"HE WENT AWAY SORROWFUL!"

Matthew 19:16-22                       (ESV)

"16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"

17 And he said to him, "Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments."

18 He said to him, "Which ones?" And Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness,

19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

20 The young man said to him, "All these I have kept. What do I still lack?"

21 Jesus said to him, "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

22 When the young man heard this "HE WENT AWAY SORROWFUL", for he had great possessions."

There are many quotes that are "accepted" to be from the Bible that simply can't be found in scripture.   One of the most commonly used is "Hate the sin, not the sinner", or some variation of the phrase.  WORDS can be used in a manner that promotes a good cause, but we need to be careful about who we attribute those WORDS to!  If GOD needed HIS WORD to convey a point, HE is quite capable of INSPIRING those WORDS to a writer of scripture.  

There are some WORDS that are in the Bible that are under emphasized.  JESUS was GOD wrapped in flesh and HIS WORDS changed the world!  A young man came to JESUS one day inquiring what he needed to accomplish to have eternal life.  How could he assure himself that his "good deed" would be good enough to get him into heaven?  JESUS replied "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

Verse 22 carries some of those under emphasized WORDS that I previously spoke of, "HE WENT AWAY SORROWFUL", for he had great possessions".  The "rich, young ruler" did not elect to give up his current lifestyle in order to secure an eternal reward in heaven.  His great earthly wealth obscured his heavenly gain as he 'couldn't see' what was in his future.  JESUS did not pat him on the back and tell him to give to the temple benevolence fund.  Nor did he tell him his "good deeds" wouldn't be forgotten at the Judgement Seat!  HE simply let the sinner make a decision, "for he had great possessions"!

JESUS instructs us to love one another.  But it is not showing much love if you let someone  stick a fork in a live electric outlet!  Sometimes you have to tell people the truth and let them make a decision.  That "HE WENT AWAY SORROWFUL" did not mean that JESUS didn't love the young man.  "HE WENT AWAY SORROWFUL" because he chose this world over the eternal things of heaven.  My friends, don't be deceived, for our choices DO HAVE consequences!  

"PROCLAIMING HIMSELF TO BE GOD!"

2 Thessalonians 2:1-4                   (ESV)

"1 Now concerning the coming of our LORD JESUS CHRIST and our being gathered together to HIM, we ask you, brothers,

2 not to be quickly SHAKEN IN MIND or ALARMED, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.

3 Let NO ONE DECEIVE YOU in any way. For that day will not come, UNLESS THE REBELLION COMES FIRST, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction,

4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of GOD, "PROCLAIMING HIMSELF TO BE GOD"."

With all of the uproar about a homosexuals having the right to join together is some sort of a legal partnership does not equal "marriage", no matter what a court says.  GOD ordained "marriage" between one man and one woman (Genesis 2:18-25; Matthew 19:4-6; Ephesians 5:22-33...etc..).  Anything outside of GOD's Framework, by definition, cannot be "marriage".   Since GOD made "marriage", only HE can change who gets to participate.   Don't let the 

"great deceiver" attempt to use a man-made definition to restructure what GOD has already established.  

Humankind has a desire, instilled in us from the great deceiver, to "PROCLAIM HIMSELF TO BE GOD"!  A friend of mine was writing recently about "weeding" and the need to continually get the weeds from her lawn. Pulling the weeds from our lives must be a continuing process as the evil one roams about as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8) "seeking someone to devour"!   The enemy desires, and attempts to get us to desire, to be as a god, making our own decisions about our lives and the direction we take with our lives.

But we aren't wise enough, nor righteous enough, to keep us out of hell!  In Mark 9:21-23  JESUS says "For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."  We must have a complete BLOOD TRANSFUSION to live Spiritually!  

The enemy can tell us we are something we are not, because he is a liar (John 8:44) and he can't help but to lie?  "PROCLAIMING HIMSELF TO BE GOD" is an illness that will spread among humans worse than cancer.  True JOY and PEACE can only come from JESUS and HE IS the only ONE who can "PROCLAIM HIMSELF TO BE GOD" with authority!!!

"ALL THINGS!"

Colossians 1:13-18                      (ESV)

"13 HE has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved SON,

14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 HE is the image of the invisible GOD, the firstborn of all creation.

16 For by HIM all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through HIM and for HIM.

17 And HE is before "ALL THINGS", and in him "ALL THINGS" hold together.

18 And HE is the head of the body, the church. HE is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything HE might be preeminent."

Can't you see that sometimes "ALL THINGS" don't work out the way we humans plan them?  Don't you imagine that in Exodus 14 Pharaoh THOUGHT he was going to recapture the children of Israel and bring them back to Egypt to serve once again under his rule?  The Egyptians were THE worldwide military power of the time and were as brutal as could be. Surely they THOUGHT they could just go round up the children of Israel like gathering lost sheep back into a fold?   But Exodus 14:4 GOD had a different Plan and HE says "And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I WILL GET GLORY over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." And they did so."

We can plan, and scheme, and organize, and train but all GOD has to do is SPEAK and "ALL THINGS" listen!  Like Pharaoh, we can make our plans on how we THINK things should occur, but if GOD says different, our plans have to change, not GOD's plans!  Why do I get so "out-of-sorts" when my plans get superseded by The ALMIGHTY's DIVINE PLAN!  The children of Israel must have assumed they were in deep trouble when the Egyptians were revealed to them.  But GOD said "ALL THINGS" would work for HIS glory, and "the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." ........ And they did so."

Human plans cannot match GOD's Plan!  "ALL THINGS", including this world, were made by GOD SPEAKING (Genesis 1:3)!  And GOD SAID should cause us to take notice!  "ALL THINGS" were created for HIM, and by HIM, and HE WILL BE GLORIFIED, no matter our plans!!!

"EACH PERSON!"

1 Corinthians 7:17                           (ESV)

"Only let "EACH PERSON" lead the life that the LORD has assigned to him, and to which GOD has called him. This is my rule in all the churches."

There are those that cannot be helped, no matter how much they need help.  For help to do any "good", it has to be received with a open and gracious heart.  A person whose heart hasn't been prepared by the MASTER cannot properly receive a blessing from another.  Even though that person be given immense amount of assistance, unless GOD is behind the assistance it will done in vein.  

The Apostle Paul said for "EACH PERSON" to lead the life the LORD assigns him.  GOD knew I needed to grow up poor, in a single parent home, with no father in my life, so I would it would be easier to trust HIM with everything, including my life!  It is easy to SAY that you trust GOD until they put you in a three week coma, then it becomes more than REAL!  When I realize that GOD makes NO MISTAKES, that HE even uses our mistakes for HIS glory, it humbles me beyond words.  

Yes, I have to live with my mistakes just like my parents lived with their mistakes!  GOD uses those mistakes and other circumstances to grow us into vessels to glorify HIS name.  Whether financial struggles, racial conflict, health concerns, or any other difficulty, GOD IS IN CONTROL and HE WILL BE GLORIFIED!  

"EACH PERSON" means exactly what it says!  You can't exclude yourself from living the life HE has assigned for you.  Surrendering to HIM makes things go a lot smoother.  In Acts 9:5 (KJV) JESUS says "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks."  Paul's journey wasn't the easiest, but he followed the direction of JESUS so GOD would get glory from his life!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, help me to realize that I am just a vessel used so "EACH PERSON" can know that YOU ARE KING!!

"I CANNOT ATTAIN IT!"

Psalms 139:1-6                     (ESV)

"1 O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. 

3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. 

4 Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O LORD, you know it altogether. 

5 You hem me in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon me. 

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; "I CANNOT ATTAIN IT".

When one REALLY takes time to deeply ponder just WHO GOD really is, how loving and caring HE is, how HE supplies all our needs and how much we owe our very existence to HIM, it it almost too encompassing too imagine!  David wrote in Psalms 139 that The LORD had searched him and knew him, that The LORD even discerned his thoughts from long before he even had the thoughts!  

In my younger years, I tried to emulate my grandfather.  My desire was to be as respected as he was, be as giving as he was, be as just as is he was.  Fifteen years after his going to his eternal reward, some of my family was discussing my grandfather's life.  They brought up some NOT SO flattering aspects of his personality that I was uncomfortable discussing.  It seems my grandfather was imperfect, a flawed man!  And my perception of him may have been skewed by my love for him?

How much do we really know about GOD?  In studying just WHO GOD is I came across this statement " I am reminded of the words of Daniel in Daniel 11:32b, “… but the people who KNOW their GOD will display strength and take action.” This is not just the knowledge about GOD, but the knowledge of GOD."  My desire is to not only know about GOD, but to KNOW GOD and to emulate HIS character in every aspect of my life!  Another phrase in my study said "an infinite GOD is more than the sum total of the qualities we find assigned to HIM in Scripture".  As perfect as the Holy Bible is, it cannot encapsulate, or limit, the power of GOD by using human words in describing HIM......."I CANNOT ATTAIN IT!"

While it is true my grandfather was less than perfect, it is also true he was, in my humble opinion, better than most I have been exposed to.  However, that I tried to emulate "grandpa" may have been a little short-sighted!  To reflect imperfection is to have our eyes on something other than JESUS CHRIST!  Even though "I CANNOT ATTAIN IT", emulating HIS life is what my desire should be.   

"BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM HE HAS SENT!"

John 6:25-29                           (ESV)

"25 When they found HIM on the other side of the sea, they said to HIM, "Rabbi, when did you come here?"

26 JESUS answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking ME, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

27 Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the SON of MAN will give to you. For on him GOD the FATHER has set his seal."

28 Then they (the crowd) said to HIM, "What must we do, to be doing the works of GOD?"

29 Jesus answered them, "This is the work of GOD, that you "BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM HE HAS SENT."

Many people go through their lives attempting to be the BEST CHURCH MEMBER that has ever lived, to be "doing the works of GOD"!  They think if they can do the "right things" that GOD will be pleased and grant them entrance into a paradise where everything is grand.  It seems there is a contest going where people attempt to be the BEST CHURCH MEMBER, with being the head of a social club mentality, in order to show how good we are!

GOD's desire isn't for us to see who can be the BEST CHURCH MEMBER, rather to have FAITH that HE is WHO HE says HE is!  We are instructed by JESUS in John 6:29 that you "BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM HE HAS SENT"!  It's not like joining a gym and out performing every one else who has chosen the same gym.  It is simply believing that GOD is WHO HE says HE is, and HE can do what HE claims HE can do, and HE knows the perfect time for HIS will to be accomplished, and that GOD loves me so much HE sent JESUS as a propitiation for my sins!  

In John 6:25 "the crowd" FOUND HIM they wanted to know JESUS because HE had provided their previous desires of food.  But JESUS knew the "thoughts and intentions" (Hebrews 4:12) of their hearts and HE was interested in helping those whose desire was to glorify GOD, not their fleshly gain!  

Although I may never be the BEST CHURCH MEMBER that has ever lived, my goal in this short time I am permitted to walk this earth is to "BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM HE HAS SENT" and to be a witness of the same.  The temporal pleasure of self glorification might last a few days, but when I "BELIEVE IN HIM WHOM HE HAS SENT" people's lives get changed.  My prayer is that many lives will be changed because of what HE has done in, and through, my life!!

"NO FEAR!"

Matthew 17:4-8                           (ESV)

"4 And Peter said to JESUS, "LORD, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for YOU and one for Moses and one for Elijah."

5 He (Peter) was still speaking when, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is MY beloved SON, with whom I am well pleased; listen to HIM."

6 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces and were terrified.

7 But JESUS came and touched them, saying, "Rise, and have "NO FEAR."

8 And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but JESUS only."

Worldly popularity is a changing fad, as many have discovered in life.  However, from time to time someone (whether intentionally or not) mixes a fad with Biblical fact, the results can be lasting.  The phrase "NO FEAR" has been around for thousands of years, and yet we see it on clothing, energy drinks, and other modern day other marketing paraphernalia. 

JESUS even used the words "NO FEAR" during HIS earthly tenure when HE ministered to Peter, James, and his brother John.  JESUS had just been visited by GOD and the disciples, who were present, "fell on their faces and WERE TERRIFIED".  If they really KNEW who JESUS was they would have had no reason to be terrified.  In 1 John 4:8 scripture tells us "GOD is love" and 1 John 4:18 says "There is "NO FEAR" in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected".  JESUS is GOD (John 10:30) and HE KNEW GOD so fear had no place in HIS life.

JESUS still wants us to live with "NO FEAR"!  Since GOD is LOVE and there is "NO FEAR" in LOVE, HIS desire is to fill us with GOD's LOVE removing all FEAR from our lives!  Like Peter, I can get all consumed with building "tents" when GOD wants to reveal HIMSELF to me and HE wants to do it on HIS terms, not on my terms.  GOD doesn't desire "tents" or worldly, ornate structures.  GOD wants to live in our lives, in our temples, for ALL to observe.  And HE can best do that when we live a life of "NO FEAR"!!!

"HEAR, MY SON!"

Proverbs 1:7-9                      (ESV)

"7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

8 "HEAR, MY SON", your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching, 

9 for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck."

Since my mom and dad divorced in 1964, and my dad promptly moved to Canada to avoid paying child support, I had NO father in my life to draw strength, wisdom, and guidance from.  GOD knew that I needed multiple father-figures though, so HE sent maybe 20+ men into my life to influence my path with Godly direction.  

When I was blessed with two sons I told them that I did not have a dad growing up so they would have to cut me a little slack!  Mistakes were numerous and my sons were very patient and forgiving as I sometimes butchered being the father I needed to be!  But GOD can take even mistakes by one of HIS children and cause HIS children to walk a GODLY path.  The main thing I hope I instilled in my children is to fear and love the LORD!

Proverbs 1:7 says fearing the LORD is the "beginning of knowledge".  Book knowledge is not something that I was abundantly blessed with, but GOD was able to teach me a LOT of life lessons that I tried to share with my sons.  When Solomon writes to "HEAR, MY SON" he might be expressing a desire for his children to learn from his mistakes and avoid some pitfalls he experienced.  I am blessed to say I never had to get my sons out of jail, nor did I have to go to the hospital after a drunken wreck, nor did I have to deal with so many other problems that so many dads have.  My children MUST have had the "beginning of knowledge" in there somewhere??

FATHER'S DAY always meant celebrating my mom as my dad!  My mom was a Special Lady as she made sure I was exposed to the "beginning of knowledge.  Now my sons will both be dads by the end of next month.  I pray they expose their children to the "beginning of knowledge" in all they do.  The one sure sign that "HEAR, MY SON" was taking place is they fear the LORD and they display the "beginning of knowledge"!!!

"UNDERSTAND?"

Jeremiah 17:5-10                    (ESV)

"5 Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD. 

6 He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. 

7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 

8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit." 

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and DESPERATELY SICK; WHO CAN "UNDERSTAND" IT"? 

10 "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."  

GOD built mankind with a desire to understand WHY, a desire to "UNDERSTAND".  We tend to want to explain things to make things more palatable, or acceptable.  Tragedies sometimes  happen with no warning nor explanation why?  The recent shooting in a southern city was admittedly perpetrated by someone who used "race" as motivation for his deeds.  But his actions were brought about by EVILNESS, pure and simple!  

The enemy seeks "only to steal, kill and destroy" (John 10:10)!  When he shows himself in such devastating ways, unless we are looking for him, we can't explain why things happened the way they happened.  The Bible is very clear, mankind is DESPERATELY SICK; WHO CAN "UNDERSTAND" the things that we do?  We cannot explain nor "UNDERSTAND" what the enemy is trying to accomplish because John 8:44 says "he was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the TRUTH, because there is no TRUTH in him".  

We "UNDERSTAND" what WE KNOW!  Yet most of us don't know THE TRUTH (John 14:6) nor do we recognize the enemy when he manifests himself.  We can't seem to identify his evilness because we aren't looking for him!  JESUS said in Mark 7:21-22 "For from within, OUT OF THE HEART OF MAN, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, MURDER, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness."  JESUS could identify the enemy, for HE knew THE FATHER!  HIS relationship with THE FATHER was such that whenever the enemy appeared JESUS knew he was there!

My prayer is that I will continue to grow in HIM to where I recognize, and "UNDERSTAND", when evil appears it is from the evil one!  When things are hard to understand it could be the great deceiver is masquerading himself!  The evilness lived out in some people's lives should not surprise, nor alarm us when we recognize the enemy for who he is.  Trying to "UNDERSTAND" him can be tricky since we are of GOD!  The main thing I "UNDERSTAND" is that the final battle has been won and JESUS wins!  THAT I "UNDERSTAND"!!!

"KNOW FOR CERTAIN!"

Genesis 15:13-16                  (ESV)

"13 Then the LORD said to Abram, ""KNOW FOR CERTAIN" that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years.

14 But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

15 As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age.

16 And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete." 

Waiting on GOD can be a lesson in patience, humility, perseverance and education.  GOD has a way of teaching us lessons that we had no idea we needed to learn, about things we never dreamed we would need to know, at just the right time we needed to know them, ALL for HIS glory!  

Abraham's "offspring" had to experience captivity for 400 years at the hands of the Egyptians before GOD "got glory" over Pharaoh and all his hosts!  Most certainly, the majority of the captives never knew freedom before there deaths.  Imagine living in captivity your entire life with seemingly no hope of being released? 

But the freedom of the nation of Israel was more certain than the sun rising every day.  GOD HIMSELF told their ancestor (Abram) to "KNOW FOR CERTAIN" his offspring would be captive for four hundred years, BUT that the nation holding them captive WOULD be judged!  The ancestors of Israel had to WAIT ON THE LORD (Psalms 27:14) over 400 years for HIS timing to be complete!  GOD had revealed HIS Plan to Abram, but the Egyptians didn't know HIS Plan and even chased after Moses to facilitate their own demise!  And I get "antsy" when I have to wait 400 minutes!  

When GOD ALMIGHTY says "KNOW FOR CERTAIN" that something is going to come about, you can be confident that it will be so.  Many times scripture states "it is written", referring to GOD's Word being recorded on paper.  If GOD has spoken a Word to us about something and we KNOW it's from HIM, we can "KNOW FOR CERTAIN" that HE will do it.  HE hasn't weakened and HIS resolve is still just as sure!  That I "KNOW FOR CERTAIN"!!!

"YOU ARE MY SERVANT!"

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."

Many times I have pondered the phrase "for I am your GOD" from Isaiah 41:10.  To live in the reality that the Creator of the universes, the Great I AM, is my GOD, leaves me a bit overwhelmed!  HE chose me to be to be part of HIS Kingdom and that is hard for me to totally comprehend.  What love and compassion HE must have to select a poor child of a single parent family with nothing great to offer except my love and futile attempts at righteousness in exchange for the Great I AM being my GOD!

While there are some who want to speak of everything that GOD has, can, and might do FOR THEM, I want to FOCUS today on the fact that "YOU ARE MY SERVANT"!  When I think of a servant my mind goes to a Roman Emperor who had people feeding him grapes, washing his feet, and beckoning to his every desire.  One dictionary says SERVANT is defined as "1. a person employed by another,  2.  a person in the SERVICE of another."  With that in mind, I am to be as an employee of THE MOST HIGH GOD and follow HIS direction for my life.  My wishes and desires shouldn't dictate my future!  

"YOU ARE MY SERVANT" in verse nine of Isaiah is followed by 'I have chosen you".  Acknowledging that someone could be "chosen" TO BE A SERVANT might be a difficult concept for some to grasp, until we realize we are speaking about being chosen by "I AM"!!  JESUS, who is GOD in flesh, says in Matthew 12:50 "For whoever does the will of my FATHER in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."  So in fact, IF we do the will of the FATHER, we are also brothers and sisters of JESUS CHRIST, the suffering SERVANT (Mark 10)!  If CHRIST is our example, and HE came to serve (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45; Luke 9:56...), then "YOU ARE MY SERVANT" should be expected of us???  GOD will be my GOD.  I need to make sure that I live "YOU ARE MY SERVANT"!!

"THEN HE AROSE AND WENT!"

1 Kings 19:19-21                      (ESV)

"19 So he (Elijah) departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him.

20 And he (Elisha) left the oxen and ran after Elijah and said, "Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you." And he said to him, "Go back again, for what have I done to you?"

21 And he (Elisha) returned from following him (Elijah) and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. "THEN HE AROSE AND WENT" after Elijah and assisted him."

Some of my early remembrances of my grandfather was him hitching a mule up to plow in the garden for crops.  You see, I grew up with the food eaten by our family coming from my grandfathers garden, or the animals of the farm from where we lived.  Seldom did we depend on the local grocery store to supply our family with the food we needed for our sustenance.  Quite literally, we depended upon GOD.  The are several years I remember my grandfather providing fruits of his labor (crops) to families who didn't have so they could eat.  GOD provided the harvest and GOD directed where the harvest was to be dispensed!

Elisha was found to be plowing when Elijah "passed by him".  Elijah found Elisha, not in the schools of the prophets, but in the field, not reading, nor praying, nor sacrificing, but plowing. Elisha's profession was cultivating crops, yet depending on The LORD to provide growth, so it seemed a natural progression that he would continue depending on The LORD for his needs.  Elisha wasn't waiting for The LORD to "miraculously" intervene and provide for him.  Instead he was plowing and Elijah simply "passed by him and cast his cloak upon him"!  

Elisha then "sacrificed" the oxen and prepared meals with the meat by using the yokes with which he used to work the oxen.  The people ate and Elisha's tools of his trade were used to feed them.  "THEN HE AROSE AND WENT" after Elijah and assisted him in his ministry.  Elisha "sacrificed" so the people could eat!  He "sacrificed" the oxen so GOD could use him assisting Elijah.  He left his father and mother to follow what The LORD had for him in his life!

My prayer is that when GOD sends someone "passing by" me that I will be willing to "sacrifice" for The LORD and leave everything behind.  In the text above Elijah never asked Elisha to assist him, he only "cast his cloak upon him" and "THEN HE AROSE AND WENT"!  The direction to follow Elijah had to come from someone, and I would presume it came from GOD.  HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to be SO in tune with YOUR will that my testimony will be "THEN HE AROSE AND WENT" when YOU call me!!!

"DENYING ITS POWER!"

2 Timothy 3:1-7                         (ESV)

"1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,

4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

5 having the appearance of godliness, but "DENYING ITS POWER". Avoid such people.

6 For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions,

7 always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth."

There are those, and we all may be to some degree, who don't FULLY grasp WHO GOD is and what HE is capable of.  Most people understand that GOD is somewhat powerful and majestic, but we don't really understand what JESUS said in Matthew 19:26 when HE spoke "With man this is impossible, but with GOD 'all things' are possible."  The term "all things" removes all limits of what GOD can accomplish......IF we believe!!

The Apostle Paul was converted following his Damascus Road experience in Acts 9.  He had a grasp of just what GOD could do "IF" we would only believe.  Paul had been where only GOD could receive glory for what transpired in his life, so his understanding of GOD's power was unlike most.  There is no trying to explain the phenomenon, you just have to TRUST me!  It is a whole lot easier to be one "DENYING ITS POWER" when you haven't experienced a Damascus Road moment.

Paul wrote in today's text that "in the last days" people would become more concerned with their own surroundings than the things of GOD.  If we fully understood GOD and HIS majesty I believe we would "stand amazed in the presence of JESUS the Nazarene"!  Maybe we don't explore more of WHO GOD is because in the end we would be so inferior to HIM and HIS greatness we wouldn't be as important?  Could that be one reason some prefer to speak of the faults of others surrounding them rather than glorify the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS?  

It becomes easier and easier to get caught up in "DENYING ITS POWER" when we only have an "appearance" of godliness and don't take the time to honor and worship HIM!  Scripture says in Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please HIM, for whoever would "draw near" to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek HIM."  James 4:8 says "Draw near to GOD, and HE will draw near to you"!  It is difficult "DENYING ITS POWER" when you are "drawing near" to HIM!  

"THE CLOUD!"

1 Corinthians 10:1-11                    (ESV)

"1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under "THE CLOUD", and all passed through the sea,

2 and all were baptized into Moses in "THE CLOUD" and in the sea,

3 and all ate the same spiritual food,

4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was CHRIST.

5 Nevertheless, WITH MOST OF THEM GOD was not pleased, for they were overthrown (perished) in the wilderness.

6 Now these things took place as EXAMPLES FOR US, that WE might not desire evil as THEY  did.

7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play."

8 We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.

9 We must not put CHRIST to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,

10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.

11 Now these things happened to THEM as AN EXAMPLE, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come."

The Children of Israel were being led by GOD HIMSELF in "THE CLOUD" (speaks of it {"THE CLOUD"} as a form under which GOD was pleased to show HIMSELF), according to one commentary.  "THE CLOUD" did not leave them during the day or night (Exodus 13:22) yet they still were disgruntled and complained (Exodus 16:22-27) when their water source was interrupted.  One would think that if GOD HIMSELF were leading you that you would know that HE would take care of you, even with no water!

About 1,500 years later Paul was writing about the escapades of the children of Israel's exodus and their unfaithfulness to GOD.  Paul writes that GOD was not pleased WITH MOST OF THEM and caused the nation of Israel NOT to experience the Promised Land until the unbelievers perished in the wilderness.  Not pleasing GOD is "serious" business! The Israelites were no longer captive to the Egyptians, but they could NOT enjoy the riches GOD had for them because they did not "trust and obey" in HIM!   

We see the lessons taught to the children of Israel nearly 3,500 years ago, but have we learned from them?  The children of Israel did not take serious the commandments of GOD and HE gave them their reward.......ultimate death?  Yes, Israel is the chosen people of GOD (Deuteronomy 7:6) but they are also the ones who didn't honor GOD and experienced the wrath of GOD!  Should we expect GOD treat us any better?  "THE CLOUD" of GOD's protection is only available to those who chose to live within the confines of "THE CLOUD"!!  

Just as "THE CLOUD" always protected the Children of Israel, we too are told in Hebrews 13:5-6 to "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for HE has said, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU nor forsake you."  So we can confidently say, "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?"  Trusting in "THE CLOUD" takes confidence that you will be led where YOU NEED TO GO, not where the road is easiest!  If we trust in "THE CLOUD" to LEAD and GUIDE us, HE will protect and provide for us.  If we elect to live outside of "THE CLOUD" our hope must be in what we can accomplish for ourselves!  I choose to live inside "THE CLOUD"!!!

"NO DARKNESS AT ALL!"

1 John 1:5-7           (NASB)

"This is the message we have heard from HIM and announce to you, that GOD is Light, and in HIM there is "NO DARKNESS AT ALL".  If we say that we have fellowship with HIM and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as HE HIMSELF is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of JESUS HIS SON cleanses us from all sin."

There seems to be a trend toward a darkened setting while worshipping JEHOVAH GOD.  The are some fellowships that even dim all light while singing praises to our KING.  While worship leaders may be better seen with directed lighting, isn't our worship supposed to be directed to GOD and not to making worship leaders more attractive?

2 Timothy 3:16 says "ALL SCRIPTURE is inspired by GOD and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness".  Is there is a reason GOD cause the phrase "NO DARKNESS AT ALL" to be included in HIS Word!  In 1 John 1:5 HE says "in HIM there is "NO DARKNESS AT ALL", therefore all deeds are done in the LIGHT of exposure.  When 

Could it be one reason that GOD is so removed from our worship of HIM is because we won't let HIM in?  'GOD is Light' and some churches want darkness while GOD is praised and preached?  Could there be a spirit of darkness, trying to HIDE something or someone, from GOD prevailing?  Genesis 3:10 says Adam "was afraid (of GOD) because I was naked; so I HID myself.”  Adam had sinned and he attempted to HIDE his sin from GOD!  Maybe sin is HID from man in DARKNESS, but GOD sees with HOLY EYES that see TRUTH!  

"In HIM there is "NO DARKNESS AT ALL" may have nothing to do with whether the lighting is dimmed or not.  For me, I want everything I do to be done in GOD's Light and with HIS approval.  Perfection will not be achieved as long as the enemy is in "this world".  But I desire to live where there is "NO DARKNESS AT ALL" and where we worship the GOD WHO IS LIGHT!! 

"JUDGE THE WORLD!"

John 3:16-18                            (NASB)

"“For GOD so loved the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whoever believes in HIM shall not perish, but have eternal life. “For GOD did not send the SON into the world to "JUDGE THE WORLD", but that the world might be saved through HIM. “He who believes in HIM is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten SON of GOD."

It maybe the most memorized verse in the entire Bible.  John 3:16 is SO full of life lessons one cannot begin listing them all in one setting.  Yesterday afternoon I saw this verse on a plaque hanging in my own office, and it had been hanging up there for months!  While reading the plaque my attention was drawn to John 3:17 "For GOD did not send the SON into the world to "JUDGE THE WORLD", but that the world might be saved through HIM"!

Judging is so "natural" for us to do!  The enemy, the "natural" one himself (1 Corinthians 2:14), displays his craftiness by trying to make it seem as though we actually care for the people we are judging!  But when we realize that, according to the very words of JESUS, HE wasn't sent to "JUDGE THE WORLD" but to SAVE it causes me to understand that if my desire is to be like HIM, then I must be about the same focus!  GOD is quite capable of judging without my help.  

John 3:17 begins with "For GOD did not send the SON into the world to "JUDGE THE WORLD"...  If GOD sent HIS only begotten SON and that SON was not given the authority to judge, what makes me think HE has given that authority to me?  We humans are Created as fallible beings.  We were not Created to be without sin.  An imperfect people worshipping a "perfect" GOD is what we were Created to be.  GOD not only sent HIS SON for a purpose, HE sent you and me for a purpose!  And it was NOT to "JUDGE THE WORLD"!

The Rev. Billy Graham once said "It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, GOD's JOB TO JUDGE and my job to love!"  GOD is love (John 3:16; 1 John 4:8...) and if I desire to be like HIM then I must love also!  We will not be content trying to be something other than what GOD has Created us for.  LORD, cause me to be more like YOU and realize that I was not Created to "JUDGE THE WORLD", but to love the world!  

"HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU!"

Psalms 91:9-11                         (ESV)

"9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place- THE MOST HIGH, who is my refuge- 

10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 

11 For "HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU" to guard you in all your ways." 

There seems to be a perception nowadays that GOD is an untouchable being that has too many other concerns to be bothered with my problems!  While it is true the vastness and magnitude of GOD is beyond anything that I can write, HE is, without a doubt, the most comforting BEING ever.  GOD is "big enough to rule the mighty universe, but small enough to live within my heart"!

Just WHO is GOD- THE MOST HIGH in your world?  Is HE someone WHO is too big and busy to be concerned with you or your troubles?  Or is HE a "FRIEND who sticks closer than a brother" to you (Proverbs 18:24)?  To JESUS (GOD in flesh), we are friends, for in John 15:5 HE says "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I HAVE CALLED YOU FRIENDS, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you".  

King David wrote in Psalms 91:11 "For "HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU"!  Does this mean we will never experience difficulty in life?  Will being a friend of GOD dictate that everything go our way?  Isaiah 55:8-9 says GOD's thoughts and ways are higher than our thoughts and ways.  So my plans can't begin to compare to HIS plans for my life.  All of my supposed grand ideas will diminish when GOD intervenes!

Scripture declares in Psalms 46:1 that "GOD is our refuge and strength" and Psalms 91:11 that "HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU"!  Don't get discouraged when things don't happen the way you imagined they would.  Rest in the fact that GOD is in control of this world and HE isn't surprised by people's actions or reactions!  And that "HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU"!!

"GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS!"

Hebrews 12:5-11                   (ESV)

"5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 

6 For the LORD disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives." 

7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. "GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS". For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?

8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons.

9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live?

10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.

11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Being "Grounded" or put in "time-out" is a way of disciplining children getting them to slow down and focus on doing things differently.  Sometimes we need to evaluate things from a different perspective to truly see things in the light that will allow us to grow and mature adequately.  Even some of the challenges in our lives can be used to mold us into vessels that GOD can use for HIS glory!  

One of the most memorable (unpleasantly so) times in my life was not during my childhood, but rather in my children's childhood, when I was attempting to get one of my sons to see things from the point of view which I was looking from.  I'm not sure I ever got my point across, as that was not one of my finer moments.  I'm sure even THE BEST of fathers have some moments they might like a "do-over" on!

When we realize that "GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS" to mold us into vessels that can be of better use to HIS Kingdom, we are beginning to be used of HIM and for HIS purpose.  "HE disciplines the one HE loves" so we should not be discouraged when GOD takes time to educate us in HIS ways!  A loving Father doesn't discipline out of anger or rage, but in an effort to SAVE his child from the pitfalls in life!

When "GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS" it isn't always bad.  GOD can teach without carrying us to "the woodshed" of life.  The writer of Hebrews instructs us that there is NO SON that "his father does not discipline".  We should know that if we are being taught a lesson that GOD is using that lesson FOR HIS GLORY to make us more in HIS image.  Both of my sons have some characteristics that I cannot deny.  When "GOD IS TREATING YOU AS SONS" we should rejoice that we are HIS children and some characteristics HE cannot deny!  

"WHEN THEY SAW!"

1 Samuel 17:24-27                    (ESV)

"24 All the men of Israel, "WHEN THEY SAW" the man (Goliath), fled from him and were much afraid.

25 And the men of Israel said, "Have you seen this man who has come up? Surely he has come up to defy Israel. And the king will enrich the man who kills him with great riches and will give him his daughter and make his father's house free in Israel."

26 And David said to the men who stood by him, "What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living GOD?"

27 And the people answered him in the same way, "So shall it be done to the man who kills him." 

Most of us are familiar with the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel.  Goliath was reportedly over 9 feet tall, and I'm sure was no bean pole!  King Saul and the Israelites were fearful of Goliath and the damage they perceived he could do to them.  They could not "see" anyone one of themselves having a chance against an enemy that they all feared so greatly.  

Goliath had told Saul and his followers if you send a man to fight me and he wins, then the Philistines will SERVE you.  But if Goliath were to win the battle then Israel would SERVE the Philistines!  But GOD doesn't abide by earthly dictates.  In Exodus 23:24-25 GOD lets the children of Israel know that "you shall not worship their gods, nor SERVE them, nor do according to their deeds", and "but you shall SERVE the LORD your GOD"!  

David was a very young man (reportedly 15 years old) who had been mostly assigned to guarding his fathers sheep while they grazed.  As for Saul and all Israel, when they heard the voice Goliath they were in great fear.  But David said "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine."  David didn't "see" Goliath as formidable foe nearly as much as he "saw" his GOD being able to overcome any challenge!  Of course we know that David slew Goliath with a sling and stones and GOD GOT GLORY from it.

When the enemy, the master deceiver, presents himself to us as a formidable foe his biggest asset is intimidation.  David was able to "see" Goliath being defeated because Goliath was defying the living GOD!  As for Saul and the Israeli army, "WHEN THEY SAW" Goliath they could only see defeat!  

HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to "see" with the vision of David when the enemy presents himself to me and realize that YOU defeated the enemy at Calvary.  Remind me that "WHEN THEY SAW" is a scheme of the devil attempting to prevent a victory in my life!