“MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU!”

John 14:25-27                              (ESV)

“25 "These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you.

26 But the HELPER, the HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM the FATHER will send in MY NAME, HE will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

27 Peace I leave with you; “MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU”. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”

When GOD came to earth in the form of JESUS, HE didn’t just leave us on our own to face the enemy, and our future!  GOD created us and HE knows, even better than we do, what our abilities and limitations are.  Because HIS Plan is to save me, AND to use me for HIS Glory, HE knows I will need assistance to live accordingly.  

“MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU” is not an accident, nor a fix for a design flaw.  JESUS gives PEACE, but the HOLY SPIRIT empowers us to do HIS Work!   We must TRUST in HIM and accept HIS PEACE before HE will empower us with HIS HOLY SPIRIT.  From time to time, GOD has to put us through some difficulties to open our eyes to be able to observe HIS Power!  We try to rationalize and explain HIS Handiwork as chance or coincidence, but every now and again we are mandated to give GOD HIS credit.  

Our personal experiences are the most credible (at least for me!) and we can’t minimize the impact they make in our lives.  Peter and John said in Acts 4:20 “for we cannot BUT speak of what we have seen and heard."  The danger of seeing many instances of Divine Intervention is that we may become almost “blasé” with the grandeur of HIS Presence?  

To understand that “MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU” is a gift that none of us deserve is something that I can not ignore.  While it is true that ALMIGHTY GOD has brought me through the storms more times than I can count, I can’t be guilty of NOT praising HIS Name for HIS goodness and mercy.  HE has given me A LOT of blessings, but “MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU” is one of the best!!!

“I AM CHIEF!”

1 Timothy 1:15-17                          (KJV)

“15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners; of whom “I AM CHIEF”. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first JESUS CHRIST might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on HIM to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the KING eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise GOD, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

From time to time I have to be reminded exactly who I am before ALMIGHTY GOD! The letters to Timothy were penned by the Apostle Paul, in my opinion, one of the most devout Believers since JESUS walked among us.  Paul didn’t consider himself to be set higher than others though.  He always was adamant that all praise and adoration should be directed to JESUS!  

But nowadays, especially with the onslaught of social media, we are becoming more and more hasty to say “I am not that bad”!  Sometimes we do it when a rapist, murderer, or other violent criminal makes the news?  

But how does ALMIGHTY GOD see things through HIS EYES???  HE IS HOLY, so HE can’t look at us through “rose colored glasses”!  Thankfully, John 3:16 says “For GOD ‘so loved’ the world, that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  2 Corinthians 5:21 says “For HE (GOD) hath made HIM (JESUS) to be sin for us, WHO knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of GOD in HIM.”!   

Since I have accepted the free gift of Salvation, paid for by the sacrifice of JESUS, I am an heir to what I never could have earned on my own.  Even though “I AM CHIEF” among sinners, I have been CHOSEN by GOD to receive this gift!  No, I am not as bad, “I AM CHIEF “!!!!

“PEACE OF GOD!”

Philippians 4:5-7                          (ESV)

“5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The LORD is at hand;

6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to GOD.

7 And the “PEACE OF GOD”, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in CHRIST JESUS.”

Slowing down our lives to get on a frequency that allows us to hear the Voice of ALMIGHTY GOD is the simplest, yet most challenging things I have ever been able to do.   The enemy, who has an insatiable appetite for keeping our minds engaged with anything other than the things of GOD, delights in setting a pace in “this world” that doesn’t allow time for anything to do with GOD!  On the other hand, the “PEACE OF GOD” has proven to me to be far more valuable than anything “this world” has to offer.   

Especially when the events of recents weeks occur and it seems that chaos is rampant in our surroundings, it can be easy to become frustrated, even terrorized, by the carnage and turmoil that is happening.  But when we accept that the ONE WHO spoke Creation into existence (Colossians 1:15-17) is guarding our hearts and minds, why should we let the enemy dictate our emotions?  The LORD is at hand; so why should we be anxious about anything?  

This weekend as I observed my three year old granddaughter taking her afternoon nap, she has no fear because she knows her parents (and her Pops!) will gladly give their lives protecting her.  Our SPIRITual PARENT (John 4:24) is guarding our hearts and mind as we journey through this life.  HE is guiding us just as HE did the children of Israel during their Exodus with a Pillar of Cloud by day and A Pillar of Fire by night!  The “PEACE OF GOD” can be REAL for you, if you will accept WHO HE is????

“WHY???”

Genesis 3:1a                                  (ESV)

“Now the serpent (the enemy) was more crafty (beguiling, deceiving) than any other beast of the field that the LORD GOD had made.......”

John 8:43-44                               (ESV)

“43 Why do you (the Jews) not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear MY word.

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”

John 8:39                                    (ESV)

“They (the Jews) answered HIM, "Abraham is our father." JESUS said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,”

  

I intentionally am going to make this devotional a really slow (rather lengthy) and methodical one in order to do my best and make sure I am not being misunderstood.   The people that have been killed or injured in the past 40 years by mass killers are ALL valuable, and there is nothing that can be said to express my sympathy and condolences enough.  Their memory cannot receive justice by the few words that I share, nor do even I attempt.  

However, the weapons that are used to murder everyone of these souls should not be blamed for the deaths of these people.  ‘The enemy’ would love for us to continue believing that other humans are the origin of evil, but that is simply not the case.  Evil (a near antithesis of Holiness) exists when there is a rejection of GOD and His Goodness.  Evil doesn’t need to be beckoned, it will appear whenever GOD is rejected.  A vacuum cannot exist, the space demands to be occupied.  JESUS plainly says in John 8:12 “I am the LIGHT OF THE WORLD. Whoever follows me ME will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  Can you not SEE TRUTH in front of your eyes??

So when Evil is encountered, rest assured that GOD was present, but was rejected, because of the sin nature of man.  Ecclesiastes 1:18 says “For in much wisdom is much vexation, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.”  This Scripture isn’t declaring that wisdom is bad, rather placing our FAITH in our wisdom is dangerous.  

While recently typing on this devotional, I was in a jet airplane 32,000 in the air flying home from vacation.  It was only a little more than 100 years ago that man discovered how to make and fly airplanes.  Now we can jet to most destinations anywhere on the earth within hours!  Even though we have more time-saving measures at our disposal, we live in a time when mankind in general doesn’t have the time (or doesn’t TAKE the time) to acknowledge GOD or HIS principles!  Man has become so intelligent that some people think we can get by without Divine Intervention?  But we have a difficult time explaining WHY a seemingly perfectly healthy newborn baby dies for no apparent reason and a 100 year old person continues to live a relatively healthy life?   There are so many things that the smartest of people can’t figure out, and we just have to accept them!   Having FAITH in someone/something is almost mandatory, and I CHOOSE to BELIEVE in GOD!!!

We are inevitably fulfilling Scripture, whether we want to or not, just like the disciples did when JESUS was crucified in Calvary.  We are becoming more and more knowledgeable, but WISDOM is becoming less and less sought after.  As our intelligence grows we don’t take the time to BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!!  

We are bombarded with people in the news media asking what can we do to avoid Evil?  One might consider that we need to BE STILL, AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD and see what that gets us?  The fast paced world we have resorted to over the past 50+ years has gotten us where we are today, with NO IDEA how to identify, much less combat the enemy!  He has camouflaged himself with mastery, similar to the Garden of Eden when he deceived Eve and Adam.   

Even THE JEWS in John 8:44 thought they had been selected just because of being a physical descendant of Abraham.  Their FAITH IN GOD was in their heritage, not in their Creator!  Their FAITH was not in GOD, and JESUS identified them as being “of the enemy”.  

JESUS says in John 14:15 “If you love ME, you will keep MY commandments.” Now being CHOSEN doesn’t mean you will be able to live a perfect life.  Maybe it means your desire is to be perfect!  Maybe it means that we TRUST that JESUS IMPUTED (2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake HE made HIM to be sin WHO knew no sin, so that in HIM we might become the righteousness of GOD.”) righteousness unto all of mankind (1 John 2:2).  

The PERFECT sacrifice was made for me by the SON of GOD HIMSELF on Calvary!  Having a desire to be anything less than a follower of HIS is a result of being deceived by the enemy and expecting his reward.  That reward is not going to be pretty!  My prayer is that you will slow down enough to hear from ALMIGHTY GOD and surrender to HIS call for your life!  If you refuse to answer, then just like the Jews of John 8:44, you are CHOOSING to listen to the only alternative!!!

Getting people to SEE the problem is not something I can accomplish, no matter how eloquently I expose THE TRUTH.  Unless GOD ALMIGHTY opens their eyes to SEE, nobody can SEE TRUTH!  My prayer is that HE will use these simple words I am sharing to change one life FOR HIS GLORY!!!

The link below is to a video by Dr.  Tony Evans that reinforces what I have been trying to say.     https://youtu.be/bL37Boz4GDs

“BREATHED OUT BY GOD!”

2 Timothy 3:16-17                                       (ESV)

“16 All Scripture is “BREATHED OUT BY GOD” and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

17 that the man of GOD may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  

The WORDS written in the HOLY BIBLE are “BREATHED OUT BY GOD”.  Sure, HE may have used humans to pen the writings, but I’m sure that there are some “unpublished” material from Moses through the John of Patmos that GOD didn’t include in HIS WORD.  Moses was a murderer, Saul (later known as Paul) was a murderer!  Yet GOD used these people to pen AT LEAST the first five books of the BIBLE and then used one to write a large portion of the New Testament!  The thing that makes Scripture “special”, is that it is “BREATHED OUT BY GOD”!

Yet, we treat the HOLY BIBLE as though it is a foreign document, something that isn’t essential to our lives?  If we REALLY Believed that the BIBLE is “BREATHED OUT BY GOD”, why don’t we look to Scripture to solve the problems that face our modern society?  Just in the passage above, Scripture teaches us that it is “profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of GOD may be complete, equipped for every good work.”  If I really Believed that Scripture is “BREATHED OUT BY GOD”, shouldn’t my life reflect my Belief???

President Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying “Within the covers of the BIBLE are the answers for all the problems men face."  The Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16 that “All Scripture is “BREATHED OUT BY GOD””!  There are some who say that President Reagan was senile and a little looney, but 1 Corinthians 2:14 says “The “natural person” does not accept the things of the SPIRIT of GOD, for they are folly to him, and HE IS NOT ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THEM because they are spiritually discerned.”  

When will we accept that John 4:24 is TRUTH when JESUS says “GOD is SPIRIT, and those who worship HIM  must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH"?  We, namely “I”, must seek HIS SPIRIT and cease looking for HIM to reveal HIMSELF in the physical!  Since HE is SPIRIT, we can’t SEE when something is “BREATHED OUT BY GOD”!  We can only hope to refine our Spiritual eyes to SEE evidence of HIS PRESENCE while our sight is focused on JESUS!!!

“HIS GREAT LOVE!”

Ephesians 2:4-5                                         (NASB)

“BUT GOD, being rich in mercy, because of “HIS GREAT LOVE“ with which HE loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with CHRIST (by grace you have been saved),....”

As Believers, we are called to “love our enemies” (Matthew 5:44)!  Our enemies, on the other hand, naturally think it proper to say we have a “mental disease”, especially when we are “led by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians2:14)!  GOD doesn’t need my help in being GOD, no matter how much I want to assist.  

Romans 12:20 says we can “heap burning coals upon his head” of our enemies when we care for them!!  If GOD had intended for me individually to assist in this endeavor, I would assume HE would have given me instructions on how best to accomplish that?  No, GOD wants me to be obedient in other ways. HE wants me to display “HIS GREAT LOVE” and let HIM take care of the punishment phase.  

HE didn’t CHOOSE me before the foundations of the earth for me just to live for HIM when it is convenient for me.  I am CHOSEN to reflect HIS LIGHT into a dark world, for HIS GLORY to be seen by those who haven’t been exposed to “HIS GREAT LOVE”!  The privilege of being CHOSEN, yes to be mocked and criticized by “this world”, is more than amazing to me.  Why would HE ‘elect’ to have me display “HIS GREAT LOVE” instead of a dispensary for retribution and justice?  Maybe it is because I am are not a HOLY, PERFECT GOD.  I’m just as humble servant of HIS.  Whatever HE desires for me to do, HE will enable me to do just that, FOR HIS GLORY!

‘This world’ can see me as foolish, deranged, mentally ill, or the word I prefer “touched”, and that’s okay with me!  Because of “HIS GREAT LOVE” I am far beyond what ‘this world’ can fathom, and that excites me.  Because ‘this world’ can’t explain my behavior, I am commanded to display “HIS GREAT LOVE” to allow ALMIGHTY GOD to draw them unto HIM.  HE doesn’t need my help, but HIS Plan calls us to reflect “HIS GREAT LOVE”, just as JESUS CHRIST did for us on Calvary!!!

“THE LIGHT!”

In all of the “darkness” surrounding the recent mass shootings across this great country, and all of the people searching for answers about what we can do to better protect ourselves, I am saddened to report that the answer for today’s “problems” remains the same as it has been since mankind began trying to prove we can make it without ALMIGHTY GOD!  Whenever THE LIGHT is removed (or lessened in an attempt to appease this world), “darkness” doesn’t have to make great efforts to replace THE LIGHT.  Just the absence of THE LIGHT leaves darkness.....and therein, my friend, is the answer!!!

John 1:9-13                                   (ESV)

“9 The true LIGHT, which gives LIGHT to everyone, was coming into the world.

10 HE was in the world, and the world was made through HIM, yet the world did not know HIM.

11 HE came to HIS own, and HIS own people did not receive HIM.

12 But to all who did receive HIM, who believed in HIS name, HE gave the right to become children of GOD,

13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of GOD.”

“HE HAS CHOSEN YOU!”

1 Thessalonians 1:2-4                                (ESV)

“2 We give thanks to GOD always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers,

3 remembering before our GOD and FATHER your work of FAITH and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

4 For we know, brothers loved by GOD, that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU,”

The conversation about why ALMIGHTY GOD ELECTS those who HE CHOOSES is one that has been ongoing since Cain and Abel.  Now I am certainly not an authority on Bible “Language”, but the comparative website I use to see what all versions says about a verse says ALL versions either use the word CHOSEN or use the word ELECT when translating verse four of 1 Thessalonians chapter one.  The KJV last phrase of verse four is “your ELECTION of GOD.”  When we ELECT someone, don’t we CHOOSE them over someone else???

Why then does GOD ALMIGHTY “CHOOSE” one group of sinners over another group of sinners?  Abraham and GOD were friends (James 2:23) because of Abraham’s FAITH IN GOD.  GOD sELECTED Abraham because of his FAITH, and GOD chooses us because HE knows who will demonstrate a BELIEF IN HIM that will Glorify HIS NAME! There is NO DOUBT in my mind that GOD exists, and that has ALWAYS existed, and will forevermore exist!  So why is that belief present in my life and is “foreign” to those who do not believe in GOD?  Why can’t they see what I can SEE?  

Just as GOD CHOOSES to ELECT some, HE also CHOOSES to “open their eyes” (Luke 24:31) of HIS followers to HIS TRUTHS!  A breaking news flash, mankind was not created for our own edification!  We were created to Glorify a HOLY and RIGHTEOUS GOD!  If that isn’t your cup of tea, you probably won’t be happy in Heaven for eternity as Revelation 4:8 says in part “........and day and night they never cease to say, "Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY, Who was and is and is to come!"  

While it is true, “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU”, HE has CHOSEN us to ELEVATE HIS NAME!  Isaiah 43:7 states “everyone who is called by MY name, whom I created for MY glory, whom I formed and made."  So when I think I am being treated “unfairly”, or things are going a little bit tough, or my worst scenario of being told to WAIT and NOT DO ANYTHING, I need to be reminded that “HE HAS CHOSEN YOU” to Glorify HIM and I must yield to that cause!  

“TURN BACK AND CAMP!”

Exodus 14:1-4                               (NASB)

““Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Tell the sons of Israel to “TURN BACK AND CAMP” before Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea; you shall camp in front of Baal-zephon, opposite it, by the sea. For Pharaoh will say of the sons of Israel, 'They are wandering aimlessly in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.' Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I AM the LORD." And they did so.”

In my younger years my reputation was that of someone who would get things done!  Many times the things I found myself running full speed ahead with no thought of where I was headed, living by the motto “Do something, even if it’s wrong”!  

GOD doesn’t operate like that most of the time.  There are a lot of times HE instructs us to BE STILL, WAIT ON THE LORD, DON’T HURRY, or some other instructions to get us to allow HIM to be GOD.  

When GOD directed the Israelites to the banks of the Red Sea, HE had them where they HAD to depend on HIM for their deliverance.   HIS orders were “Tell the sons of Israel to “TURN BACK AND CAMP”” right before the mighty waters!  Biblical scholars say that the are mountains on the left and the right, the Red Sea before,  and a small passage from behind.  GOD led the Israelites to a place where they had NO CHOICE but to depend on HIM to deliver them from the Egyptians.  

Hadn’t ALMIGHTY GOD just recently delivered the Israelites from being in captivity to the Egyptians?  And when the Egyptians released the children of Israel, didn’t they even give them great wealth and treasures just to leave.  Now GOD was ordering the Israelites to “TURN BACK AND CAMP”, just waiting for trouble to arise?!?  What was HE thinking?  Why would HE ask them to wait while doing nothing?  

Exodus 14:4 says pretty plainly ““Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them; and I WILL BE HONORED through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." And they did so.”  Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith IT IS IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM..”!  When we realize that ALMIGHTY GOD is in charge of everything, it becomes easier to TRUST HIM, allowing HIM to change a few hearts, and to “TURN BACK AND CAMP”, especially when our enemy is chasing us!!!

“BY GRACE!”

Ephesians 2:4-10                                       (ESV)

“4 But GOD, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which HE loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with CHRIST - “BY GRACE” you have been saved-

6 and raised us up with HIM and seated us with HIM in the heavenly places in CHRIST JESUS,

7 so that in the coming ages HE might show the immeasurable riches of HIS grace in kindness toward us in CHRIST JESUS.

8 For “BY GRACE” you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT OF GOD,

9 not a result of works, SO THAT NO ONE MAY BOAST.

10 For we are HIS workmanship, CREATED in CHRIST JESUS for good works, which GOD prepared beforehand, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.”

To me, nothing turns me off as quickly as someone BOASTING about what they have done.  Since we are placed on this earth to glorify GOD ALMIGHTY, the best we can hope for is to completely fulfill HIS mission for us to the fullest.  Being placed on a pedestal by those of “this world” does not last, and can skew our vision of our true status before a HOLY GOD.  

The FACT that anything I do for HIM is simply “BY GRACE” and because of HIS Plan for my life is something that I cannot forget.  Looking at life through the eyes of “this world” causes us to become terribly short-sighted, and ultimately what resulted in Satan being expelled from Heaven.  Anytime we elevate ourselves above who we REALLY are, we are trying to become the god of our own small surroundings.  JESUS came to earth and HUMBLED HIMSELF (Philippians 2:8) to the point of death on the cross, all because I needed HIS Perfect sacrifice!

There are many Scriptures that point out that we Believers have “been called” out from the darkness of “this world”.   There are some who have a false impression that they are “chosen” because of the “good” things they have done.  However, the Apostle Paul wasn’t one of those.  In 1 Timothy 1:15 he writes “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”!  The way Paul saw things, it took every drop of the Blood of JESUS to save his soul.  I think I am as guilty of being THE FOREMOST, even on my good days!

BUT GOD had other Plans!  “BY GRACE” HE saved my soul, it is not anything I was worthy of, IT IS A GIFT FROM GOD!  We are selected by HIM to perform good works, in CHRIST JESUS, which GOD prepared beforehand, all to Glorify HIM!  I’m not worthy!  I have just been selected “BY GRACE” to fulfill HIS Plan.

“THE TRUTH!”

John 14:6                                       (ESV)

“JESUS said to him, "I am the way, and “THE TRUTH”, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.”

It seems that there are people who don’t know that they can research something for themselves?  Some go to a social media account and ask a question that others respond to with no regard to whether or not their answer is true or not!  This can be extremely dangerous, depending on the magnitude of the question at hand.  

Now no one knows “THE TRUTH” about everything.   But we can have the resources to be in the know!  JESUS CHRIST says in John 14:6 “I am the way, AND “THE TRUTH”, and the life!  No one comes to the FATHER except through ME”!  When an answer is provided by the SON of GOD, you can rest assured that it is “THE TRUTH”!

But just like people who are looking for answers from an “easier” source, many people are trying to find answers that satisfy what THEY WANT “THE TRUTH” to be.   Many of us desire to live a “good life”, but we don’t want to be accused of being a “holy roller”!  If we live our lives “by the BOOK”, we are probably going to be labeled as a religious nut who is “all mixed-up”!  

That is why JESUS said in Matthew 10:22 “you will be hated for MY Name’s sake”!  HE knew we would have to DENY OURSELVES DAILY (Luke 9:23-24) in order to serve HIM!  Asking JESUS is a lot better than an internet search engine!  And HE is always waiting to hear from us. We just have to humble ourselves and seek “THE TRUTH” and HE will guide us down the path HE would have us go!!!

“THE LORD OPENED THE EYES!”

Numbers 22:22-35                                    (ESV)

“22 But GOD's anger was kindled because he went, and the angel of the LORD took HIS stand in the way as HIS adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him.

23 And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand. And the donkey turned aside out of the road and went into the field. And Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the road.

24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side.

25 And when the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pushed against the wall and pressed Balaam's foot against the wall. So he struck her again.

26 Then the angel of the LORD went ahead and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left.

27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam. And Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

28 Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?"

29 And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me. I wish I had a sword in my hand, for then I would kill you."

30 And the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long to this day? Is it my habit to treat you this way?" And he said, "No."

31 Then “THE LORD OPENED THE EYES” of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face.

32 And the angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before ME.

33 The donkey saw ME and turned aside before ME these three times. If she had not turned aside from ME, surely just now I would have killed you and let her live."

34 Then Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I HAVE SINNED, for I did not know that you stood in the road against me. Now therefore, if it is evil in your sight, I will turn back."

35 And the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only the word that I tell you." So Balaam went on with the princes of Balak.”

The above passage of Scripture is lengthy compared to what I commonly use in my devotionals, but everything here must be included to SEE what ALMIGHTY GOD is saying to me this morning.  There is a website that has a story entitled “8 ways GOD speaks to us today” written in July 2012.  The same website has an article written in April 2016 entitled “10 powerful ways GOD speaks in the Bible”!  Those ten ways are:

God can speak through circumstances. 

God can speak through wise counsel.

God can speak through peace

God can speak through people. 

God can speak through dreams and visions. 

God can speak through our thoughts. 

God can speak through natural manifestations.

God can speak through supernatural manifestations. 

God can speak through the Bible. 

God can speak through a whisper. 

My reason for sharing these like this is to say that GOD isn’t limited by what our minds perceive as HIS chosen way to speak to us.  Today’s Scripture displays that Balaam simply REFUSED to listen to GOD when GOD was trying to get his attention.  Please don’t misquote me, GOD most often speaks to me through HIS Word.  But recently while driving, GOD spoke clearly to me about how HE wanted me to proceed in my earthly journey.  My journey lasted about 3 hours, and even though I strongly desired to hear more from HIM, all I heard was the one thing.  

When “THE LORD OPENED THE EYES” of Balaam, he was moving so quickly and purposefully (at this worlds pace!) that he couldn’t SEE the danger that was before him!  Isaiah 55:8-9 says GOD’s ways are not our ways, and HIS thoughts are not our thoughts!  Like Balaam, we may be trying to accomplish things in our own wisdom and are heading towards a path that leads to destruction.  My prayer is that “THE LORD OPENED THE EYES” of me before I take one step that HE is displeased with!!!

“DENY HIMSELF!”

Matthew 16:24-27                        (ESV)

“24 Then JESUS told HIS disciples, "If anyone would come after ME, let him “DENY HIMSELF” and take up his cross and follow ME.

25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it.

26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? OR WHAT SHALL A MAN GIVE IN RETURN FOR HIS SOUL?

27 For the SON of MAN is going to come with HIS angels in the glory of his FATHER, and then HE will repay each person according to what he has done.”

It is amazing how many people are seemingly consumed with trying to improve their looks, health, wealth, social status, or any other physical thing you care to insert here, but they appear to neglect the things of the Spirit, which will last for eternity!  Both men and women are guilty, for the enemy seeks whom he may devour to steal, kill, and destroy!  We can’t be beautiful enough, healthy enough, rich enough, live long enough, or exercise enough to earn our way into Heaven!  

So why do we put so much emphasis on the physical well being and so little attention is spent on our Spiritual health?  There are those who wouldn’t dare miss a week of going to the Gym, but you never see them in GOD’s House?  Now I am probably as guilty as anyone about not being as physically fit as I should be, but I cannot neglect spending time in HIS Word, listening to HIS instructions for my life.  My Spiritual hunger pains require me to take “manna” at least daily, and frequently more often than that.  I’m just not Spiritually strong enough to get by with any less!  

Many try to cover their age wrinkles and evidence of the life they have lived with tanning beds, make-up, medication, and any other number of products designed to keep a youthful appearance.  There is an eight inch scar on my chest from open heart surgery last year.  More than likely, it will always be there, until I decay in the grave.   My heart is repaired, but the evidence of the reparations will remain.   The scars of sin are similar.  The sins can be forgiven, but the scars will remain.  

Watching my 34 year old sister enter Heaven was extremely hard for me, especially when I was only at the age of 36.  Watching a friend enter Heaven around the age of 10 was equally difficult.   No person can say they are going to live a long time with any confidence.  Yet we all say what we are going to do when we get old?  As another of my birthdays is approximately 6 months away, my mortality is more real to me than ever before.  My prayer is that my Spiritual body is fit for the Kingdom, for I will “DENY HIMSELF” leave this physical body behind!!!

“SHARE IN SUFFERING!”

2 Timothy 1:8-10                                        (ESV)

“8 Therefore DO NOT BE ASHAMED of the testimony about our LORD, nor of me HIS  prisoner, but “SHARE IN SUFFERING” for the gospel by the power of GOD,

9 WHO saved us and called us to a Holy calling, not because of our works but because of HIS OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE, which HE gave us in CHRIST JESUS before the ages began,

10 and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,”

Going through difficult and frustrating experiences can teach us far more than we care to admit.  Usually I just want to be through the “learning experience” QUICKLY and reflect on the lessons from the other side, hopefully where I am in less distress!  

But WHY do I have to go through some of the things I have experienced?  WHY was I raised in a single parent family?  WHY haven’t I been a more successful business man?  Why wasn’t I a more committed Believer when my children were growing up to exemplify GOD’s faithfulness for all to see?  WHY did I have to go through the Brain Hemorrhage.  WHY the heart surgery?  

When GOD brings us through “valleys of the shadow of death”, does HE do it for our glory?  Hardly!  ALMIGHTY GOD doesn’t glorify humans to help our reputations or bank accounts.  Exodus 14:4 says “......And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I WILL GET GLORY over Pharaoh and all his host,....”!  GOD didn’t bring the Israelites into the Promised Land so Moses or Joshua could be remembered as great leaders.  GOD “delivered” the children of Israel so HE would GET GLORY “over Pharaoh and all his host,....”.  

The deliverance GOD brings us isn’t so we can glory in the escape from captivity either.  We should be willing to “SHARE IN SUFFERING” in order to be used by HIM.  But how many times do we see people “SUFFERING” and our desire is to DELIVER them, instead of letting GOD be GOD?  I understand we are called to feed the poor and help the widows and orphans, but when we start trying to “help” without HIS Leadership, we are outside of what we are called to do!  

1 Corinthians 7:17 tells us to “lead the life GOD has assigned” to us.  If GOD has assigned me to SUFFER for HIS Kingdom, who am I to question that?  However, becoming willing to “SHARE IN SUFFERING” is not for the “weak in Spirit”!  Making sure that it is ALMIGHTY GOD leading you is of paramount importance.  Only HE can cause you to “SHARE IN SUFFERING” with a smile on your face and a song in your heart!!!

“THE LORD!”

Psalms 146:8                                (ESV)

“THE LORD” opens the eyes of the blind. “THE LORD” lifts up those who are bowed down; “THE LORD” loves the righteous.”

This morning my thoughts were as far away from the things of GOD as they could be.   It seems that I couldn’t “find” exactly where GOD was directing me to study.   Going to one of five Bible apps on my phone, this Bible verse was where I had left from recently.   Upon reading it, I knew I was where I needed to be!

Having our EYES opened by “THE LORD” is a must for people who desire to follow HIS Leadership.   Keep in mind, if our EYES  closed SEE everything going on around us, we probably would be scared to death!  In 2 Kings 6, Elisha prayed that “THE LORD” would open the EYES of a servant and allow him to SEE the armies of “THE LORD” encamped around them. GOD granted Elisha’s request and the servant saw “...the mountain was full of horses and chariots of Fire all around Elisha”!  GOD doesn’t lead us into battle to go it alone!  HE has always prepared the WAY for us!  

This scripture was used in a mid-week Bible Study at our fellowship recently.   My EYES were only opened to what “THE LORD” was trying to say to me this morning.  It’s no coincidence that I had to WAIT to hear from “THE LORD”regarding what HE wanted me to hear!  HE has been teaching me to WAIT on HIM for years.  HE may have a needed to get me to a quieter, more solitude setting before HE could open my EYES?  Whatever the case, I couldn’t SEE the lesson I needed to apply to my life until “THE LORD” said I was ready to SEE it!  

“THE LORD” lifts up those who are bowed down;” isn’t anything new!  James 4:6 says in part “...."GOD opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."”  HE constantly reminds me of how quickly HE changed how I SAW things on July 09, 2007!  It humbles me greatly that GOD restored my physical health completely and is still using me to Glorify HIM!

“THE LORD” loves the righteous” is a phrase that can be conflicting?  Romans 3:10 says THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, yet we try to live as though we are not sinners?!?  The only HOPE any of us have is to claim the blood of JESUS and accept HIS Grace in our lives!  “THE LORD” then SEES only HIS righteousness when we are observed.  That is why “THE LORD” is not only the title of this devotional, it should be the title of my life!!!

“SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY!”

Acts 17:10-12                                (KJV)

“10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that THEY RECEIVED THE WORD WITH ALL READINESS of mind, and “SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY”, whether those things were so.

12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.”

Trying to be “the best” we can be for the Kingdom can be a damning conundrum.  Doing things “our way” might lead to a big earthly following, but the end results will probably bring one heartache.   The enemy has come to “steal, kill, and destroy”, so we should be expecting his end result unless we are following ALMIGHTY GOD’s Plan!  

Human beings, Spiritually speaking, have a really difficult time “identifying the enemy”!  Even most ministers tend to have an issue with people who aren’t driven by the same spirit they are driven by.  Genesis 3:1 says that the devil is the slickest deceiver that GOD ever created.  JESUS CHRIST said in Matthew 16:23 TO PETER, “get thee behind me, Satan” as HE identified the enemy speaking through one of HIS chosen followers?  How could that happen?   A trusted follower of JESUS was temporarily being used as a mouthpiece for Satan, but JESUS identified the enemy and called him out!!!

We typically don’t take time to identify the enemy, we just react with emotion!  We get “hurt” and we react like we have been cut with a dull knife!  And it is EVIDENT the language we use.  When a person, or group of people, are praised or castigated for their actions (right or wrong), they may not be able to SEE that their deeds are originating from a spiritual source that is driving their actions.  Relationships are damaged or destroyed all in the interest of someone being hurt or damaged.  The pain is REAL, but the injury will either heal in time, or it will consume us?  

Unless EVERYONE OF US “SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES DAILY” our EYES won’t be opened to the TRUTHS of GOD and we can expect the onslaught from the enemy to continue!  No one person is immune, and we ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALLEN SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD!  We HAVE TO BE AWARE that we are at war, and the enemy is trying to take as many as he can into eternal damnation with him.  “SEARCHING THE SCRIPTURES DAILY” is the best way to avoid injuries!  The choice is yours!!!!