“FOLLOW ME!“

John 21:15-19                                      (ESV)

“15 When they had finished breakfast, JESUS said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love ME more than these?" He said to HIM, "Yes, LORD; you know that I love you." HE said to him, "Feed my lambs."

16 HE said to him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you love ME?" He said to him, "Yes, LORD; you know that I love YOU." HE said to him, "Tend MY sheep."

17 HE said to him the third time, "Simon, son of John, do you love ME?" Peter was grieved because HE said to him the third time, "Do you love ME?" and he said to HIM, "LORD, you know everything; you know that I love YOU." JESUS said to him, "Feed MY sheep.

18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."

19 (This HE said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify GOD.) And after saying this HE said to him, "FOLLOW ME."”

There have been many sermons by people who were far more qualified than I expounding on the passage of Scripture above.  My take on this passage today is as follows: JESUS was recently resurrected from possibly the most brutal death ever known, and yet HE was telling Peter to “FOLLOW ME”?  Did JESUS really mean for Peter (and us) to die a death as brutal as HIS, all for the sake of GOD being Glorified?  

Scripture doesn’t tell us precisely how Peter died.  However, JESUS says in John 21:19 “This HE (JESUS) said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify GOD”.  A commentary states that “In spite of the gruesome details Peter heard about his death, he must have taken comfort and joy in hearing that his death would glorify GOD. Peter’s love for JESUS and his desire to obey and glorify HIM were evident throughout the rest of his life and ministry”.  

To be assigned death by crucifixion would NOT be something that most would put on their “bucket list”.  Yet Peter, along with all of the disciples (including Paul) with the exception of John the Revelator, were “sacrificed” for the Glory of GOD!  And John was exiled to the island of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation.  All of these people GLADLY accepted that THIS WORLD was NOT their home, and that their PEACE and JOY would only become reality when they saw JESUS on HIS THRONE!

Why don’t I have that kind of VISION and conviction?  JESUS has said “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world YOU WILL HAVE TRIBULATION. But take heart; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD" (John 16:33)!  JESUS was committed to Glorifying the FATHER, but I live as though my physical life is the most important thing in the world!  NEWS FLASH,  none of us our going to escape here (this world) alive!  We had better be preparing for the next world while we can!  The ONLY WAY to do that is to “FOLLOW ME”, especially when our time comes to Glorify the FATHER!  

“FORGIVING EACH OTHER!”

Colossians 3:12-17                          (ESV)

“12 Put on then, as GOD’S CHOSEN ONES, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, and PATIENCE,

13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, FORGIVING EACH OTHER; AS THE LORD HAS FORGIVEN YOU, so YOU ALSO MUST FORGIVE.

14 And above all these PUT ON LOVE, which BINDS EVERYTHING TOGETHER IN PERFECT HARMONY.

15 And let the peace of CHRIST rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

16 Let the word of CHRIST dwell in you richly, TEACHING and ADMONISHING one another IN ALL WISDOM, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to GOD.

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the LORD JESUS, giving thanks to GOD the FATHER through HIM.”

Recently being requested by my pastor to facilitate a discussion on the last section of a book entitled “true Spirituality: Becoming a Romans 12 Christian”, I was reading through the final chapters of the book, and seeing the FIRST PAGE was on “”FORGIVING EACH OTHER”, I thought that it was a sure “set up”!  Why else would I be “assigned” to rehash some of the most trying times in my life, times that ultimately caused me to GROW more in my Spiritual walk that almost anything else.  

From my experiences, “FORGIVING EACH OTHER” is not something that you can just say you are doing and then the hurt and pain disappears like it never happened.  Only extremely mature Believers are able to SEE the hurt and damage caused to a relationship is from the enemy, even when it comes from a fellow Believer!  JESUS said in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly”.  The enemy has no interest in promoting it peace and harmony, even between Believers.   Destroying the relationship between Believers is a PRIME TARGET for him.  

When you SEE what is causing dissension amongst people, Believers and others, “TEACHING and ADMONISHING one another IN ALL WISDOM” and LOVE should be our response rather than is generated.  Even if someone has wronged you, if you expose their behavior in a hurtful, accusation filled tirade l you will probably receive a response that is not what either of you REALLY wants to hear?  Instead, you should TEACH and ADMONISH in all “KINDNESS, HUMILITY, MEEKNESS, and PATIENCE” as CHRIST has FORGIVEN you!  

Please keep in mind that “FORGIVING EACH OTHER” is something that can take years to achieve, usually taking longer when relationship has more investment.  For the “peace of CHRIST to rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body” usually means you will have to experience the PAIN of Spiritually growing, which is quite uncomfortable, from personal experience.  The PAIN of learning that ALL OF US have imperfections that will cause others to experience the same PAIN!  

In Genesis 50:20 Joseph says to his brothers, who had thrown him in a well, then pulled him up only to sell him into slavery, “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.” Therefore, “FORGIVING EACH OTHER” caused Joseph much hardship, but he understood that GOD had to allow him to experience his trials for HIS good!  We should not believe we are immune to suffering for HIS GLORY!  We can CHOOSE to “FORGIVE EACH OTHER”, but until we have the bitterness and anger removed by GOD, the process will not be completed!!!!

“GOOD TEACHER!”

Luke 18:18-23                       (ESV)

“18 And a ruler asked him, "”GOOD TEACHER”, what must I do to INHERIT eternal life?"

19 And JESUS said to him, "Why do you call ME good? No one is good except GOD alone.

20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'"

21 And he said, "All these I have kept from my youth."

22 When JESUS heard this, HE said to him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow ME."

23 But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.”

A few years ago I wrote a lot about identifying the enemy, who is the master deceiver.  It is difficult to recognize him because Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 that even satan “disguises” himself as an angel of light, but his “deeds” will eventually reveal his character.  However, the rich, young ruler, couldn’t identify ALMIGHTY GOD when HE was standing in front of him.  JESUS even told him “No one is good except GOD alone”, and yet the mortal couldn’t SEE immorality in his presence.  

The young ruler was focusing on trying to gain something for himself and was oblivious to eternity.  JESUS was LIFE (John 14:6) but he didn’t want to experience what JESUS was about to go through, surrendering to the FATHER so sin would be defeated once and for all!  

But do I do any better at identifying ALMIGHTY GOD or the enemy?  James 1:17 says “Every GOOD AND PERFECT GIFT is from above, coming down from the FATHER of LIGHTS, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change”.  Conversely, the enemy attempts to offer counterfeits, something that looks like the real thing but has no worth, in an attempt to sway as many as possible to follow him INTO ETERNITY.  Anyone who doesn’t surrender to ALMIGHTY GOD is electing to spend eternity without HIM!!!

One of the biggest lies the enemy offers is when someone says “I’ve lived a good life” when asked why they will enter Heaven. The rich, young ruler answered just like this.  Had he been able to SEE that JESUS WAS GOD and admire HIS MAJESTY, the humiliation would have been monumental.  Instead, he “became very sad, for he was EXTREMELY RICH”.  He saw a “GOOD TEACHER”, not the ONE WHO spoke the worlds into existence (Colossians 1:16)!  Don’t fail to recognize ALMIGHTY GOD and call HIM a “GOOD TEACHER”!  Walking away VERY SAD can’t describe eternity separated from a HOLY GOD!!!

“HEAL OUR LAND?”

2 Chronicles 7:14                            (ESV)

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

Around seven years ago I began my daily writings in an effort to improve my “word recall”.  Following the Brain Hemorrhage of 2007, the two things that were slow to return to “normal” were my core body temperature (currently 97.2 degrees) and my ability to quickly respond in a conversation, especially when I feel intimidated.  The body temperature isn’t going on change again, and I’m not sure I know the Spiritual lesson behind that yet.  The “word recall” has slightly improved, but I am nowhere near as “quick-tongued” as before.  Lately it has become evident that ALMIGHTY GOD had to slow me down and HE made certain that I could not fix what HE had ordained.  Now I have to almost ponder what I am trying to say before blurting it out.  

When I began my writings, I wrote for six or seven days about 2 Chronicles 7:14.  There are FIVE conditions that we must meet to experience the THREE blessings that GOD promised.  HIS PEOPLE must be called by HIS NAME and HUMBLE THEMSELVES and PRAY and SEEK HIS FACE and finally TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS!  We can rant and rave about what “this world” is doing, but GOD starts by plainly saying IF MY PEOPLE!!  We can unleash GOD on a lost and dying world; but we apparently we are content with whining about how vile and corrupt unbelievers are acting???

When we do what HE calls us to do, GOD says HE will HEAR US, FORGIVE US, and HEAL OUR LAND!!!  Notice that GOD doesn’t say that HE might HEAR, FORGIVE and HEAL!  GOD says HE WILL HEAR, FORGIVE and HEAL our land!  Obviously we SO-CALLED Believers don’t trust GOD will do what HE says HE WILL DO!  If we truly Believed HIM, why wouldn’t we do our part to allow HIM TO “HEAL OUR LAND“???

Forgetting I experienced a Brain Hemorrhage isn’t easy to do since I’m always cold and my speech is slower.   Forgetting the Promises of ALMIGHTY GOD should be just as difficult.  GOD can “HEAL OUR LAND”, but we have to surrender to our FIVE requirements.  DO WE BELIEVE HIM???  DO WE WANT HIM TO “HEAL OUR LAND”???

“NOT EVEN TO EAT WITH SUCH A ONE!”

1 Corinthians 5:9-13                                   (ESV)

"9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people-

10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.

11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler-NOT EVEN TO EAT WITH SUCH A ONE.

12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

13 GOD JUDGES those outside. "Purge the evil person from among you.""

There is SO, SO MUCH "clutter" occurring nowadays that is apparently being ignored by, or worse condoned, by "the church" that it is almost as if "the church" is trying to comfort this world in their sin rather than trying to get them to turn from their sin? Sexual sins seems to be the worst, because nobody wants to be accused of "hating" those who are electing to be someone/something that they weren’t created to be.  

Living in sin and committing a sin can be very confusing.  However there is a difference from someone having an adulterous affair and someone who has multiple adulterous relationships.  Being BROKEN, humbled and contrite while rebuilding what GOD has blessed you with (with HIS grace) is a good sign that GOD using another broken vessel for HIS Glory.  But tossing away a relationship that the ALMIGHTY has ordained for someone with NO REPERCUSSIONS is something that a person might not have ever been CALLED into the ministry.  You can’t MOCK GOD (Galatians 6:7) and proceed like it’s just another day.  It’s not just a spouse you have lied to, you promised ALMIGHTY GOD to LOVE them?  

But let’s not stop there.  Homosexuality is telling GOD that HE designed you to be different than every other creature that HE created.  In Genesis 1:28 GOD instructs Adam and Eve to “be fruitful and multiply”, and it takes a man and a woman to accomplish that feat.  The enemy has unbelievable deceptive capabilities and we must realize that “....he ONLY comes to still, kill and destroy”, according to the words of JESUS.  

And getting away from the sexual sins, the “greedy, or idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler” anyone that wants to pit their plans above GOD’s Plan is listed in the same verse as the sexual sins in verse eleven above.  This doesn’t mean we are forbidden to witness to them and to assist them in following CHRIST, but we aren’t allowed to ‘fraternize’ with them giving them validation that their choices aren’t that bad if they believe they are right.  

None of us, NOT EVEN ONE, is blameless in our pursuit of Holiness.  But Scripture states very plainly for us to “NOT EVEN TO EAT WITH SUCH A ONE”!   We are not to act holier than thou, but humbly to let them know that their behavior and the Believers lifestyle will not be accepted on Judgement Day.  Maybe if we “NOT EVEN TO EAT WITH SUCH A ONE” their EYES will be OPENED and they can SEE TRUTH!!!

“HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES!”

Ephesians 5:22-25                     (KJV)

“22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the LORD. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as CHRIST is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. 

25 “HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES”, even as CHRIST also loved the church, and gave HIMSELF for it; 

Since yesterday was the day where couples celebrate their love for one another, I decided not to post this until everyone had their opportunity to say how much their “valentine” means to them.  Now I have always had the mentality that “I told you I loved you when we got married; if I ever change my mind, I’ll let you know”, much like the man who is infamously credited with saying this old statement.  Love is HARD, it HAS to be worked at.  We don’t choose to love only until someone else comes along who looks better, can provide something that our spouse cannot, or whatever else you want to complete this sentence with!  

GOD didn’t command husbands to love your wife as long as she is thin, youthful looking and hasn’t aged as much as you have.  Scripture says “HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES”, even as CHRIST loved the church, and gave HIMSELF for it.” (Ephesians 5:25) isn’t a suggestion. JESUS CHRIST LOVED this world EVEN as it was crucifying HIM on a Roman cross!  It is a COMMAND!  Even when your wife is unlovable!  It’s not only when she is in total and complete agreement with you.  It isn’t about when she is in the best of health, or until the family finances get tight.  “HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES” usually means that you picked her, WITH HER FLAWS, and that you must “adapt and overcome” to her imperfections, JUST AS CHRIST CHOSE YOU WITH YOUR IMPERFECTIONS!  

Now my wife and I have never gotten close to “breaking up”.  Regardless of what others see in her, she is not perfect, although she is as close as I have ever seen!  There is NO DOUBT that she did not marry perfection!  As a matter of fact, I still don’t know just what she saw in me to agree to marry me in the first place?  However, my genetics didn’t lend itself to s long relationship.  My mother wasn’t perfect, but my father was known to be a philanderer.  When our wedding day began to get close, I gave serious thought to backing out because I had experienced the pain caused by my bloodline’s morals.   

That is when GOD showed me that my wife was HIS GIFT to me and that I wasn’t going to find anyone that “fit” what I needed better than she could.  This Sunday will be 35 years since we were united in HOLY MATRIMONY.  The command isn’t for the wives to love her husband!  It is, however, for “HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES”!  It hasn’t been always EASY, (although in our case I am SURE that she has been subject to the most “adapt and overcome” moments), but the journey has been well worth the ride!  For those experiencing the lure of someone else, GOD hasn’t COMMANDED you to love anyone; but HE has COMMANDED “HUSBANDS, LOVE YOUR WIVES“!!!

“HOLY MOUNTAINS!”

Psalms 87:1                      (KJV)

“HIS FOUNDATION IS IN THE “HOLY MOUNTAINS”,....”

A few days ago as I was pretty deeply in the Spirit, I felt the leading to turn to Psalms 87 and begin to read.  After read the entire chapter (7 verses), I was almost ready to move on when something (?) made me copy the text to my Prayer List and then look the passage up in my Online Commentary.  How would ALMIGHTY GOD use unlevel, rock hard terrain for a FOUNDATION for anything???  After a couple of hours of mulling it over, the proverbial LIGHT finally came on!!!!

Building on a flat FOUNDATION “seems” to be the wisest thing, as everything seems to stay square and level.  But our Spiritual bodies are not physical and so they are made up of different things than the natural man.  Understanding that GOD, our CREATOR, has “CHOSEN what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; GOD chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;” (1 Corinthians 1:27 ESV) can help us understand that HE operates a lot differently than we do.  

When GOD designed me, HE did so knowing my inner most thoughts and intentions (Proverbs).  HE knew that the most difficult things in my life would be used to shape and mold me into the person HE desired me be.  Going through the difficult, tumultuous times causes me to USUALLY seek HIS guidance and direction.  The forthcoming decisions, more than likely, wouldn’t be correctly made were it not for some of the “HOLY MOUNTAINS”!

The “HOLY MOUNTAINS” can cause me to SLOW DOWN, and sometimes alter my course to avoid danger ahead.  There are times, however, that I must experience the “HOLY MOUNTAINS” that GOD leads me through so that they will grow my FAITH in HIM, and to draw others to HIM!  No, I am MOST CERTAINLY NOT special, nor am I more HOLY than anyone else, but I am beginning to SEE that being USED by GOD ALMIGHTY is the most invigorating thing that I have ever experienced!  Nothing else comes close to matching the fulfillment GOD brings!  

When the CREATOR orchestrates “HOLY MOUNTAINS” in your life, don’t gripe and complain about how HE has left you alone with no way to get out of the situation you find yourself in.  Moses said in Exodus 14:13 (ESV) “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.”  Now this was right before GOD parted the waters of the Red Sea!  The Wilderness Journey was just beginning, and the Children of Israel had to experience many more difficulties getting into the Promised Land, but the FOUNDATION was being laid for them to remember the “HOLY MOUNTAINS”, for GOD had shown HE was fighting for them!  

“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."”

For me, one of the most frequently used verses in Scripture is Exodus 14:14.  The focus from that verse has always been “...you have only to be silent!”  Many who knew me before July 09, 2007 may tell that being silent was not something that I was greatly experienced in!  Letting my opinion be made known was a trait that I almost wore out, for I was convinced that I was “right” and that people with opposing views were not!  

Finally, yesterday while driving and pondering a book I am reading named “NOT GOD ENOUGH” by J.D. Greear, it finally occurred to me that Exodus 14:14 was telling us that ALMIGHTY GOD, WHO holds the Universes in HIS hand (Isaiah 40), the majestic CREATOR of everything that is (Colossians 1:17), was going to fight the battle for the Israelites, HE just needed them to quit whining and watch HIS handiwork!!!

When Scripture says “THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU”, it’s not as if the outcome is in doubt.   ALMIGHTY GOD doesn’t need rest, HE doesn’t need to eat to keep up HIS strength, HE is so far above what we give HIM credit for that HE can “move mountains”, if need be, for HIS Glory.  

The children of Israel were extremely FEARFUL because they couldn’t see a way out.  The Egyptians were closing in on them and Moses (by following THE CLOUD) had led them to a place where they were entrapped!  Moses told the Israelites, "FEAR NOT, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today”.  Now Moses didn’t KNOW exactly how GOD was going to get them out of the predicament they faced, but GOD had already told him where he was going (Promised Land, not the bottom of the Red Sea!  

There are times when I am facing the enemy and I have to remind myself of what ALMIGHTY GOD has Promised me.  Just like GOD delivered the Israelites from all of the plagues HE sent to the unbelievers, HE has brought me through some pretty hairy spots in my life.  GOD has placed a PROMISED LAND vision on my heart, and HE isn’t going to let Pharaoh or the Red Sea deter HIS Plan!  Sometimes I just need to BE SILENT and let “THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU” overcome my enemies!  HE IS ABLE!!!

“YOUR WORD!”

Psalms 119:104-107                                 (ESV)

“104 Through YOUR precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way. 

105 “YOUR WORD” is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 

106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep YOUR righteous rules. 

107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to “YOUR WORD”!”

Observing an advertisement on a social media site recently, I observed several actors who supposedly experienced some degree of “slouching shoulders” from sitting at a desk for long periods of time.  Maybe we should buy their brace rather than change the way we sit at our desks??  Or just maybe we can change the angle of our desktops, therefore eliminating our downward pull on our sight line???

When I saw this I was caused to think, why we look for answers outside of GOD’s WORD instead of doing what HIS instruction manual calls for us to do?  Our CREATOR has given us a BOOK of Love and HOLY direction and we basically ignore it, especially when we are faced with trying times!  My pastor recently spoke about a book he was leading a study through with a group of young men.  “NOT GOD ENOUGH” by J.D. Greear suggests (and rightfully so!) that we don’t appreciate ALMIGHTY GOD for WHO HE really is.  We tend to act as though GOD is a little higher being than man, when in fact, GOD IS so much more than we can imagine that we have to give up on our adjectives because there are NONE sufficient to describe HIM.  

The HOLY BIBLE is GOD’s LOVE LETTER to humanity.   Why don’t we cherish the instructions contained within it rather than attempt to “find a loophole” around it’s precepts?  “YOUR WORD” gives us life, yet we refuse to live according to the guidelines laid out within it.  Amazement floods my mind as I am left wondering “what have I been thinking” when I look back over my past!  GOD ALMIGHTY gave me a LIVING, BREATHING PLAN, and I prefer to figure it out on my own???

“YOUR WORD” is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path, but it is of NO USE to me if I leave it closed from Sunday until next Sunday!  That is like wondering in the wilderness all week and having no clue why I am not progressing through the trials of life!  “YOUR WORD” has the answers!  When will I TRUST in what “YOUR WORD” instructs me to do with my life???

“BY THE WILL OF GOD!”

1 Corinthians 8:1-5                               (ESV)

“1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of GOD that has been given among the churches of Macedonia,

2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part.

3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord,

4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints-

5 and this, NOT AS WE EXPECTED, but they gave themselves first to the LORD and then “BY THE WILL OF GOD” to us.”

JESUS spent a fair amount of time in the synagogue,  but HE mostly ministered to the people of Samaria, Judea, and anywhere that the Spirit of GOD directed HIM to minister.  Personally, I attend church where I believe ALMIGHTY GOD directs me to attend, but it is not in the swankiest part of the wealthiest neighborhood near where I reside.  No, the fellowship I attend is in a lower income neighborhood and predominantly minorities occupy the houses nearest our facility.  

Now I am not disparaging the churches that are located in other places, but ALMIGHTY GOD has a way of placing workers in a fellowship that best identity with the mission of that fellowship.  Some fellowships may feel a calling to use their resources in one manner, while others a led in a different direction.  If everyone felt the same instructions, all of our gifts would wind up going to the same place!  GOD is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33), so HE can work everything according to HIS will and purpose.  

Just because ALMIGHTY GOD blesses someone with wealth beyond their need it doesn’t make that person need to move to the “ritzy” part of town, nor change their lifestyle.  GOD can remove that wealth just as quickly as HE blessed us with it.  HE isn’t bound by what we think HE should be doing, or what “makes sense” to us!  It doesn’t “make sense” for a perfect, HOLY GOD to willingly sacrifice HIS SON for a people as self-centered and unholy as we are, YET HE DID IT ANYWAY!  

It has been said that a church should be a hospital for the sick to nurse their illnesses, not a shrine to display our latest purchase from the department store.  True Believers should be humble followers of JESUS, not leaders of the affluent.  Maybe we need to live like the wealth we share with others is truly “BY THE WILL OF GOD” and not because we are such wonderful people?  Believers are extensions of a HOLY GOD, and when we act as though we are ABOVE others, we are acting as though we are deserving of their adorations, not as servants of the MOST HIGH GOD!  “BY THE WILL OF GOD” may I remember that HE placed me where I am to Glorify HIM, and not me!!!

“LOVE ONE FOR ANOTHER!”

John 13:31-35                               (ESV)

“31 When HE had gone out, JESUS said, "Now is the SON of MAN glorified, and GOD is glorified in HIM.

32 If GOD is glorified in HIM, GOD will also glorify HIM in HIMSELF, and glorify HIM at once.

33 Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek ME, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, 'Where I am going you cannot come.'

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

35 By this all people will know that you are MY disciples, if you have “LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER”." 

Though I have never been convicted of a crime (other than traffic violations), and without dwelling on my failures, there are probably many instances where I was guilty of doing things that would be considered illegal.  Following the “letter of the law” isn’t something that I have consciously tried to achieve, but I have never been one to push the envelope to see how much I could get away with either.  Being born in the United States has allowed me to be afforded certain RIGHTS that people born in another country don’t have, and visa versa I’m sure!  

But RIGHTS aren’t bestowed on a person without certain RESPONSIBILITIES coming with them. Because I am Blessed to be a United States citizen, I also have the RESPONSIBILITY to be loyal to the United States and it’s laws.  There are many RIGHTS that are associated with living in this great country, but they are only enjoyed if I willingly accept the RESPONSIBILITIES that comes from being that same citizen.  For instance, in order for me to vote, I was REQUIRED to register for the Selective Service (otherwise known as the DRAFT) of the Armed Forces.  Enjoying the RIGHTS (or FREEDOMS) REQUIRE RESPONSIBILITIES be met!  You cannot avoid these RESPONSIBILITIES if you enjoy the RIGHTS!

Being a part of the CHOSEN PEOPLE OF GOD is very similar. You can’t be a part of THE FAMILY OF GOD and keep living like “this world” does!  John 14:15 says “If you love ME, you will keep MY commandments.”  That tells me that I cannot live like the rest of the world, I have to live like CHRIST!  John 13:35 says “By this all people will know that YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, if you have love for one another."  To be identified as a CHILD OF GOD, you MUST have “LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER”!  

People who are NOT CHOSEN have no concept of what it’s like to surrender their will to a SOVEREIGN GOD.  HE cannot be seen, or felt, or admired with sense possessed by the natural man (1 Corinthians 2:14)!  Understanding that THE CHOSEN are different makes them “naturally” be against us, because of whom they serve.  JESUS CHRIST paid an unbelievable price for the RIGHT to select HIS CHOSEN.  My prayer is that as many as HE has CHOSEN will come to HIM SOON and we will rest with HIM FOREVER!!!

“TAKE CARE!”

Exodus 34:11-16                              (ESV)

“11 "Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites.

12 “TAKE CARE”, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst.

13 You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim

14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is JEALOUS, is a jealous GOD),

15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice,

16 and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.”

Hearing it said many times that GOD is a loving god WHO wouldn’t do something as bad as this or that, I am just beginning to understand that NO MAN KNOWS what GOD will do in any specific situation.  In the Scriptures above, GOD instructs Moses to tell the children of Israel to “TAKE CARE”, lest you make a covenant with pagans and follow after their gods.  Instead of “TAKE CARE”, other translations use the words WATCH YOURSELF, BE CAREFUL, and my favorite BE VERY CAREFUL!  GOD KNEW that trusting “the enemy” couldn’t be prosperous for HIS people, but ultimately they didn’t listen to GOD and had to learn for themselves.

The children of Israel were CHOSEN because they KNEW that ALMIGHTY GOD was WHO HE said HE was, not because of their ancestry.  John 3:16 (KJV) says WHOSOEVER believes in HIM, not just JEWS!  GOD wants we who are CALLED to ONLY worship HIM, and NO OTHER gods!  HIS name is JEALOUS for a reason, HE desires, AND DESERVES, our undivided allegiance.  HE warned us to “TAKE CARE” that we don’t allow “this world” to infiltrate our lives with the god of this world and his idols.

But do I “TAKE CARE” to keep HIM on the throne of my life?  Or do I do what I think is right IN MY OWN EYES?  Judges 17:6 says “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”  If everyone is doing what is “right in his own eyes”, we had better make sure our vision is without flaw?!? Jeremiah 17:9 says “THE HEART IS DECEITFUL above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”  

We must “WATCH YOURSELF, BE CAREFUL, and BE VERY CAREFUL” that we “TAKE CARE” to make sure our enemy is not allowed to creep into our lives.  There isn’t enough room for multiple gods in a personal relationship (Matthew 6:24) because we  will be loyal to only one!  When I am at the Judgement Seat, I don’t want to be guilty of not choosing to “TAKE CARE” of the things that matter most in life, the things of GOD!!!

“DO NOT THINK!”

Matthew 10:34-39                         (ESV)

“34 "DO NOT THINK” that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.

35 For I have come to set a man AGAINST his father, and a daughter AGAINST her mother, and a daughter-in-law AGAINST her mother-in-law.

36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household.

37 Whoever loves father or mother more than ME is not worthy of ME, and whoever loves son or daughter more than ME is not worthy of ME.

38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow ME is not worthy of ME.

39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for MY sake will find it.”

It seems that most people want to be a non-controversial as possible, not offending anyone if possible.   But in the Scripture above JESUS states that HE CAME TO SEPARATE HIS CHOSEN from “this world”!  HE did not intend on me to be friends with “this world”, but to shine a LIGHT into the darkness that “this world” exudes!

John 18:36 says “JESUS answered, "MY kingdom is not of this world. If MY kingdom were of this world, MY servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But MY kingdom is not from the world."  James 4:4 says “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with GOD? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of GOD.”  These words tell me that my life, if lived in accordance to HIS WORD, will SEPARATE the wheat from the chaff (Matthew 3:12).  

We seem to have a “nature” not to be controversial or offensive.  But JESUS HIMSELF said “For I have come to set a man AGAINST his father, and a daughter AGAINST her mother”!  I’m no Biblical Literary Professor, but I am understanding that these Scriptures are saying that unless we are willing to choose THE LORD ahead of the people we love most in “this world”, we are not worthy of HIM in our lives!  IT WILL COST TO FOLLOW HIM!!!

We are also instructed to “...LOVE our enemies” (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27)!  So we are to LOVINGLY inform them of the TRUTH, and almost expect them to be offended, because HE brings a SWORD!  TRUTH is ANTI-ERROR, or being strictly by the BOOK, so we must LOVINGLY expect to offend those whose EYES ARE BLINDED by the god of this world!  We WILL offend some, JESUS has said that we will.  However, walking by FAITH demands that we “DO NOT THINK” we can be buddy-buddy with those who choose “this world” over TRUTH!  

“OPEN HIS EYES THAT HE MAY SEE!”

2 Kings 6:15-19                            (ESV)

“15 When the servant of the man of GOD rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"

16 He said, "Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

17 Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, please “OPEN HIS EYES THAT HE MAY SEE." So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, "Please strike this people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha.

19 And Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." And he led them to Samaria.”

While I was formerly a “political junkie”, who quite honestly spent too much of my time blaming others for the bad decisions there party was making, I now am disgusted with the entire hierarchy of both the Republican and Democratic parties, for neither recognize (or at least they don’t act as though they SEE it) that the problems we face today are simply because we don’t identify our enemy!  Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) says “For WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the COSMIC POWERS over this PRESENT DARKNESS, against the SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL in the HEAVENLY PLACES.”  

Elisha was a man like few others before or after simply because he lived what he knew, and that was that anything good that he accomplished was from ALMIGHTY GOD!  In 2 Kings 2:9 he replied to Elijah “Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a DOUBLE PORTION of your spirit on me."  Elisha KNEW that his battles were spiritual first, so he didn’t need to be reminded that WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD!  

So why can’t I readily SEE the enemy when Scripture tells me what to be looking for?  Instead of blaming others for their perceived deficiencies, why can’t I identity the enemy masquerading as an angel of light and their end will correspond to their deeds (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)!  

Elisha knew that only GOD could “OPEN HIS EYES THAT HE MAY SEE” the Spiritual Warfare going on around him.  It is sad to say, but we are so busy with “busyness” that we don’t SEE that “...those who with are with us are more than those who are with them." (v6). Our battle is not Republican vs. Democrat, conservative vs. liberal, or right vs. left!  We need to earnestly pray that ALMIGHTY GOD will “OPEN HIS (MY) EYES THAT HE MAY SEE” WHO is fighting our battle, and that HE has already won!!!!

“COUNTERCULTURALLY!”

John 13:34-35                                (ESV)

“34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, YOU ALSO ARE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

35 By this all people will know that you are MY disciples, if you have love for one another." 

This past Sunday morning our Bible Study lesson has the 10 commandments (Exodus 19 & 20) incorporated into it.   One of the sentences from the lesson was “Obeying the Ten Commandments out of LOVE would be a way for the children of Israel to live “COUNTERCULTURALLY” in their day (Ex 19:5-6): similarly, we are to be known as followers of CHRIST by our love for others (John 13:34-35).”  

JESUS instructed us to do what DOESN’T make sense...to this world!  So just because JESUS says that we should love one another, does that mean we should approve of the sinful lifestyles that our friends and loved ones exhibit?  If their lifestyle violates the WORD OF GOD, then we LOVINGLY are required to inform them of their errors.  They may not SEE where they have been in the wrong?  They may change to avoid Judgement.  However, if they CHOOSE to ignore the warning given, they might not think the punishment will be that great?  All you can do is PRAY that GOD opens their EYES to be able to SEE the TRUTH and change their hearts!  

Remember, we are also COMMANDED in Matthew 7:5 to “...first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”  We cannot correct in a condemning attitude, regardless of how “pure” we think we are living.  Living “COUNTERCULTURALLY” means a lot more than going against the flow!  Realizing that we are, as the Apostle Paul says “the chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) is a great place to begin!  Now that is “COUNTERCULTURALLY”!!!

“HIS WORD!”

John 4:39-43                                          (ESV)

“39 MANY SAMARITANS from that town believed in HIM because of the woman's testimony, "HE told me all that I ever did."

40 So when the Samaritans came to HIM, they asked HIM to stay with them, and HE stayed there two days.

41 And MANY more BELIEVED because “HIS WORD”.

42 They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and WE KNOW THAT THIS IS INDEED THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD."

43 After the two days HE departed for Galilee.”

Trying to write a synopsis of John 4 in four to five paragraphs cannot be done, so I will have to only offer some highlights.  The SAMARITANS were not highly thought of people during this time, the three years of the earthly ministry of JESUS.  One modern day article explains using these words:  “The Samaritans were half-Jew, half-Gentile. The race came about after the Assyrian captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel in 721 B.C. Certain people from the nation of Israel stayed behind. These people intermarried with the Assyrians producing the Samaritans.”  John 4:9 says in part “....(For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) !  

But, thank GOD IN HEAVEN, JESUS didn’t just come to SAVE one bloodline, or race, of people!  HE came to die for MANY SAMARITANS as well!  Now I’m not sure exactly what bloodline I fail into?  Many doubt that a 6’6” tall 300 lb. man would be your typical Jewish parishioner.  However l there is one characteristic of the Samaritans that I do identify with, and that is “MANY more BELIEVED because “HIS WORD”.  

The “woman at the well” was a Samaritan. She was astonished that JESUS, a Jew, would even speak to her, let alone ask her for a drink of water.  Her lifestyle wasn’t indicative of a Believer, so why did JESUS waste HIS time with her?  GOD doesn’t operate on chance or coincidences.  JESUS might have been left alone with the “woman at the well” to prevent her from discussing her past with the public?  All I know is that her EYES were opened and she told her friends and neighbors and “MANY more BELIEVED because “HIS WORD”.  

“HIS WORD” can change hearts like nothing else known to man.  The discrimination that MANY SAMARITANS didn’t make any difference when their EYES were opened to SEE JESUS for WHO HE was.  They Believed because they heard “HIS WORD”, and we Believed because our EYES were opened and we Believed “HIS WORD”.  Why did GOD CHOOSE me to be one of the CHOSEN?  There is no explanation for GOD’s Grace.  All I can say is that I am Blessed that “HIS WORD” has changed my life and I pray many more BELIEVE because “HIS WORD”.