1 Corinthians 3:1-9 (ESV)
"1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in CHRIST.
2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,
3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," are you not being merely human?
5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but "GOD GAVE THE GROWTH".
7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only GOD WHO gives the growth.
8 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.
9 For we are GOD's fellow workers. You are GOD's field, GOD's building."
Occasionally I am amazed at how GOD provides sustenance and direction in my life, in spite of my inattention to HIS WORD! Recently there was a post on a social media site from a high school friend basically pointing out that Christians seem to be "alarmed" at the degenerative culture we find ourselves in when GOD's WORD tells us over and over "In the last days" things will become extremely evil! My thoughts were "the church has become less intimate with the Bible and more intimate with "this world". This has caused us to lose focus of what JESUS said will happen "in the last days"!
Already that morning I had seen a meme from a well-known Believer in CHRIST that had no reference to scripture. Now, I'm not saying that everything shared in our lives MUST be scripturally based, but unless GOD's Word is at the foundation of what is being said, I find it a non-essential item in my life.
The Apostle Paul wanted to state this point RATHER BOLDLY when the Spirit of GOD inspired him to write "I planted, Apollos watered, but "GOD GAVE THE GROWTH". One could read this to mean that no matter what we THINK we are accomplishing, unless GOD intervenes our efforts to reap a bountiful harvest will be in vane! Weeds and other non-fruit bearing plants can look healthy and pretty, but only fruits that are connected to the TRUE VINE will withstand the heat and turmoil of life in the end. Truly "HEARING" what the WORD of GOD is saying is accepting the required changes in our lives, not just listening to a sermon on Sunday mornings!
For far too many years of my life I have accepted being a shallow flower in the flower pot of life to be admired and lauded over by mankind! But GOD has brought me to a place where all I am concerned with is what I can do to glorify HIM and HIS Kingdom! If "GOD GAVE THE GROWTH" then no one else can receive glory for that growth. It is far past time for the church to begin listening to the SPIRIT of GOD ALMIGHTY and not be as enamored with what "man" has to say! After all, only "GOD CAN GIVE GROWTH" and only HE deserves to be praised for our growth!!!
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Friday, April 29, 2016
"ABOVE REPROACH!"
Titus 1:5-9 (ESV)
"5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you-
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as GOD's steward, must be "ABOVE REPROACH". He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
With all of the hoopla over which Presidential candidate to vote for and whether or not we should support or not support any of them, don't think that GOD isn't interested in who wins! Being of the belief that GOD is in control of everything and HE will receive glory regardless of how men's hearts are in tune with HIM, I need to understand that when I give an account (Romans 14:12) of my actions to GOD and there ARE going to questions that ARE going to be answered, no matter how uncomfortable the answer may be!!
Although no political candidate is flawless, can you imagine standing before a HOLY GOD and answering why we supported a certain candidate over others running for office? We have been given by GOD ALMIGHTY the privilege AND RESPONSIBILITY of selecting our leaders, but what are we basing our selection on! Are we "vetting" their "testimony", how their lives are lived before public service, for that is a pretty good indication of how they will react afterwards! Do we want a leader who has exhibited ungodly behavior in their past to be leading us in a Godly manner? That would be similar to hiring a taxicab driver with 12 DWI's on their driving record! We cannot abandon GOD and HIS Word or we risk operating outside of HIS protection (Exodus 13:21-22)!
Being "ABOVE REPROACH" is not an easy standard to meet for most of the people, but GOD always has someone available for selection IF WE SEARCH FOR THEM DILIGENTLY ENOUGH! Examine each candidate according to what Titus 1:5-9 says before you support, endorse, or financially back a candidate. Don't let what "this world" says about them determine whether or not you think they are a fit candidate. Let GOD's Word determine if they are "ABOVE REPROACH" and trust in HIM for the results!
In closing, I offer you the final two verses of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 4:30)! "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear GOD and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For GOD will BRING EVERY DEED into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good evil." GOD tells us that HE will BRING EVERY DEED into judgement! Do we believe HIS Word? Will we continue trusting in our own knowledge, or will we seek leaders who are "ABOVE REPROACH" to guide us back to HIM???
"5 This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you-
6 if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination.
7 For an overseer, as GOD's steward, must be "ABOVE REPROACH". He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain,
8 but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
9 He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it."
With all of the hoopla over which Presidential candidate to vote for and whether or not we should support or not support any of them, don't think that GOD isn't interested in who wins! Being of the belief that GOD is in control of everything and HE will receive glory regardless of how men's hearts are in tune with HIM, I need to understand that when I give an account (Romans 14:12) of my actions to GOD and there ARE going to questions that ARE going to be answered, no matter how uncomfortable the answer may be!!
Although no political candidate is flawless, can you imagine standing before a HOLY GOD and answering why we supported a certain candidate over others running for office? We have been given by GOD ALMIGHTY the privilege AND RESPONSIBILITY of selecting our leaders, but what are we basing our selection on! Are we "vetting" their "testimony", how their lives are lived before public service, for that is a pretty good indication of how they will react afterwards! Do we want a leader who has exhibited ungodly behavior in their past to be leading us in a Godly manner? That would be similar to hiring a taxicab driver with 12 DWI's on their driving record! We cannot abandon GOD and HIS Word or we risk operating outside of HIS protection (Exodus 13:21-22)!
Being "ABOVE REPROACH" is not an easy standard to meet for most of the people, but GOD always has someone available for selection IF WE SEARCH FOR THEM DILIGENTLY ENOUGH! Examine each candidate according to what Titus 1:5-9 says before you support, endorse, or financially back a candidate. Don't let what "this world" says about them determine whether or not you think they are a fit candidate. Let GOD's Word determine if they are "ABOVE REPROACH" and trust in HIM for the results!
In closing, I offer you the final two verses of Ecclesiastes, written by King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 4:30)! "The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear GOD and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For GOD will BRING EVERY DEED into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good evil." GOD tells us that HE will BRING EVERY DEED into judgement! Do we believe HIS Word? Will we continue trusting in our own knowledge, or will we seek leaders who are "ABOVE REPROACH" to guide us back to HIM???
Thursday, April 28, 2016
"LORD TEACH US TO PRAY!"
Luke 11:1-4 (ESV)
"1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, TEACH US TO PRAY", as John taught his disciples."
2 And HE said to them, "When you pray, say: "FATHER, HALLOWED( be YOUR name. YOUR kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."
The "so-called" LORD's Prayer has so many lessons that one cannot cover them all. Actually, this prayer should be named The Model Prayer as the disciples were inquiring about how to pray. The LORD didn't need to ask forgiveness for HIS sins (v4), as HE never sinned! HE was instructing the disciples to always ask forgiveness as our very nature is sinful and we ALL need forgiveness! However, let me just make some quick notes as I read though these scriptures.
The word HALLOWED (v2) is defined as being SACRED, or HOLY! Those who talk as GOD is a hunting buddy or a teammate on their baseball team may not grasp just WHO GOD really is. JESUS declared GOD's name to be SACRED and HOLY and I just cannot bring myself to minimize WHO GOD is. HE is the Creator and Sustainer of life and I love HIM greatly, but also FEAR HIM TREMENDOUSLY! It seems modern Christians have become so comfortable with GRACE that we have relaxed the instructions to keep HIS FATHERS name SACRED and HOLY! Instead changing our behavior because of HIM abiding with us, we drag HIM into the cesspool of life and then wonder why we experience difficulties?
In verse 3 JESUS addresses one of the most important aspects of being a Believer. HE says "Give us each day our daily bread"! Now my fleshly "desire" is to have enough resources, or wealth, to accomplish the things GOD has put on my heart. But GOD can provide resources in other ways than money. My "desire" is to see a huge balance in the checkbook, but HIS goal is for me to have FAITH in HIM to provide my needs! Nothing is better than observing GOD work things out, especially when there SEEMS to be no way out! JESUS knew that GOD is able and so HE only asked for HIS DAILY BREAD! And one final note, when GOD provides OUR DAILY BREAD, it is usually real fresh, never stale (Lamentations 3:23)!
GOD isn't looking for people with uncommon strength or abilities. GOD is looking for we who will TRUST in HIM for our very existence, people who know that HE is and will provide what we need (Hebrews 11:6)! When we approach HIS THRONE we shouldn't be concerned with "LORD TEACH US TO PRAY" nearly as much as making sure HE IS GLORIFIED before a lost and dying world! It is all about promoting HIM, not us!!!
"1 Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, TEACH US TO PRAY", as John taught his disciples."
2 And HE said to them, "When you pray, say: "FATHER, HALLOWED( be YOUR name. YOUR kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread,
4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation."
The "so-called" LORD's Prayer has so many lessons that one cannot cover them all. Actually, this prayer should be named The Model Prayer as the disciples were inquiring about how to pray. The LORD didn't need to ask forgiveness for HIS sins (v4), as HE never sinned! HE was instructing the disciples to always ask forgiveness as our very nature is sinful and we ALL need forgiveness! However, let me just make some quick notes as I read though these scriptures.
The word HALLOWED (v2) is defined as being SACRED, or HOLY! Those who talk as GOD is a hunting buddy or a teammate on their baseball team may not grasp just WHO GOD really is. JESUS declared GOD's name to be SACRED and HOLY and I just cannot bring myself to minimize WHO GOD is. HE is the Creator and Sustainer of life and I love HIM greatly, but also FEAR HIM TREMENDOUSLY! It seems modern Christians have become so comfortable with GRACE that we have relaxed the instructions to keep HIS FATHERS name SACRED and HOLY! Instead changing our behavior because of HIM abiding with us, we drag HIM into the cesspool of life and then wonder why we experience difficulties?
In verse 3 JESUS addresses one of the most important aspects of being a Believer. HE says "Give us each day our daily bread"! Now my fleshly "desire" is to have enough resources, or wealth, to accomplish the things GOD has put on my heart. But GOD can provide resources in other ways than money. My "desire" is to see a huge balance in the checkbook, but HIS goal is for me to have FAITH in HIM to provide my needs! Nothing is better than observing GOD work things out, especially when there SEEMS to be no way out! JESUS knew that GOD is able and so HE only asked for HIS DAILY BREAD! And one final note, when GOD provides OUR DAILY BREAD, it is usually real fresh, never stale (Lamentations 3:23)!
GOD isn't looking for people with uncommon strength or abilities. GOD is looking for we who will TRUST in HIM for our very existence, people who know that HE is and will provide what we need (Hebrews 11:6)! When we approach HIS THRONE we shouldn't be concerned with "LORD TEACH US TO PRAY" nearly as much as making sure HE IS GLORIFIED before a lost and dying world! It is all about promoting HIM, not us!!!
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
"YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN!"
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV)
"19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the HOLY SPIRIT within you, whom you have from GOD? "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN",
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify GOD in your body."
As a man in my mid 50's there are many demands on my aging body, most of them self-imposed demands that have no connection with eternal rewards. But how do I allow such seemingly trivial matters to become so paramount in my life? How does the unworthy temporal ideas get mixed in with what GOD is trying to accomplish in my life? How can I "keep my eyes set on the things above" and not on the things of "this world"?
The enemy can keep me so busy at doing what's seems like "good things" that I don't have time for the things GOD has for me to do TO DRAW GLORY TO HIM! My mind can wander down so many avenues which all appear to be beneficial for the Kingdom, but that GOD may not have CALLED me to do? GOD uses HIS entire army to do differing tasks and my desires sometimes don't figure into HIS PLAN. The main purpose of my life SHOULD be to draw honor and glory to HIM, not to grow my bank account or draw recognition to self!
"YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" needs to be emblazoned across my Spiritual forehead as a reminder to always seek to glorify GOD, NOT TO BE GLORIFIED BY GOD! This body isn't my eternal abode, only a rental I have been entrusted with for a few short years. JESUS paid a tremendous price to ransom my SOUL from the enemy, and the actions of my body should reflect that fact more and more as my soul is drawn closer to HIM. We should "glorify GOD in your body" for some are unable to SEE a difference from the soul and body. Their eyes have yet to be opened to the ETERNAL vs. the temporal and all they can SEE is the things of "this world"!
Even the "thoughts and intents" of my heart should reflect "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" as we are occasionally directed to do some things that do not make SENSE! Romans 14:23b says ".........For whatever does not proceed from FAITH is sin". Hebrews 11:6a instructs "And without faith it is impossible to please HIM......". GOD is calling me to TRUST HIM more and to remember "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" as I journey through "this world" glorifying HIS NAME!!
"19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the HOLY SPIRIT within you, whom you have from GOD? "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN",
20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify GOD in your body."
As a man in my mid 50's there are many demands on my aging body, most of them self-imposed demands that have no connection with eternal rewards. But how do I allow such seemingly trivial matters to become so paramount in my life? How does the unworthy temporal ideas get mixed in with what GOD is trying to accomplish in my life? How can I "keep my eyes set on the things above" and not on the things of "this world"?
The enemy can keep me so busy at doing what's seems like "good things" that I don't have time for the things GOD has for me to do TO DRAW GLORY TO HIM! My mind can wander down so many avenues which all appear to be beneficial for the Kingdom, but that GOD may not have CALLED me to do? GOD uses HIS entire army to do differing tasks and my desires sometimes don't figure into HIS PLAN. The main purpose of my life SHOULD be to draw honor and glory to HIM, not to grow my bank account or draw recognition to self!
"YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" needs to be emblazoned across my Spiritual forehead as a reminder to always seek to glorify GOD, NOT TO BE GLORIFIED BY GOD! This body isn't my eternal abode, only a rental I have been entrusted with for a few short years. JESUS paid a tremendous price to ransom my SOUL from the enemy, and the actions of my body should reflect that fact more and more as my soul is drawn closer to HIM. We should "glorify GOD in your body" for some are unable to SEE a difference from the soul and body. Their eyes have yet to be opened to the ETERNAL vs. the temporal and all they can SEE is the things of "this world"!
Even the "thoughts and intents" of my heart should reflect "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" as we are occasionally directed to do some things that do not make SENSE! Romans 14:23b says ".........For whatever does not proceed from FAITH is sin". Hebrews 11:6a instructs "And without faith it is impossible to please HIM......". GOD is calling me to TRUST HIM more and to remember "YOU ARE NOT YOUR OWN" as I journey through "this world" glorifying HIS NAME!!
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
"SPIT YOU OUT!"
Revelation 3:15-17 (ESV)
"15 "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will "SPIT YOU OUT" of my mouth.
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."
Have you ever taken a drink of something and it temperature of the beverage been so vile it causes you to feel almost nauseous! Take coffee as an example, I prefer my coffee to be not SCALDING hot, but hot enough to cleanse my mouth and throat of the unpleasantness left from a night of sleeping. I understand there are some who enjoy iced coffee. But when the coffee has become room temperature it is hard to ingest and makes me want to "SPIT YOU OUT" of my mouth!
When we become lukewarm we usually don't make a difference in our environment. A steaming HOT cup of coffee will not be accepted too well amongst iced coffee, and not visa versa. GOD is telling us HE prefers us to make a CHOICE to remain HOT, like coffee that has been left on the cup warmer! When we become lukewarm, our time in the Word of GOD and our prayer life are usually the first casualties! In my case, I become so busy with the things of "this world", with meetings and appointments, with things to assure my worldly "SUCCESS", that I can neglect the things that draw me closer to GOD, the things that REALLY matter?!?
Miss Clara, from the WAR ROOM movie, said while serving a cup of coffee to her and Elizabeth Jordan, "Oh no, I like mine piping hot!" Miss Clara had served Elizabeth a cup of lukewarm coffee that wasn't fit to drink. We experience a little worldly "SUCCESS" and begin to start focusing more on the "SUCCESS" than our Creator and that is where our demise begins! Verse 17 above says "FOR YOU SAY, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked". But in Matthew 6:33 JESUS SAID "But SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD and HIS righteousness, and ALL these things will be added to you".
Knowing the price JESUS CHRIST paid to redeem my soul is a humbling thing! Why do I prefer to seek earthly riches and fame that will one day be burned like wood, hay and stubble when my soul has been ransomed from hell? Everything within me should glorify the Name above all Names, the Name of JESUS CHRIST! My desire is to be a STEAMING HOT cup of coffee with a BOLD, RICH AROMA pleasing to HIS taste, and not something that will cause HIM to "SPIT YOU OUT"!!!
"15 "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot!
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will "SPIT YOU OUT" of my mouth.
17 For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked."
Have you ever taken a drink of something and it temperature of the beverage been so vile it causes you to feel almost nauseous! Take coffee as an example, I prefer my coffee to be not SCALDING hot, but hot enough to cleanse my mouth and throat of the unpleasantness left from a night of sleeping. I understand there are some who enjoy iced coffee. But when the coffee has become room temperature it is hard to ingest and makes me want to "SPIT YOU OUT" of my mouth!
When we become lukewarm we usually don't make a difference in our environment. A steaming HOT cup of coffee will not be accepted too well amongst iced coffee, and not visa versa. GOD is telling us HE prefers us to make a CHOICE to remain HOT, like coffee that has been left on the cup warmer! When we become lukewarm, our time in the Word of GOD and our prayer life are usually the first casualties! In my case, I become so busy with the things of "this world", with meetings and appointments, with things to assure my worldly "SUCCESS", that I can neglect the things that draw me closer to GOD, the things that REALLY matter?!?
Miss Clara, from the WAR ROOM movie, said while serving a cup of coffee to her and Elizabeth Jordan, "Oh no, I like mine piping hot!" Miss Clara had served Elizabeth a cup of lukewarm coffee that wasn't fit to drink. We experience a little worldly "SUCCESS" and begin to start focusing more on the "SUCCESS" than our Creator and that is where our demise begins! Verse 17 above says "FOR YOU SAY, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked". But in Matthew 6:33 JESUS SAID "But SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD and HIS righteousness, and ALL these things will be added to you".
Knowing the price JESUS CHRIST paid to redeem my soul is a humbling thing! Why do I prefer to seek earthly riches and fame that will one day be burned like wood, hay and stubble when my soul has been ransomed from hell? Everything within me should glorify the Name above all Names, the Name of JESUS CHRIST! My desire is to be a STEAMING HOT cup of coffee with a BOLD, RICH AROMA pleasing to HIS taste, and not something that will cause HIM to "SPIT YOU OUT"!!!
Monday, April 25, 2016
"HIGHLY FAVOURED!"
Luke 1:28-30 (KJV)
"28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art "HIGHLY FAVOURED", the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, FEAR NOT, Mary: for thou hast found favour with GOD."
How does it feel to be told by an the Angel Gabriel that you, yourself, are blessed and "HIGHLY FAVORED" among the men/women of the world? In considering the visit Mary experienced in Luke 1, I would have been shaken beyond description to have been visited by any Heavenly being as highly "ranked" as Gabriel! But to hear what he had to say to Mary must have shocked her beyond words. As a matter of fact, Gabriel promptly told Mary "FEAR NOT, Mary: for thou hast found favour with GOD"!
Now FEAR is one of the biggest tools the enemy has in his arsenal. The words "FEAR NOT" is used in the King James Version well over 300 times, leaving me to believe that FEAR should never be a part of our lives. Why would anyone FEAR anything when they had just been told they had "found favour with GOD"! Either we fail to fully grasp WHO GOD really is, or we don't understand how much HE loves ALL of us, or maybe both? The PLAN of Salvation entails GOD in the flesh, JESUS CHRIST, becoming a suffering servant for all of mankinds redemptive substitute! Having GOD's Angel come to talk to you is one thing, but having GOD's only SON die in your place gives new meaning to LOVE and GRACE!
But we also need to grasp just how unholy we are. Saying we are "not that bad" is a lie from the devil, and we must reject that premise. The Apostle Paul , arguably the greatest Christian to ever serve, says in 1 Timothy 1:15 "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the FOREMOST"! It has been wisely stated, "The closer we get to the LIGHT, the more dirt we discover"! To think you aren't "that bad" may indicate just how Spiritually immature you really are!
So many times in my writings, and in my life, I have been guilty of assuming that I "SEE" things clearly, but in 1 Corinthians 13:12 Paul writes "For now we see in a mirror dimly, BUT THEN face to face. Now I know in part; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, even as I have been fully known"! GOD knows my heart (Hebrews 4:12) and HE knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Yet, because of the price JESUS CHRIST paid to ransom my soul I am "HIGHLY FAVOURED"! HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to SEE that only because of the sacrifice JESUS made for me, I can approach YOUR THRONE as one who is "HIGHLY FAVOURED"!
"28 And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art "HIGHLY FAVOURED", the LORD is with thee: blessed art thou among women. 29 And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. 30 And the angel said unto her, FEAR NOT, Mary: for thou hast found favour with GOD."
How does it feel to be told by an the Angel Gabriel that you, yourself, are blessed and "HIGHLY FAVORED" among the men/women of the world? In considering the visit Mary experienced in Luke 1, I would have been shaken beyond description to have been visited by any Heavenly being as highly "ranked" as Gabriel! But to hear what he had to say to Mary must have shocked her beyond words. As a matter of fact, Gabriel promptly told Mary "FEAR NOT, Mary: for thou hast found favour with GOD"!
Now FEAR is one of the biggest tools the enemy has in his arsenal. The words "FEAR NOT" is used in the King James Version well over 300 times, leaving me to believe that FEAR should never be a part of our lives. Why would anyone FEAR anything when they had just been told they had "found favour with GOD"! Either we fail to fully grasp WHO GOD really is, or we don't understand how much HE loves ALL of us, or maybe both? The PLAN of Salvation entails GOD in the flesh, JESUS CHRIST, becoming a suffering servant for all of mankinds redemptive substitute! Having GOD's Angel come to talk to you is one thing, but having GOD's only SON die in your place gives new meaning to LOVE and GRACE!
But we also need to grasp just how unholy we are. Saying we are "not that bad" is a lie from the devil, and we must reject that premise. The Apostle Paul , arguably the greatest Christian to ever serve, says in 1 Timothy 1:15 "The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the FOREMOST"! It has been wisely stated, "The closer we get to the LIGHT, the more dirt we discover"! To think you aren't "that bad" may indicate just how Spiritually immature you really are!
So many times in my writings, and in my life, I have been guilty of assuming that I "SEE" things clearly, but in 1 Corinthians 13:12 Paul writes "For now we see in a mirror dimly, BUT THEN face to face. Now I know in part; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, even as I have been fully known"! GOD knows my heart (Hebrews 4:12) and HE knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts. Yet, because of the price JESUS CHRIST paid to ransom my soul I am "HIGHLY FAVOURED"! HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to SEE that only because of the sacrifice JESUS made for me, I can approach YOUR THRONE as one who is "HIGHLY FAVOURED"!
Saturday, April 23, 2016
"HE EXISTS!"
Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
"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."
Recently I saw a memes posted by a friend that read something like "Life doesn't have a remote. Get up and change it yourself"! It's cute saying and it has some truth to it, but looking back I remember trying everything I knew how to live a Holy life, only to continually fail! Only until I surrendered my life totally and completely to the Spirit of the Living GOD did a lasting change come over me that continues to move me to HIS Throne every day. GOD has a tremendous amount of work to do, for I was as stubborn and hardheaded as they come, but JESUS said in Matthew 19:26 "......With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible!"
In Exodus 14:14 GOD told the Israelites "The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." GOD didn't need their help in defeating the Egyptians and HE proved that to all present, especially Pharaoh and the Egyptians! We can't "help" in our salvation either! GOD took care of paying the price for our salvation when HE turned HIS back on HIS SON, HIS only SON, on Calvary's cross. Nobody can claim to have assisted in The PLAN, GOD did it all!
There are some who want to say that there "good works" are the reason they should be accepted into heaven. Or some who believe that joining a church and paying dues (tithes) will do the trick. But the only thing that will assure entrance into the presence of a HOLY GOD is to have FAITH that "HE EXISTS" and that HE rewards those who seek HIM! There is nothing I can do to improve or enhance on HIS PLAN. GOD had this figured out long before mankind was ever created. HE's is GOD, you know!!
All we can DO is to submit to HIS PLAN for our lives and follow HIS direction of where we should go. GOD doesn't need me to "get up and change" my life! HE has proven to me "HE EXISTS" and can control my every breath! Don't make HIM have to prove it to you. Submit to "HE EXISTS" before it is eternally too late!!!
"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."
Recently I saw a memes posted by a friend that read something like "Life doesn't have a remote. Get up and change it yourself"! It's cute saying and it has some truth to it, but looking back I remember trying everything I knew how to live a Holy life, only to continually fail! Only until I surrendered my life totally and completely to the Spirit of the Living GOD did a lasting change come over me that continues to move me to HIS Throne every day. GOD has a tremendous amount of work to do, for I was as stubborn and hardheaded as they come, but JESUS said in Matthew 19:26 "......With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible!"
In Exodus 14:14 GOD told the Israelites "The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent." GOD didn't need their help in defeating the Egyptians and HE proved that to all present, especially Pharaoh and the Egyptians! We can't "help" in our salvation either! GOD took care of paying the price for our salvation when HE turned HIS back on HIS SON, HIS only SON, on Calvary's cross. Nobody can claim to have assisted in The PLAN, GOD did it all!
There are some who want to say that there "good works" are the reason they should be accepted into heaven. Or some who believe that joining a church and paying dues (tithes) will do the trick. But the only thing that will assure entrance into the presence of a HOLY GOD is to have FAITH that "HE EXISTS" and that HE rewards those who seek HIM! There is nothing I can do to improve or enhance on HIS PLAN. GOD had this figured out long before mankind was ever created. HE's is GOD, you know!!
All we can DO is to submit to HIS PLAN for our lives and follow HIS direction of where we should go. GOD doesn't need me to "get up and change" my life! HE has proven to me "HE EXISTS" and can control my every breath! Don't make HIM have to prove it to you. Submit to "HE EXISTS" before it is eternally too late!!!
Friday, April 22, 2016
"GOD IS NOT MOCKED!"
Galatians 6:6-10 (ESV)
"6 Let the one who is taught the WORD share all good things with the one who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived: "GOD IS NOT MOCKED", for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Many times I have recollected about my upbringing and learning from my maternal grandfather. He forgot more about raising crops, the planting season, the nurturing season, and the harvest season, than I will ever be able to know. He had a fifth grade education and limited reading and writing skills, but he taught me more than any teacher could ever hope to, not only about gardening, but about life in general. Galatians 6:6 reminds me of him when it speaks of me sharing with the "one who teaches" as I learned more from his living example than I could ever learn in a classroom!
Like I said, "Grandpa" never read real proficiently so he didn't read his Bible a lot, but he lived Scripture without memorizing the verses! He planted corn and he reaped corn. He planted potatoes and reaped potatoes. He didn't plant okra and wait to see if squash came up. Nor did he plant watermelon and wait for cantaloupe to sprout. That would have violated the laws of nature. He was, however, quite gifted at growing a garden, but he knew what he was doing also.
Laws of nature are something that RARELY make an exception, but laws of GOD are NEVER compromised! Galatians 6:7 is very plain when it says "Do not be deceived: "GOD IS NOT MOCKED", for whatever one sows, that will he also reap"! You can't sow seeds that are ungodly and reflect a worldly lifestyle and then pray for crop failure! While it is true GOD is longsuffering and extremely gracious, HE will judge our deeds one day! Romans 14:12 says "So then each of us will give an account of himself to GOD". The forgotten GOOD things we have done, but more ashamedly, the forgotten BAD we have done, will have to be accounted for!
Just because we don't reap immediate results from the seeds we plant, rest assured those seeds WILL germinate and the fruit WILL come forth! "GOD IS NOT MOCKED" is not just an empty promise, it is saying to us that what we plant will one day sprout like a planted seed and we better prepare for the harvest! Have you planted, and are you planting, wisely?
"6 Let the one who is taught the WORD share all good things with the one who teaches.
7 Do not be deceived: "GOD IS NOT MOCKED", for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Many times I have recollected about my upbringing and learning from my maternal grandfather. He forgot more about raising crops, the planting season, the nurturing season, and the harvest season, than I will ever be able to know. He had a fifth grade education and limited reading and writing skills, but he taught me more than any teacher could ever hope to, not only about gardening, but about life in general. Galatians 6:6 reminds me of him when it speaks of me sharing with the "one who teaches" as I learned more from his living example than I could ever learn in a classroom!
Like I said, "Grandpa" never read real proficiently so he didn't read his Bible a lot, but he lived Scripture without memorizing the verses! He planted corn and he reaped corn. He planted potatoes and reaped potatoes. He didn't plant okra and wait to see if squash came up. Nor did he plant watermelon and wait for cantaloupe to sprout. That would have violated the laws of nature. He was, however, quite gifted at growing a garden, but he knew what he was doing also.
Laws of nature are something that RARELY make an exception, but laws of GOD are NEVER compromised! Galatians 6:7 is very plain when it says "Do not be deceived: "GOD IS NOT MOCKED", for whatever one sows, that will he also reap"! You can't sow seeds that are ungodly and reflect a worldly lifestyle and then pray for crop failure! While it is true GOD is longsuffering and extremely gracious, HE will judge our deeds one day! Romans 14:12 says "So then each of us will give an account of himself to GOD". The forgotten GOOD things we have done, but more ashamedly, the forgotten BAD we have done, will have to be accounted for!
Just because we don't reap immediate results from the seeds we plant, rest assured those seeds WILL germinate and the fruit WILL come forth! "GOD IS NOT MOCKED" is not just an empty promise, it is saying to us that what we plant will one day sprout like a planted seed and we better prepare for the harvest! Have you planted, and are you planting, wisely?
Thursday, April 21, 2016
"YOU FORMED MY INWARD PARTS!"
Psalms 139:13-16 (ESV)
"13 For "YOU FORMED MY INWARD PARTS"; YOU knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise YOU, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are YOUR works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from YOU, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 YOUR eyes saw my unformed substance; in YOUR book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
There continues to be MUCH discussion about when LIFE begins? Although I am not highly educated by man's standards, I rely on the Spirit of GOD ALMIGHTY to instruct me and guide my thoughts. Through HIS HOLY BIBLE HE gives answers to all the complex "problems" men and women are constantly faced with. It is simply whether or not we decide to circumvent HIS Authority or we decide to let HIM be GOD over our lives?!?
Jeremiah 1:5 says "BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB I KNEW YOU", and before you were born I consecrated you;...." As hard as it is to accept, when a baby arrives less than perfect we must believe that "YOU FORMED MY INWARD PARTS" and GOD doesn't make mistakes! To avoid omitting a "deformity", I will just say that GOD permits certain difficulties in life to mold and make HIS servants into whatever HE desires for them to be! "My frame was not hidden from YOU" could mean that HE knew my right leg would be 1/2 inch shorter than my left leg (I think to prove I am imperfect!) and that I would be 6'6" tall! So HE knew "my unformed substance" before I was formed. And HE knew yours!
For all the people who decide they aren't in the right body, what you are saying is GOD made a mistake and HE should have put you in a different body. Matthew 10:30 says "....even the hairs of your head are all numbered" so I'm pretty sure GOD KNEW EXACTLY how you would turn out and HE didn't put you in a body with the wrong parts! GOD is not "confused" about what HE created and neither should we be "confused". Romans 1:28 says "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge GOD, GOD gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done." Unless we recognize GOD for WHO HE IS, we are in danger of being given "up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done"!
Understanding that there are many who actually believe that "GOD made me this way" and accept that explanation for the lifestyle they have chosen, GOD did not design mankind to live in sin, but to TRUST HIM every step of our lives. When we look for answers outside of HIS HOLY BIBLE, we often wind up with a lie from the enemy and that ALWAYS leads to trouble! There are those who say these words are too bold and that MORE LOVE should be incorporated into this message. But 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says that those who choose their own desires will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and I can't think of anything more loving than helping someone into the Kingdom of Heaven!
Bottom line is, "YOU FORMED MY INWARD PARTS" and YOU don't make mistakes! My prayer is that I will honor GOD for WHO HE IS and will do what HIS WORD calls for in my life! HEAVENLY FATHER, I pray that you will work in my heart to show love enough to ALL who don't know YOU!
"13 For "YOU FORMED MY INWARD PARTS"; YOU knitted me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise YOU, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are YOUR works; my soul knows it very well.
15 My frame was not hidden from YOU, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.
16 YOUR eyes saw my unformed substance; in YOUR book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
There continues to be MUCH discussion about when LIFE begins? Although I am not highly educated by man's standards, I rely on the Spirit of GOD ALMIGHTY to instruct me and guide my thoughts. Through HIS HOLY BIBLE HE gives answers to all the complex "problems" men and women are constantly faced with. It is simply whether or not we decide to circumvent HIS Authority or we decide to let HIM be GOD over our lives?!?
Jeremiah 1:5 says "BEFORE I FORMED YOU IN THE WOMB I KNEW YOU", and before you were born I consecrated you;...." As hard as it is to accept, when a baby arrives less than perfect we must believe that "YOU FORMED MY INWARD PARTS" and GOD doesn't make mistakes! To avoid omitting a "deformity", I will just say that GOD permits certain difficulties in life to mold and make HIS servants into whatever HE desires for them to be! "My frame was not hidden from YOU" could mean that HE knew my right leg would be 1/2 inch shorter than my left leg (I think to prove I am imperfect!) and that I would be 6'6" tall! So HE knew "my unformed substance" before I was formed. And HE knew yours!
For all the people who decide they aren't in the right body, what you are saying is GOD made a mistake and HE should have put you in a different body. Matthew 10:30 says "....even the hairs of your head are all numbered" so I'm pretty sure GOD KNEW EXACTLY how you would turn out and HE didn't put you in a body with the wrong parts! GOD is not "confused" about what HE created and neither should we be "confused". Romans 1:28 says "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge GOD, GOD gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done." Unless we recognize GOD for WHO HE IS, we are in danger of being given "up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done"!
Understanding that there are many who actually believe that "GOD made me this way" and accept that explanation for the lifestyle they have chosen, GOD did not design mankind to live in sin, but to TRUST HIM every step of our lives. When we look for answers outside of HIS HOLY BIBLE, we often wind up with a lie from the enemy and that ALWAYS leads to trouble! There are those who say these words are too bold and that MORE LOVE should be incorporated into this message. But 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says that those who choose their own desires will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven, and I can't think of anything more loving than helping someone into the Kingdom of Heaven!
Bottom line is, "YOU FORMED MY INWARD PARTS" and YOU don't make mistakes! My prayer is that I will honor GOD for WHO HE IS and will do what HIS WORD calls for in my life! HEAVENLY FATHER, I pray that you will work in my heart to show love enough to ALL who don't know YOU!
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
"AND THEY DID SO!"
Jeremiah 32:26-28 (ESV)
"26 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
27 "Behold, I AM THE LORD, the GOD of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
28 Therefore, thus says the LORD: Behold, I am giving this city into the hands of the Chaldeans and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall capture it."
Hebrews 12:9 (ESV)
"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?"
Exodus 14:4 (ESV)
"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!"
John 4:24 (ESV)
"GOD is SPIRIT, and those who worship HIM must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH."
In recent days I have been almost stuck on Exodus 14, that GOD had a PLAN and that PLAN "would" be fulfilled, even if "Pharaoh and all his host" had to be used to glorify YAHWEH. Then I get verses from Jeremiah 32:27 and Hebrews 12:9 from a revered friend of mine. Immediately, John 4:24 came to my mind. Then I knew GOD was trying to get me to SEE something, but HE was slower in revealing it to me than HE normally is. But then I'm not the ONE WHO is to be glorified, am I?
New England preacher, The Reverend Phillip Brooks (1835-1893) was normally a calm individual. One day he was pacing back and forth like a caged lion. A friend asked him, “What’s the trouble?” Brooks replied, “The trouble is, I’m in a hurry, but GOD isn’t.” That is exactly how I feel sometimes, wanting to proceed at my pace, yet GOD keeps telling me "to just be silent" (Exodus 14:14)!
GOD is SPIRIT (John 4:24) and the Spirit world is where all REAL battles take place. The ultimate victory was won over 2000 years on Calvary, but the enemy doesn't want to remember that day. GOD HAS A PLAN and HIS PLAN is revealed in HIS WORD, not on our schedule, but on HIS! HE is the FATHER of SPIRITS (Hebrews 22:9) and we are to be "subject" to HIM in everything! Not just the "crucial" things in life, but everything. Can you fathom an earthly father not giving guidance and direction to a child he loves? Our HEAVENLY FATHER is so much more loving and perfect than our earthly fathers who are imperfect, no matter how much they love us.
So many times I WANT to act in the flesh and perform what has been revealed to me by GOD, but I want it to happen on my timeline and not WAIT ON THE LORD! My desire is honestly to see GOD be glorified, but my timing isn't GOD's timing and HIS is set up around making sure HE GETS GLORY!! Can you imagine what would have happened if the children of Israel had not waited on GOD to part the Red Sea? They would have drowned trying to make what GOD had promised to make happen occur on their own timeline! Pharaoh and all his hosts wouldn't have followed them into the Red Sea and then wouldn't have been removed from the face of the earth!
Instead, GOD got glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts according to GOD's PLAN. But the same GOD allowed Nebuchadnezzar to capture HIS chosen people in Jeremiah 32! GOD's PLAN will come to pass, on HIS time frame, whether I agree with it or not! The Egyptians found that our in Exodus 14:24-25.
If GOD has revealed HIS PLAN to you and you are having a tough time trusting in HIS timing, don't forget WHO is supposed to be getting glory?!?! Remember, "AND THEY DID SO" was not without murmuring and complaining! Do you want that to be your legacy, or do you prefer "AND THEY DID SO!"
"26 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah:
27 "Behold, I AM THE LORD, the GOD of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?
28 Therefore, thus says the LORD: Behold, I am giving this city into the hands of the Chaldeans and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and he shall capture it."
Hebrews 12:9 (ESV)
"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?"
Exodus 14:4 (ESV)
"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!"
John 4:24 (ESV)
"GOD is SPIRIT, and those who worship HIM must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH."
In recent days I have been almost stuck on Exodus 14, that GOD had a PLAN and that PLAN "would" be fulfilled, even if "Pharaoh and all his host" had to be used to glorify YAHWEH. Then I get verses from Jeremiah 32:27 and Hebrews 12:9 from a revered friend of mine. Immediately, John 4:24 came to my mind. Then I knew GOD was trying to get me to SEE something, but HE was slower in revealing it to me than HE normally is. But then I'm not the ONE WHO is to be glorified, am I?
New England preacher, The Reverend Phillip Brooks (1835-1893) was normally a calm individual. One day he was pacing back and forth like a caged lion. A friend asked him, “What’s the trouble?” Brooks replied, “The trouble is, I’m in a hurry, but GOD isn’t.” That is exactly how I feel sometimes, wanting to proceed at my pace, yet GOD keeps telling me "to just be silent" (Exodus 14:14)!
GOD is SPIRIT (John 4:24) and the Spirit world is where all REAL battles take place. The ultimate victory was won over 2000 years on Calvary, but the enemy doesn't want to remember that day. GOD HAS A PLAN and HIS PLAN is revealed in HIS WORD, not on our schedule, but on HIS! HE is the FATHER of SPIRITS (Hebrews 22:9) and we are to be "subject" to HIM in everything! Not just the "crucial" things in life, but everything. Can you fathom an earthly father not giving guidance and direction to a child he loves? Our HEAVENLY FATHER is so much more loving and perfect than our earthly fathers who are imperfect, no matter how much they love us.
So many times I WANT to act in the flesh and perform what has been revealed to me by GOD, but I want it to happen on my timeline and not WAIT ON THE LORD! My desire is honestly to see GOD be glorified, but my timing isn't GOD's timing and HIS is set up around making sure HE GETS GLORY!! Can you imagine what would have happened if the children of Israel had not waited on GOD to part the Red Sea? They would have drowned trying to make what GOD had promised to make happen occur on their own timeline! Pharaoh and all his hosts wouldn't have followed them into the Red Sea and then wouldn't have been removed from the face of the earth!
Instead, GOD got glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts according to GOD's PLAN. But the same GOD allowed Nebuchadnezzar to capture HIS chosen people in Jeremiah 32! GOD's PLAN will come to pass, on HIS time frame, whether I agree with it or not! The Egyptians found that our in Exodus 14:24-25.
If GOD has revealed HIS PLAN to you and you are having a tough time trusting in HIS timing, don't forget WHO is supposed to be getting glory?!?! Remember, "AND THEY DID SO" was not without murmuring and complaining! Do you want that to be your legacy, or do you prefer "AND THEY DID SO!"
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
"I WILL!"
Exodus 14:4 (ESV)
"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."
When GOD parted the Red Sea in Exodus 14 it wasn't as if GOD was reacting to an "unfortunate circumstance" with no idea what HE would do next? In reading the book of Exodus it is abundantly clear that GOD had a Plan and HE WAS GLORIFIED BY THAT PLAN! GOD declared "I WILL" harden Pharaoh's heart and "I WILL" get glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts! Pharaoh had already let Israel go from captivity, but he "thought" better of his decision and decided to chase after the Israelites, in spite of GOD's recent, and impending judgement! Sometimes what we "think" is best turns out being our downfall! Learning from our trials is SOOOO important!
Scripture never indicates the Israelites asked GOD to send HIS Angel behind them (v.19). GOD did that in order that HIS Name would be glorified by HIS own actions. The Israelites certainly didn't deserve to have GOD intervene on their behalf as fear and doubt were observed in their actions (v.11&12) as they watched HIS Plan unfold. But GOD not only received glory when he delivered HIS children (the Israelites), but HE demonstrated HE was GOD ALMIGHTY over any false god that man, or the devil, could dream up!
HE still demonstrates that for us today. There are times we don't have enough faith to pray SPECIFICALLY for a definite blessing, but when HE knows we will give HIM glory for all the good we experience, HE acts so our lives will glorify HIM! It's not all about us or our selfish desires, no matter how self-centered we are, it's about giving glory to the Creator of all with our very existence.
GOD had a Plan (see Exodus 14:4) all along during the exodus from Egypt. All HE needed was the Israelites "to be silent" (Exodus 14:14) and let HIM be GOD! HE hasn't changed HIS strategy as HE only needs us to be silent AND TRUST HIM with the results! GOD has HIS own ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and and we probably won't understand what HE is doing most of the time. But we need to TRUST HIM and HIS PLAN in everything and know that "I WILL" shall be there for us.............when HE needs to be............for HIS GLORY!!!
"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."
When GOD parted the Red Sea in Exodus 14 it wasn't as if GOD was reacting to an "unfortunate circumstance" with no idea what HE would do next? In reading the book of Exodus it is abundantly clear that GOD had a Plan and HE WAS GLORIFIED BY THAT PLAN! GOD declared "I WILL" harden Pharaoh's heart and "I WILL" get glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts! Pharaoh had already let Israel go from captivity, but he "thought" better of his decision and decided to chase after the Israelites, in spite of GOD's recent, and impending judgement! Sometimes what we "think" is best turns out being our downfall! Learning from our trials is SOOOO important!
Scripture never indicates the Israelites asked GOD to send HIS Angel behind them (v.19). GOD did that in order that HIS Name would be glorified by HIS own actions. The Israelites certainly didn't deserve to have GOD intervene on their behalf as fear and doubt were observed in their actions (v.11&12) as they watched HIS Plan unfold. But GOD not only received glory when he delivered HIS children (the Israelites), but HE demonstrated HE was GOD ALMIGHTY over any false god that man, or the devil, could dream up!
HE still demonstrates that for us today. There are times we don't have enough faith to pray SPECIFICALLY for a definite blessing, but when HE knows we will give HIM glory for all the good we experience, HE acts so our lives will glorify HIM! It's not all about us or our selfish desires, no matter how self-centered we are, it's about giving glory to the Creator of all with our very existence.
GOD had a Plan (see Exodus 14:4) all along during the exodus from Egypt. All HE needed was the Israelites "to be silent" (Exodus 14:14) and let HIM be GOD! HE hasn't changed HIS strategy as HE only needs us to be silent AND TRUST HIM with the results! GOD has HIS own ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and and we probably won't understand what HE is doing most of the time. But we need to TRUST HIM and HIS PLAN in everything and know that "I WILL" shall be there for us.............when HE needs to be............for HIS GLORY!!!
Monday, April 18, 2016
"RECEIVE MY WORDS!"
Proverbs 2:1-5 (ESV)
"1 My son, if you "RECEIVE MY WORDS" and treasure up MY commandments with you,
2 making YOUR EAR ATTENTIVE TO WISDOM and INCLINING YOUR HEART TO UNDERSTANDING;
3 yes, if you CALL OUT FOR INSIGHT and RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR UNDERSTANDING,
4 if you SEEK IT LIKE SILVER and SEARCH FOR IT AS HIDDEN TREASURES,
5 then you will UNDERSTAND the FEAR OF THE LORD and FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD."
The comment has been made from many a pulpit "People, you aren't listening quickly enough"! Usually those words are heard when a preacher feels he is behind the time he should be in delivering the message. Recently I wrote about BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD, but how many times can we LISTEN very attentively without BEING STILL? Usually, when things are hectic and seemingly out of control, I can't hear a thing from the LORD, and I find myself, more and more, seeking a quiet place where I can seek HIS guidance. HIS PEACE is irreplaceable, especially when you have been exposed to it for any length of time!
JESUS said in John 8:47 "Whoever is of GOD hears the words of GOD. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of GOD." If you aren't hearing from GOD, there may be a reason? Don't be frustrated by not hearing from GOD if you have not surrendered to HIS call. Admit you are a wretched sinner (we ALL are) and beg for HIS mercy and grace to save your soul! If you do, you won't live perfectly (only ONE has), but you WILL LIVE ETERNALLY!
The five verses above instructs us about hearing from GOD. The probable author of the first 29 chapters of Proverbs was King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 4:30). King Solomon wrote, beginning in Proverbs 2:1, a Message from GOD "if you "RECEIVE MY WORDS", in other words if you will listen attentively to MY words, THEN you will be blessed. Not only was King Solomon the wisest who ever lived, he was reportedly the wealthiest man who ever lived. Don't EVER think GOD cannot bless HIS children ABUNDANTLY, if it is within HIS Plan! GOD granted WISDOM AND WEALTH, but Solomon was humble enough to know that it ALL came from GOD!
We can easily get caught up in the lie promulgated by the devil that monetary gain and business success is all that matters. For me, hearing from GOD by "RECEIVING MY WORDS" is one of the best things that can happen to a person! We must listen "ATTENTIVELY" at times, and for me, I have to BE STILL to hear from GOD MOST TIMES!!!
"1 My son, if you "RECEIVE MY WORDS" and treasure up MY commandments with you,
2 making YOUR EAR ATTENTIVE TO WISDOM and INCLINING YOUR HEART TO UNDERSTANDING;
3 yes, if you CALL OUT FOR INSIGHT and RAISE YOUR VOICE FOR UNDERSTANDING,
4 if you SEEK IT LIKE SILVER and SEARCH FOR IT AS HIDDEN TREASURES,
5 then you will UNDERSTAND the FEAR OF THE LORD and FIND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD."
The comment has been made from many a pulpit "People, you aren't listening quickly enough"! Usually those words are heard when a preacher feels he is behind the time he should be in delivering the message. Recently I wrote about BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD, but how many times can we LISTEN very attentively without BEING STILL? Usually, when things are hectic and seemingly out of control, I can't hear a thing from the LORD, and I find myself, more and more, seeking a quiet place where I can seek HIS guidance. HIS PEACE is irreplaceable, especially when you have been exposed to it for any length of time!
JESUS said in John 8:47 "Whoever is of GOD hears the words of GOD. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of GOD." If you aren't hearing from GOD, there may be a reason? Don't be frustrated by not hearing from GOD if you have not surrendered to HIS call. Admit you are a wretched sinner (we ALL are) and beg for HIS mercy and grace to save your soul! If you do, you won't live perfectly (only ONE has), but you WILL LIVE ETERNALLY!
The five verses above instructs us about hearing from GOD. The probable author of the first 29 chapters of Proverbs was King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived (1 Kings 4:30). King Solomon wrote, beginning in Proverbs 2:1, a Message from GOD "if you "RECEIVE MY WORDS", in other words if you will listen attentively to MY words, THEN you will be blessed. Not only was King Solomon the wisest who ever lived, he was reportedly the wealthiest man who ever lived. Don't EVER think GOD cannot bless HIS children ABUNDANTLY, if it is within HIS Plan! GOD granted WISDOM AND WEALTH, but Solomon was humble enough to know that it ALL came from GOD!
We can easily get caught up in the lie promulgated by the devil that monetary gain and business success is all that matters. For me, hearing from GOD by "RECEIVING MY WORDS" is one of the best things that can happen to a person! We must listen "ATTENTIVELY" at times, and for me, I have to BE STILL to hear from GOD MOST TIMES!!!
Saturday, April 16, 2016
"BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD!"
Psalms 46:10 (KJV)
"BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD: I WILL BE EXALTED among the heathen, I WILL BE EXALTED in the earth."
This world does its best to keep us moving at a pace that we cannot SEE the things of GOD, HEAR a Word from GOD, or be led by HIS SPIRIT to glorify HIS Name. There seems to be a "need for speed" in most everything we do, a need to finish first. Pride in a job well done has been replaced with "I finished first" a lot of the time. Do we even stop to consider "IF" GOD would be honored in the things we might be doing, or do we move so fast that we are more impressed with our speed of moving than what we have accomplished?
"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD" in not a "suggestion" for a calmer life, rather a COMMAND to get us on the same wavelength as the Spirit of GOD. We weren't created to function at the pace required by modern day "successful business organizations", rather we were Created to honor and glorify GOD ALMIGHTY! Does it surprise you that stress, heart attacks, strokes and suicides are at all time highs? And we continually strive to be more "successful" according to "this world's" standards?? Are we honoring GOD with a larger home, newer automobiles, more "toys", or longer vacations? It is fine and dandy to "BE STILL" on the beach or at the movies, but do we think about honoring HIM with "KNOWING THAT HE IS GOD" while enjoying ourselves?
These questions aren't meant to be accusational, rather observational of my actions! The "B" portion of the verse says "I WILL BE EXALTED"! Again, the verse is not a suggestion, but a declaration! Both among the "heathen", and among the "world"! GOD is worthy to be Praised (Psalms 96:4; 145:3) and I believe scripture is saying HE WILL BE EXALTED whether we humans do it, or the rocks have to cry out (Luke 19:40)!
"BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD" should be plastered across the foreheads of all Believers" is a quote from a pastor friend. He is unaware that GOD gave me a Non-Profit named Psalms 46:10 Ministries. The title of the Non-Profit was because I was in a coma for 17 days in 2007, but slowing my life down has taken GOD most of the eight years since! Being "in tune" with the SPIRIT of GOD has become PRIMARY in my life. Don't let it take a brain hemorrhage to get your attention! "BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"!!!
"BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD: I WILL BE EXALTED among the heathen, I WILL BE EXALTED in the earth."
This world does its best to keep us moving at a pace that we cannot SEE the things of GOD, HEAR a Word from GOD, or be led by HIS SPIRIT to glorify HIS Name. There seems to be a "need for speed" in most everything we do, a need to finish first. Pride in a job well done has been replaced with "I finished first" a lot of the time. Do we even stop to consider "IF" GOD would be honored in the things we might be doing, or do we move so fast that we are more impressed with our speed of moving than what we have accomplished?
"BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD" in not a "suggestion" for a calmer life, rather a COMMAND to get us on the same wavelength as the Spirit of GOD. We weren't created to function at the pace required by modern day "successful business organizations", rather we were Created to honor and glorify GOD ALMIGHTY! Does it surprise you that stress, heart attacks, strokes and suicides are at all time highs? And we continually strive to be more "successful" according to "this world's" standards?? Are we honoring GOD with a larger home, newer automobiles, more "toys", or longer vacations? It is fine and dandy to "BE STILL" on the beach or at the movies, but do we think about honoring HIM with "KNOWING THAT HE IS GOD" while enjoying ourselves?
These questions aren't meant to be accusational, rather observational of my actions! The "B" portion of the verse says "I WILL BE EXALTED"! Again, the verse is not a suggestion, but a declaration! Both among the "heathen", and among the "world"! GOD is worthy to be Praised (Psalms 96:4; 145:3) and I believe scripture is saying HE WILL BE EXALTED whether we humans do it, or the rocks have to cry out (Luke 19:40)!
"BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD" should be plastered across the foreheads of all Believers" is a quote from a pastor friend. He is unaware that GOD gave me a Non-Profit named Psalms 46:10 Ministries. The title of the Non-Profit was because I was in a coma for 17 days in 2007, but slowing my life down has taken GOD most of the eight years since! Being "in tune" with the SPIRIT of GOD has become PRIMARY in my life. Don't let it take a brain hemorrhage to get your attention! "BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD"!!!
Friday, April 15, 2016
"TURN BACK!"
Exodus 14:1-4 (ESV)
"1 Then the LORD said to Moses,
2 "Tell the people of Israel to "TURN BACK" and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea.
3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.'
4 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."
While driving to work recently I observed a jet airliner taking off from our local airport. Knowing that the only scheduled commercial flights go to DFW from here, to see the jet take off to the northeast (Dallas is southwest from here) was a bit odd. But sometimes the wind direction demands that flights taking off head into the wind and when the flight gets airborne they can correct their course. And almost without hesitation the jet started ascending while beginning its "TURN BACK" toward DFW!
The children of Israel were led by THE LORD (Exodus 13:21-22) in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night, near the Red Sea. In Exodus 14:1-2 THE LORD says to Moses to "tell the people of Israel to."TURN BACK" and encamp....! Now knowing the Egyptians were marching towards them one might inquire what THE LORD might be thinking? Surely GOD wouldn't want the Israelites to be confronted by their foes when HE had just released them from 430 years of bondage? Surely GOD was thinking clearly? SURELY???
My life has had many instances where I doubted where GOD was leading me. My plan was usually all that was in my viewfinder. But GOD's Plan is all that matters when we surrender our lives to HIM. HE maybe requesting that I "TURN BACK" or (my biggest weakness) do something that doesn't make any common sense! Of course, in verse four we find out "what" GOD was going to do, but the Israelites wanted to know "how" HE was going to do it!
My "inquiring mind" wants to figure out "what, how, and when" GOD is going to do things BEFORE HE is ready for me to know these things! True FAITH relies on GOD to decide the "what, how, and when" on the fly if HE wants to and RESTS in HIM for the results! The children of Israel had already been told they were headed to the Promised Land, so why didn't they just TRUST GOD for the results? GOD said it, that should have settled it!
But am I any better than these when I want to know "what, how, and when" GOD will perform what HE had promised me? GOD maybe getting ready to drown my enemies in a Red Sea, but common sense tells me I shouldn't take the path GOD is directing. Maybe I should just find out where HE wants me to go FOR HIS GLORY and get there WHEN HE needs me to be there? If HE wants me to move forward with intensity, or if HE directs me to "TURN BACK", my best bet is to do what THE LORD says in order to reach my desired destination!!!
"1 Then the LORD said to Moses,
2 "Tell the people of Israel to "TURN BACK" and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea.
3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.'
4 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."
While driving to work recently I observed a jet airliner taking off from our local airport. Knowing that the only scheduled commercial flights go to DFW from here, to see the jet take off to the northeast (Dallas is southwest from here) was a bit odd. But sometimes the wind direction demands that flights taking off head into the wind and when the flight gets airborne they can correct their course. And almost without hesitation the jet started ascending while beginning its "TURN BACK" toward DFW!
The children of Israel were led by THE LORD (Exodus 13:21-22) in a pillar of cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night, near the Red Sea. In Exodus 14:1-2 THE LORD says to Moses to "tell the people of Israel to."TURN BACK" and encamp....! Now knowing the Egyptians were marching towards them one might inquire what THE LORD might be thinking? Surely GOD wouldn't want the Israelites to be confronted by their foes when HE had just released them from 430 years of bondage? Surely GOD was thinking clearly? SURELY???
My life has had many instances where I doubted where GOD was leading me. My plan was usually all that was in my viewfinder. But GOD's Plan is all that matters when we surrender our lives to HIM. HE maybe requesting that I "TURN BACK" or (my biggest weakness) do something that doesn't make any common sense! Of course, in verse four we find out "what" GOD was going to do, but the Israelites wanted to know "how" HE was going to do it!
My "inquiring mind" wants to figure out "what, how, and when" GOD is going to do things BEFORE HE is ready for me to know these things! True FAITH relies on GOD to decide the "what, how, and when" on the fly if HE wants to and RESTS in HIM for the results! The children of Israel had already been told they were headed to the Promised Land, so why didn't they just TRUST GOD for the results? GOD said it, that should have settled it!
But am I any better than these when I want to know "what, how, and when" GOD will perform what HE had promised me? GOD maybe getting ready to drown my enemies in a Red Sea, but common sense tells me I shouldn't take the path GOD is directing. Maybe I should just find out where HE wants me to go FOR HIS GLORY and get there WHEN HE needs me to be there? If HE wants me to move forward with intensity, or if HE directs me to "TURN BACK", my best bet is to do what THE LORD says in order to reach my desired destination!!!
Thursday, April 14, 2016
The "cloud"!
Exodus 13:21-22 & 14:24-27 (ESV)
"21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of "cloud" to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
22 The pillar of "cloud" by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people."
"24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of "cloud" looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,
25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians."
26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen."
27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea."
Have you ever been looking directly at something yet couldn't see it? The Egyptians were trying to catch up with the Israelites and they were about to overtake them at the Red Sea. The Egyptians weren't blinded by GOD, they just couldn't see because of "the cloud" THE LORD placed around the Israelites. They continued until fear and doubt from "the cloud" around the Israelites begin to impact their movements and progress (v24&25).
Unless we KNOW GOD, and are in a good relationship with HIM, the "clouds" of this life can cause us great fear and trembling, just as it did for the Egyptians. (v.24). The Spirit of GOD has not weakened with age nor has HE grown weary. GOD is still as Holy as HE ever was and evil will continue to be overtaken by HIM. Don't think you are immune from "the cloud", for GOD can use any number of things to reveal your weaknesses and fears. The Egyptians were known to be fierce warriors, but the Spirit of the Living GOD will cause all men to begin looking for a way to run from the seemingly futile attempt!
Recently I wrote how it seemed I could read scriptures previously read and see something that I had never seen before. Maybe GOD has a "cloud" in front of my eyes or maybe I just can't SEE the point for some other reason. There is NO DOUBT in my mind that GOD IS IN CONTROL and HE will reveal things to us when HE chooses to. The Egyptians in this passage could not see the trap that GOD ALMIGHTY set for them and they fell right in place so GOD would be glorified!.
GOD is a merciful God and HE is way more long suffering than anything else in this world. But GOD is still HOLY and it is impossible for HIM to fellowship unholy behavior. The only chance I have is to allow JESUS CHRIST to be my substitute (1 Peter 2:23-25). The "cloud" some people have around them cannot hide the unholiness they have surrounding them, and remember, GOD cannot fellowship unholiness. When GOD is being glorified with our actions HIS long-suffering will be more abundant, but when our actions are self-centered HIS "cloud" may not be as protective as we desire it to be!!
"21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of "cloud" to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.
22 The pillar of "cloud" by day and the pillar of fire by night did not depart from before the people."
"24 And in the morning watch the LORD in the pillar of fire and of "cloud" looked down on the Egyptian forces and threw the Egyptian forces into a panic,
25 clogging their chariot wheels so that they drove heavily. And the Egyptians said, "Let us flee from before Israel, for the LORD fights for them against the Egyptians."
26 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the water may come back upon the Egyptians, upon their chariots, and upon their horsemen."
27 So Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its normal course when the morning appeared. And as the Egyptians fled into it, the LORD threw the Egyptians into the midst of the sea."
Have you ever been looking directly at something yet couldn't see it? The Egyptians were trying to catch up with the Israelites and they were about to overtake them at the Red Sea. The Egyptians weren't blinded by GOD, they just couldn't see because of "the cloud" THE LORD placed around the Israelites. They continued until fear and doubt from "the cloud" around the Israelites begin to impact their movements and progress (v24&25).
Unless we KNOW GOD, and are in a good relationship with HIM, the "clouds" of this life can cause us great fear and trembling, just as it did for the Egyptians. (v.24). The Spirit of GOD has not weakened with age nor has HE grown weary. GOD is still as Holy as HE ever was and evil will continue to be overtaken by HIM. Don't think you are immune from "the cloud", for GOD can use any number of things to reveal your weaknesses and fears. The Egyptians were known to be fierce warriors, but the Spirit of the Living GOD will cause all men to begin looking for a way to run from the seemingly futile attempt!
Recently I wrote how it seemed I could read scriptures previously read and see something that I had never seen before. Maybe GOD has a "cloud" in front of my eyes or maybe I just can't SEE the point for some other reason. There is NO DOUBT in my mind that GOD IS IN CONTROL and HE will reveal things to us when HE chooses to. The Egyptians in this passage could not see the trap that GOD ALMIGHTY set for them and they fell right in place so GOD would be glorified!.
GOD is a merciful God and HE is way more long suffering than anything else in this world. But GOD is still HOLY and it is impossible for HIM to fellowship unholy behavior. The only chance I have is to allow JESUS CHRIST to be my substitute (1 Peter 2:23-25). The "cloud" some people have around them cannot hide the unholiness they have surrounding them, and remember, GOD cannot fellowship unholiness. When GOD is being glorified with our actions HIS long-suffering will be more abundant, but when our actions are self-centered HIS "cloud" may not be as protective as we desire it to be!!
Wednesday, April 13, 2016
"AND THE LORD SAID!"
Luke 18:1-7 (ESV)
"1 And HE told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
2 HE said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared GOD nor respected man.
3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'
4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear GOD nor respect man,
5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'"
6 "AND THE LORD SAID", "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.
7 And will not GOD give justice to HIS elect, who cry to HIM day and night? Will he delay long over them?"
While during HIS earthly ministry, JESUS was known to frequently speak in parables, or figurative illustrations. In this scenario JESUS spoke about "a judge who neither feared GOD nor respected man" when instructing HIS disciples to PRAY "constantly and incessantly". Basically, this figurative man JESUS spoke of did not care about GOD or people, he just wanted this widow to go on and leave him alone! The judge who didn't care about anyone said "because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming".
The next words JUMP off the page to me, "AND THE LORD SAID"! GOD, the Creator of the Universe, came to earth in the form of JESUS,and proclaimed "AND THE LORD SAID" to HIS disciples! Did you ever think about continually going before the GOD of Creation with a prayer request to show how serious your burden is to you? JESUS said THE FATHER will "give justice to HIS elect" when we do. The idea that we are even permitted to speak to our Creator is something I haven't been able to wrap my mind around! But to have the privilege is something that we all seemingly ignore or overlook as we try to fit into "this world"!
Being someone who "fears" GOD immensely, I have always taken the approach that if GOD wanted me to have something, HE would give it to me. But seeing this particular directive in the verses might have been a Divine revelation at just the right time in my life. GOD has a way of showing me certain scriptures exactly when I need to see them to accomplish HIS Plan! It's almost like HE has had them on the pages for two thousand years, but decided to "open my eyes" to these words just recently! Just as when Elijah spoke in 2 Kings 6:17-19 and requested that eyes be opened and eyes be blinded, sometimes I can read a familiar scripture and have a enlightening experience.
GOD THE FATHER must have hidden this verse from my eyes UNTIL NOW! From now on, I will be like a child desiring a present from their parent, continually beseeching the HEAVENLY THRONE with my petitions FOR HIS GLORY to be revealed through my life to mankind! One sure way to demonstrate our FAITH is to "pray and not lose heart". Since GOD is SPIRIT (John 4:24) and HE isn't limited by earthly confounds, HE can hear from as many as who call upon HIM when we are in HIS will (1 John 5:14). We just need to make sure we ask to glorify HIS Name and we are listening for and to "AND THE LORD SAID"!!!
"1 And HE told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.
2 HE said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared GOD nor respected man.
3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, 'Give me justice against my adversary.'
4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, 'Though I neither fear GOD nor respect man,
5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.'"
6 "AND THE LORD SAID", "Hear what the unrighteous judge says.
7 And will not GOD give justice to HIS elect, who cry to HIM day and night? Will he delay long over them?"
While during HIS earthly ministry, JESUS was known to frequently speak in parables, or figurative illustrations. In this scenario JESUS spoke about "a judge who neither feared GOD nor respected man" when instructing HIS disciples to PRAY "constantly and incessantly". Basically, this figurative man JESUS spoke of did not care about GOD or people, he just wanted this widow to go on and leave him alone! The judge who didn't care about anyone said "because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming".
The next words JUMP off the page to me, "AND THE LORD SAID"! GOD, the Creator of the Universe, came to earth in the form of JESUS,and proclaimed "AND THE LORD SAID" to HIS disciples! Did you ever think about continually going before the GOD of Creation with a prayer request to show how serious your burden is to you? JESUS said THE FATHER will "give justice to HIS elect" when we do. The idea that we are even permitted to speak to our Creator is something I haven't been able to wrap my mind around! But to have the privilege is something that we all seemingly ignore or overlook as we try to fit into "this world"!
Being someone who "fears" GOD immensely, I have always taken the approach that if GOD wanted me to have something, HE would give it to me. But seeing this particular directive in the verses might have been a Divine revelation at just the right time in my life. GOD has a way of showing me certain scriptures exactly when I need to see them to accomplish HIS Plan! It's almost like HE has had them on the pages for two thousand years, but decided to "open my eyes" to these words just recently! Just as when Elijah spoke in 2 Kings 6:17-19 and requested that eyes be opened and eyes be blinded, sometimes I can read a familiar scripture and have a enlightening experience.
GOD THE FATHER must have hidden this verse from my eyes UNTIL NOW! From now on, I will be like a child desiring a present from their parent, continually beseeching the HEAVENLY THRONE with my petitions FOR HIS GLORY to be revealed through my life to mankind! One sure way to demonstrate our FAITH is to "pray and not lose heart". Since GOD is SPIRIT (John 4:24) and HE isn't limited by earthly confounds, HE can hear from as many as who call upon HIM when we are in HIS will (1 John 5:14). We just need to make sure we ask to glorify HIS Name and we are listening for and to "AND THE LORD SAID"!!!
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
"THE LORD WILL PROVIDE!"
Genesis 22:9-14 (ESV)
"9 When they came to the place of which GOD had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
12 HE said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear GOD, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from ME."
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "THE LORD WILL PROVIDE"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
Abraham was known as a friend of GOD (2 Chronicles 20:7. Isaiah 41:8 . James 2:23). His FAITH and love for THE LORD was enough for GOD to promise him in Genesis 12:2 that "I will make you a great nation", and HE did so! But why did GOD choose Abraham? Why was Abraham so special? What set him apart from all GOD's Creation? Why would GOD ask HIS "friend" to sacrifice his son on an altar?
Abraham wasn't always faithful and obedient to GOD. Scripture records in Genesis 17 that Abram was promised by GOD a son. Abram listened to Sarai and took his handmaiden and conceived a son named Ishmael, who wasn't part of The Promise! GOD didn't request that Abraham (Genesis 17:5) was renamed because GOD transformed his life, made him new again. HE gave Abraham a son called Isaac through which GOD was glorified.
In Genesis 22:2 GOD instructs Abraham to "Take your son, YOUR ONLY SON Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." I have written these notes on verse 12 where Abraham was being obedient to GOD. "GOD knew all along that Abraham would be obedient. Now, Abraham knew he could be obedient and the rewards of obedience." GOD had already PROMISED Abraham that HE would make a great nation out of Isaac, so Abraham should have known that GOD would have to intervene because GOD's Word was at stake!! GOD will ALWAYS, ALWAYS honor HIS Word to us!
When GOD has promised you something, HE sometimes sends an opportunity for us to prove ourselves, not for HIS benefit, but for our benefit! GOD doesn't need to prove HIMSELF, for HE already knows HE is GOD! HE desires us to KNOW HE is GOD! HE wants to demonstrate HIS love and mercy to us. HE already knows how you will respond to adversity, but HE wants us to see what our response will be so we can glorify HIS name to mankind! When "THE LORD WILL PROVIDE" becomes more than words to us and is part of our being, only THEN can we grasp the magnitude of true FAITH in ALMIGHTY GOD!!!
"9 When they came to the place of which GOD had told him, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.
10 Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son.
11 But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."
12 HE said, "Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear GOD, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from ME."
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.
14 So Abraham called the name of that place, "THE LORD WILL PROVIDE"; as it is said to this day, "On the mount of the LORD it shall be provided."
Abraham was known as a friend of GOD (2 Chronicles 20:7. Isaiah 41:8 . James 2:23). His FAITH and love for THE LORD was enough for GOD to promise him in Genesis 12:2 that "I will make you a great nation", and HE did so! But why did GOD choose Abraham? Why was Abraham so special? What set him apart from all GOD's Creation? Why would GOD ask HIS "friend" to sacrifice his son on an altar?
Abraham wasn't always faithful and obedient to GOD. Scripture records in Genesis 17 that Abram was promised by GOD a son. Abram listened to Sarai and took his handmaiden and conceived a son named Ishmael, who wasn't part of The Promise! GOD didn't request that Abraham (Genesis 17:5) was renamed because GOD transformed his life, made him new again. HE gave Abraham a son called Isaac through which GOD was glorified.
In Genesis 22:2 GOD instructs Abraham to "Take your son, YOUR ONLY SON Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you." I have written these notes on verse 12 where Abraham was being obedient to GOD. "GOD knew all along that Abraham would be obedient. Now, Abraham knew he could be obedient and the rewards of obedience." GOD had already PROMISED Abraham that HE would make a great nation out of Isaac, so Abraham should have known that GOD would have to intervene because GOD's Word was at stake!! GOD will ALWAYS, ALWAYS honor HIS Word to us!
When GOD has promised you something, HE sometimes sends an opportunity for us to prove ourselves, not for HIS benefit, but for our benefit! GOD doesn't need to prove HIMSELF, for HE already knows HE is GOD! HE desires us to KNOW HE is GOD! HE wants to demonstrate HIS love and mercy to us. HE already knows how you will respond to adversity, but HE wants us to see what our response will be so we can glorify HIS name to mankind! When "THE LORD WILL PROVIDE" becomes more than words to us and is part of our being, only THEN can we grasp the magnitude of true FAITH in ALMIGHTY GOD!!!
Monday, April 11, 2016
"THUS SAITH THE LORD!"
1 Kings 17:13-16 (ESV)
"13 And Elijah said to her, DO NOT FEAR; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.
14 For "THUS SAYS THE LORD", the GOD of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"
15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days.
16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah."
At least for me, it is very difficult when a thought is placed in my mind that excites me to my core yet there is NO WAY for me to make "the dream" come true. It seems I desire to have a glimpse of what GOD may be wanting to do and yet my desire to figure out a way to make the dream come true consumes my thought patterns. Formerly I was known for making things happen and that WAS my calling card, but when my brain hemorrhaged in 2007 I lost a lot of my ability to "figure things out"? Since, I have had to become more dependent on hearing, and obeying, the Voice of THE LORD in my life.
Elijah evidently never had great wealth or earthly possessions, but he did know how to hear from YAHWEH and his faith in what he heard was unshakable! In 1 Kings 17, verses 2 & 8 both says "the word of the LORD came to him". Elijah had received a word from the LORD, therefore he KNEW everything was going work out the way GOD had said. Being confident of that end, he told the woman to use what appeared to be her last flour and oil for him food first, and then she would not run out of flour or oil until the famine was over.
Now giving up provisions for me would be easier than taking food from my children or grandchildren. When a request was made to feed Elijah before her son, it must have taken a tremendous amount of faith to obey? 1 Kings 17:15 says "And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days." She went and did as GOD had spoken through Elijah and because of her obedience she and her son were sustained when all hope was lost!
We should all draw comfort from this passage of scripture as when "THUS SAITH THE LORD" is involved, there is no reason to FEAR! Although we may be down to our last meal we can always claim what "THUS SAITH THE LORD" and rest in HIS promises. If GOD has placed something on your heart that seems too great for you to accomplish, it maybe because HE is going to provide in a way that ONLY HE can get glory from! Always remember what "THUS SAYS THE LORD" and let HIM figure everything else out!!!
"13 And Elijah said to her, DO NOT FEAR; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.
14 For "THUS SAYS THE LORD", the GOD of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain upon the earth.'"
15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days.
16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by Elijah."
At least for me, it is very difficult when a thought is placed in my mind that excites me to my core yet there is NO WAY for me to make "the dream" come true. It seems I desire to have a glimpse of what GOD may be wanting to do and yet my desire to figure out a way to make the dream come true consumes my thought patterns. Formerly I was known for making things happen and that WAS my calling card, but when my brain hemorrhaged in 2007 I lost a lot of my ability to "figure things out"? Since, I have had to become more dependent on hearing, and obeying, the Voice of THE LORD in my life.
Elijah evidently never had great wealth or earthly possessions, but he did know how to hear from YAHWEH and his faith in what he heard was unshakable! In 1 Kings 17, verses 2 & 8 both says "the word of the LORD came to him". Elijah had received a word from the LORD, therefore he KNEW everything was going work out the way GOD had said. Being confident of that end, he told the woman to use what appeared to be her last flour and oil for him food first, and then she would not run out of flour or oil until the famine was over.
Now giving up provisions for me would be easier than taking food from my children or grandchildren. When a request was made to feed Elijah before her son, it must have taken a tremendous amount of faith to obey? 1 Kings 17:15 says "And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days." She went and did as GOD had spoken through Elijah and because of her obedience she and her son were sustained when all hope was lost!
We should all draw comfort from this passage of scripture as when "THUS SAITH THE LORD" is involved, there is no reason to FEAR! Although we may be down to our last meal we can always claim what "THUS SAITH THE LORD" and rest in HIS promises. If GOD has placed something on your heart that seems too great for you to accomplish, it maybe because HE is going to provide in a way that ONLY HE can get glory from! Always remember what "THUS SAYS THE LORD" and let HIM figure everything else out!!!
Friday, April 8, 2016
"BELIEVED GOD!"
James 2:18-26 (ESV)
"18 But someone will say, "You have FAITH and I have works." Show me your FAITH apart from your works, and I will show you my FAITH by my works.
19 You believe that GOD is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that FAITH apart from works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that FAITH was active along with his works, and FAITH was completed by his works;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham "BELIEVED GOD," and it was counted to him as righteousness"-and he was called a friend of GOD.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by FAITH ALONE.
25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also FAITH apart from works is dead."
Abraham was a "friend of GOD", not because he was a good Jew, but because he "BELIEVED GOD"!!! The Spiritual descendants of that FAITH, the ones who had the same Spiritual characteristics, are the true descendants of Abraham. The Jewish race are the physical descendants of Abraham. We Believers are a new race, or nation. 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a CHOSEN RACE, a royal priesthood, a HOLY NATION, a people for HIS own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of HIM who CALLED YOU out of DARKNESS into HIS marvelous light."
While it is true that the Jewish race was selected to provide an earthly temple for JESUS to become flesh, being a Jew will not get you into Heaven. The Roman Centurion who was guarding JESUS on the cross saw the effects that HIS death had on creation, he is quoted as saying "Truly this was the SON of GOD"! It is not enough to just believe, for even the demons believe-and shudder (James 2:19)! We have to place our demonstrate FAITH in HIM by our actions and obedience and TRUSTING in HIM for our every need, including our next breath!
Hebrews 11:6 says "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." We don't have any other choice than BELIEVE that GOD exists and HE has provided a way to fellowship with HIM. JESUS didn't just come to reveal GOD to us, although HE did that splendidly. HE came to provide a PERFECT sacrifice required for my wretched soul!
In verse 26 above James writes "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also FAITH apart from works is dead." Being Spiritually "alive" without displaying evidence of HIS transformation in our lives cannot be done. Just like our bodies MUST breath oxygen to exhibit life, we must produce Godly evidence of HIM in our lives. We must show we have "BELIEVED GOD", but doing so should come as as easily as breathing our next breath! Living a Christian life should not be any more of a problem than breathing our next breath. So go out today and breathe deeply!!!
"18 But someone will say, "You have FAITH and I have works." Show me your FAITH apart from your works, and I will show you my FAITH by my works.
19 You believe that GOD is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that FAITH apart from works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?
22 You see that FAITH was active along with his works, and FAITH was completed by his works;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham "BELIEVED GOD," and it was counted to him as righteousness"-and he was called a friend of GOD.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by FAITH ALONE.
25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also FAITH apart from works is dead."
Abraham was a "friend of GOD", not because he was a good Jew, but because he "BELIEVED GOD"!!! The Spiritual descendants of that FAITH, the ones who had the same Spiritual characteristics, are the true descendants of Abraham. The Jewish race are the physical descendants of Abraham. We Believers are a new race, or nation. 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a CHOSEN RACE, a royal priesthood, a HOLY NATION, a people for HIS own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of HIM who CALLED YOU out of DARKNESS into HIS marvelous light."
While it is true that the Jewish race was selected to provide an earthly temple for JESUS to become flesh, being a Jew will not get you into Heaven. The Roman Centurion who was guarding JESUS on the cross saw the effects that HIS death had on creation, he is quoted as saying "Truly this was the SON of GOD"! It is not enough to just believe, for even the demons believe-and shudder (James 2:19)! We have to place our demonstrate FAITH in HIM by our actions and obedience and TRUSTING in HIM for our every need, including our next breath!
Hebrews 11:6 says "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." We don't have any other choice than BELIEVE that GOD exists and HE has provided a way to fellowship with HIM. JESUS didn't just come to reveal GOD to us, although HE did that splendidly. HE came to provide a PERFECT sacrifice required for my wretched soul!
In verse 26 above James writes "For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also FAITH apart from works is dead." Being Spiritually "alive" without displaying evidence of HIS transformation in our lives cannot be done. Just like our bodies MUST breath oxygen to exhibit life, we must produce Godly evidence of HIM in our lives. We must show we have "BELIEVED GOD", but doing so should come as as easily as breathing our next breath! Living a Christian life should not be any more of a problem than breathing our next breath. So go out today and breathe deeply!!!
Thursday, April 7, 2016
"NO LONGER!"
"NO LONGER"
Galatians 2:20-21 (ESV)
"20 I have been crucified with CHRIST. It is "NO LONGER" I who live, but CHRIST who lives in me. And THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I live by faith in the SON OF GOD, who loved me and gave HIMSELF for me.
21 I do not nullify the grace of GOD, for if righteousness were through the law, then CHRIST DIED FOR NO PURPOSE!"
A Roman Crucifixion was one of the most brutal forms of capital punishment ever known to mankind. JESUS' crucifixion was made all the worse for HE was beaten and tortured even before being hung on a cross. The price JESUS paid in order for my Spirit to have the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven is unimaginable. When I see people who claim to be BELIEVERS talk about themselves in the past tense (in the flesh), I cringe with shame as my SAVIOR paid a heavy price to release us from the bondage of the flesh! We BELIEVERS should never refer to our OLD statuses as the price JESUS paid to remove us from that status was so great!
Everybody is susceptible to this lie, as even I formerly was. Isaiah 44:18 says the enemy has blinded our eyes so we cannot see, and closed our minds so we cannot understand, when THE TRUTH (John 14:6) is right before us, just as JESUS stood in the midst of HIS persecutors! CHRIST died a horrific death on Calvary in order that I could allow myself to yield myself to HIS SPIRIT and become a NEW CREATION (2 Corinthians 5:17) in HIM. My old self has been regenerated into a NEW CREATION, so why do I allow the enemy to bring up my past? If I do, then 'CHRIST DIED FOR NO PURPOSE'!!
THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH has surrendered to the SPIRIT of CHRIST JESUS living inside of me! I "NO LONGER" get to make decisions about my life and what I may perceive as "best" for me, as I have been crucified with CHRIST! While it is true I am still housed in this 6'6" frame, HIS SPIRIT has control of my operations center and I need to submit to HIS Plan for my life.
GOD speaks to us in numerous ways (Job 33:14 "For GOD speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it."), but then in scripture goes on to say in the following verses " THEN HE opens the ears of men" and we can hear TRUTH from HIM. Our hearts have to be seeking HIS WILL for our lives before we can have our eyes and ears opened by the FATHER (2 Chronicles 16:9a "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward HIM). My prayer is that I will keep my heart blameless before HIM and that I will "NO LONGER" try to hijack this vessel I now live in with HIM!
Galatians 2:20-21 (ESV)
"20 I have been crucified with CHRIST. It is "NO LONGER" I who live, but CHRIST who lives in me. And THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH I live by faith in the SON OF GOD, who loved me and gave HIMSELF for me.
21 I do not nullify the grace of GOD, for if righteousness were through the law, then CHRIST DIED FOR NO PURPOSE!"
A Roman Crucifixion was one of the most brutal forms of capital punishment ever known to mankind. JESUS' crucifixion was made all the worse for HE was beaten and tortured even before being hung on a cross. The price JESUS paid in order for my Spirit to have the opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven is unimaginable. When I see people who claim to be BELIEVERS talk about themselves in the past tense (in the flesh), I cringe with shame as my SAVIOR paid a heavy price to release us from the bondage of the flesh! We BELIEVERS should never refer to our OLD statuses as the price JESUS paid to remove us from that status was so great!
Everybody is susceptible to this lie, as even I formerly was. Isaiah 44:18 says the enemy has blinded our eyes so we cannot see, and closed our minds so we cannot understand, when THE TRUTH (John 14:6) is right before us, just as JESUS stood in the midst of HIS persecutors! CHRIST died a horrific death on Calvary in order that I could allow myself to yield myself to HIS SPIRIT and become a NEW CREATION (2 Corinthians 5:17) in HIM. My old self has been regenerated into a NEW CREATION, so why do I allow the enemy to bring up my past? If I do, then 'CHRIST DIED FOR NO PURPOSE'!!
THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH has surrendered to the SPIRIT of CHRIST JESUS living inside of me! I "NO LONGER" get to make decisions about my life and what I may perceive as "best" for me, as I have been crucified with CHRIST! While it is true I am still housed in this 6'6" frame, HIS SPIRIT has control of my operations center and I need to submit to HIS Plan for my life.
GOD speaks to us in numerous ways (Job 33:14 "For GOD speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it."), but then in scripture goes on to say in the following verses " THEN HE opens the ears of men" and we can hear TRUTH from HIM. Our hearts have to be seeking HIS WILL for our lives before we can have our eyes and ears opened by the FATHER (2 Chronicles 16:9a "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward HIM). My prayer is that I will keep my heart blameless before HIM and that I will "NO LONGER" try to hijack this vessel I now live in with HIM!
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
"BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD!"
Psalms 37:7 (ESV)
"BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and wait patiently for HIM; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"
The sermon last Sunday at the church I attend was on Exodus 20:17, "Do not covet..."! Scripture indicates we are not to desire another persons possessions, instead be grateful for what the LORD has blessed us with. It is rather easy, and sometimes quite tempting, to daydream about living a life of luxury with "no worries" and lots of wealth. During his recent sermon, our Pastor said life would possibly made simpler IF we KNEW what was ahead of us, what we could expect, as it kept our focus on THE PRIZE all believers have in JESUS CHRIST. As Christians, we CAN know what lies ahead of us! Scripture reveals it to us!
My "WAR ROOM PRAYER LIST" begins with the following statement from a devotional I read one time, "Only by choosing NOT TO BE SLAVES to our own reasonings and emotions can we win the battle for our minds and begin hearing the voice of GOD within us." When we cease being so concerned about "our own reasonings and emotions" we can begin to draw closer to HIS guidance and leadership in our lives. When we CHOOSE hearing from GOD over our own thoughts and desires, a certain PEACE transforms our lives into what we are designed by GOD to accomplish.
Most are aware that GOD placed Psalms 46:10 in my heart following the brain hemorrhage. But Psalms 37:7 is almost as impactful in my life, as it instructs me to "wait patiently for HIM" and HIS blessings to fill your life. We can, and I often find myself trying to, get so busy trying to "do THINGS" for THE LORD that we can't hear from HIM about HIS PLAN for our lives. GOD isn't interested in competing with our selfish wishes and desires only to see us cease communing with HIM. Our goals and desires should be to SERVE HIM and to do HIS will! When we "covet" our attention has shifted from our CREATOR to HIS creation. Exodus 34:14 says GOD is a jealous god, and HE should not compete for our affection!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to "BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and to keep my eyes focused on what YOU would have me do to glorify YOUR Kingdom. It is awfully tempting at times to look at the worldly success of others and how we think YOUR Kingdom could benefit from the same manner of success. Remind us to "BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and get our own specific instructions for our lives to perform the tasks YOU will be most glorified in.
"BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and wait patiently for HIM; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!"
The sermon last Sunday at the church I attend was on Exodus 20:17, "Do not covet..."! Scripture indicates we are not to desire another persons possessions, instead be grateful for what the LORD has blessed us with. It is rather easy, and sometimes quite tempting, to daydream about living a life of luxury with "no worries" and lots of wealth. During his recent sermon, our Pastor said life would possibly made simpler IF we KNEW what was ahead of us, what we could expect, as it kept our focus on THE PRIZE all believers have in JESUS CHRIST. As Christians, we CAN know what lies ahead of us! Scripture reveals it to us!
My "WAR ROOM PRAYER LIST" begins with the following statement from a devotional I read one time, "Only by choosing NOT TO BE SLAVES to our own reasonings and emotions can we win the battle for our minds and begin hearing the voice of GOD within us." When we cease being so concerned about "our own reasonings and emotions" we can begin to draw closer to HIS guidance and leadership in our lives. When we CHOOSE hearing from GOD over our own thoughts and desires, a certain PEACE transforms our lives into what we are designed by GOD to accomplish.
Most are aware that GOD placed Psalms 46:10 in my heart following the brain hemorrhage. But Psalms 37:7 is almost as impactful in my life, as it instructs me to "wait patiently for HIM" and HIS blessings to fill your life. We can, and I often find myself trying to, get so busy trying to "do THINGS" for THE LORD that we can't hear from HIM about HIS PLAN for our lives. GOD isn't interested in competing with our selfish wishes and desires only to see us cease communing with HIM. Our goals and desires should be to SERVE HIM and to do HIS will! When we "covet" our attention has shifted from our CREATOR to HIS creation. Exodus 34:14 says GOD is a jealous god, and HE should not compete for our affection!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to "BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and to keep my eyes focused on what YOU would have me do to glorify YOUR Kingdom. It is awfully tempting at times to look at the worldly success of others and how we think YOUR Kingdom could benefit from the same manner of success. Remind us to "BE STILL BEFORE THE LORD" and get our own specific instructions for our lives to perform the tasks YOU will be most glorified in.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
"DO NOT BE LIKE THEM!"
Matthew 6:7-15 (ESV)
"7 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM", for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM.
9 Pray then like this: "Our FATHER in Heaven, hallowed be YOUR name.
10 YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly FATHER will also forgive you,
15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your FATHER forgive your trespasses."
The fellowship I attend has a practice of having the deacon of the week offer a prayer every Sunday right before the Pastor steps into the pulpit to deliver his message from GOD. Being set aside as a deacon in the mid 1990's, I was asked to serve a couple of years back. With that being said, my "word-recall" since the brain hemorrhage has not quite been restored, and my belief is GOD's Plan does not include me NOT being CHANGED from the hemorrhage! When I pray on my assigned Sunday the words aren't as eloquent as others, but usually they are what GOD lays on my heart!
When JESUS was instructing the crowds how to pray, HE began by telling them "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM", meaning the people who thought their prayers would be heard because of their fancy words. HE followed those words with "for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM." GOD knows our hearts and minds, so we can't camouflage what we have in our hearts and deceive GOD! JESUS is/was GOD IN THE FLESH, and HE instructed them to come before GOD with both humility and adoration. The word HALLOWED in verse 9 defined in one dictionary means to be regarded as HOLY; VENERATED; SACRED. We can come boldly before HIS throne (Hebrews 4:16), but that doesn't mean we can nonchalantly with no reverence. While it is true HE is our HEAVENLY FATHER, even JESUS said HIS name was to be HALLOWED!
One thing about the model prayer that needs to be addressed before moving on, in verse 11 JESUS instructs us to pray "Give us this day our daily bread". Notice JESUS doesn't pray for unlimited wealth and an easy life. In spite of what many "television preachers" would have you believe, the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel didn't originate from the poor carpenter from Galilee! GOD may grant earthly wealth to some, but it is no sign of a greater love for them than the remainder of us. Surely HE loved JESUS, so why wasn't wealth and comfort on HIS list of blessings???
We could come to the THRONE ROOM with an oratory that would sound like a regal sonnet to OUR FATHER, but GOD knows that isn't me, and HE knows it probably isn't you either! Our prayers should be a plain spoken with "heart-felt", respectful conversation with the CREATOR of the Universe, and CREATOR of our lives! "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM" when you approach your HEAVENLY FATHER. Certainly you wouldn't want HIM saying of you "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM"???
"7 "And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM", for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM.
9 Pray then like this: "Our FATHER in Heaven, hallowed be YOUR name.
10 YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly FATHER will also forgive you,
15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your FATHER forgive your trespasses."
The fellowship I attend has a practice of having the deacon of the week offer a prayer every Sunday right before the Pastor steps into the pulpit to deliver his message from GOD. Being set aside as a deacon in the mid 1990's, I was asked to serve a couple of years back. With that being said, my "word-recall" since the brain hemorrhage has not quite been restored, and my belief is GOD's Plan does not include me NOT being CHANGED from the hemorrhage! When I pray on my assigned Sunday the words aren't as eloquent as others, but usually they are what GOD lays on my heart!
When JESUS was instructing the crowds how to pray, HE began by telling them "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM", meaning the people who thought their prayers would be heard because of their fancy words. HE followed those words with "for your FATHER knows what you need before you ask HIM." GOD knows our hearts and minds, so we can't camouflage what we have in our hearts and deceive GOD! JESUS is/was GOD IN THE FLESH, and HE instructed them to come before GOD with both humility and adoration. The word HALLOWED in verse 9 defined in one dictionary means to be regarded as HOLY; VENERATED; SACRED. We can come boldly before HIS throne (Hebrews 4:16), but that doesn't mean we can nonchalantly with no reverence. While it is true HE is our HEAVENLY FATHER, even JESUS said HIS name was to be HALLOWED!
One thing about the model prayer that needs to be addressed before moving on, in verse 11 JESUS instructs us to pray "Give us this day our daily bread". Notice JESUS doesn't pray for unlimited wealth and an easy life. In spite of what many "television preachers" would have you believe, the health, wealth, and prosperity gospel didn't originate from the poor carpenter from Galilee! GOD may grant earthly wealth to some, but it is no sign of a greater love for them than the remainder of us. Surely HE loved JESUS, so why wasn't wealth and comfort on HIS list of blessings???
We could come to the THRONE ROOM with an oratory that would sound like a regal sonnet to OUR FATHER, but GOD knows that isn't me, and HE knows it probably isn't you either! Our prayers should be a plain spoken with "heart-felt", respectful conversation with the CREATOR of the Universe, and CREATOR of our lives! "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM" when you approach your HEAVENLY FATHER. Certainly you wouldn't want HIM saying of you "DO NOT BE LIKE THEM"???
Monday, April 4, 2016
"MIND OF A MAN!"
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV)
"Many are the plans in the "MIND OF A MAN", but it is the purpose of the LORD that will STAND."
Recently I saw a statement on a social media site saying quite simply "GOD, not you, is in control of all things"! This simple statement will not leave me alone. Most of us attempt to be somewhat godlike in our actions in that we try to make things work out in a way that people, especially the ones we love, experience the best outcome. But even while deliberating this statement/comment in my mind, the "MIND OF A MAN", I can see where GOD has used "difficulties" in my life to draw me closer to HIM throughout my life.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says "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 tend to always believe WE KNOW what s best in life and do our best to "make that happen". But GOD's Word says to "TRUST HIM", not do what we THINK is reasonable.
So how do we KNOW that we are ding GOD's Will for our lives? GOD has been known to in times of old to AUDIBLY speak to HIS followers. But scripture says in Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWAL of your MIND, that by testing YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect." GOD sometimes speaks to us in quiet, soft ways, and sometimes HE has to REALLY get our attention! From experience, it is usually not pleasant when GOD has to get my attention! It is much more gratifying when all GOD has to do is speak gently and I respond favorably.
When I was hospitalized in 2007 with the brain hemorrhage, my wife was driving home one night and heard Twila Paris singing "God is in control". Up until the hemorrhage I had always given every indication that I was in control. But while I was in the the coma there were days that I wasn't even in control of my own breathing! Since recovering from the hemorrhage, it is very easy to admit that, without JESUS, this "MIND OF A MAN" isn't qualified for many decisions I formerly made with little, or no, guidance from Heaven. This "MIND OF A MAN" is yielding to "the purpose of the LORD" for it WILL stand!
"Many are the plans in the "MIND OF A MAN", but it is the purpose of the LORD that will STAND."
Recently I saw a statement on a social media site saying quite simply "GOD, not you, is in control of all things"! This simple statement will not leave me alone. Most of us attempt to be somewhat godlike in our actions in that we try to make things work out in a way that people, especially the ones we love, experience the best outcome. But even while deliberating this statement/comment in my mind, the "MIND OF A MAN", I can see where GOD has used "difficulties" in my life to draw me closer to HIM throughout my life.
Isaiah 55:8-9 says "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 tend to always believe WE KNOW what s best in life and do our best to "make that happen". But GOD's Word says to "TRUST HIM", not do what we THINK is reasonable.
So how do we KNOW that we are ding GOD's Will for our lives? GOD has been known to in times of old to AUDIBLY speak to HIS followers. But scripture says in Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the RENEWAL of your MIND, that by testing YOU MAY DISCERN WHAT IS THE WILL OF GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect." GOD sometimes speaks to us in quiet, soft ways, and sometimes HE has to REALLY get our attention! From experience, it is usually not pleasant when GOD has to get my attention! It is much more gratifying when all GOD has to do is speak gently and I respond favorably.
When I was hospitalized in 2007 with the brain hemorrhage, my wife was driving home one night and heard Twila Paris singing "God is in control". Up until the hemorrhage I had always given every indication that I was in control. But while I was in the the coma there were days that I wasn't even in control of my own breathing! Since recovering from the hemorrhage, it is very easy to admit that, without JESUS, this "MIND OF A MAN" isn't qualified for many decisions I formerly made with little, or no, guidance from Heaven. This "MIND OF A MAN" is yielding to "the purpose of the LORD" for it WILL stand!
Sunday, April 3, 2016
""PRAY FOR US!"
1 Thessalonians 5:25 (ESV)
"Brothers, "PRAY FOR US"!
Many times of late I have witnessed friends and loved ones request "prayers and good thoughts" for someone who is sick, or in need of support during a difficult time. You would think that if somebody actually believed in their heart that requesting me to approach the CREATOR of the Universe on their behalf was going to happen within the next 24 hours that they would be expecting great results? But my prayer life apparently isn't strong enough to cause many people to respect, or even fear, a result!
JESUS said in John 14:14 "If you ask me anything in MY name, I will do it". In the previous verse HE gave a clarification "that the FATHER may be glorified in the SON". Why don't I live a life so in tune with the desires of the FATHER that people are in awe of the power of GOD in my life? Don't you figure the enemy is aware that there are very few prayer WARRIORS who know how to lock onto the Throne-room of GOD and lead an onslaught on his armies? Embarrassment fills me as I consider how much of a Spiritual weakling I must appear to be, not just to the enemy, but to my friends and acquaintances who should be flocking to me to "PRAY FOR US"!
I'm sure that the author of the letter written to the church at Thessalonica (The Apostle Paul) understood that when he closed out his first letter to them what he was asking of them. If the Apostle Paul were praying for me I would expect GOD to answer, and with authority! Why then do my prayers not cause the devil to run with fear? Why when I pray don't the demons run for cover?
James 1:6 says "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind". Maybe I'm so caught up in this world and earthly things that I never get to the FAITH things that I need to be praying about. On my prayer list is a quote from a devotional that I read daily that says "Only by choosing NOT TO BE SLAVES to our own reasonings and emotions can we win the battle for our minds and begin hearing the voice of GOD within us". When we remove our "reasonings and emotions" and begin to pray for HIS will in our lives we begin to see GOD do miraculous things in our lives!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that when someone requests me to "PRAY FOR US" that satan and his demons will have to start running for cover. We ALL should be recognized as having the Spirit of GOD living inside of our bodies and that should scare the enemy! "PRAY FOR US!!"
"Brothers, "PRAY FOR US"!
Many times of late I have witnessed friends and loved ones request "prayers and good thoughts" for someone who is sick, or in need of support during a difficult time. You would think that if somebody actually believed in their heart that requesting me to approach the CREATOR of the Universe on their behalf was going to happen within the next 24 hours that they would be expecting great results? But my prayer life apparently isn't strong enough to cause many people to respect, or even fear, a result!
JESUS said in John 14:14 "If you ask me anything in MY name, I will do it". In the previous verse HE gave a clarification "that the FATHER may be glorified in the SON". Why don't I live a life so in tune with the desires of the FATHER that people are in awe of the power of GOD in my life? Don't you figure the enemy is aware that there are very few prayer WARRIORS who know how to lock onto the Throne-room of GOD and lead an onslaught on his armies? Embarrassment fills me as I consider how much of a Spiritual weakling I must appear to be, not just to the enemy, but to my friends and acquaintances who should be flocking to me to "PRAY FOR US"!
I'm sure that the author of the letter written to the church at Thessalonica (The Apostle Paul) understood that when he closed out his first letter to them what he was asking of them. If the Apostle Paul were praying for me I would expect GOD to answer, and with authority! Why then do my prayers not cause the devil to run with fear? Why when I pray don't the demons run for cover?
James 1:6 says "But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind". Maybe I'm so caught up in this world and earthly things that I never get to the FAITH things that I need to be praying about. On my prayer list is a quote from a devotional that I read daily that says "Only by choosing NOT TO BE SLAVES to our own reasonings and emotions can we win the battle for our minds and begin hearing the voice of GOD within us". When we remove our "reasonings and emotions" and begin to pray for HIS will in our lives we begin to see GOD do miraculous things in our lives!
FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that when someone requests me to "PRAY FOR US" that satan and his demons will have to start running for cover. We ALL should be recognized as having the Spirit of GOD living inside of our bodies and that should scare the enemy! "PRAY FOR US!!"
Friday, April 1, 2016
"HIS GOOD PLEASURE!"
Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
"12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is GOD who works in you, both to will and to work for "HIS GOOD PLEASURE!"
Behind every observed action of mankind there is a Divine Plan that is being fulfilled. There are times when I do things in haste, sometimes with little or no prayer, and GOD uses it for "HIS GOOD PLEASURE"! When the dust is settled and I am able look back and see HIS handiwork, awe and amazement (and sometimes a fear tears!) flood my head. When you find GOD all over your seemingly minuscule efforts it sometimes can shake you to your core!
During the years of 1999-2007 I was EXTREMELY busy! I served on various boards and commissions, all in the name of community service. While serving on our local school board I was asked by a fellow board member to write a letter to our United States Senator in an effort to get a physician approved to come to a local hospital. He was in the United States on an 0-1 Visa which evidently required a U.S. Senator signing off on it. During this time I also served as the chairman of the local Republican Party, and in doing so was Chairman of the re-election campaign for the same U.S. Senator. I wrote the letter on August 15, 2002 and faxed it to Washington D.C. and promptly filed it away.
Of course, on July 09, 2007 I awoke experiencing a "massive brain hemorrhage" and spent 52 days hospitalized. Being unable to work for two years, my belongings were packed up and sent home with me. On July 1, 2009 we were able to purchase our insurance office from the previous owner and so the moving my "stuff" back to the office commenced.
One afternoon I came in to the office and my wife told me to sit down, that she had something she needed me to see, and that I had to sit down to read it. It didn't take long for me to understand her reasoning. The doctor that I wrote the letter in support of turned out to be the Neurologist assigned to me when my hemorrhage occurred in 2007! There are somethings you just can't make up! When I regained my composure after crying profusely that afternoon, I carried the letter to the physician's office and let him make a copy of it! He was shocked, I was shocked, but GOD's PLAN usually shocks those involved!
Now, do you see why I am such a zealot for HIM and "HIS GOOD PLEASURE"? Certainly there was no indication I would need any doctor is 2002, let alone a Neurologist! But GOD knew! GOD knew I would recover nicely, would return to work in just under two years, and would give HIM unshared glory for as long as I breath life into this body! So often I write that GOD has a PLAN and I am so glad HIS PLAN called for me to experience "HIS GOOD PLEASURE" in my life.
"12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is GOD who works in you, both to will and to work for "HIS GOOD PLEASURE!"
Behind every observed action of mankind there is a Divine Plan that is being fulfilled. There are times when I do things in haste, sometimes with little or no prayer, and GOD uses it for "HIS GOOD PLEASURE"! When the dust is settled and I am able look back and see HIS handiwork, awe and amazement (and sometimes a fear tears!) flood my head. When you find GOD all over your seemingly minuscule efforts it sometimes can shake you to your core!
During the years of 1999-2007 I was EXTREMELY busy! I served on various boards and commissions, all in the name of community service. While serving on our local school board I was asked by a fellow board member to write a letter to our United States Senator in an effort to get a physician approved to come to a local hospital. He was in the United States on an 0-1 Visa which evidently required a U.S. Senator signing off on it. During this time I also served as the chairman of the local Republican Party, and in doing so was Chairman of the re-election campaign for the same U.S. Senator. I wrote the letter on August 15, 2002 and faxed it to Washington D.C. and promptly filed it away.
Of course, on July 09, 2007 I awoke experiencing a "massive brain hemorrhage" and spent 52 days hospitalized. Being unable to work for two years, my belongings were packed up and sent home with me. On July 1, 2009 we were able to purchase our insurance office from the previous owner and so the moving my "stuff" back to the office commenced.
One afternoon I came in to the office and my wife told me to sit down, that she had something she needed me to see, and that I had to sit down to read it. It didn't take long for me to understand her reasoning. The doctor that I wrote the letter in support of turned out to be the Neurologist assigned to me when my hemorrhage occurred in 2007! There are somethings you just can't make up! When I regained my composure after crying profusely that afternoon, I carried the letter to the physician's office and let him make a copy of it! He was shocked, I was shocked, but GOD's PLAN usually shocks those involved!
Now, do you see why I am such a zealot for HIM and "HIS GOOD PLEASURE"? Certainly there was no indication I would need any doctor is 2002, let alone a Neurologist! But GOD knew! GOD knew I would recover nicely, would return to work in just under two years, and would give HIM unshared glory for as long as I breath life into this body! So often I write that GOD has a PLAN and I am so glad HIS PLAN called for me to experience "HIS GOOD PLEASURE" in my life.
"THERE IS NONE!"
Psalms 14:1-3 (ESV)
"1 The FOOL says in his heart, "There is no GOD." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, "THERE IS NONE" there is none who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; "THERE IS NONE" who does good, not even one."
Often we hear people saying "I accepted JESUS as my LORD and Savior....", giving the impression that they have something to do with their salvation. After all, JESUS said in John 3:3 "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is BORN AGAIN he cannot see the kingdom of GOD." But when we 'BE STILL' long enough and absorb what JESUS said, how many babies have a choice of living or dying? Abortionists and Obstetricians do not keep records of how many of their victims/patients preferred death or life! We didn't have a choice when, where, how, or who we were physically born to, and I wouldn't have had the desire to Spiritually grow closer to HIM and to be used by HIM! GOD THE FATHER drew me!
SURRENDERING to a call from the LORD might be better said "GOD called me out of darkness"? 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for HIS own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of HIM who CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS into HIS marvelous light". Speaking for myself, I didn't have enough intelligence, nor inclination, to SURRENDER to a HOLY GOD, so I'm sure blessed HE "called me out of darkness" into HIS marvelous light! None of us, "NO NOT ONE", had anything to do with our salvation, it is purely because GOD is merciful and "called" us!
Since today "this world" recognizes ALL FOOLS DAY on the calendar, these verses have a significant meaning. Some may claim they have NEVER said there is no GOD. But our actions speak louder than our words and when we worry and fret we are boldly pronouncing that GOD can't handle what lies before us! How many times in my life have I displayed by my actions that there was no GOD directing my path? How many times have I walked around with a large FOOL placard around my neck? To think GOD isn't IN CONTROL is to say HE isn't much of a GOD!
To those of us who have been CALLED OUT, there is nothing we have SURRENDERED to. We can only be thankful that HIS Grace sought us. "THERE IS NONE" who is intelligent enough, or wise enough, or lucky enough to figure out how to make it to Heaven. We are not a nationality, sect or race, we are CALLED OUT to be a light in a dark world. Regardless of what people want to claim, "THERE IS NONE" who is good enough to keep them in Heaven, or out of hell! "THERE IS NONE"!!!
"1 The FOOL says in his heart, "There is no GOD." They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, "THERE IS NONE" there is none who does good.
2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
3 They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; "THERE IS NONE" who does good, not even one."
Often we hear people saying "I accepted JESUS as my LORD and Savior....", giving the impression that they have something to do with their salvation. After all, JESUS said in John 3:3 "Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is BORN AGAIN he cannot see the kingdom of GOD." But when we 'BE STILL' long enough and absorb what JESUS said, how many babies have a choice of living or dying? Abortionists and Obstetricians do not keep records of how many of their victims/patients preferred death or life! We didn't have a choice when, where, how, or who we were physically born to, and I wouldn't have had the desire to Spiritually grow closer to HIM and to be used by HIM! GOD THE FATHER drew me!
SURRENDERING to a call from the LORD might be better said "GOD called me out of darkness"? 1 Peter 2:9 says "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for HIS own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of HIM who CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS into HIS marvelous light". Speaking for myself, I didn't have enough intelligence, nor inclination, to SURRENDER to a HOLY GOD, so I'm sure blessed HE "called me out of darkness" into HIS marvelous light! None of us, "NO NOT ONE", had anything to do with our salvation, it is purely because GOD is merciful and "called" us!
Since today "this world" recognizes ALL FOOLS DAY on the calendar, these verses have a significant meaning. Some may claim they have NEVER said there is no GOD. But our actions speak louder than our words and when we worry and fret we are boldly pronouncing that GOD can't handle what lies before us! How many times in my life have I displayed by my actions that there was no GOD directing my path? How many times have I walked around with a large FOOL placard around my neck? To think GOD isn't IN CONTROL is to say HE isn't much of a GOD!
To those of us who have been CALLED OUT, there is nothing we have SURRENDERED to. We can only be thankful that HIS Grace sought us. "THERE IS NONE" who is intelligent enough, or wise enough, or lucky enough to figure out how to make it to Heaven. We are not a nationality, sect or race, we are CALLED OUT to be a light in a dark world. Regardless of what people want to claim, "THERE IS NONE" who is good enough to keep them in Heaven, or out of hell! "THERE IS NONE"!!!
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