“OPEN MY EYES!”

Psalms 119:17-19                                   (ESV)

“17 Deal bountifully with YOUR servant, that I may live and keep YOUR WORD. 

18 “OPEN MY EYES”, that I may behold wondrous things out of YOUR law. 

19 I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not YOUR commandments from me!”

There are many people who cannot SEE TRUTH simply because their EYES haven’t been opened!  SEEing TRUTH is a peculiar thing, for if someone really SEE’s TRUTH, then they also SEE the consequences of their choices.  Hopefully, SEEing the consequences will deter them from doing things that displease ALMIGHTY GOD.  

The Psalmist writes above asking GOD to “”OPEN MY EYES”, that I may behold wondrous things out of YOUR law”.  The closer we get to GOD, the more dirt we SEE in our lives that needs to be cleaned.  GOD’s LAW, HIS written WORD, will transform a life, if applied with humility.  A proud heart will not be able to SEE all of YOUR commandments, as they will not be able to SEE them from the angle they are looking from.  Moving to where we can SEE HIS WONDROUS THINGS is an act that HE will perform, only when HE SEES we are ready.  

My prayer is that GOD will “OPEN MY EYES” to know when I am doing HIS will, but also when I am walking contrary to HIS WAYS, humbly adjusting my walk to reflect HIS WILL.  When HE “OPENS MY EYES”, my journey will become one that Glorifies HIM.  Oh GOD, cause me to honor YOUR NAME and SEE what YOU “OPEN MY EYES” to behold!

“YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN!”

John 3:1-7                                           (ESV)

"1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a RULER OF THE JEWS.

2 This man came to JESUS by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from GOD, for no one can do these signs that you do unless GOD is with HIM."

3 JESUS answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of GOD."

4 Nicodemus said to HIM, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

5 JESUS answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the SPIRIT, he cannot enter the kingdom of GOD.

6 That which is born of the FLESH is FLESH, and that which is born of the SPIRIT is SPIRIT.

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN.'"

No one was born a Christian.  The flesh does not produce redemption.  R.C. Sproul.

This quote was recently seen on a social media site, and I can't agree with it more.  Countless numbers of people declare when asked if they are going to Heaven, that because they have been a good person and tried to do the right thing they should be allowed into Heaven.  Even Nicodemus, being a RULER OF THE JEWS, wanted to find ETERNAL LIFE, or more probably, find the way to avoid ETERNAL DEATH!  

His questioning of JESUS was sincere, but FLESHLY.  He could not accept that GOD IS SPIRIT (John 4:24) and having our SPIRIT reborn is THE ONLY WAY to enter the Kingdom of GOD!  You have to, BY FAITH accept that HE IS, and rewards we who seek HIM (Hebrews 11:6).  Unless some people have physical PROOF that JESUS is the SON OF GOD, they refuse to submit to HIM.  Unless they can "make sense" out of HIS STORY, they can't TRUST IN HIM.  

We have to accept the first part of Hebrews 11:6, "WITHOUT FAITH, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD..".  No Nicodemus, and everyone else who thinks they are "good enough" to enter Heaven, because of Adam and Eve's sin you were born with a sin nature that you CANNOT escape.  No matter how good a person is, and no matter how gruesomely bad a person is, we ALL must accept that "YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN"! 

JESUS not only rose from the dead, defeating death, hell and the grave, HE lived a PERFECT LIFE to sacrifice HIS HOLINESS for my wickedness.  Wickedness is a harsh word, but my life is wicked compared to HIS HOLINESS!  No one, no matter their pedigree, was born a Christian!  The only way we can SEE the Kingdom of GOD is to make sure we have submitted to "YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN"!!!

“I WILL COME AGAIN!”

John 14:1-7                                (ESV)

“1 "Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in GOD; believe also in ME.

2 In my FATHER’S house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, “I WILL COME AGAIN” and will take you to MYSELF, that where I am you may be also.

4 And you know the way to where I am going."

5 Thomas said to him, "LORD, we do not know where YOU are going. How can we know the way?"

6 JESUS said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.

7 If you had known ME, you would have known MY FATHER also. From now on you do know HIM and have seen HIM."”

One of my younger sister’s favorite passages in the Bible was John 14:1-3.  She even wanted these verses read at her funeral.  JESUS, the CREATOR, spoke to HIS disciples telling them “...”I WILL COME AGAIN” and will take you to MYSELF, that where I am you may be also.”  Whether they knew in their hearts that this same JESUS was the ONE WHO spoke these worlds into existence can be debated forever, but HE said in verse 6 “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME.”.  

In verse one of John 14 JESUS begins with “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in GOD; believe also in ME”.  Since JESUS is GOD, nothing shall be impossible with HIM (Luke 1:37).  How can HIS Promises be expected to come about when it has been over 2,000 years and HE still hasn’t returned to claim HIS Bride?  Do you think that HE could have missed HIS prediction a little bit?  

Knowing numbers is a specialty of GOD.  One noted Professor of Science and Astrology says in an article about Biblical Prophecies “The point, of course, is that when people say that the fulfillment of prophecy in the life of Jesus was accidental, they do not know what they are talking about. Keep in mind that Jesus did not just fulfill 8 prophecies, He fulfilled 10 (8) power. The chances of fulfilling 16 is 1 in 10 (45) power. When you get to a total of 48, the odds increase to 1 in 10 (157) power. Accidental fulfillment of these prophecies is simply beyond the realm of possibility”.  

JESUS prophesied through Biblical Writers that HE was coming the first time, and it took thousands of years!  HE promised from HIS OWN mouth that “I WILL COME AGAIN”!  HE didn’t promise when HE was going to return, but HE did say to BE READY, for we don’t know when HE will come again (Matthew 24:44)!  My little sister has been called to Glory and will not have to wait.  For me, I am waiting to SEE JESUS, whether it is when my assignment is complete, or when HE fulfills HIS Promise of “I WILL COME AGAIN”!!!

“I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU!”

John 14:16-24                           (ESV)

“16 And I will ask the FATHER, and HE WILL GIVE you another HELPER, TO BE WITH YOU FOREVER,

17 even the SPIRIT of TRUTH, whom THE WORLD CANNOT RECEIVE, because it neither sees HIM nor knows HIM. You know HIM, for HE dwells with you and will be in you.

18 "”I WILL NOT LEAVE YOU” as orphans; I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. BECAUSE I LIVE, YOU ALSO WILL LIVE.

20 In that day you will know that I am in MY FATHER, and you in ME, and I in you.

21 Whoever has MY commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves ME. And he who loves ME will be loved by MY FATHER, and I will love him and manifest MYSELF to him."

22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to HIM, "LORD, how is it that you will manifest YOURSELF to us, and not to the world?"

23 JESUS answered him, "If anyone loves ME, he will keep MY word, and MY FATHER will love him, and WE will come to him and make OUR home with him.

24 Whoever does not love ME does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not MINE but the FATHER’S who sent ME.”

Celebrating the time that JESUS entered HIS Creation to live a perfect life, die a substitutionary death, and overcome death, hell and the grave is a wonderful experience.  However, when JESUS was promising “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU”, HE should have removed all fear and doubt from our lives as well!  Knowing that we have THE CREATOR of everything that was made (Colossians 1:16) abiding inside of us should make us humble to begin with, but also confident because HE is guiding and directing our lives!  

Now I have not been able to live for HIM as I want to.  But the Apostle Paul was in a similar position.  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”, and in Romans 7:19 “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing”!  

Why don’t I live a life that is totally committed to living for CHRIST, especially since HE has promised “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU”?  Again, the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 7:24-25 “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to GOD through JESUS CHRIST our LORD!  So then, I myself serve the law of GOD with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.”  

Living in the flesh is not something that pleases me, no more than being physically overweight!  JESUS said “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU”, but HE doesn’t say we will always follow HIM!  HE has used my weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9) for HIS Glory more times than I care to admit!  “For the sake of CHRIST, THEN, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:10).  As long as I am Glorifying CHRIST and HE says “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU”, I too will be content with my weaknesses!!!

“CHRIST’S DAY!”

John 5:30-47                          (ESV)

“30 "I can do nothing on MY own. As I hear, I judge, and MY judgment is just, because I seek not MY own will but the will of HIM WHO sent ME.

31 If I alone bear witness about MYSELF, MY testimony is not true.

32 There is another who bears witness about ME, and I know that the testimony that he bears about ME is true.

33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the TRUTH.

34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.

35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.

36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the FATHER has given ME to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about ME that the FATHER has sent ME.

37 And the FATHER who sent ME has HIMSELF borne witness about ME. HIS voice you have never heard, HIS form you have never seen,

38 and you do not have HIS WORD abiding in you, for you do not believe the ONE whom HE has sent.

39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about ME,

40 yet you refuse to come to ME that you may have life.

41 I do not receive glory from people.

42 But I know that you do not have the love of GOD within you.

43 I have come in my FATHER’S name, and you do not receive ME. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.

44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only GOD?

45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the FATHER. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.

46 For IF YOU BELIEVED MOSES, you would BELIEVE ME; FOR HE WROTE OF ME.

47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe MY words?"”

“The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is of fairly recent origin.”  The preceding sentence is from a secular website that doesn’t hold the Bible to be TRUTH; the WORD OF THE LIVING GOD!  But even they recognize that “CHRIST’S DAY” is far more than their vocabulary can describe!  The SON OF GOD has ALWAYS BEEN, not just of “fairly recent origin”!

As a Believer that JESUS CHRIST is GOD the SON WHO came to earth explicitly to redeem mankind for those whom the FATHER chooses, the commercialization of “CHRIST’S DAY” is greatly disturbing to me.  JESUS, my Savior and LORD, left HIS Heavenly throne to inhabit a body of flesh, live a PERFECT, HOLY life for 33 years, die a sacrificial death, yet overcame death, Hell and the grave at a price of having GOD THE FATHER reject HIM because HE was bearing my sin, all because HE loved us so much!

And now today we are allowing “this world” to trivialize “CHRIST’S DAY” as a celebration of debt, partying, and gift-giving, while we should be celebrating the TRUE Gift HE gave to us, AND NOTHING ELSE!  And I am just as guilty as the next person, I don’t give HIM proper praise and adulation on “CHRIST’S DAY”!  Instead I get caught up in making sure my family has gifts that are up to a certain standard of “this world” when I should have my eyes focused on  JESUS and “CHRIST’S DAY”!  

JESUS spoke in the Scripture above that we have the Scriptures.  And yet we don’t know enough about “CHRIST’S DAY” to celebrate it for what HE did for us!  It’s not about Santa Claus.  It’s not about the exchanging of gifts.  It’s not about family get togethers (as much as they mean to me)!  It IS about recognizing that “For our sake HE (GOD) made HIM (JESUS) to be sin WHO knew no sin, so that in HIM (JESUS) we might become the righteousness of GOD.“ (2 Corinthians 5:21).  That is why we have “CHRIST’S DAY”, regardless of what we have allowed it to be turned into!!!

“WISDOM!”

James 3:13-18                       (ESV)

“13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his GOOD CONDUCT let him show his works in the MEEKNESS of “WISDOM”.

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, DO NOT BOAST and be false to the truth.

15 THIS IS NOT the “WISDOM” that comes down FROM ABOVE, but is EARTHLY, IN SPIRITUAL, DEMONIC.

16 FOR WHERE JEALOUSY AND SELFISH AMBITION EXIST, THERE WILL BE

 DISORDER AND EVERY VILE PRACTICE.

17 But the “WISDOM” from above is first pure, then PEACEABLE, GENTLE, OPEN to REASON, FULL OF MERCY and GOOD FRUITS, IMPARTIAL and SINCERE.

18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

There are many things that we think we know, only to find out those things weren’t REALLY what we thought they were?  And some of the things I had been warned about simply had to be experienced, not just heard about, as the lesson learned during the process taught me so greatly.  In Luke 15:11-32 the parable of the Prodigal Son is taught by JESUS HIMSELF.  Yet how many times do I seemingly HAVE to do what is wrong, and experience the consequences, before I can move forward in life?  As a younger person, I used to believe that had I been adequately warned about dangers, I wouldn’t have had to experience the pain of “learning the lesson”?  But now I SEE that the pain experienced is part of the lesson!  

Youth and inexperience are seeds that sometimes must be planted.  “JEALOUSY AND SELFISH AMBITION EXIST, THERE WILL BE DISORDER AND EVERY VILE PRACTICE” most of the time are sown and the harvest is generally not pleasurable.  One way the enemy keeps our focus on worldly things is to make it appear as though we don’t have “all of that spiritual stuff” and keep us “blinded to TRUTH”!  If we succumb to his lies, he has us where he wants us.  

As I mature, I am finding out that “WISDOM from above is first pure, then PEACEABLE, GENTLE, OPEN to REASON, FULL OF MERCY and GOOD FRUITS, IMPARTIAL and SINCERE.”  In the book of Genesis, Joseph experienced tremendous pain as a result of his brothers immaturity and unwise decisions.  However, their devious decisions are ultimately used to save the Children of Israel, while also enslaving them, all at the end same time!  In the end, ALMIGHTY GOD received the Glory over Pharaoh (Exodus 14:17) at the Red Sea!  It was all part of GOD’s Plan!  

“WISDOM” from above is the only “WISDOM” worth having.  You can experience the comforts that “this world” offers, but your body will not be cold before you find all that is of “this world” will burn up at the Judgement.  When will I realize that the blinders used by “the enemy” are only there to prevent me from SEEING what GOD has in store for me?  Maybe I will gain some “WISDOM” and SEE that HIS Plan is what I desire?!?!?

“GO INTO YOUR ROOM!”

Matthew 6:5-6                               (ESV)

“5 "And when you pray, YOU MUST NOT be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, THAT THEY MAY BE SEEN BY OTHERS. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

6 But when you pray, “GO INTO YOUR ROOM” and shut the door and pray to your FATHER who is in secret. And your FATHER WHO sees in secret will reward you.”

Recently I witnessed a political figure offering a farewell address to the constituents of their area served.  The “Legacy” we leave is not something we can predetermine or script.  It is what others SEE us as doing.  Some people SEE good, other not so much.  However, when all is considered, what we do for the LORD will be what really lasts!  

As I have written many times, I refer to several versions of Scripture in my Bible Study.  Matthew 6:6 has some very interesting translations for “GO INTO YOUR ROOM”.  The include, go away by yourself, go into your inner room, enter into thy closet, go into a room alone, enter into thine inner chamber, and go into your private room, just to relay a few!  It is rather simple to discover that ALMIGHTY GOD isn’t interested in building HIS Kingdom around the proud, but the humble. For me, being humble isn’t an option, but occasionally I have to be reminded by the HOLY SPIRIT, and sometimes HE has to break me to be able to mold me into what HE wants me to be.

As the Christmas Season is upon us, I am compelled to GIVE to others because CHRIST gave me the ultimate gift and I want others to experience that JOY!  But giving so that I can make a scene and draw attention to my generosity is exactly what JESUS warned against in the Scripture above.  True, HE was speaking about prayer, but HIS whole premise was elevating GOD and humbling ourselves.  We can’t truly WORSHIP HIM with too high of an opinion of ourselves.  In 1 Timothy 1:15, the Apostle Paul says “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”.  Paul saw himself compared to a HOLY GOD, not a HOLY GOD as a gift bag!

When we “GO INTO YOUR ROOM” our intent should be to express how unworthy we are to have the attention of our CREATOR, and that HE would take time to listen to us!  Instead, sometimes I approach HIS THRONE like a drive-thru window at a fast-food establishment.  In Matthew 27:50-51 Scripture records “And JESUS cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up HIS spirit.  And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split”.  JESUS paid a unimaginable price for us to be able to “GO INTO YOUR ROOM”! Will you act as though you are getting a quick burger, or will you feast at HIS table???

“Sitting at the feet of JESUS!”

Being one whose attention span has always been not very long, sharing a devotional this long has been considered “WELL, THAT’S TOO LONG”!!!  However, I was researching how to assure that WE ARE HEARING FROM GOD (Luke 10:39) like Mary was doing when I noticed Romans 12:2 in the preceding paragraphs of the online study.   My pastor is in a series of sermons on Romans 12:1-2, so it caught my eye.  Throughout the next days I have been digesting the words of this study as I sit at the feet of JESUS and soak in what HE has for me with these words!!

“As Christians, we cannot allow ourselves to be swept away in the undercurrent of the “cultural stopwatch”. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

The Bible places HIGH VALUE on REST and PEACEFUL living. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He Himself ESCAPES the BUSYNESS of the crowds occasionally to renew His strength. Mark 6:31 says, “Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to [His disciples], ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’” IT IS DIFFICULT, IF NOT IMPOSSIBLE, FOR US TO HEAR GOD’S still, quiet voice OVER THE ROAR OF THE 21ST-CENTURY CROWDS, so, like Jesus, we must MAKE TIME to REST and HEAR FROM OUR LORD.

A great example of the consequences of busyness is showcased in Luke 10:38–42: “As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, WHO SAT AT THE LORD’S FEET LISTENING TO WHAT HE SAID. BUT MARTHA WAS DISTRACTED by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’ ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. MARY HAS CHOSEN WHAT IS BETTER, and it will NOT be taken away from her.’”

If we are honest, most of the time we resemble Martha more than Mary. We rush around doing “what needs to be done,” while missing the glimpses of Jesus all around us. As difficult as it is, and AS CONTRARY TO OUR CULTURE AS IT IS, we must INTENTIONALLY make the effort to SLOW DOWN  and model Mary because, as Jesus Himself said, “Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.””

“The Bible places HIGH VALUE on REST and PEACEFUL living”. How often have I been guilty of burning the candle at both ends in an effort to do it all on my own?  If we all are honest, KEEPING THE MAIN THING, THE MAIN THING is probably our greatest failure as Believers.  We allow our time with the LORD to sometimes be placed behind our family, our work schedule, television, sporting events, and even church schedules!  That’s right, church schedules can detour our allegiance to worshipping the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES when we fail to place HIM ahead of our acts of obedience.  Resembling Martha more than Mary should be something we all try to avoid.  “Sitting at the feet of JESUS” is more than a great song, it is away to live our lives!!!

https://youtu.be/4BT-3TSLRJ0

“THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!”

Exodus 14:13-14                     (ESV)

“13 And Moses said to the people, "Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.

14 “THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU”, and YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT."”

Isn’t it amazing how ALMIGHTY GOD works in our lives?  Sunday morning while driving to church, Exodus 14:14 was on my mind so much that I could not get it to go away.   After pondering it through Sunday School and Worship Service we went to eat at a local restaurant.  There was a friend of ours there from 20+ years ago that we were able to “catch up” with.  Among the topics of conversation was my recovery from the Brain Hemorrhage over 11 years ago.  Driving home after this reunion I remembered the verse that was on my mind previously.  

I have always been a “make it happen” kind of person.  When I was praying one night in 1991 about what career GOD would have me engaged in, an insurance man came into my mind and I proceeded to move forward with that!  By doing what my mentor in the insurance industry taught, I earned an award the first year.  When I began experiencing a little resistance, I failed to continue with do things by the book and my success wasn’t as great.  Looking back, I was trying to do things MY WAY, and that proved to be exactly where I went wrong!  

Allowing “THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU” is not an easy thing to do.  It’s not that I had the best way to “make things happen”, it was as if I never considered there was any other way!  Doing what I thought was best was the only way I knew how to operate.  Allowing GOD to lead was an option, UNLESS HE wanted me to WAIT!  And for someone with my personality, YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT was never an option!  

BUT GOD.........!  HE changes hearts (Exodus 14:4), sometimes even without their acknowledgement or agreement!  My aggressive personality was changed in the twinkling of an eye with a Brain Hemorrhage in 2007.  In 2011 and 2012 I began “diligently” (Hebrews 11:6 KJV) seeking GOD, and HE began making my paths straight, and usually it involved WAITING!  The exodus from Egypt by the Children of Israel really intrigued me, and now I can SEE why!  GOD orchestrated an escape that ONLY HE could take credit with the Children of Israel, and HE will do it for us IF WE LET “THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU”!!!

Now I have never been to the Red Sea (yet), but I have been in a seemingly hopeless position with little a expectation of a positive outcome.  As a matter of fact, there are several times that I have been where throwing in the towel has appeared to be the only way out.  BUT GOD........, once again, stepped in and directed my life to HIS Plan, correcting my “miscalculations”!  Sooner or later it would certainly become CLEAR that YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT and allow “THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU”?!?!?  Most of the time, I can’t discern GOD’s Voice unless my life IS BEING SILENT! 

Hebrews 11:6 says “And WITHOUT FAITH it is impossible to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM.”  Don’t waste your breath by asking me if GOD EXISTS.  When someone has been where I have traveled, there is NO DOUBT that the GOD of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is leading me.  Regrettably, if we attempt to fight our battles on our own, the message we send is we don’t need any help from GOD!  From now on may I be practicing BEING SILENT and letting “THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU” prevail in my life!!!!

“HAVE NOT LOVE!”

1 Corinthians 13:1-3                    (ESV)

“1 If I speak in THE TONGUES of MEN and of ANGELS, but “HAVE NOT LOVE”, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

2 And if I have PROPHETIC POWERS, and understand ALL MYSTERIES and ALL KNOWLEDGE, and if I HAVE ALL FAITH, so as to remove mountains, but “HAVE NOT LOVE”, I am nothing.

3 If I GIVE AWAY ALL I HAVE, and if I deliver up my BODY TO BE BURNED, but “HAVE NOT LOVE”, I gain nothing.”

The Apostle Paul is known for his eloquent, yet plainly spoken words, edifying the Body of CHRIST and instructing Believers to live a more Godly life.  Please note that these words were, and still are, hard to swallow, especially for the ones who aren’t of THE SPIRIT.  As a matter of fact, in 1 Corinthians 2:14 the same Apostle Paul writes “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.”  Being a Believer is not something that we should Glory in, rather we should be humbled that we have been CHOSEN!

There are many who believe that they are going to enter Heaven based on the “good works” they have done.  In the Scripture above, Paul points out that a person can “..GIVE AWAY ALL I HAVE, and if I deliver up my BODY TO BE BURNED...”, and “HAVE NOT LOVE”, he gains NOTHING!  So we can help all we are exposed to with finances until we are dead broke.  We can save all the lives that we SEE on our journey.  We can claim to “...understand ALL MYSTERIES and ALL KNOWLEDGE, and if I HAVE ALL FAITH, so as to remove mountains...” and “HAVE NOT LOVE” and it all go for naught!  

My heart rejoices when the less fortunate, the needy of society, are helped out of a ditch they may find themselves in.  However, there will ALWAYS be those in need in our midst, according to JESUS in Matthew 26:11.  The only NEED that can cure the problems of this world is the LOVE of JESUS, WHO IS LOVE!  (1 John 4:8; John 10:30).  When we “HAVE NOT LOVE”, we could be proclaiming that we have a better Plan than JESUS, and we all know that is not possible!  HE is our CREATOR and Sustainer!

FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to display the LOVE OF CHRIST through my life for a lost world to observe.  Though I do things to assist fellow sojourners through our existence on earth, may I reflect JESUS most of all.  May I never be guilty of acting as though I “HAVE NOT LOVE”, but exude JESUS in everything that I am!!!

“IN CHRIST!”

2 Corinthians 5:16-20                             (ESV)

"16 From now on, therefore, we regard NO ONE according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded CHRIST according to the flesh, we regard HIM thus no longer.

17 Therefore, if anyone is “IN CHRIST”, he is a NEW CREATION. The OLD has PASSED AWAY; behold, the NEW has COME.

18 All this is from GOD, WHO through CHRIST reconciled us to HIMSELF and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;

19 that is, in CHRIST GOD was reconciling the world to HIMSELF, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for CHRIST, GOD making HIS appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of CHRIST, be reconciled to GOD."

There seems to be a GREAT EFFORT to see other people for who they IDENTIFY THEMSELVES to be, in other words, who they project themselves as.  One could argue that they are simply trying to be GOD by changing ourselves to become what the god of this world deceives them into believing they are.  There are males saying they feel as though they are female, and females saying they feel as though they are male.  One might even hear of a human feeling as though they are some sort of animal!?!  And “this world” says whatever a person “feels” must be right, even though Genesis 1:27 says “So GOD CREATED MAN in HIS OWN image, in the image of GOD HE CREATED him; MALE and FEMALE HE created them.”!?!

But when Believers are SUPERNATURALLY changed by the finished work of JESUS CHRIST, this world doesn’t want to accept HIS evidence of transformation.  The enemy has blinded them, and they cannot SEE the TRUTH.  2 Corinthians 4:4 explicitly says “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.”  SEEing TRUTH is something that the enemy is totally against (John 8:44), and he will do whatever he can to silence it.  

Do you ever wonder why that different racial groups can never find common ground to agree upon?  And why different socio-economic groups hardly ever socialize?  Even different denominations of “the (so-called) church” tend to abstain from intermingling because “the enemy” is so prevalent in wearing sheep’s clothing, disguising himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:4)!  Genesis 3:2 says the enemy is the “slickest” of all creation, so why do we listen to his lies?  People, our OLD selves are PASSED AWAY and we are NEW CREATIONS!  Only JESUS makes that possible!  

JESUS CHRIST lived a perfect life, suffered and died the most cruel of deaths, AND overcame death, hell and the grave so that HE could REMOVE the barriers that are used to divide.  But the human race seems to Glory in the division that the enemy uses in an attempt of minimize his own demise.  JESUS CHRIST is the ULTIMATE OVERCOMER.  All we have to do is be “IN CHRIST”, and let HIM be in us, and the enemy is relegated to eternal defeat, because of what JESUS has done.  Allowing “IN CHRIST” to shine in my life is the greatest thing GOD ever performed for me. I am Blessed that HE chose me!!!

“THE WORLD HATES YOU!”

John 15:18-25                             (ESV)

"18 "If the world hates you, know that it has hated ME before it hated you.

19 If you were of the world, THE WORLD WOULD LOVE YOU AS ITS OWN; but because you are not of the world, BUT I CHOSE YOU OUT OF THE WORLD, therefore "THE WORLD HATES YOU".

20 Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted ME, they will also persecute you. If they kept MY word, they will also keep yours.

21 But all these things they will do to you on account of MY name, because they do not know HIM who sent ME.

22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin.

23 Whoever hates ME hates MY FATHER also.

24 If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin, but now they have seen and hated both me and my Father.

25 But the word that is written in their Law must be fulfilled: 'They hated ME without a cause.'"

Evidence that JESUS is the SON OF GOD is that HE was never wrong, and still is, never wrong, should be plain for all to see in Scriptures above!  For HIM to say "THE WORLD HATES YOU" (meaning those who followed HIM) is akin to reading today's headlines in a newspaper, or other means of communication.  “This world" operates at such a pace and method that you are almost required to ignore the WORD OF GOD to be considered a success by most.  Observing what Scripture declares righteous is certain suicide,as far as gaining fame or notoriety?  

Seeing someone who has hidden their Biblical Belief's to avoid being ridiculed by "this world" is a dangerous position to take.  JESUS says in Mark 8:38 "For whoever is ashamed of ME and of MY words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the SON of MAN also be ashamed when HE comes in the glory of HIS FATHER with the holy angels."  Being ashamed of JESUS is the same as proclaiming HE IS NOT GOD!  

Now I'm just as guilty as the next person of not sharing my FAITH every time I have the opportunity.  But when you definitely feel the Holy Spirit directing you to speak for THE LORD and you are more concerned with what others will think, your hesitation might be a reason for concern.  ALMIGHTY GOD doesn't NEED you to spread HIS Message to the lost, you are ALLOWED TO share HIS Message to people that HE is drawing to HIS SON!  Our LIGHT should be so bright that people recognize JESUS IN YOU from afar. 

John 6:44 says "No one can come to me unless the FATHER WHO sent ME draws him."  Sharing HIS Message to those HE isn't drawing will generally draw an unfavorable response.  As a matter of fact, you will more than likely discover rather quickly that "THE WORLD HATES YOU"!  We should wear that badge proudly as JESUS said to know that this world "has hated ME before it hated you".  "THE WORLD HATES YOU" should be something that we look forward to, not something that we sheepishly avoid!  FATHER, HELP ME!!!

“IT IS NOT IN ME!”

Genesis 37:23-24         (ESV)

“23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore.

24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.”

Genesis 41:42                (ESV)

“Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck.”

Genesis 41:15-16           (ESV)

“15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it."

16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, "IT IS NOT IN ME”; GOD will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."

Genesis 37:3-4               (ESV)

“3 Now Israel loved JOSEPH MORE THAN ANY OTHER OF HIS SONS, because he was the son of his old age. And he made him a robe of many colors.

4 But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.”

Joseph was his father’s favorite (Genesis37:3)!  It can cause friction when a child is openly shown favoritism by his parent.   To my knowledge, Scripture doesn’t indicate that Joseph took advantage of his position with his father, but it does indicate that his brothers certainly took notice (Genesis 37:4)!  

Because of the hatred they had for Joseph, he was sold into slavery by his brothers.  But that was only after in Genesis 37:24 which says “....they took him and threw him into a pit.”  Being at the bottom of a pit has to be a hopeless feeling.  BUT GOD wasn’t through with Joseph.  The dream he was given had yet to be fulfilled, but Joseph still had to go through some purification on his journey to GOD’s Plan being fulfilled.  

When GOD gives you HIS Plan, HE usually doesn’t let you know that on the way you are going to go into a pit, or to jail, or sold into slavery before reaping HIS Blessing.  That would remove WALKING BY FAITH, something it is IMPOSSIBLE to please HIM without (Hebrews 11:6)!  GOD had a Plan for Joseph, but mainly to Glorify HIMSELF!  Joseph explained to Pharaoh in Genesis 41:16 "....."IT IS NOT IN ME"; GOD will give Pharaoh a favorable answer."  It was GOD WHO gave Pharaoh the dream, it was GOD WHO interpreted it for Joseph, and it was GOD WHO caused the abundance AND famine in Egypt!  It was also GOD that caused Joseph to be elevated to second in command behind Pharaoh, and GOD that orchestrated the Children of Israel coming into Egypt searching for food.

Of course, the Israelites eventually left Egypt over 400 years later and once GOD GOT GLORY (Exodus 14:17; 28) over Pharaoh and all his hosts.  Just like Joseph who had to wait in the pit for deliverance, the Nation of Israel had to wait 400+ years for deliverance.  None of us are exempt from having to wait on GOD.   We seem to expect HIM to deliver to us what HE says HE is preparing for us when we think it would be best.  We don't deserve what GOD has planned for us, so why do we want to hurry HIM?  Just as Joseph was the chosen son, we are a CHOSEN RACE (1 Peter 2:9) and we need to live like it!  However, “IT IS NOT IN ME”, but ALMIGHTY GOD!  The only reason HE chooses me is because I belong to JESUS!  

“THINGS!”

Philippians 3:7-11                                    (ESV)

"7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of CHRIST.

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing CHRIST JESUS my LORD. For HIS sake I have suffered the loss of all “THINGS” and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain CHRIST

9 and be found in HIM, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in CHRIST, the righteousness from GOD that depends on faith-

10 that I may know HIM and the power of HIS resurrection, and may share HIS sufferings, becoming like HIM in his death,

11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

Writing NOTES has developed into the biggest asset that I take advantage of in my Bible Studying.  On the APP I use to read the Bible on my iPad, the following is written on Philippians 3:8-11: ""THINGS" must be counted as loss when considering the eternal.  The perceived "wealth" and possessions will not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.  To give up the "THINGS" OF THIS WORLD for the eternal “THINGS” is to realize where your treasures REALLY are!""  Paul recognized that the "THINGS" of "this world" will burn quickly when put to the fire!

Can you imagine being at the Judgement Seat with a room full of earthly deeds and accomplishments that you spent your entire life accumulating?  Your newest automobile, your lake house, your finest apparel, your CD's at the bank.......all of the "THINGS" that we treasure here on earth will mean absolutely nothing when we stand before JESUS.  And yet we want to flaunt our wealth and material possessions as a testament of our Holiness???  JESUS never had a home, never had a bank account, never had any possessions, yet HE created all these "THINGS"! (Colossians 1:16).  

Becoming enthralled with the "THINGS" of "this world" is one of, if not the biggest weapons that satan uses to obscure our vision.  When we have our EYES fixed on the "THINGS" that will rust and burn up, we don't take time "lay up treasures in Heaven" (Matthew 6:19-20)!  It has often been said “How much did they leave?”  The correct answer should be “All of it!”  

“THINGS” are but “rubbish”, according to the Apostle Paul.  The time of the year is nearing where we were given the BEST GIFT we could ever get, yet we remain entranced by “THINGS”!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause my EYES to look to JESUS, the author and Perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and not be enamored with the “THINGS” of this world!!!

“BUT FOR FEAR!”

John 12:36-43                         (ESV)

“36 While you have the LIGHT, believe in the LIGHT, that you may become sons of LIGHT." When JESUS had said these things, HE DEPARTED and HID HIMSELF from them.

37 Though HE HAD DONE SO MANY SIGNS before them, they still did not believe in HIM,

38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: "LORD, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?" 

39 Therefore they could not believe. For again Isaiah said,

40 "HE has BLINDED THEIR EYES and HARDENED THEIR HEART, lest they SEE with their eyes, and UNDERSTAND with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them." 

41 Isaiah said these things because HE saw HIS glory and spoke of HIM.

42 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities BELIEVED IN HIM, “BUT FOR FEAR” of the Pharisees they DID NOT CONFESS it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;

43 for THEY LOVED THE GLORY THAT COMES FROM MAN MORE THAN THE GLORY THAT COMES FROM GOD!”

A few days ago when I wrote about these verse, my mind was focused JESUS HIDING HIMSELF from those who refused to acknowledge HIM for WHO HE was.  ASI was posting the devotional to different social media sites, another verse from the same Scriptures jumped out at me.  “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities BELIEVED IN HIM, “BUT FOR FEAR” of the Pharisees they DID NOT CONFESS it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for THEY LOVED THE GLORY THAT COMES FROM MAN MORE THAN THE GLORY THAT COMES FROM GOD!”

That Scripture has convicted me ever since!  Now I have a different perspective than most because of where I’ve been and what GOD has brought me through.  Surviving a Brain Hemorrhage in 2007 was something that I hope to never get over.  I still tear up when talking about how GOD orchestrated getting the Neurologist to my city. When I slow down enough to calculate how many things had to fall into place for the brain hemorrhage to be corrected and how GOD arranged for very little Brain Damage to occur during “the bleed”, I sometimes cannot help but weep!  

There are times when I am hesitant to brag on GOD and HIS healing abilities, but then I remember being in Rehab and being able to take my first few steps on my own and I cannot help but  tell the entire world if necessary!  In Acts 4:19-20 Scripture records “But Peter and John answered them, "Whether it is right in the sight of GOD to listen to you rather than to GOD, you must judge, for we CANNOT BUT SPEAK of what we have seen and heard."  

When I am presented with the opportunity to Praise HIS NAME, can you blame me if I get a little carried away?  One might think that the further I move past the event, the more I would become FEARFUL of boring people with the details of it.  When I see the Scriptures above and how the crowd was FEARFUL, I am humbled.  Verse 42 and 43 of John 12 says “Many even of the authorities BELIEVED IN HIM, “BUT FOR FEAR”” of the Pharisees did not confess JESUS.  They let what people might think of them alter their convictions for the LORD.  

“BUT FOR FEAR” has limited my witness many times.  I pray that I will not let what “this world” says or thinks alter my testimony in the future.  Because of the journey I have been assigned, “BUT FOR FEAR” must take its place with the devil in the pits of hell!!!