and said privately, Blessed are the eyes which see the things that ye see: For I tell you, that many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see, and HAVE NOT SEEN them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and HAVE NOT HEARD them."  Dreams happen with regularity.  GODLY revelations are unique and special.  "Many prophets and kings have desired to see those things which ye see", yet only GOD can open our understanding.  

Do not be amazed that people cannot understand (SEE) the things GOD has revealed to you.  In John 10:24-27 it is REVEALED  "Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not, because ye are NOT OF MY sheep, as I said unto you. my sheep HEAR MY VOICE, and I know them, and THEY FOLLOW ME."  

If they are not "HIS sheep", they will not "hear" HIM (v.25).  GOD has a plan!  It is my desire to fulfill HIS plan to the fullest for HIS GLORY!! 

"IN THE END"!

On my Facebook home page I keep this verse as a reminder that when life gets TOO busy, that I must slow things down and refocus/reprioritize my life!

Psalms 46:10 says "Be Still, and know that I am GOD...."

The JOY and PEACE that I enjoy when I am "in tune" with GOD is indescribable.   The enemy will cause so much "busy ness" to enter our lives that we forget WHO our focus is on!  Sometimes I just need to "Be Still"!   

Why do we trade in such JOY and PEACE for worry, fear, and turmoil?   Ephesians 6:12 states "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."  

We (I mainly) need to realize and understand  that there is a HOLY war going on for control of our bodies and minds!   The devil will use anything he can to win a battle!   He will even use those we love to drag us down.  

But, in the end, the BIBLE tells us what is going down!   We need to ALWAYS remember that death and hell have been defeated and JESUS is LORD OF ALL!  

Glenn Davis

Revelation 2:10B

" be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

Glenn Davis was as devout a Christian man as I have had the privilege to know in this world.  Glenn's earthly body gave in to the effects of colon cancer this morning. 

I love Glenn Davis and Becky, his wife.  While visiting Glenn recently in his home, his daughter read from Romans 1:16 that says "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."

That was Glenn's favorite verse!  I am proud to call Glenn Davis my friend.  I am going to miss his testimony.  Glenn, I know you are in Heaven now!  In about "ten thousand years or so, a million, maybe two, look for me, I will be there too"!  

http://youtu.be/SIr0gNTgl6w

"INDIVIDUALLY"!

Isaiah 1:3   (ESV)

"The ox knows its owner, and the donkey its master's crib, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand." 

The children of GOD have made it a habit of seeing how far they can manage without letting GOD have HIS rightful place.  The Israelites continuously turned from GOD and it brought about defeat and destruction.  You would think they would learn from their mistakes???

But America is doing the same!  The leaders are certainly doing their part to lead us down the "path of destruction", but the real BLAME rests on the individuals.  

"We The People" individually "USE TO BE" a prayer army that was revered and respected as none other prior.  Now, rogue countries flaunt their false gods in our face and dare us to do anything about it.  We have forfeited our vaunted position in the world for political correctness and appeasement.  

While studying a book called The Harbinger it is pointed out that  Isaiah 9:10 was quoted by numerous politicians after the 9-11 terrorist attacks.  Isaiah 9:10 says "The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change them into cedars."  The verse sounds good, but it was an indictment AGAINST the children of Israel for taking their eyes (focus) off the GOD who granted then success.  They were going to build stronger, mightier fortresses to withstand there enemies.  Instead, their enemies prevailed against them.  

America was sent a warning on September 11, 2001 and we responded much the same as Israel centuries ago.  Galatians 6:7 reminds us that "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."  

Our only hope is found in 2 Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Individually, we MUST return to HIM and pray it is not too late!  

"SLOW TO SPEAK"!

Colossians 4:5-6  (ESV)

"Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.  Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

James 1:19  (ESV)

"Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger"

So many times I find myself not having the "right" words for the conversation I am having.   When that occurs, I often find myself being silent until I figure out just what is appropriate to say.  As it turns out, that may be scriptural!

The scriptures listed above tell me that I may NOT need to be talking! My speech should always be gracious!   The words "be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" were not put in Scripture by accident!   It has been said "GOD gave you TWO ears and ONE mouth for a reason"!  Should we listen TWICE as much as we speak?  

Carrying this a step further, when I pray should I listen to GOD more than I make requests of HIM?  Am I a bit selfish in my "Prayer Time"?  Do I dump my requests on the altar and run, sort of like at the fast food restaurant?  

GOD desires a "RELATIONSHIP" with us.   HE loves providing our needs, but HE also loves us to spend time with HIM!  

Father, I am sorry for the times I have appeared too busy to spend time alone with YOU.  Cause me to realize that my problems may be easily solved by YOU, but I have to listen to YOU for answers!  

"IS IT TRUE"?

Colossians 2:6-8 (KJV) "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." On Sunday evenings my pastor has recently spoke on "FALSE TEACHERS" after listening to a video by Shai Linne (A Christian Rap Artist) entitled the same. You may view it on YouTube by clicking below: http://youtu.be/pl4WevY-GPU The Apostle Paul is telling us in Colossians that we are responsible for NOT being deceived by anything that is not CHRIST! He writes that "any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world" we should BEWARE of! In the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 17 verse 10-11 (ESV) scripture records "The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to BEREA, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." The BEREAN Christians were determined to live their lives as scripture directed. They did not, and neither should we, rely on any man to give his opinion on matters related to Christian living. The end of v. 11 says "examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so"! LORD, cause me to rely totally on how YOUR WORD instructs me to live for you! I trust in YOU alone for my guidance!

"Turning back"!

Jeremiah 29:11-14 (KJV) "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. And I (GOD) will be found of you, saith the LORD: and I (GOD) will turn away your captivity, and I (GOD) will gather you from all the nations, and from all the places whither I (GOD) have driven you, saith the LORD; and I (GOD) will bring you again into the place whence I (GOD) caused you to be carried away captive." I do my BIBLE study on my iPhone. My wife says that the iPhone should be grown INTO my body, because I use it so much! One thing I love is I have four BIBLE apps on my phone and I can go from one to the other without losing my place in scripture. Every night, before going to sleep, I try to read a few verses so my mind will be set "on things above" (Col 3:2). Last night I read Jeremiah 29:11. This morning I was reading "around" and I was caused to linger on Jeremiah 29:14. The Israelites were in captivity because of sin. GOD always protected HIS children, UNTIL their hearts turned to other gods. But, HE is always there for us WHEN we turn back to HIM. I have taken the liberty of inserting the word (GOD) into v. 14 for emphasis. GOD never is out-of-control! The children of Israel were taken captive (bondage) by other nations and GOD orchestrated it! Now, HE was "causing" them to be set free! Make no mistake, GOD is sovereign. (Proverbs 16:1-4) My life is very similar to the children of Israel. From time to time I lose my focus on "keeping my eyes on JESUS". But HE is always there for me when I turn back to HIM! LORD, I pray that my desire and focus is on being what YOU desire me to be.....FOR YOUR GLORY!!!