“HIS CHOSEN!”

Exodus 19:1-6                                         (ESV)

“1 On the third new moon after the people of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that day they came into the wilderness of Sinai.

2 They set out from Rephidim and came into the wilderness of Sinai, and they encamped in the wilderness. There Israel encamped before the mountain,

3 while Moses went up to GOD. The LORD called to him out of the mountain, saying, "Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the people of Israel:

4 'You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to MYSELF.

5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey MY voice and keep MY covenant, you shall be MY treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is MINE;

6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel."

ALMIGHTY GOD works ALL THINGS for HIS good (Romans 8:28).  REMEMBER Joseph being thrown into a pit, then sold into slavery, then thrown into prison, and ultimately ascended to the throne room of Pharaoh?  GOD REMINDED HIS children that although they were descendants of Jacob, a lowly son of Isaac, he was also GOD’s CHOSEN ONE as Israel......same body, but a changed, man!

Esau was born minutes before Jacob, thus he was inline for the “Blessing” to be passed on to him.  However, “Jacob offered to give Esau a BOWL OF STEW in exchange for his birthright (the right to be recognized as firstborn) and Esau agreed.”  Later on, Jacob wrestled with GOD and GOD gave him a new name, Israel, for he had struggled with GOD and prevailed (Genesis 32:28)!  

The status of “HIS CHOSEN” wasn’t something that the children of Israel had earned, or merited!  It was simply because of GOD’s grace that HE selected to part the Red Sea for them.  In verse four above, GOD REMINDED the people “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to MYSELF”.  They weren’t better than the Egyptians, they were simply CHOSEN!  

Today, we have the privilege of being “HIS CHOSEN” as well.  If you accept HIS CALL, and turn from your wicked ways, HE will redeem you, just as HE has me!  There is nothing that I am, or have done, that qualifies me to be “HIS CHOSEN”, but I am BLESSED to be called HIS!  Just as the Israelites allowed ALMIGHTY GOD to fight the Egyptians, they just had to be silent (Exodus 14:14), GOD (through JESUS) has completed everything to make me one of “HIS CHOSEN”!  I have accepted HIS gift for my life.  WILL YOU????

“BLINDED!”

2 Corinthians 4:1-5                                       (ESV)

“1 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of GOD, WE DO NOT LOSE HEART.

2 But we have RENOUNCED DISGRACEFUL, UNDERHANDED WAYS. We REFUSE TO PRACTICE CUNNING or to TAMPER with GOD’S WORD, but by the open statement of the TRUTH we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of GOD.

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.

5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but JESUS CHRIST as LORD, with OURSELVES AS YOUR SERVANTS for JESUS' sake.”

The pastor of the fellowship I attend preached a series of sermons recently about two verses of Scripture.  For a few weeks, all we had to focus on was those two verses.  Knowing that I just wrote about these Scriptures last Friday, I usually avoid them for a while to not beat a sensitive area.  But “this world” is becoming so “BLINDED” to TRUTH, I feel a strong urging in my spirit to expound on these verses again.  

The Apostle Paul states that “we have RENOUNCED DISGRACEFUL, UNDERHANDED WAYS. We REFUSE TO PRACTICE CUNNING or to TAMPER with GOD’S WORD”, but “this world” continues to twist GOD’S WORD attempting to have it say what they want it to say, instead of changing their lives to align with GOD.  That may work on earth FOR A SEASON, but when THAT SEASON is over (and time stands still for no one), JUDGEMENT DAY IS COMING!  

When that time comes, they will undoubtedly say, “I WAS “BLINDED” by the enemy”, GOD will bring back to mind every time the TRUTH was proclaimed to them and they will have to answer for their decisions.  But I will have to answer for my obedience to share TRUTH in the face of ridicule and persecution from the enemy as well.  Shying away from TRUTH is just as bad as being “BLINDED” to the TRUTH, for HE says HE will be with us when we are confronted by our foes.  

Being “BLINDED” has to be one of the most frustrating things that one can imagine.  Not being able to see physically cannot be fathomed by we who can see.  Not being able to SEE Spiritually must be just as frustrating, if not more!  We can SEE the error of their ways, but they do not think that they are in error, that they are missing the mark.  Romans 3:10 says “as it is written: "None is righteous, NO, NOT ONE.”  Romans 3:23 says “FOR ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD”.  The time for being healed from Spiritual “BLINDNESS” is NOW, before it is eternally too late!!!

“WHERE ARE THE NINE?”

Luke 17:11-19                                     (ESV)

“11 On the way to Jerusalem HE was passing along between Samaria and Galilee.

12 And as HE entered a village, HE was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance

13 and lifted up their voices, saying, "JESUS, Master, have mercy on us."

14 When HE saw them HE said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went they were cleansed.

15 Then one of them, WHEN HE SAW THAT HE WAS HEALED, TURNED BACK, PRAISING GOD WITH A LOUD VOICE;

16 and he fell on his face at JESUS' feet, giving HIM thanks. Now he was a Samaritan.

17 Then JESUS answered, "Were not ten cleansed? “WHERE ARE THE NINE?”

18 Was no one found to return and give praise to GOD except this foreigner?"

19 And HE said to him, "Rise and go your way; YOUR FAITH HAS MADE YOU WELL." 

There are many “parables” in the Bible, “a short allegorical story designed to illustrate or teach some truth, religious principle, or moral lesson”.  This is not one of those!  JESUS is passing through an area north of Jerusalem, and a bit south of Nazareth, the place of HIS earthly residence.  There were Jews who believed that they were better than the Samaritans and Galileans, simply because they were born of more noble ancestry?  These people were not the upper level of society, and the ten that JESUS was about to ministering to were even thought to be less than human!  

JESUS was shouted at by TEN LEPERS as HE was entering a village.  They had to shout because they were required by law to keep their distance, because they were considered to be “unclean” being diagnosed with leprosy.  Keep in mind, leprosy was almost a death sentence in this time and the chances of recovery were not anything to write home about.  For JESUS to simply SPEAK and all ten of these people be “cleansed” was monumental, maybe even a MIRACLE!  

Of course, we now know that JESUS simply SPOKE and CREATED the universes!  Yet nine of the ten evidently were so excited to be healed that they didn’t have time to pause and be grateful to the ONE WHO healed them.  Why was it just the one that came back and “fell on his face at JESUS' feet, giving HIM thanks”?  “WHERE ARE THE NINE” others who were delivered from certain death and agony?  “WHERE ARE THE NINE” who JESUS had just healed and restored their health?  

From personal experience, when you SEE that you have been healed, that you aren’t just a “lucky”, or “fortunate” individual, PRAISING GOD is something that cannot be suppressed!  Until, and UNLESS, your EYES are opened and you SEE, as the tenth leper, that GOD had mercy on you, “WHERE ARE THE NINE” will be said of you by the Master!  Don’t allow the excitement of temporary earthly healing overshadow your HEAVENLY ETERNAL HEALING!  “WHERE ARE THE NINE” didn’t recognize that GOD healed them, even when HE was right in front of them.   The one did!  Which will I be????

“WOE TO THOSE!”

Isaiah 5:18-21                    (ESV)

“18 “WOE TO THOSE” who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, who draw sin as with cart ropes, 

19 who say: "Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the HOLY ONE of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!" 

20 “WOE TO THOSE” who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 

21 “WOE TO THOSE” who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!”

Seeing a message recently that had Isaiah 5:20 on it caused me to go to my Bible and verify the wording of the post.  Sure enough, what was shown differed from what the English Standard Version shows, along with the KJV, NASB, and 1599 Geneva Bible.  One central theme of all four of the transactions that I trust the most is “WOE TO THOSE”!  

After researching the original Hebrew, the most correct word used for “ה֣וֹי” is “WOE”!  Now WOE to a country boy would mean to STOP what you were doing!  So looking up “WOE” in a dictionary brought me to the definition of “grievous distress, affliction, or trouble”. 

So “grievous distress, affliction, or trouble” to those “who draw iniquity with cords of falsehood, who draw sin as with cart ropes”, “Let him be quick, let him speed his work that we may see it; let the counsel of the HOLY ONE of Israel draw near, and let it come, that we may know it!", “who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!”, “who are wise in their own eyes, and shrewd in their own sight!”

Now I have always said that you don’t need to keep kicking a person to when they are already down, so I won’t belabor the point being made.   But apparently there are those who either haven’t had read, or aren’t aware that the AUTHOR IS OUR CREATOR, of the book of Isaiah?  Isaiah 5:12 says “They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD, or see the work of HIS hands.”

Folks, I am not “highly educated” in the institutes of higher learning, but I do know that GOD ALMIGHTY has given us HIS WORD as a LIGHT unto our paths (Psalms 119:105), and we are CHOOSING to ignore HIS teachings and do whatever our minds tell us we should do!  It would behoove us to inject some “grievous distress, affliction, or trouble” before we devolve into a scenario where we hear “WOE TO THOSE” who are living on earth today!!!!

“SEEMS RIGHT!”

Proverbs 14:12                           (ESV)

“THERE IS A WAY THAT “SEEMS RIGHT” TO A MAN, but its end is THE WAY TO DEATH.”

It seems nearly everyone has a gripe!  Something didn’t go the way they expected and they are upset that people won’t act like they want them to.   We are ALL imperfect, we are ALL sinners.  What do you expect from depraved people?  There has to be a way to avoid such discontent and turmoil???

Then there are some who publicize things that humans that are famous in “this world” because their opinion means so much that THEY THINK the entire world needs to hear it?  But how often do you hear Scriptures being broadcast, unless it is on Sunday Morning when a few of us are worshiping the LORD?  The ONE WHO spoke these world’s into existence gave us an instruction manual (HOLY BIBLE) and we don’t take the time to become familiar enough with it to avoid many of the problems we face today!  

We can do what “SEEMS RIGHT” in our lives and completely miss GOD’s direction for for our lives.  Isaiah 55:8-9 says that GOD’s ways are higher than our ways, and HIS thoughts are higher than our thoughts, so why do we do what “SEEMS RIGHT”???  Why not defer to GOD’s WORD for guidance and direction and TRUST HIM with the results?  Do we think we know better than HE?  Or do we simply not TRUST HIM to guide us?

The “if it feels good, do it” mentality has devolved our society into one with no boundaries on the unholy acts that defile what GOD intended for us to be.   Things were so bad 40 years ago that a preacher said “If GOD doesn’t judge America for it’s sinful behavior, HE will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah for judging them so harshly”!!  Doing what “SEEMS RIGHT” doesn’t mean it IS RIGHT!   We must REPENT!!!

“REFLECT!”

Psalms 77:11-12                (ESV)

“11 I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember YOUR wonders of old. 

12 I will PONDER all YOUR work, and MEDITATE on YOUR mighty deeds.”

As I “REFLECT” on the happenings surrounding our nation and world recently, and knowing that ALMIGHTY GOD is in control, it causes me to consider what HIS Plan is for the church and its constituents?  The Berean Study Bible translation offers this for Psalms 77:12, “I will “REFLECT” on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds”.  ALMIGHTY GOD isn’t surprised by the deviant actions of any church leaders,legislators, or the enemy!  HE IS GOD, and we cannot fathom HIS power nor majesty!  

Mount Horeb and Mount Sinai are twin peaks of the same mountain, at least according to John Calvin.  One article states “The Protestant reformer John Calvin took the view that Sinai and Horeb were the same mountain, with the eastern side of the mountain being called Sinai and the western side being called Horeb.  Abraham Ibn Ezra suggested that there was one mountain, "only it had two tops, which bore these different names".

Horeb is thought to mean glowing/heat, which seems to be a reference to the Sun, while Sinai may have derived from the name of Sin, the Sumerian deity of the Moon, and thus Sinai and Horeb would be the mountains of the moon and sun, respectively.””  

The moon (Sinai) has NO illuminating features by itself.  The Sun (Horeb) has always SHONE, except for the three hours when JESUS was on the cross (Mark 15:33).  

I am taking the long route on this discussion to inform you that humans, regardless of our opinions about how good we are, have NO ILLUMINATING properties within us!  Taking the John Calvin explanation of the twin mountains, unless we allow ALMIGHTY GOD to “REFLECT” HIS LIGHT through our mirror, we are rubbish.  We have no abilities to SHINE, only “REFLECT” what HE is shining through us.  

We ALL, myself included, need to PAUSE daily and allow ALMIGHTY GOD to clean our mirrors.  We can’t clean the mirrors by ourselves.  Only HE can wipe the filth and grime of our lives and replace it with HIS “REFLECT”ION!  The ONLY ANSWER for the problems facing our world yesterday, today, and tomorrow is for us to “REFLECT” JESUS more in our lives!!!

“EVERYONE WHO HEARS!”

1 Samuel 3:10-11                                  (ESV)

“10 And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, "Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant hears."

11 Then the LORD said to Samuel, "Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of “EVERYONE WHO HEARS” it will tingle.”

Hearing a voice, and not knowing where it is coming from, can be a scary thing.  Samuel, still just a boy (1 Samuel 3:1), had heard GOD speak to him to him, but he wasn’t certain what/who it was.  His ears had yet been opened to HEAR from GOD.  Eli the Priest, his mentor (for his mother Hannah had given him to the LORD to be raised to serve GOD) instructed him to answer “Speak, for your servant hears”!  

In my opinion, being a boy wouldn’t be as difficult to follow directions from the LORD as being a teen.  A child’s FAITH is unquestioning.  As a teenager, began to develop a sense of self-worth that had to be overcome before I became part of “EVERYONE WHO HEARS”!  Pride had to be CRUSHED before ALMIGHTY GOD could get Glory from my life.  You don’t think a loving GOD will CRUSH the ones HE loves?  Try reading Isaiah 53, especially verse 10, and see what GOD does to HIS ONE and only SON!  

GOD doesn’t speak anything different because times have changed and we have become less HOLY.  HE still speaks, but are we apart of “EVERYONE WHO HEARS”?  HIS WORD still draws men to HIM, but are we willing to be changed by a Sovereign Being WHO loves us enough to sacrifice HIS SON for our salvation?  

At first, Samuel didn’t know WHO was calling him, but Eli did!  The Apostle Paul didn’t realize that JESUS was calling him on the road to Damascus either.   Acts 9:4-5 says “And falling to the ground, he (Saul) heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?  And he said, "WHO ARE YOU, LORD?" And he said, "I am JESUS , WHOM you are persecuting.”  

FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that YOU will open the EYES and EARS of the ones who YOU are calling and share with them the GOOD NEWS that they too can be part of “EVERYONE WHO HEARS”!  Sometimes we have to be CRUSHED before that can happen, but YOU will make us better than we ever dreamed!!!

“HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD!”

Hosea 4:1-3                        (ESV)

“1 “HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD”, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a CONTROVERSY with the inhabitants of the land. There is NO faithfulness or steadfast love, and NO KNOWLEDGE OF GOD in the land; 

2 there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. 

3 Therefore the land mourns, and all who dwell in it languish, and also the beasts of the field and the birds of the heavens, and even the fish of the sea are taken away.”

A friend of mine recently shared a meme showing an infant laying on a Holy Bible with the caption “They do come with a manual!”   The Bible not only has the answer to all of the problems men face today (Ronald Reagan Quote), but it is a light unto my path (Psalms 119:105), and a source of strength (Isaiah 41:10)!  

Why do I (and others) only look to the LORD when we cannot figure things out on our own???   HE pleads with us throughout the Bible to TRUST IN THE LORD, and not just when we are in a tight spot.  In Hosea 4:1 GOD instructs us to “HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD”!  But for us to “HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD”, we MUST READ HIS WORD!  

Believers don’t set a very good example of living by the WORD, so people who are blinded by the enemy can’t be convicted that they are living in sin.  Believers don’t have a true picture of WHO GOD really is because we don’t get close enough to HIM, probably because we will have to clean up our lives from the the sin we are so comfortable with.  

We aren’t very likely to “HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD” listening to the television the entire time we are at home!  Hosea 4:1 says that GOD has controversy” with the inhabitants of the land.  Other translations says GOD has “charges”, or “a case”, or a “covenant lawsuit” against the inhabitants of the land!  What will your excuse be for not being able to “HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD”??  For me, I am convicted that I will not be guilty of allowing this world to hold me attention when GOD is an option!  I will listen to “HEAR THE WORD OF THE LORD” for HE is my rock and fortress!!!

“DILIGENTLY!”

Hebrews 11:4-13                       (ESV)

“4 By FAITH Abel offered to GOD a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, GOD commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his FAITH, THOUGH HE DIED, he still speaks.

5 By FAITH Enoch was TAKEN UP so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because GOD had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased GOD.

6 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.

7 By FAITH Noah, being warned by GOD concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by FAITH.

8 By FAITH Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

9 By FAITH he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.

10 For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is GOD.

11 By FAITH Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered HIM FAITHFUL WHO had promised.

12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.

13 THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH, not having received the things promised, BUT having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.”

While pondering various different things that GOD has been dealing with me recently, my mind was recalling a conversation I had with a dear friend who said “you have a gift for sharing the devotionals GOD sheds on you with others”!   Now not all of my friends are exactly “all there”, at least in the strictest definition, so I don’t place a tremendous amount of credence in all of their observations.  But while researching the word “DILIGENTLY”, I came across the intriguing passage above.  

The various people mentioned in the passage above ALL had one thing in common, THEY HAD FAITH!  When someone says to ‘grow our FAITH, LORD”, I am reminded of Luke 17:5 where the disciples said  "LORD, Increase our FAITH!"  They KNEW JESUS as well as any other people on Earth, yet they wanted, AND NEEDED, their FAITH increased to KNOW HIM MORE!!!

While quietly driving recently, my mind was caused to almost BEG THE LORD to speak to me, not about anything specific, but to make HIS PRESENCE in my life apparent, like HE did with Moses in Exodus 34:29-33.  After all, the people in Hebrews 11 ALL DIED IN FAITH (Hebrews 11:13), yet I want to LIVE IN FAITH!  But I need to realize that the completion of my FAITH will only come when I enter the gates of THAT CITY.  Until then, I am “DILIGENTLY” requesting HIS GLORY be revealed in my life, solely to GLORIFY HIM!  Then the Scripture Proverbs 8:17 was revealed to me, which says “I (GOD) love those who love ME, and THOSE WHO SEEK ME “DILIGENTLY” find ME”.  

GOD ALMIGHTY has a way of speaking with to, NOT JUST ME, but anyone who “DILIGENTLY” seek HIM!  All of the people listed in Hebrews 11 had FAITH that GOD existed, and that HE would do what HE Promised them HE would do!  GOD will speak to you, but you MUST have FAITH that HE will do what HE says HE will do!  Not just hope HE WILL, but “DILIGENTLY” Believe HE will!!!!

“O FAVORED ONE!”

Luke 1:26-31                          (ESV)

“26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from GOD to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,

27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin's name was Mary.

28 And he came to her and said, "Greetings, “O FAVORED ONE”, the LORD is with you!"

29 But she was GREATLY TROUBLED at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

30 And the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, FOR YOU HAVE FOUND FAVOR with GOD.

31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a SON, and you shall call HIS name JESUS.”

Consider if you will, being a 13-15 year old girl who was CHOSEN BY GOD to deliver HIS SON to a world that would despise and reject HIM, and ultimately put HIM to death on a cross!  The FAITH of this young lady had to have been immeasurable, to Believe that she could be impregnated by the HOLY SPIRIT and give birth to GOD IN THE FLESH and save all of mankind.  Yet, she proclaimed in Luke 1:37 “...."Behold, I am the servant of the LORD; let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.”. 

Scripture doesn’t record a lot of descriptive things about Mary, mother of JESUS. Apparently she wasn’t a “super Christian” who served on various committees doing “things” for the LORD, but she performed exactly what GOD needed her to perform without question or contradictions.  One thing that Scripture does say is that she was called by the angel of GOD “O FAVORED ONE”!  

That must have been a privilege unmatched by any other girl of her time?  To be CHOSEN by GOD to allow HIS SON to live inside of your body so that HE could minister to ALL!  But isn’t that what JESUS does in our lives?  HE said in John 17:23 “I (JESUS) in them (Believers) and YOU (GOD) in ME (JESUS), that they (Believers) may become perfectly ONE, so that the world MAY KNOW that YOU sent ME and loved them even as YOU loved ME”.  

Yes, Mary was a special lady.  But WE TOO are special because GOD CHOSE us (Ephesians 1:4) to live inside of our bodies to manifest HIMSELF to a lost and dying world.  We don’t have to be SUPER HERO CHRISTIANS.  We only have to fulfill the tasks ALMIGHTY GOD has Planned for our lives!  By doing that, we too will be known as “O FAVORED ONE “!!!

“DESPERATELY SICK!”

Jeremiah 17:7-10                                   (ESV)

“7 "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. 

8 He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and IS NOT ANXIOUS IN THE YEAR OF DROUGHT, for IT DOES NOT CEASE TO BEAR FRUIT." 

9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and “DESPERATELY SICK”; who can understand it? 

10 "I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."

Would you prefer being caught in a “white” lie or caught sexuality abusing an infant?  We typically classify sins we have a chance of being guilty of as “lesser” sins, while Scripture says in Romans 14:23 that anything that proceeds NOT from FAITH is sin!  And those who commit more heinous acts we want to scrutinize to the extreme. Society usually says that there are sins (crimes) that are worse than others, but GOD SEES anything where we aren’t fully trusting in HIM as us trusting in something else, and we are placing it above HIM!  

In Jeremiah 17:8, Scripture records “He (the man who TRUSTS in the LORD) is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and IS NOT ANXIOUS IN THE YEAR OF DROUGHT, for IT DOES NOT CEASE TO BEAR FRUIT."  Most of us have people we know who TRUSTS in the LORD that we run to whenever we need an answer for an issue in our lives.  It’s not because they are “good people”, it is because they are close to GOD and hopefully are “rightly connected” to HIM!

Jeremiah 17:9 is the VERY next verse and it says “The heart is deceitful above all things, and “DESPERATELY SICK”; who can understand it?”  Just because we are TRUSTING IN THE LORD doesn’t mean that we aren’t “DESPERATELY SICK”!  What TRUSTING IN THE LORD does accomplish is that we know we are “DESPERATELY SICK”, in need of a Spiritual Healer, and WHO else is more qualified than our CREATOR?  

1 Timothy 1:15 was written by the Apostle Paul, who many believe was one of the strongest Believers ever.  He wrote “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 realized that the closer he got to JESUS, the filthier he really was!! He was “DESPERATELY SICK”!!  The closer I get to the LORD, I too realize that I am “DESPERATELY SICK”!  Just let me be used by YOU, oh FATHER, a tiny bit before YOU call me home.  

“NO ANSWER!”

Matthew 27:11-14                  (ESV)

“11 Now JESUS stood before the governor, and the governor asked HIM, "Are YOU the King of the Jews?" JESUS said, "You have said so."

12 But when HE was accused by the chief priests and elders, HE gave no answer.

13 Then Pilate said to HIM, "Do YOU not hear how many things they testify against YOU?"

14 But HE gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.”

There is speculation that an owner of a sports  team will do something with one of the coaches of the teams he owns, and it is all because of the owners silence regarding the situation.   Regardless of what my opinion is of modern-day journalistic integrity, it is indicative of the status in “this world” today!  There isn’t a story..... as of YET, so we speculate on what the outcome will be.  

GOD IN THE FLESH (aka JESUS) gave “NO ANSWER” when HE was asked to prove HIS innocence before Pilate of the charges levied against HIM by the chief priests and elders of the tabernacle.  JESUS, the ONE that Created the heavens and the earth and everything within them, yet when HE could have opened the EYES of the chief priests, elders and Pilate and explained the deceit of the enemy chose to give no response to sacrifice HIMSELF for me!  Fulfilling the will of the FATHER was the most important thing HE could accomplish, not proving HIS innocence!

From time to time I feel led to give “NO ANSWER” to my adversaries, not because they are right, but because their EYES have yet to be opened to THE TRUTH.  When someone is “dead set” on their point of view, arguing usually doesn’t solve anything. Most of the time we are so set on proving our point of view to others that we lose sight of edifying JESUS, being used by HIM to draw people to HIM!  How could I be so selfish and self-centered?  

Just like the reporter who wants to get the story out and presumes what isn’t fact yet, we typically are so interested advancing our own agenda that we can’t SEE the damage that our point of view will have on others!  We would be better served to give “NO ANSWER” than to win an argument, or get our way in a conversation.  After all, our very salvation was bought when JESUS gave “NO ANSWER” to Pilate.  Sometimes “NO ANSWER” may prove to be GOD’s Plan for our lives???

“I AM THE LORD!”

Exodus 14:4-9                               (ESV)

“4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I WILL GET GLORY over Pharaoh and all his host, and the EGYPTIANS SHALL KNOW that “I AM THE LORD”." And they did so.

5 When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, THE MIND OF PHARAOH AND HIS SERVANTS WAS CHANGED toward the people, and they said, "What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?"

6 So he made ready his chariot and took his army with him,

7 and took six hundred chosen chariots and all the other chariots of Egypt with officers over all of them.

8 And the LORD HARDENED THE HEART of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and HE PURSUED THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL while the people of Israel were going out defiantly.

9 The Egyptians pursued them, all Pharaoh's horses and chariots and his horsemen and his army, and OVERTOOK THEM ENCAMPED at the sea, by Pi-hahiroth, in front of Baal-zephon.”

GOD permits people who are unbelievers in HIMSELF to have terror inflicted upon them in an effort to draw people closer to HIM.  Saul/Paul in New Testament.  Joseph in the Old Testament.  And Pharaoh and the Egyptian army, they wanted the Israelites gone so quickly and so badly that Pharaoh told them in Exodus 12:31-32 Scripture records “Then he (Pharaoh) summoned Moses and Aaron by night and said, "Up, go out from among my people, both you and the people of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as you have said. Take your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone, AND BLESS ME ALSO!"

However, in Exodus 14 Pharaoh’s heart was ONCE AGAIN changed and he ordered his army to PURSUE THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL, in effect chasing GOD defiantly!  GOD had just delivered TEN PLAGUES on Egypt and the gods worshipped there, but ALMIGHTY GOD wasn’t through displaying that “I WILL GET GLORY” over Pharaoh.  Because Abraham (in Genesis 17:5) BELIEVED THE LORD (Genesis 15:6) and GOD “counted it to HIM as righteousness”, Abraham’s offspring (others who trusted GOD) were used to Glorify HIM.  

Now to my knowledge, I’m not of Jewish descent, but I KNOW GOD and I TRUST that HE can,and does, deliver me from the enemy whenever I am being pursued by him.  Our enemy has been defeated, but he still operates TO GIVE GOD GLORY!  Exodus 34:14 says “for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, WHOSE name is Jealous, is a jealous GOD”!  

Remembering who we are (GOD’S CHOSEN) is very important on our sojourn through this world.  However, remembering that “I AM THE LORD” is something that we don’t ever want to forget.  Not only is HE IN CONTROL, HE even works ALL THINGS for good, for those who are CALLED according to HIS purpose (Romans 8:28)!  “I AM THE LORD” requires no added assistance.  It wasn’t GOD and ANYTHING that divided the Red Sea!  HE is sufficient, period!  HE LIVES IN ME!  Does HE live in you???

“EVERY WORD!”

Matthew 4:1-4                                (ESV)

“1 Then JESUS WAS LED UP BY THE SPIRIT into the wilderness TO BE TEMPTED by the devil.

2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, HE was hungry.

3 And the tempter came and said to HIM, "If you are the SON OF GOD, command these stones to become loaves of bread."

4 But HE answered, "It is written, "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by “EVERY WORD” that comes from the mouth of GOD.'" 

Being raised “in church”, I remember hearing this account of JESUS being tempted by the devil since I was a lad.  This morning, while reading these verses, I SEE something that I have never noticed before.  JESUS WAS LED UP BY THE SPIRIT (of GOD ) into the wilderness (away from HIS support system or away from earthly distractions?) TO BE TEMPTED by the enemy.  Evidently GOD had just spent 40 days and nights communing with JESUS and knew that HE was prepared to be challenged by the enemy, for HE was filled with “EVERY WORD” that comes from the mouth of GOD!  JESUS wasn’t “set-up” for failure by ALMIGHTY GOD, HE was prepared for a mission by HIM.  We need to realize that our enemy has already been defeated, all we need to do is allow GOD to display HIS might through our lives.  

The “temptor” was fighting a fight with the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES, and HE was no match for “EVERY WORD” being used to discredit the lies used by the deceiver.  You may argue that JESUS and GOD are ONE, (John 10:30 “I and the FATHER are ONE.") so HE had better standing than us before GOD.  But GOD also lives inside of us (Romans 8:11 “If the SPIRIT of HIM who raised JESUS from the dead dwells in you, HE WHO RAISED CHRIST JESUS from the dead will also give life to YOUR MORTAL BODIES through HIS SPIRIT WHO dwells in you.”).  We should always remember WHO lives within us, and the price HE had to pay to allow HIM to accomplish this, and live in the Victory that only HE can bring to draw honor and glory to HIS Name!  

With the phrase “EVERY WORD” fresh on my mind, I remember John 8:44 where JESUS says “You (speaking to the Jewish leadership) 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”.   These were church leaders, people who were deceived by the enemy into believing the lies used by him, according to what JESUS was saying.  Don’t accept anything from anyone unless it is confirmed through diligent study of GOD’S WORD.  JESUS was here to exhibit THE TRUTH for this world and most people couldn’t SEE HIM, even when HE was right before their eyes!

JESUS was very well versed with IT IS WRITTEN!  As a matter of fact, John 1:1 says “In the beginning was THE WORD, and THE WORD was with GOD, and THE WORD was GOD”.  We have THE WORD, readily available in most instances, but I don’t prepare myself for battle nearly as well as JESUS did, usually because I choose the things I want to do rather than the things that will Glorify HIM.

No, JESUS didn’t just stumble upon the enemy as HE was wondering through the wilderness, HE WAS LED UP BY THE SPIRIT TO BE TEMPTED BY THE DEVIL!  And it wasn’t like GOD wins a few and loses a few over the devil, GOD never loses!  We can SEE circumstances working poorly IN OUR EYES, but Genesis 50:20 says “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.”  Just because we convinced evil is being done against us, GOD IS USING IT FOR HIS GOOD!  We can experience low spots (Genesis 37:18-24), but ultimately GOD WILL PREVAIL with “EVERY WORD” that comes from the mouth of GOD!!!

“THE TRUTH!”

John 14:5-7                  (ESV)

“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."

It is very “interesting” that some people “LIKE” any post celebrating political views.  Others “LIKE” Spiritual matters.  Still other “LIKE” my family (mainly my granddaughters!!!) photos!  Most everyone is interested in SEEing “THE TRUTH”, only what they appreciate as being interesting?!?

The game called “political charades” is being played quite affectively on the American people by the majority of our elected officials who have very little or no interest in protecting “we the people”, only in making themselves look like “the only option” to the patient diagnosed with a terminal disease with very little time left to save our life!  And because we are blinded by fear of sickness and death, we get so tunnel-visioned on what the experts say is the only chance for survival that we will not SEE that our real problem lies in our diets, what fuel we are placing into our bodies.  We allow our minds to be sold lies that are dressed in half-truths and cannot SEE that the TRUTH, the only cure for all illness, is described in John 14:6 when JESUS says “....I AM THE WAY, and “THE TRUTH”, and THE LIFE. No one comes to the FATHER except through ME!”

A former President is quoted as saying, “Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.”  The answer is as plain as the noses on our faces, but we believe the lies that are being sold to us by those whose only interests are in increasing the number of people who are blinded the same way they are, not being able to SEE the real reason we are sick is what we are being fed!  

This synopsis has a myriad of ways of being seen.  If you can SEE all of them, then you are aware of the problem.  If you still believe that one political party is good, and one political party is bad, then you still need to have the scales removed from your EYES!   My prayer is that you will SEE “THE TRUTH” and begin to look to HEAVEN ALONE “the answers for all the problems men face.”

“JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified!”

1 Corinthians 2:1-2                 (ESV)

“1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of GOD with lofty speech or wisdom.

2 For I decided to know nothing among you except JESUS CHRIST and HIM crucified.”

When I began my writings nearly 8 years ago, my main goal was to increase my word recall following the Brain Hemorrhage in 2007. I can say that the process has increasingly brought me to the realization that anything I add to Scripture is but trash.  Flowery words can make things smell better, but the Spirit of GOD is the only thing that is able to change a heart!!!

“HIS SON!”

Hebrews 1:1-4                          (ESV)

“1 Long ago, at many times and in many ways, GOD spoke to our fathers by the prophets,

2 but in these last days HE has spoken to us BY “HIS SON”, whom HE appointed the heir of ALL THINGS, through WHOM also HE CREATED THE WORLD.

3 HE is the radiance of the glory of GOD and the exact imprint of HIS nature, and HE upholds the universe by the word of HIS power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the MAJESTY ON HIGH,

4 having become as much superior to angels as the name HE has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

Why do I attempt to begin my day with anything other than hearing from my CREATOR concerning the directions for my life on that day?   Now don’t get me wrong, ALMIGHTY GOD has, and can still, speak to me through various means, but ultimately HE IS THE ONE WHO is causing, and benefiting from HIS speaking.  

A few years ago my wife and I were on the Gulf of Mexico vacationing for a few days.  I was literally feet from the water in a lounging chair on Sunday Morning when a small amount of guilt entered my mind about not being in church services.  Just then, a seagull flying over was made known to me and the verses in Luke 12:4-7 came to my mind. GOD was telling me that a “church house” could not contain HIM!  With HIM, ALL THINGS are possible (Matthew 19:26)!  We cannot allow preconceived ideas to enter into where GOD desires us to go in our lives.  

GOD unmistakably spoke to Moses at Mt. Horeb when he was alone in Exodus 3 tending the sheep of Jethro, his father-in-law.  Moses was on the west side of the wilderness away from any distractions and interruptions.  He couldn’t seek confirmation from anyone to verify that he was hearing from ALMIGHTY GOD, but undoubtedly he was speaking with GOD.

In Acts 9, GOD unmistakably spoke to Saul on the road to Damascus when he was on his way “...still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD...” with an entourage of men.  In Acts 9:7 Scripture records “The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.”  In Acts 9:16 GOD chose Saul (soon to be known as Paul) to “....show him how much he must suffer for the sake of MY name."  

There are many avenues that GOD “could” still speak to us, but HE has chosen BY “HIS SON”, through WHOM HE CREATED THE WORLD, to guide the direction of our lives.  Whether I am alone on the backside of the wilderness, or on a road to Damascus with the “in crowd”, it is comforting to know that GOD is in Control.  Just like GOD used the seagull for HIS Glory that day, and just like with Moses and Paul, HE will guide me where HIS Plan is for me to be for the Glory of “HIS SON”!