“WITH PATIENCE!”

Romans 8:23-25 (ESV) “22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the SPIRIT, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it “WITH PATIENCE”.” The body of CHRIST where I attend was honored to have a man of GOD speaking to us Sunday through Wednesday evening. Justin Peters Ministries founder has a gift from the Holy Spirit that uncovers false prophets which removes the gowns of deceit they hide behind. Being able to drive him to Shreveport to fly home, the opportunity to listen to him and my pastor talk was well worth driving. During the conversation Romans 8 was brought up, so I decided to read the entire chapter. The reading was going fine, until I got to verse 25,,“But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it “WITH PATIENCE”.” After reading this, I HAD TO PAUSE! If we only live by what we can see, we remove all possibility of the Miraculous occurring in our lives, acknowledging only what we can see! But if we TRUST in what we CANNOT SEE (what we HOPE for), our FAITH begins to gain control of our lives. Hebrews 11:1 says “Now FAITH is the assurance of things HOPED for, the conviction of things NOT SEEN.” IF we WAIT “WITH PATIENCE” for things we CANNOT SEE, we ARE people of FAITH! But having FAITH in anyone, or anything other than GOD is saying that you prefer your desires over what GOD ALMIGHTY has planned for you! We must be careful NOT to try to be co-GOD! WAIT for HIM “WITH PATIENCE” and let HIM bless you for believing in and for HIM!!!

“A PRISONER FOR THE LORD!”

Ephesians 4:1-3 (ESV) “1 I therefore, “A PRISONER FOR THE LORD”, URGE you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with ALL HUMILITY and GENTLENESS, with PATIENCE, BEARING with one another IN LOVE, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the SPIRIT in the bond of peace.” The Brain Hemorrhage in 2007 required some adjustments in my life. For instance, my body temperature WAS around 98.7 or 98.8 degrees. Ever since, it is commonly 95.9 to 96.4 degrees??? Adjusting to being cold natured isn’t the only thing that has been adjusted. My ability to recall exactly the precise word that I want say is still a challenge at times, and I am pretty sure that GOD was telling me that I needed to SLOW DOWN my life, especially my quick and sharp tongue!! The Apostle Paul URGES us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling! But I’m afraid that I fail to walk with ALL HUMILITY at times? Voluntarily choosing to submit to the LORD and HIS precepts is a characteristic that HE will have to instill in me, much like HE changed my body temperature. And showing “GENTLENESS, with PATIENCE, BEARING with one another IN LOVE” may be traits that I will have to work on for the rest of my life! Being GENTLE has always been a preferred way to be for me, but when you are 6’6” tall and almost 300 lbs. the challenge is REAL to not be a brute! PATIENCE??? I’ll not linger very long on this! And BEARING with one another in LOVE will most assuredly require DIVINE INTERVENTION!!! Just as I didn’t have ANY CONTROL over my body temperature following the Brain Hemorrhage, the Holy Spirit will have to “improve” my SPIRITUAL condition to be more that GOD wants me to be. I am not capable of doing anything good enough to please HIM, so HE will have to complete the changes! After all, I am “A PRISONER FOR THE LORD” and HE can do with me whatever HE chooses!!!

“I DID NOT KNOW!”

Numbers 22:21-35 “21 So Balaam rose in the morning and saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 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."” Most people who know me understand that I am constantly harping on Psalms 46:10, “BE STILL, and KNOW THAT I AM GOD!....”. Far too often mankind gets in their mind what the BELIEVE the PLAN of GOD to be and work feverishly to accomplish that PLAN, even if GOD has a different idea! “We want” to display what we did for GOD, but HE never wanted what we believed HIM to want in the first place. Ashamedly, I still need to “BE STILL” and WAIT ON THE LORD” to guide me to do HIS PLAN!!! Balaam was in a similar position in the Scripture above. He saddled his donkey and began on a journey that GOD had not ordained. GOD, SOVEREIGN as HE is, had the donkey continue moving where Balaam was “uncomfortable” (to say the least) and so Balaam struck the animal.....three times! Finally GOD gave a voice to the donkey and she explained what she was doing. An ANGEL of the LORD then told Balaam that had the donkey continued on it’s path that “surely just now I WOULD HAVE KILLED YOU and let her live." How many times have I been guilty of a “if it don’t fit, force it” mentality? Perhaps “I DID NOT KNOW” everything that ALMIGHTY GOD could SEE and that HE was preventing me from danger? Whether we admit it or not, we are not equals with GOD and we are not qualified to guide and direct our own lives, let alone the lives of others. Exhibiting that “I DID NOT KNOW” is something that I am becoming more and more experienced in displaying. We can CHOOSE to voluntarily WAIT ON THE LORD, or we can be subjected to our donkey laying down on us! Recognizing that ALMIGHTY GOD is HOLY and we aren’t makes it a lot easier to say “I DID NOT KNOW”!!!

“WHO GIVES BREATH!”

Isaiah 42:5-7                                 (ESV)

“5 Thus says GOD, the LORD, WHO created the heavens and stretched them out, WHO spread out the earth and what comes from it, “WHO GIVES BREATH” to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it: 

6 "I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations, 

7 to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.”

ALMIGHTY GOD literally spoke Creation into existence from nothing.  John 4:24 begins with “GOD IS SPIRIT,....”.  We are created in HIS image (Genesis 1:26-27), so we have a spirit also.  There are some misguided people (notice that I refrain from using the word Preachers) who say they believe that we are gods because we are IN HIS IMAGE?  But Isaiah 42:8 says “I am the LORD; that is MY name; MY GLORY I GIVE TO NO OTHER, nor MY praise to carved idols.”  Some translations use the word “I WILL NOT SHARE MY GLORY....”!  

People don’t seem to realize that ALMIGHTY GOD doesn’t need us to accomplish anything.  HE is Sovereign, with no limitations in abilities.  GOD calls some of us “out of the darkness into HIS marvelous light” for HIS Glory.  HIS measureless MERCY is the only reason I can imagine why HE doesn’t strike some people dead who try to steal HIS Glory.  

Scripture plainly states that GOD, THE LORD.......”WHO GIVES BREATH...” to people, so why do we push the envelope when HE could STOP giving us breath at any time?  We as a people, have lost sight of GOD, THE LORD and just WHO HE really is!  There is NO OTHER besides HIM, and we shouldn’t act like we are HIS equal.  J.D. Greear writes in the book entitled JESUS, CONTINUED that “GOD, however, never invited me to be co-GOD with HIM”!!  Realizing the magnitude of this is something that the enemy blinded me with for a long time, and I allowed him to!  

Acknowledging that GOD is self-sufficient, AND THAT WE ARE NOT, is certainly one step to admitting who we are, AND WHO HE IS!  The only thing I can do outside of HIM is to blaspheme HIS HOLY Name, something I ashamedly have experience at doing.  FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to SEE that it is YOU “WHO GIVES BREATH” and I am simply a vessel used by YOU, for YOUR GLORY!!!

“DULL OF HEARING!”

Hebrews 5:11-14                              (ESV)

“11 About this we have much to say, and it is HARD TO EXPLAIN, since you have become “DULL OF HEARING”.

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of GOD. You need milk, not solid food,

13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.

14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of DISCERNMENT trained by constant practice to DISTINGUISH GOOD FROM EVIL.”

Our fellowship has the privilege of having a MAN OF GOD visiting us this week sharing with us about the false teachers and heresy that has become rampant, mainly via television ministries, which require no accountability and offers no mentoring for immature Believers.  The writer of Hebrews says there is “much to say, and it is HARD TO EXPLAIN” because the people he is writing to have become “DULL OF HEARING”, in other words, they have not matured in the WORD.  

Spiritual maturity and DISCERNMENT seem to go hand in hand.  When someone goes through trials and tribulations, they can learn from the hard times some things they can not be taught in a classroom.  Being “exposed to” certain hardships causes an appreciation that others can only wonder about, because they have not been through those same learning experiences.  But becoming this “DULL OF HEARING” spoken about in the Scriptures above resulted from not “searching the scriptures daily” (Acts 17:20) and relying on what man has taught to be truth rather than what GOD has said in HIS WORD is TRUTH!  

The WORD of GOD has been given to us all so we can learn more about GOD and HIS ways.  If we have become “DULL OF HEARING”, do you think that we may not be wanting to hear from HIM?  We can’t digest the MEAT of GOD’s WORD if we aren’t interested in becoming Spiritually mature, so we have to be fed milk, like little babies!   Admitting that I am not as Spiritually mature as I should be is a humbling, and rather embarrassing thing!  A fact that I am ashamed to admit is that I am as old as I am and I am not the Spiritually mature person that I should be.  

My Spiritual Hearing is still being “tuned in” to the SPIRIT OF GOD.  DISCERNING the TRUTH from HEARING the lies the enemy tells is something that I pray that I exhibit more and more in my life.  Recognizing that we might be “DULL OF HEARING”, not DISCERNING what the SPIRIT of GOD is saying to us, should always be a concern.  Seeking to be led by GOD, and to be used by HIS SPIRIT, means that we mustn’t become “DULL OF HEARING”, rather pursuing what GOD desires for our lives!  

“DO NOT BE SILENT!”

Acts 18:9-11                        (ESV)

“9 And the LORD said to Paul one night in a vision, "Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and “DO NOT BE SILENT”,

10 for I AM with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are MY people."

11 And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of GOD among them.”

The Apostle Paul was a man obedient to the Spirit of GOD unlike few others before or since.  In the passage of Scripture above, the Spirit of GOD instructed Paul to “...not be afraid, but go on speaking and “DO NOT BE SILENT”!  It is imperative for Believers to develop their Spiritual hearing as what some are instructed to do can be totally different for others in a different situation.  

In Exodus 14:14 says “The LORD will fight for you, and YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT”.  So why did Paul NOT get told YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT? The Israelites were being pursued by the Egyptians and GOD had already told Moses in Exodus 14:4 that HE would get glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts, so HE didn’t need the Israelites getting in HIS way.   Paul, on the other hand, was trying to “reason” with the Jews and the Greeks, but they “opposed and reviled him” and caused him to “go to the Gentiles”.  

ALMIGHTY GOD might have been working to accomplish different things in these situations.  With the Israelites, GOD was was exhibiting HIS Sovereignty over the most powerful kingdom the world had known, up to this point.  With Paul, GOD was preparing him to stay 18 months and preach to the church at Corinth.  Acts 17:24 says in part that “......many of the Corinthians hearing Paul believed and were baptized.”  GOD’s Plan involved what HE told Paul that would happen, that “no one will attack you to harm you”.  

When ALMIGHTY GOD gives you a job to perform, HE isn’t limited by chance or circumstance!  HE will bring HIS Word to pass through you, even when it seems HE has no possibility of accomplishing it.  Remember David and Goliath?  Remember the Red Sea?  Shadrach, Meshac, and Abednego in the fiery furnace?  When GOD tells you “DO NOT BE SILENT”, HE has a purpose for you to be speaking HIS Name, and that purpose will draw HIM Glory!!!

“REJOICE EVERMORE!”

1 Thessalonians 5:16                (KJV)

“REJOICE EVERMORE.”

Again, while driving to work yesterday, the words above were on my mind.  “REJOICE EVERMORE” are not words that I go around saying to everyone I meet.  And how are we supposed to “REJOICE EVERMORE” when others do something that is intended to harm us?  Or worse, hurt our family!!!  The harm others INTEND to beset us with can be used by GOD ALMIGHTY to accomplish HIS purpose in our lives.  

In Genesis, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers who had the tables turned on them when a famine struck.  Having to go to Egypt to buy food was humbling enough for the brothers, but when they found out that none other than Joseph was the person they would have to purchase food from, they had reason to fret.  But Joseph told them in Genesis 50:19-20 “Do not fear, for am I in the place of GOD?  As for you, you meant evil against me, but GOD meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”  He KNEW that GOD was in control, and he lived it in his actions!

Being able to “REJOICE EVERMORE” when trials and tribulations arise is a sign of Spiritual Maturity.   A quote from the testimony of an inspirational teacher says “Christians who are mature are those who have exercised discernment and have learned how to distinguish good from evil.”  Learning to distinguish good from evil is more than accepting healing when we are sick, it is allowing GOD to get Glory from the sickness!  Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 “But HE said to me, "MY grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is made perfect in weakness." THEREFORE I WILL BOAST all the more gladly of my WEAKNESSES, so that the power of CHRIST may rest upon me.”  Knowing that the POWER of CHRIST is upon us should cause all of us to celebrate!  

Until we arrive at the point where we can “REJOICE EVERMORE”, we will be gripped with fear, rejection and anger because we see our issues as coming from people around us.  When we GROW to the point we can “REJOICE EVERMORE” even when we are being sold by our brothers into slavery, lied about by others, and imprisoned unjustly, all for the Glory of ALMIGHTY GOD, our maturity maybe getting to the point that we can be used for HIS Glory?!? 

“I SHALL NOT WANT!”

Psalms 23:1                             (ESV)

“The LORD is my Shepherd; “I SHALL NOT WANT”.”

As I was driving to work recently, my mind seemingly was set on the words “I SHALL NOT WANT!”  Of course my mind almost automatically went to Psalms 23:1.   The word “The LORD is my Shepherd” seems to always go before “I SHALL NOT WANT” for me.  But why?  Is it because I have recited this verse since I was in Bible School as a child, or have I sincerely developed a dependence upon ALMIGHTY GOD that requires me to say “I SHALL NOT WANT”?  

To fully understand that the ONE WHO actually spoke these vast universes into existence actually lives inside my heart is something that I can’t completely grasp.  As I mature both physically and Spiritually, I put away CHILDISH THINGS and leave behind those characteristics that define me as a babe in CHRIST.  JESUS now lives inside of me (John 17:23), like HE does for ALL who Believe on HIM, and I need to accept that HE is guiding and directing my life.  HE does so NOT because I am better than others (John 17:6-10), but ALMIGHTY GOD has “chosen” me to come out of “the darkness” leading me “into HIS marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9)!  

The truly indescribable and unexplainable thing is WHY HE chose me, of ALL people, to live inside of when I am SO UNWORTHY?  There are vessels that are much less defective than I am, and certainly more worthy than I exhibit, yet GOD chose me to serve HIM???  How could I come before HIM desiring to be something other than that which HE designed me to be?  

And why should I come before the CREATOR and try to explain why I WANT things when I am supposed to be “walking by FAITH”?  “I SHALL NOT WANT” because GOD is leading, guiding and directing me through “this world” to Glorify HIM and exalt HIS Name!  THE CREATOR of the universes CHOSE me to proclaim “I SHALL NOT WANT”!!!  

“CHILDISH WAYS!”

1 Corinthians 13:11-12                  (ESV)

“11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up “CHILDISH WAYS”.

12 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.”

Being who we are isn’t a bad thing, as long as we realize that we are are in a constant maturation process, continuing to grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.  The Apostle Paul was a “Hebrew of the Hebrews, as to the law, a Pharisee”, and always a thinker.  But when HE was “called out of darkness into HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT” (1 Peter 2:9) he started SEEING things in an entirely different way.  

Saul (as he was known before his transformation) was educated by “this world’s” standards to a level of hypocrisy that is prevalent in today’s society.  WISDOM comes from GOD (Proverbs 2:6-8) and therefore confounds those who are “educated” by earthly wisdom.  Being a child and thinking like a child could be likened to Saul, not being able to SEE things of a Spiritual manner (1 Corinthians 2:14-15) because he wasn’t OF THE SPIRIT.  

But when he became Paul and started SEEING things of the SPIRIT, his eyes were opened to another world, a Spiritual World.  SEEING things Spiritually causes us to look at things in a totally different light.  He didn’t forget the things of his childhood, but he did give them up!  The “former man” was who he used to be, but now he was a “new man”!  

The “CHILDISH WAYS” of our youth, AND OUR LOSTNESS, can be a valuable tool to prevent us from being ensnared by the enemy as we mature.   We have to put away the “CHILDISH WAYS” and strive for the more Spiritual Ways.  We are NOT who we once were, and we need to get past our “CHILDISH WAYS” and SEE TRUTH!!!

“TEST THE SPIRITS!”

1 John 4:1-3                                   (ESV)

“1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but “TEST THE SPIRITS” to see whether they are from GOD, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 By this you know the SPIRIT of GOD: every spirit that confesses that JESUS CHRIST has come in the flesh is from GOD,

3 and every spirit that does not confess JESUS is not from GOD. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.”

Testing has never intimidated me very much.  In school, I would never study a great deal, but always seem to do pretty well when given a test.  The ability to retain the discussions of the classroom seem to get me by (for the most part!) and I didn’t put forth the effort to excel scholastically.  Being satisfied with “average” was fine with me, unless I was on the ball field!

But “TEST THE SPIRITS” is an entirely different ballgame!  It can have way more at stake than winning a sports contest.  The enemy has come to “steal, kill and destroy” and he is doing everything he can to infiltrate “our camp” to lead us astray.  1 John 4:3 says “....every spirit that does not confess JESUS is not from GOD.”  The enemy uses DECEPTION as his chief tool.  He “deceived” Eve in Genesis 3 causing her and Adam to believe a lie.  JESUS said in John 8:44 “....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”.  

When we “TEST THE SPIRITS” we can readily SEE who they are supporting.  They either claim JESUS (the TRUTH), or they are supporting a LIE!  JESUS said “....you cannot serve GOD and and mammon”!  We must CHOOSE!  

Joshua 24:15 ends with “....but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”.  Joshua had learned to “TEST THE SPIRITS”, and he CHOSE the right one!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, my prayer is that I will “TEST THE SPIRITS” and I will CHOOSE wisely, and that is YOU!!!

“THY WORD!”

Psalms 119:10-13                         (KJV)

“10 With my whole heart have I sought THEE: O let me not wander from THY commandments. 11 “THY WORD” have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against THEE. 12 Blessed art THOU, O LORD: teach me THY statutes. 13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of THY mouth.”

When I was a child I was sent to Vacation Bible School at the local church.  One of the Bible memory verses we were assigned was Psalms 119:11.  Hiding “THY WORD” in my heart has certainly not come easy to me, and since it was more difficult, I didn’t practice it as much as I should have in my formative years.  

ALMIGHTY GOD has an innate ability to reveal HIS character, exactly WHO HE is, through “THY WORD”.  HE has guided and directed my life to where I have experienced the lows of “self-reliance”, and at the same time displayed AMAZING GRACE over me keeping me alive!  Not following “THY WORD” at times has been a invaluable experience, but evidently not enough to cause me to “not stray” from its HOLY path, for I never seem to learn.  

2 Timothy 3:16-17 states “All scripture is given by INSPIRATION of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, FOR CORRECTION, FOR INSTRUCTION in RIGHTEOUSNESS: That the MAN OF GOD MAY BE PERFECT, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  “THY WORD” Is intended to mold and make us into tools that will be used for HIS purpose, on HIS timeline.  HE brings scripture to memory YEARS down the road, like HE is currently doing with Psalms 119:11!  

We ALL have the option of having the CREATOR of the universes to be our guide in life.  We must have a desire to follow HIM WITH OUR WHOLE HEART (Matthew 22:37) in order to be set apart from others.  Do you have a desire to be different, to be set apart?  in John 6:65 JESUS says “Therefore said I unto you, that NO MAN can come unto ME, except it were given unto him of MY FATHER.”  When we have been CALLED by HIM, we have to listen to “THY WORD” and be led by HIM!  Who are we to argue with THE CREATOR?  

“PRAISE AND HONOR AND GLORY!”

1 Peter 1:6-9                                (ESV)

“6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in “PRAISE AND HONOR AND GLORY” at the revelation of JESUS CHRIST.

8 Though you have not seen HIM, you love HIM. Though you do not now see HIM, you believe in HIM and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”

In Genesis 50:19-20 Joseph said to his brothers “But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, FOR AM I in the place of GOD???  As for you, you meant evil against me, but GOD meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”   How many times have I gone through some trying, even very 

difficult times, only to find out that they ALL were to draw “PRAISE AND HONOR AND GLORY” to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?  Why couldn’t I SEE they were being used to draw Glory to HIM?

The enemy is strong, but not nearly as strong as GOD ALMIGHTY!  Remember in Job 2:6, GOD tells satan “Behold, he is in your hand; ONLY SPARE HIS LIFE."  Satan can ONLY operate where GOD allows him to, at the level GOD says HE can!  If not, HE would NOT be in control.  A friend of mine used to say, “GOD IS IN CONTROL, even of the valleys”!  HE wouldn’t be very powerful if HE weren’t.  

That is why Peter writes in the scriptures above to ”PRAISE AND HONOR AND GLORY” JESUS, even when we experience “various trials”.  We don’t have control over what our future holds, but we do have control over how we react to trials that the enemy sends our way.  Praising GOD when everything is going smoothly is simple.  To give HIM “PRAISE AND HONOR AND GLORY” when things appear to be “out of control” is precisely when GOD DELIGHTS IN HEARING OUR PRAISE!  

Lately I have used a quote from the book entitled JESUS continued quite often; “GOD, however, never invited me to be a co-GOD with HIM”!  When things don’t go according to “my plan”, I have to quickly remember that I AM NOT GOD, and HE hasn’t invited me to be co-GOD with HIM!  The trial placed before me might be used by HIM to “draw” some lost soul “into HIS marvelous LIGHT”!  If HE can use my trials to gain GLORY to HIMSELF, then may ALL “PRAISE AND HONOR AND GLORY” be HIS as I suffer for HIM!!!

“GOD is GOD of gods and LORD of LORDS!”

Deuteronomy 10:12-17                (ESV)

“12 "And now, Israel, what does the LORD your GOD require of you, but to fear the LORD your GOD, to walk in all HIS ways, to love HIM, to serve the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul,

13 and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD, which I am commanding you today for your good?

14 Behold, to the LORD your GOD belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.

15 Yet the LORD set HIS heart in love on your fathers and chose their offspring after them, you above all peoples, as you are this day.

16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no longer stubborn.

17 For the LORD your “GOD is GOD of gods and LORD of LORDS”, the great, the mighty, and the awesome GOD, WHO is not partial and takes no bribe.”

The text below was on a social media website recently, and it spoke volumes to me:

“If you never submit to GOD and HIS order then you're just a liar, deceiving yourself more than anyone else.”

Judas had 

The best Pastor 

The best leader

The best teacher

The wisest

The best friend 

And he failed.....

The problem isn’t the leadership or the church you go to.  

If your attitude doesn’t change or your character transformed. You will always be the same.  

Now, back to my comments, life in “this world” IS NOT all about we individuals, our prosperity, our positioning, nor how far ahead of our counterparts we can become!  Our lives should be dedicated to SERVING HIM and Glorifying HIM, for ALL the world to see!  Making sure we are NOT the focus of everything in our world should be the centerpiece of everything we do.  Unfortunately for some, that is not the case!  

Instead we see some athletes, entertainers, politicians, and even so-called ministers being elevated on a temporary pedestal.  All the while ALMIGHTY GOD, OUR CREATOR, is constantly relegated to a minuscule role of Servanthood, or Someone to “bail us out” when we drive ourselves into another storm.   As humans, we are created FOR HIS GLORY, NOT FOR OUR glory!!!  Isaiah 43:7 says “everyone who is called by MY name, WHOM I CREATED FOR MY GLORY, whom I formed and made."  You may want to believe that this Scripture isn’t talking about you, but there is NO DOUBT in my mind that ALMIGHTY GOD is the CREATOR, and one day ALL will agree!  

Don’t allow yourself to be thought too highly of, as we will ALL bow to HIM one day (Romans 14:11; Isaiah 24:23; Philippians 2:10,11)!  Living on our own earthly throne, no matter how small, makes it difficult to die to self (Matthew 10:38)!  Even people who currently deny HIS existence will one day admit that our “GOD is GOD of gods and LORD of LORDS”!!!  

“DO NOT GRUMBLE!”

John 6:41-51                               (ESV)

“41 So the Jews grumbled about HIM, because HE said, "I am the bread that came down from heaven."

42 They said, "Is not this JESUS, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does HE now say, 'I have come down from heaven'?"

43 JESUS answered them, "DO NOT GRUMBLE” among yourselves.

44 NO ONE CAN COME TO ME UNLESS THE FATHER WHO SENT ME DRAWS HIM. And I will raise him up on the last day.

45 It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the FATHER comes to ME-

46 not that anyone has seen the FATHER except he who is from GOD; he has seen the FATHER.

47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

48 I am the bread of life.

49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.

50 This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is MY flesh." 

Briefly this morning, I find it interesting that JESUS said in yesterday’s passage “HAVE FAITH IN GOD”, then this morning I am writing about HIM telling me to “DO NOT GRUMBLE” among yourselves! If we “HAVE FAITH IN GOD” alone for our salvation, then it becomes almost nonsensical to dispute with others about being DRAWN to HIM unless we convolute the issue with our own “reasonings and emotions”?  When something makes sense, it requires less FAITH to Believe!  

When we “HAVE FAITH IN GOD”, we essentially are placing our TOTAL TRUST in HIS ability to “DRAW” us to HIM, and not in our ability to follow HIS laws to get to Heaven!  Although my desire is to live HOLY before GOD, my ability to do so leaves me falling tremendously short of what is required of me to enter Heaven.  We could not fulfill the law, so JESUS came to earth to FULFILL the law and overcome death, Hell, and the grave.   

We must REST in HIS WORD and realize that most people will never SEE (Matthew 13:10-16) with their eyes and understand with their hearts the things of the Spirit!  Unless our EYES are OPENED we can’t SEE Spiritual things that they think are folly.  When ALMIGHTY GOD reveals HIS TRUTH to us, we don’t need to Glory in being used by HIM.  “DO NOT GRUMBLE” with those who GOD has yet to DRAW to HIMSELF.  He may be using you to DRAW them later on in life???

“HAVE FAITH IN GOD!”

Mark 11:22                                (ESV)

“And JESUS answered them, "HAVE FAITH IN GOD”.”

There aren’t many times that I expound on a single verse of Scripture.  However, today will be an exception.  Are you looking for answers for something?  Many of you have seen me previously write that former President Ronald Reagan is quoted as saying, “Within the covers of the BIBLE are the answers for all the problems men face.” Most of us understand that the BIBLE is GOD’s owners manual for all of mankind.   Sine HE Created us and knows exactly what and how we were made, HE alone has the answers for our health concerns, our financial concerns, our relationship concerns, and any other concerns we have, or think we have!

Could you please explain why mankind continues to look elsewhere for the “answers for all of the problems men face”, instead of looking to The Creator?  It is obvious that we don’t TRULY believe that ALMIGHTY GOD is in control of our everything, or we would live our lives in an entirely different manner.  We “worry” about our retirement plans, yet we have no assurance that we will live through the remainder of the day we have been blessed with.  We “worry” about our offspring having the things they need to succeed in life, but unless ALMIGHTY GOD is drawing them, they will wander in the wilderness of life with NO HOPE of an eternity with GOD.  

The HOLY BIBLE “IS” GOD’s revelation of HIMSELF to us, and we should honor and respect HIM so much that we follow HIS instructions for our lives.  Yet, I fail multiple times daily to reflect HIS Love to a lost and dying world.  If I spent more time in HIS WORD, perhaps I would live my life in a more reverent mode.  Genesis 1:3 says “And GOD said....”, and IT WAS!  Perhaps if I “HAVE FAITH IN GOD”, the ONE WHO spoke these worlds into existence, I would have more “answers for all of the problems men face”?  

“KEEP THEM FROM SEEING!”

2 Corinthians 4:3-4                     (ESV)

“3 And even if our gospel is veiled, IT IS VEILED TO THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING.

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to “KEEP THEM FROM SEEING” the light of the gospel of the glory of CHRIST, who is the image of GOD.”

Not long ago during a Bible Study I was exposed to the phrase “GOD never invited me to be a co-god with HIM!”  Recently I saw a phrase that said “No matter how big a hammer you use, you can’t pound common sense into stupid people”, which really got me pondering why some just don’t “get it”?  Former President Ronald Reagan astutely submitted once that “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face."  So let’s visit what Scripture reveals about people who can’t SEE?  

Jeremiah 5:21 says “"Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, WHO HAVE EYES, BUT SEE NOT, WHO HAVE EARS, BUT HEAR NOT.”  It seems that my BIGGEST challenge is letting GOD be GOD!  Exodus 14:14 says “The LORD will fight for you, and YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT!”  Psalms 27:14 (KJV) says “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”  Psalms 46:10 (ESV) says “"Be still, and know that I AM GOD. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!"  GOD is more than capable of selecting who HE wants to spend eternity with. All I am called to do is to offer HIM to everyone and let HIM call whom HE chooses!  

It is not because I am so Holy and devout a Christian that is that I live “above sin”.  Isaiah 64:6 says “....our righteousnesses are as FILTHY RAGS” before a HOLY GOD!  It is solely due to HIM “...calling us out of the darkness into HIS marvelous light...” (2 Peter 1:9) that I can SEE Spiritual things!  The enemy “KEEPS THEM FROM SEEING”, selling them on the lies he has presented since the garden of Eden.   Don’t be misled!  KNOW THE TRUTH!  Don’t let the enemy “KEEP YOU FROM SEEING“!!!

“FAITH APART FROM WORKS!”

James 2:18-20                              (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-AND SHUDDER!

20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that “FAITH APART FROM WORKS” is useless?”

Recently, during a discussion with a colleague of mine, the point was brought up about BELIEVING, about how those who have actually experienced certain “things” live their lives in a different manner than those who only know “about” them.  Living the lives we have been assigned can sometimes be challenging.  Sure, being born into a wealthy family would be a preference for most people, but being born to a poverty stricken family in a “third-world” country is also a possibility, a possibility that we seldom consider?  GOD is all about gaining glory for HIMSELF, not glorifying us!!!

Having FAITH that our future will bring desired results is one of the most important things a person can have.  There is a phrase on my prayer list that says “Do you want to live a life without hope?”  We ALL have a HOPE that things will turn out “the way we want them to”!  When the children of Israel were leaving Egyptian captivity, they “plundered” (Exodus 12:36) the Egyptians, taking valuables from them.  The Israelites were headed for the Promised Land, but GOD had yet to be Glorified appropriately.  And, a few short days later, the Israelites were in a “tight spot” on the banks of the Red Sea with the Egyptians rapidly approaching, and they were “doubting GOD”!  

How many times do we have to experience similar “fear and doubt”, and be delivered, before we grow up to have FAITH?  How many “valleys of the shadow of death” do we have to traverse before we KNOW that HE WILL BRING US THROUGH, or HE will bring us HOME?  Isaiah 43:2 says the flames may get hot, but we will not be consumed.  Since GOD has told us HE will never leave us or forsake us, why do we cry on the banks of our Red Sea?  

In Exodus 14:4 GOD says “I WILL GET GLORY OVER PHARAOH AND ALL HIS HOSTS”, and HE did!  My life should not be an attempt to gain as much wealth as I possibly can, rather I should do everything I can to Glorify HIM!  By demonstrating that “FAITH APART FROM WORKS” is useless, we are proclaiming that we are trusting HIM to Glorify HIMSELF.  HE WILL deliver, all we have to do is be silent (Exodus 14:14)!  

“wisdom of the world!”

1 Corinthians 1:18-21                   (ESV)

“18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of GOD.

19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." 

20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not GOD made foolish the “wisdom of the world?”

21 For since, in the wisdom of GOD, the world did not know GOD through wisdom, it pleased GOD through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.”

It has been reported that a television show host was quoted as saying that people who “hear from JESUS” may need psychological assistance.  This should excite all of us who hear from, and listen to, GOD IN HEAVEN.    

GOD speaks in several different ways.  The most common way HE speaks is through HIS WORD.  JESUS said in Matthew 10:32-33 “So everyone who acknowledges ME before men, I also will acknowledge before MY FATHER WHO is in heaven, but whoever denies ME before men, I also will deny before MY FATHER WHO is in heaven.”  There are some who choose NOT to believe in GOD, and the things of GOD.  As a matter of fact, JESUS also said in Matthew 7:14 “For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, AND THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW!!!”  

Being able to HEAR from GOD doesn’t make us better than anyone else, it only means HE has “chosen” us to open our EYES and EARS to the things of Heaven. Since they cannot SEE or HEAR Spiritual things, they think it is “folly”, since it doesn’t “make sense” to them!   

Revelation 1:7 says “Behold, HE is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see HIM, even those who pierced HIM, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of HIM. Even so. Amen.”  On that day, the “wisdom of the world” will be “folly” to everyone!  It certainly won’t “make sense” that our CREATOR would sacrifice HIMSELF just to keep a FEW of us from going to HELL!  But FAITH has nothing to do with making sense.  Making sense belongs to the “wisdom of the world”!!!