"CHRIST DID NOT PLEASE HIMSELF!"

Romans 15:1-7                                             (ESV)

"1 We who are strong have an OBLIGATION to bear with the failings of the weak, and NOT TO PLEASE OURSELVES.

2 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

3 For "CHRIST DID NOT PLEASE HIMSELF", but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached YOU fell on ME."

4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

5 May the GOD of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with CHRIST JESUS,

6 that together you may with one voice glorify the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

7 Therefore welcome one another as CHRIST has welcomed you, for the glory of GOD."

Many times I begin my Bible Study with no clear direction of what will be written that day, and MOST of the time the end result humbles me, as my desire is to Glorify GOD ALMIGHTY and NOT myself!  Today I started out with a totally different idea than where I eventually found my writings ending.  But then I realized that my ideas aren't what is important, even "CHRIST DID NOT PLEASE HIMSELF" during HIS earthly ministry!!

GOD sent HIS SON, JESUS, into "this world" NOT to establish a political or governmental oligarchy.  GOD already has the entire world to worship and adore HIM, whether we do or not!  HE sent JESUS (John 3:17) as a payment for our sins, simply because HE loves us (John 3:16)!  In verse three above, it is written "The reproaches of those who reproached YOU fell on ME."!  GOD has a Plan and HIS provisions CANNOT be improved upon!

Recently my wife's car needed to be replaced, and WE THOUGHT rather quickly!  We have friends and relatives in the used car business in our town who I THOUGHT could find us something to fit what we THOUGHT was needed.  But GOD guided and directed my thoughts and mind to a small auto dealership two and a half hours from home and we now own the vehicle GOD can be Glorified with.  Not because we are worthy, for we are the LEAST, but because we are willing to WAIT ON THE LORD!

My prayer yesterday morning was NOT to find a good deal, or a payment plan that was in our range, but rather the GOD would be Glorified with our purchase, and ultimately our lives.  In Matthew 26:39, JESUS prayed "MY FATHER, if it be possible, let this cup pass from ME; nevertheless, not as I will, but as YOU will.""  

"CHRIST DID NOT PLEASE HIMSELF" and ultimately paid the redemption for the ENTIRE WORLD.......for GOD's Glory!  My prayer is that HE will be Glorified by my life as I serve HIM!!!

"ALL YOUR HEART!"

Jeremiah 29:12-14                         (ESV)

"12 Then you will call upon ME and come and pray to ME, and I will hear you.

13 You will SEEK ME and FIND ME, when you seek ME with "ALL YOUR HEART".

14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

It seems everyone has heard about the childhood game called hide and seek.  When I was a child, I never was very good at the game because I didn't have the determination to SEEK someone until I FOUND them.  Giving up always seemed to be the option that was available, and it required little or no effort.  However, when ALMIGHTY GOD "calls" you, the desire to FIND HIM consumed me until I FOUND HIM!  

We don't even have the longing to search for HIM unless He places that in our hearts.  In Acts 9 Saul was persecuting Believers in the name of "the church"!  However, when JESUS inquired "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Saul recognized his need for a Savior and it was revealed to him ".......how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name."  That's right, unlike many modern "ministers", Saul (soon to be renamed Paul) was promised by JESUS that HE would suffer the the sake of HIS Name!  But still, he sought JESUS with "ALL YOUR HEART"!  

The LORD promises in HIS Word that HE can be found if we ONLY will seek after HIM with "ALL YOUR HEART"..  But HE also says in John 15:16 "You did not choose ME, but I chose you and appointed you......"!  GOD desires a relationship with us so much that HE sacrificed HIS ONLY SON to redeem us from our sinful lives.  What else do I have to offer HIM but to SERVE HIM with "ALL YOUR HEART"???

"BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF!"

Hebrews 3:13-19                            (ESV)

"13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened BY THE DECEITFULNESS of sin.

14 For we have come to share in CHRIST, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.

15 As it is said, "Today, if you hear HIS voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion." 

16 For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses?

17 And with whom was HE provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, WHOSE BODIES FELL IN THE WILDERNESS?

18 And to whom did HE swear that they would not enter HIS rest, but to those who were disobedient?

19 So we see that they were unable to enter "BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF"."

It should be with great trepidation that we act in disobedience to a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS GOD!  Yet mankind thinks we can ignore or change HIS commands to suit our desires and accommodate what humans see as "right"!  Who do we think we are to try to hide our disobedience from HIS EYES?  Adam and Eve tried, AND FAILED, in the garden of Eden, and everyone since has continued to fail in our attempts.  

Maybe it's because we don't have an inkling of WHO GOD really is and what HE is capable of doing to us that we IGNORE HIM and HIS Word?  Why else would we allow ourselves to FALL IN THE WILDERNESS, like the children of Israel, just "BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF"?  

It will not be long until "this world's" eyes are opened and will be able to SEE that "BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF" they too have been allowed to FALL IN THE WILDERNESS!  What about you?  Can you SEE???  Or "BECAUSE OF UNBELIEF" are you moving so fast that you can't SEE TRUTH unfolding right before your eyes???

"FAITH HAS COME!"

Galatians 3:25-29                          (ESV)

"25 But NOW THAT "FAITH HAS COME", we are NO LONGER UNDER A GUARDIAN,

26 for in CHRIST JESUS you are all sons of GOD, through FAITH.

27 For as many of you as were baptized into CHRIST have put on CHRIST.

28 There is NEITHER JEW NOR GREEK, there is NEITHER SLAVE NOR FREE, there is NO MALE AND FEMALE, for you are all one in CHRIST JESUS.

29 And if you are CHRIST's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise."

Ephesians 1:15-23                        (ESV)

"15 For this reason, because I have heard of your FAITH in the LORD JESUS and your love toward all the saints,

16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

17 that the GOD of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER of glory, may "give you" the SPIRIT of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of HIM,

18 having the EYES of your hearts "enlightened", that you may know what is the hope to which HE has called you, what are the riches of HIS glorious inheritance in the saints,

19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of HIS power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might

20 that HE worked in CHRIST when HE raised HIM from the dead and seated HIM at HIS right hand in the Heavenly places,

21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

22 And HE put "all things" under HIS feet and gave HIM as head over all things to the church,

23 which is HIS BODY, the fullness of HIM who fills all in all." 

Frustration and bewilderment will overcome those who attempt to IMPROVE what JESUS CHRIST has already completed with HIS Perfect LIFE and sacrifice on Calvary!  ONLY GOD IN HEAVEN can "open eyes"!  My prayer is that HE will continue to enlighten me to HIS tremendous work available to us.  

"REPROVE, REBUKE and EXHORT!"

2 Timothy 4:1-4                              (ESV)

"1 I charge you in the presence of GOD and of CHRIST JESUS, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by HIS appearing and HIS kingdom:

2 preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; "REPROVE, REBUKE and EXHORT", with complete patience and teaching.

3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,

4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths."

One of the things I have found most beneficial to my Spiritual growth is to see what the dictionary says about the words that are in the Word!  Far too many times in my younger experiences, I have assumed what I thought was the correct meaning of a word, and accepted whatever that assumption was.  Today there three words that I am inclined to SLOW DOWN and examine and SEE what GOD is trying to show me by using the dictionary to help me.  

REPROVE: "to criticize or correct, especially gently:".... . Paul is writing on Timothy is this letter, but the HOLY SPIRIT uses Paul's writings to gently correct my life and move me toward a vessel used to Glorify GOD.  There are times, and many they are, that I am inclined to hastily read a few verses from GOD's Word, say a brief prayer, and consider myself "worthy" for the day.  Then I am reminded that JESUS CHRIST suffered unimaginable torture and separation from HIS FATHER all because I needed a Perfect Sacrifice and couldn't provide one!  And all because of HIS LOVE!!!!!!  Correcting me is a full time job and HE gently keeps at it!  

REBUKE: "to express sharp, stern disapproval of; reprove; reprimand".... .  Hebrews 4:12 says "For the word of GOD is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart."  The Word pierces, meaning it separates what man thinks is good from what GOD declares is good.  JESUS said in Mark 10:18 "And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call ME good? No one is good EXCEPT GOD ALONE."  When I examine the CROSS, and then examine my life, it humbles me to no end!  Why does ALMIGHTY GOD allow me to continue to breathe HIS oxygen???   

EXHORT: "to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; admonish urgently".... .  Always of the belief that this word was trying to tell me to "encourage", I have a hard time accepting that GOD is telling me to "urgently advise" people that living in sin definitely has its consequences.  However, I am to do all of these with "complete patience and teaching."  We must remember that we cannot change a heart, only ALMIGHTY GOD can do that!  We need to be faithful to do our part, and leave HIM to change hearts!!!

"JESUS IS OUR EVERYTHING!"

Colossians 1:15-20                     (ESV)

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

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

17 And HE is before all things, and in HIM all things hold together.

18 And HE is the head of the body, the church. HE is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything HE MIGHT BE PREEMINENT.

19 For in HIM all the fullness of GOD was pleased to dwell,

20 and through HIM to reconcile to HIMSELF all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of HIS cross."

There are many different things that can be written about these verses, so I will refrain from limiting what GOD has for you today!  JESUS IS OUR EVERYTHING!!!

"BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES!"

Matthew 13:16-17                           (ESV)

"16 But "BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES", for they see, and your ears, for they hear.

17 For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it."

It is very seldom that I write about verses that are back to back in scripture, but I am led to do just that today.  We tend to think that HEARING and SEEING from GOD is something we develop as we mature Spiritually.  However, JESUS told HIS disciples in the above scriptures that "BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES" and YOUR EARS, for they SEE and HEAR!  HE then proceeds to tell them something that "many prophets and righteous people" have desired to SEE and HEAR what HIS disciples had SEEN and HEARD, but "did not" SEE or HEAR it.  

Romans 11:33-36 says that ALL WISDOM and KNOWLEDGE come from GOD!  Knowing that what GOD allows you to SEE and HEAR might not be "given" to some of  the "prophets and righteous people" around you should make you realize how blessed you are.  When the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES reveals a TRUTH to you how should you react?  Do you blurt it out to everyone, or do you respond as the mother of JESUS in Luke 2:19 (KJV) where scripture says "But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart"?

GOD cannot violate HIS Word!  Whatever HE has promised, HE WILL DO!  When GOD reveals something to you through HIS WORD, HE isn't playing a joke on you.  GOD created the world to declare HIS Glory (Psalm 19:1-4). HE formed and made man with the same intent (Isaiah 43:7).  GOD may lead you to the banks of the Red Sea, but HE will get Glory, just as HE did over Pharaoh.  "BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES" if you are able to SEE this!!!

"DO NOT SEE!"

Matthew 13:13-15                    (ESV)

"13 This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing THEY "DO NOT SEE", and hearing THEY DO NOT HEAR, nor do THEY UNDERSTAND. 

14 Indeed, in their case the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled that says: "'"You will indeed hear but NEVER understand, and you will indeed see but NEVER perceive." 

15 For this people's HEART has GROWN DULL, and with their ears they can BARELY HEAR, and their EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.'"

While hospitalized for the heart surgery recently, my favorite doctor (my wife) diagnosed me with hearing loss because I couldn't hear an alarm on one of the monitors.  She could hear the alarm plainly, but it was as if it wasn't even sounding as far as I was concerned.  This morning while cooking breakfast I couldn't see something clearly enough because the light was being blocked by a cabinet door.   And my mind immediately went to the scripture above and how JESUS tried to make things more clear for those listening.  

JESUS wasn't speaking about the physical type of hearing or seeing, rather that some people were not capable of discerning the TRUTHS HE spoke about, so HE had to speak in parables.   Their hearts and minds were so engaged by the things of "this world" that they couldn't hear or see the things "from above" that HE spoke about.   

Things haven't changed a lot over the past two thousand years.  The enemy still tries to keep things moving at such a pace that most people can't SEE and HEAR things from above.   Certainly "this world" would choose JESUS and the "things above" over things that are destined to be consumed by fire one day soon?  

Then why do I still get my focus on the things of "this world" when I know what their demise will be?  Can't I "understand" that the enticements of temporal things are only paintings that will soon lose all of their luster?  FATHER in Heaven, cause me to SEE what others "DO NOT SEE", the things that YOU desire for me to SEE!!!

"IN MY NAME???"

John 14:12-14                              (ESV)

"12 "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in ME will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the FATHER.

13 Whatever you ask "IN MY NAME", this I will do, that the FATHER may be glorified in the SON.

14 If you ask me anything "IN MY NAME", I will do it."

The fall of 1996 was one of the most difficult times of my life.   My younger sister was playing co-ed softball in August.   In September she had exploratory surgery because she was having issues with her stomach.  The day after Christmas she entered her eternal reward, a ravaged victim of gastric carcinoma, more commonly known as Stomach Cancer.  Many people were praying for her, by few as fervently as her big brother.  

Why then, since I am a Believer, did ALMIGHTY GOD not heal her and restore her health?  Scripture says that if there is ANY sick among you (James 5:13-15) to bring them before the elders of the church "and the LORD shall raise him up;!"  But when JESUS was teaching HIS disciples to pray (Luke 11:1-14) I seem to remember HIM say "THY Kingdom come, THY will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven."  Isaiah 55:8 doesn't say LORD, perform that which I request of you!  It says "For MY thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways MY ways, saith the LORD."  

And what about when JESUS was being brutally scourged and crucified?  Certainly a just and Holy GOD would have prevented HIS only SON from experiencing HIS wrath when JESUS had never sinned?  

No, GOD's ways are not our ways because there is unimaginable grace and mercy available for me because of GOD's Perfect Plan!  If I would have been drawing up the NEW COVENANT, it certainly would have not been as forgiving!  But GOD drew up the Plan, and not just for me!  We don't get to present our "wish lists" to the same GOD WHO sacrificed HIS SON at Calvary for mankind and expect HIM to fulfill our desires just because we say "IN JESUS (MY) NAME"!  "IN MY NAME" must carry with it according to YOUR WILL and PURPOSE.   

"THERE IS A SEASON!"

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8                 (ESV)

"1 For everything "THERE IS A SEASON", and a time for every matter under heaven:

2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; 

3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

5 a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 

7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

8 a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace."

The path I have traveled over the past 122 months has caused me to ponder DEEPLY the answer to this question.  Although my medical history is well documented in my writings, I still get misty-eyed when I consider where I could have been.  "Why does GOD allow some to die and others to live?" is a question that I especially want to know the answer.   

To truly understand that we are just passing through "this world" is something we can say, but in reality, very few of us really have a firm grasp.  The article has a paragraph that begins with ""We're sojourners then. That's what we are. "Temporary residents and foreigners", so St. Peter calls us.""  None of us are promised to physically live an extremely long and successful life.  As a matter of fact, the vast majority of the disciples were martyred for the Gospel.  

Obviously ALMIGHTY GOD has a Plan for my life, and I desire to follow that Plan to perform exactly what HE needs for me to accomplish to Glorify HIM.  It's not about what I want to do with "the rest of my life", but how I can be used to Glorify THE FATHER with my very existence.  

The article below is about a 34 year old man named Nabeel who was near the end of his physical journey.  Oddly enough, I had a sister who passed away at age 34 years and 3 days old from Stomach Cancer.  A dear friend of mine of 34 years was ran over and killed after taking me to lunch while I was still going to outpatient Rehab from the Brain Hemorrhage in 2007.   "Survivors Guilt" was very real for me then, but after I finally accepted the fact that I was left here for a Purpose, it became clear to me that "this world" is not my home, I'm just passing through!  

Other than knowing that GOD ALMIGHTY has chosen me to perform HIS miracles on, I'm not special in any way.  For everything "THERE IS A SEASON", and I will do my best to honor and Glorify HIM in whatever it is HE has for me to do, for as long as HE chooses to leave me here!  AMEN, and AMEN!!!

http://thefuelproject.org/blog/2017/9/11/why-does-god-allow-some-to-die-and-others-to-live#

"FEAR THE LORD YOUR GOD ALWAYS!"

Deuteronomy 14:22-26                                      (ESV)

"22 "YOU SHALL TITHE ALL THE YIELD of your seed that comes from the field year by year.

23 And before the LORD your GOD, in the place that HE will choose, to make HIS NAME dwell there, you shall eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock, that you may learn to "FEAR THE LORD YOUR GOD ALWAYS".

24 And if the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, when the LORD your GOD blesses you, because the place is too far from you, which the LORD your GOD chooses, to set HIS name there,

25 then you shall turn it into money and bind up the money in your hand and go to the place that the LORD your GOD chooses

26 and spend the money for whatever you desire-oxen or sheep or wine or strong drink, whatever your appetite craves. And you shall eat there before the LORD your GOD and rejoice, you and your household."

The scripture above is rather lenient about how and what we should TITHE to the LORD.  There are a few things, however, that the LORD is rather strict about!  The main thing is that YOU SHALL TITHE!  But TITHING doesn't mean that we are yielding to HIS leadership in our lives.  

According to scripture, we are able to "eat the tithe of your grain, of your wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and flock", but one thing we should never be guilty of is to NOT "FEAR THE LORD YOUR GOD ALWAYS"!  We can give way more than ten percent to GOD, but unless we "FEAR THE LORD YOUR GOD ALWAYS" 

This world has become so fast-paced that we THINK we don't have time for GOD, or the things of GOD!  Spending an hour each day in HIS Word used to seem so noble to me, that is until I realized that TEN PERCENT of 24-hours is 2.4 hours and then I felt so inadequate!  Does GOD not give me the very breath that I breathe?  Being brought so close to death a few times has opened my eyes to SEE things that others simply can't SEE from their point of view.   

You can only respond to situations based on the position you SEE yourself as being in.  Most of us don't take the time to observe where we are because we are operating at the pace of this world.  We can't "FEAR THE LORD YOUR GOD ALWAYS" because we are trying to be successful in a temporary world, one that will fade away.   FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to keep my eyes on Heavenly things (Colossians 3:2) and to "FEAR THE LORD YOUR GOD ALWAYS"!!!

"NO HUMAN!"

1 Corinthians 1:28-31                                             (ESV)

"28 GOD chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,

29 SO THAT "NO HUMAN" MIGHT BOAST IN THE PRESENCE OF GOD.

30 And because of HIM you are in CHRIST JESUS, WHO became to us wisdom from GOD, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,

31 so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the LORD." 

No matter your skin color, your economic status, or your political position, there is NOTHING from "this world" that we should use to elevate one person above another.  In the end, the only thing that matters is whether JESUS CHRIST lives inside of our hearts and has rule over our lives.  "NO HUMAN" has the authority to boast about what he has done, nor what he will do, for we can only process the breath we have, the next breath belongs to HIM!!!

"SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL"

Ephesians 6:12                 (ESV)

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the "SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL" in the heavenly places."

Today is a day that I will remember for as long as I live!   September 11, 2001 was beginning to be an "picture perfect" day, but I wasn't prepared for how it would "develop" into a nightmare of epic proportions.  The references to film developing is because in the old days you had to watch slowly as film was developed to see what had been captured by a camera.  

Watching the jet airliners crash into the World Trade Towers on television was a brutal reminder of the battle between good and evil that is basically behind every act that is carried out.   That's right, it is a Spiritual battle that we had better be sure that we are on the right side of.  When we lose sight of who the enemy REALLY IS, we fail to recognize who is driving the evil agenda.   

Nothing happens without ALMIGHTY GOD allowing it to, and September 11, 2001 was no exception, and neither is September 11, 2017.  The United States of America, with arguably the most potent military force in history, was brought to its knees by 19 Muslim terrorists armed with nothing more than box cutters and a willingness to die for what they believed in.   

Sixteen years later, do we even now recognize who our enemy is??  It's not the residents of a country, or a sect of people, rather the same one that has been doing battle with "good" since GOD expelled him from Heaven.  We MUST recognize and remember that our enemy is "SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL", an enemy that has been defeated already!   

GOD has a Plan!  How many times have you seen me write that?  Satan has tried to interfere with that Plan from "the beginning", but GOD always works everything for HIS good!  When the enemy is rearing his ugly head, GOD is ever present waiting to be Glorified!  Will we recognize the "SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL" at work attempting to alter GOD's Perfect Plan???

"IF MY PEOPLE?!?"

About two weeks ago I decided to take a break from my daily Bible Study that I have done for the past six or seven years.   On different days I would write notes that GOD laid on my heart, and from time to time add to, or delete from, those notes until I was left with the transcript below.  It is a rather lengthy read, but I really am sharing it to declare my heart before a HOLY GOD.    

2 Chronicles 7:14                   (KJV)

"If MY people, which are called by MY name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek MY face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

Years ago I began writing almost daily on Social Media in an effort to re-develop my word recall that was curtailed by the Brain Hemorrhage I experienced in 2007.  An honest evaluation of my ability to select words would be that it is better than post Hemorrhage, but still not where it was pre-Hemorrhage.   And I'm not so sure that it will ever be as good as it was pre-Hemorrhage, for I now have to clear what I say with the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD.  

The Bible verse that I took over a week writing about when I started is the verse above.   Many people who are wiser than me have written about this verse and it's promises.  To me it is rather plain that GOD's Word is a guide for me individually, and as a nation each individuals guide to jointly follow GOD.  Even the entire nation of Israel (as opposed to the current day United States) wasn't totally and completely a Godly nation, but as a whole trusted in GOD for its sustenance.   However, modern day United States continues to turn Her back on ALMIGHTY GOD and HIS principles and proclaims common sense will deliver us from the iniquity we so often find in our culture.   

The term "my people", I believe, relates to the Believers in GOD who follow HIS Word.  Now nobody "follows HIS Word" flawlessly, that is why JESUS came to live a Perfect Life that we could not.  To be a part of the "chosen race" (1 Peter 2:9) that are "called by MY name" we should be "set apart" from "this world" and all of it's wickedness.   

However, it appears we will do whatever is necessary to "get-a-long" with the enemy and his followers and to keep the peace.   Instead of drawing a line in the sand and proclaiming that we are following the WORD of GOD, no matter the costs, we look for ways to capitulate to our enemy and surrender more battlegrounds.  Unless we are willing to "count the cost" and develop a "fight to the death" mentality, we will continue living in FEAR OF THE DEVIL instead of LIVING IN VICTORY OVER HIM! 

The only way we can get to the point where we can be elevated above the enemy is to "humble themselves, and pray, and seek MY face, and turn from their wicked ways;"!  Wanting to not abbreviate this writing, I was inclined to list these four COMMANDS separately, but one cannot be followed by itself without the other three!  Our nation has been blessed beyond anything our founding fathers would have dreamed of.  But I am afraid that we have become so PROUD to believe that we are able to by humbled by the enemy!  Yet on September 11, 2001 nineteen Al-Qaeda terrorist brought the most powerful nation on the face of the earth to its knees with nothing more than a few box-cutters and a willingness to die for what they believed in.  Looking back, I wonder if I had HUMBLED MYSELF, and PRAYED, and SOUGHT HIS FACE more diligently and TURNED FROM MY WICKED WAYS if GOD ALMIGHTY might have heard my prayers and healed our land??  Not that my prayers are so much more effective than others, but my GOD is unlimited in HIS POWER!!!

Now we are sixteen years later and, believe it or not, we are in an even more fast-paced lifestyle than then!  Will GOD have to allow the enemy to attack the United States again to get our attention?  Will HE have our attention for more than a week or two?  Will we need to be HUMBLED again, or will we elect to HUMBLE OURSELVES?  Or is mankind nearing the end of GOD's Plan and nearing HIS Judgment??

As many are aware of, GOD gave me a Non-Profit a few years back named Psalms 46:10 Ministries, Inc.  Psalms 46:10 (KJV) says "BE STILL, and KNOW that I AM GOD; I WILL BE EXALTED AMONG THE HEATHEN, I WILL BE EXALTED IN THE EARTH"!  

It might be time for us to BE STILL and stop trying to be richer, better, healthier, or whatever word you want to use, than our neighbor?  How about we operate defiantly different than the rest of "this world"?  

Continuing to operate at a pace demanded by "this world" denies the POWER of JESUS CHRIST and HIS resurrection.  Many times JESUS would get alone with the FATHER to strengthen and encourage HIMSELF.   Sine we have HIS SPIRIT living inside of us (John 17:23), we should delight in getting alone with the FATHER, as JESUS did.  

But I am always feeling like I have to get to the office, or to an appointment, or anything except BE STILL and know that HE is GOD!  Who do you think that "feeling" comes from?  The "great deceiver" of course!  He wants to make us believe that we HAVE to do everything and anything EXCEPT getting alone with GOD!  I am reminded of when Moses requested to "see YOUR Glory" in Exodus 33:18.  He glowed for days afterwards because he had been with GOD!  Most of us don't want to STAND OUT because of being HOLY before ALMIGHTY GOD., we wouldn't "blend in" if we STOOD OUT.

Which brings me back to the point I was making before.  We must be willing to obey HIM, even if it means doing things precisely different than what "this world" requires, or DEMANDS, from us.  

On the brink of one of my favorite Bible history lessons, Moses obeyed GOD, even though it made no sense to do so.  Exodus 14:2 (ESV) says ""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."  Now the Israelites were fleeing from Pharaoh and all his hosts and the one thing they didn't need do was to get boxed in (or trapped) be the pursuing army.  The mountains were treacherously high on the northern and southern sides where they went.  The ONLY HOPE the Israelites had was for ALMIGHTY GOD to deliver them.  

Of course, we now know, GOD did exactly that!  

Have we become a people so dependent on our own abilities to provide our own needs that we don't rely on ALMIGHTY GOD to come through for us?  Do we only give GOD that which we think we can get by without?  What do we do then when we come upon a Red Sea moment in our lives?  Does fear and panic overcome us?  Do we even know how to pray to ALMIGHTY GOD for deliverance from whatever we find ourselves in?    

Until the Church begins to follow the leadership of the HOLY SPIRIT instead of doing what seems "logical", we will continue to live in a state of carnality and faithless behavior, in my humble opinion. 

There are many pastors who are on a "burnout" path, and some refuse to acknowledge it.  JESUS was only in ministry on earth for three (+) years, but HE began his ministry with a 40 day sabbatical!  We should encourage our leaders to not be so proud to believe that GOD can not complete HIS work without their input.   It should be all about what GOD can do, not about what the man in a position can do.                               

Ultimately the church, both corporately and individually, is being called by ALMIGHTY GOD to HUMBLE OURSELVES, and PRAY, and SEEK HIS FACE, and TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS!  Most so-called "Christians" are too busy to hear from GOD.  I will endeavor to not only hear from GOD, but follow HIS instructions wherever I am led, and exactly WHEN I am led, to Glorify HIS Name!!!