“THE ENEMY AND THE AVENGER!”

Psalms 8                                               (ESV)

“1 O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is YOUR NAME in all the earth! You have set YOUR glory above the heavens. 

2 Out of the mouth of babies and infants, YOU have established strength because of YOUR foes, TO STILL “THE ENEMY AND THE AVENGER”. 

3 When I look at YOUR heavens, the work of YOUR fingers, the moon and the stars, which YOU have set in place, 

4 what is man that YOU are mindful of him, and the son of man that YOU care for him? 

5 Yet YOU have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. 

6 YOU have given him dominion over the works of YOUR hands; YOU have put all things under his feet, 

7 all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, 

8 the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. 

9 O LORD, our LORD, how majestic is YOUR NAME in all the earth!”

Why did ALMIGHTY GOD bother with CREATING me?  HE CREATED ALL THINGS (Colossians 1:16) in Heaven and on earth FOR HIS GLORY, not for us to see how much wealth and prosperity we could collect while here on this earth.  HE made ALL THINGS, so it ALL HIS anyway!  For me to do anything but PRAISE JESUS fails to reflect HIS LOVE.  

In Ezekiel 28:11-19 the story of the FALL from Heaven for satan and 1/3 of the (fallen) angels sets the stage for the demonstration of GOD’s Plan that has been unfolding since.  In Isaiah 14:13-15 Scripture records “You (satan) said in your heart, 'I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of GOD I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the MOST HIGH.'  But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit.”  Those who fail to surrender to the Authority and Grace of JESUS are, in fact, just like satan, failing to acknowledge that GOD IS GOD!  They will be cast into fiery pit to be tormented “day and night for ever and ever” (Revelation 20:10) one day!  

To completely grasp that we Believers have been CALLED OUT to be separated from “THE ENEMY AND THE AVENGER” may cost us some earthly pleasures, but it also removes the price for sin from us, a price that JESUS paid for me on Calvary.  Thankfully worthiness is not an issue, for GOD’S GRACE and HIS Plan is what I place my TRUST in. “THE ENEMY AND THE AVENGER” have a place in GOD’S Plan as well.  You DON’T want to be included in his guest list!!!

“NO ONE!”

John 6:43-51                                        (ESV)

“43 JESUS answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves.

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

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

46 not that anyone has seen the FATHER except HE WHO is from GOD; HE has seen the FATHER.

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

48 I AM the bread of life.

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

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

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

Even I, not the swiftest of readers, can read Acts 2:14-41 in under 5 minutes.  Acts 2:14-41 is Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost. Now Peter was not a trained theologian with various college degrees and seminary training, he was a fisherman whose life was radically changed by a relationship with JESUS.  He only told those listening that JESUS was killed by lawless men, but HE overcame death, Hell, and the grave three days later and rose victorious.  

Why do current day preachers have a rough time holding their sermons to less than 45 minutes or an hour, and even then we still don’t see the results we did on Pentecost?  Could it be we, preachers included, look for ways to exhibit our traits and abilities when ALMIGHTY GOD wants to show us that NOTHING but HIM that can save a Soul?  We can only be faithful to HIS call in our lives and let HIM DRAW them!

An example that I use (some say) far too often is the work GOD performed in my life in July 2007.  Being placed into a medically induced coma for seventeen days was certainly not a plan I had schemed to catch up on my rest.  While in that state, I had absolutely NO input in my treatment, my recovery, and certainly not making my brain stop hemorrhaging!  Even my breathing was controlled by machines.  My friend and doctor wrote in my medical records one month after my release from a 52 day hospitalization, “he has had a remarkable recovery that can only be described as a miracle from GOD”!  “NO ONE” else was given credit for my healing.  Maybe because “NO ONE” else could do what GOD had done?!?

Many times man attempts to give credit for the word of GOD ALMIGHTY when they can’t explain it.  The “BIG BANG” theory comes to mind first.  But all we have to do is simply have FAITH that JESUS is the SON of GOD and HE came to earth from HEAVEN EXPLICITLY to provide us a sacrifice to enter Heaven and celebrate HIM forever, and we shall be saved from eternal damnation!  “NO ONE” CAN COME TO ME UNLESS THE FATHER WHO SENT ME DRAWS HIM, and “NO ONE” else can provide redemption for mankind.  Scripture states in Isaiah 46:9 “....for I AM GOD, and there is no other; I AM GOD, and there is none like ME,...”.  “NO ONE!!!”

“IN HIS TIME!”

These words were on a friends social media site recently.  When I began reading this, my selfishness almost splattered out of myself and got me filthy!  Then I started reading it again, humbly and prayerfully, SEEKING GOD as I read.  GOD (The WORD) is listed behind every sentence in parentheses, for those who don’t follow so well...

GOD moves in HIS timing, not yours.  (Habakkuk 2:3)

HE is never late. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

HE is usually not early either. (Psalms 37:7)

HE is often the GOD of the midnight hour (Acts 16:25-26).  

HE sometimes waits until the last second before HE gives you what you need. (Exodus 14:21-28)

Before HE intervenes on your behalf, HE has to make sure you are not going to take matters into your own hands and do something out of HIS perfect timing.  (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

You must learn to trust GOD‘s timing.  (Genesis 21:5)

But first your self-will and your spirit of independence must be broken so that GOD is free to work HIS will in your life and circumstances. (Psalms 34:17-18)

If you are waiting for something, set aside your own timetable tonight. (1 Peter 5:6-7; Psalms 130:5-6)

Trust GOD and believe that while you are waiting for your breakthrough, HE IS DOING A GOOD WORK IN YOU FOR HIS PURPOSE! (Romans 8:31-38) 

I apologize if I have taken any of these Scriptures out of context, but I am just seeking HIS Guidance in my life and want to WAIT ON THE LORD (Psalms 27:14)!!!

“THE VEIL IS REMOVED!”

2 Corinthians 3:12-18                               (ESV)

“12 Since we have SUCH A HOPE, WE ARE VERY BOLD,

13 not like Moses, who would PUT A VEIL over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end.

14 But THEIR MINDS WERE HARDENED. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, THAT SAME VEIL REMAINS unlifted, because only THROUGH CHRIST is it taken away.

15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.

16 But when one turns to the LORD, “THE VEIL IS REMOVED”.

17 Now the LORD IS THE SPIRIT, and where the SPIRIT of the LORD is, THERE IS FREEDOM.

18 And we all, WITH UNVEILED FACE, beholding the glory of the LORD, are being TRANSFORMED into the SAME IMAGE from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the LORD WHO is the SPIRIT.”

During a Word study that I am doing on us REFLECTING the LOVE of JESUS CHRIST into the darkness of “this world” with our lives, I came across these verses comparing the time that Moses had to wear a VEIL over his head because he was near the presence of GOD.  He had NO CHOICE but to reflect GOD because he “shone” from HIS GLORY!  For Moses to be seen by his fellow Israelites, he had to cover his face with a veil because his face shone so brightly from his encounter with THE LORD.  When JESUS said “IT IS FINISHED” on the cross of Calvary and the veil of the Temple was rent in two, there was no longer a need for a VEIL, as HE now lives in our hearts!

Since Calvary is complete and “THE VEIL IS REMOVED”, the SPIRIT of the LORD gives us FREEDOM from burdens of the law!  We don’t have the FREEDOM from the law, just the burdens of the law.  We are ALL guilty, with me being the worst, of breaking the laws of GOD.  But because of the sacrifice of JESUS, we who Believe in HIM and HIS atonement can be FREE from the burdens of the law that bound us with guilt and shame.  

Imagine living a life being constantly condemned for the actions of somebody else?  Now imagine being the one who is really GUILTY and living in constant Judgement for your failures, never SPIRITUALLY even breathing FREEDOM because the sentence for our crimes was SPIRITUAL death!  But then our CREATOR sends HIS SON to accept our punishment for ALL OUR SINS upon HIM so we wouldn’t have to live under the burden we were previously saddled with?  That is PRECISELY what JESUS did for all of mankind on Calvary!  And all we have to do is recognize and accept HIS sacrifice by FAITH and reap HIS REWARD!  

Yes, since we have SUCH A HOPE, WE ARE VERY BOLD, proclaiming the greatness of HIS LOVE for us and our FREEDOM in HIM!  No longer do we have to hang our heads in shame, because our sins have been blotted out by HIS sacrifice.   “THE VEIL IS REMOVED” as we have the same SPIRIT living inside of us that spoke these worlds into existence!  And yet some STILL can’t SEE HIM?   I’m so grateful that “THE VEIL IS REMOVED” from my EYES and HE lives in me and I have NO CHOICE but to share that with others!!!

“FEAR NO EVIL!”

Psalms 23:4                                           (ESV)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will “FEAR NO EVIL”, for YOU are with me; YOUR rod and YOUR staff, they comfort me.”

While reading a devotional recently by a Godly teacher, this paragraph jumped out at me, and I am having to SLOWLY digest it!  “I’ve said before ..... that if your GOD never tells you to do anything you don’t want to do, your god is probably you. If there were an Americanized translation of the Apostle’s Creed for today, it would be something like this: “I believe in GOD the FATHER, Almighty, WHO always supports my feelings.”  

Trusting ALMIGHTY GOD to save your Soul from an eternity separated from HIM must entail SURRENDERING to HIS guidance for our lives.  Imagine the Children of Israel in Exodus being delivered from the Egyptians and then everyone “doing what they thought was right in their own eyes” (Judges 17:6)?  Not trusting in GOD is precisely what led the nation of Israel into captivity in the first place.  Scripture is filled with verses such as Mark 11:22 where JESUS says “...Have faith in GOD!”.    

It seems rather contradictory to say “have faith in GOD”, yet turn around and live our lives with our own feelings being our guide?  Using my life as an example, more times than I care to admit I get to a defining point in my life and do what I “think” I should do?  Of course, I always attempt to say that I was seeking to do HIS WILL in my life, but although that can deceive those watching our actions here on earth, ALMIGHTY GOD sits high knowing our intentions (Genesis 6:5) of HIS creations!  HE SEES TRUTH, no matter how much deceit we try to cover it up with!  

The so-called Prosperity Gospel, a lie from the enemy, is ALL about having everything WE WANT, and not furthering the KINGDOM OF GOD!  Allowing GOD to direct our paths may lead us through “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalms 23:4), but HE WILL DELIVER US!  When we “FEAR NO EVIL”, it is not that we won’t experience evil, it only says we will “FEAR NO EVIL”.  When we are exposed to evil, once again GOD can demonstrate that HE has dominion over it!  In Exodus 14:15-18 GOD displays to Israel, AND THE WORLD, that HE defeats the enemy every time!  Why should we FEAR what HE is using to draw Glory to HIS NAME?  “FEAR NO EVIL”!!!

“ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER!”

Colossians 1:15-20                              (ESV)

“15 HE is the image of the invisible GOD, the FIRSTBORN of all creation.

16 For BY HIM ALL THINGS WERE CREATED, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through HIM and for HIM.

17 And HE IS before all things, and IN HIM “ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER”.

18 And HE is the head of the body, the church. HE IS the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything HE MIGHT BE PREEMINENT.

19 For IN HIM all the FULLNESS OF GOD WAS PLEASED TO DWELL,

20 and through HIM to reconcile to HIMSELF ALL THINGS, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of HIS cross.”

Easter always brings me to a point of recognizing how futile our efforts are to do anything, especially worshipping a HOLY GOD!    We can’t even EXIST without JESUS holding us together.  

Easter always brings out different memes and sayings from most of my friends.  There was one that said “A lot of folks believe that the finest day for mankind was when man set foot on the moon, but my friend the real finest day for mankind was when JESUS stepped out of the tomb!”  That is a good statement, but it doesn’t encapsulate WHO JESUS totally is!  The Scripture above says “BY HIM ALL THINGS WERE CREATED, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-all things were created through HIM and for HIM.”  Later it says “...HE IS the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything HE MIGHT BE PREEMINENT.  For IN HIM all the FULLNESS OF GOD WAS PLEASED TO DWELL,...”!  IN HIM “ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER”!!!

Don’t just limit your worship to one day of the year!  JESUS is our everything and we (or at least I) MUST express that constantly!  Without JESUS, “this world” wouldn’t even have enough order to HOLD TOGETHER!  Because IN HIM “ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER”!!!

“THE ANGER OF THE LORD!”

Jeremiah 23:16-20                                     (ESV)

“16 Thus says the LORD of hosts: "Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you, filling you with vain hopes. They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD.

17 They say continually to those who despise the word of the LORD, 'IT SHALL BE WELL WITH YOU'; and to everyone who stubbornly FOLLOWS HIS OWN HEART, they say, 'No disaster shall come upon you.'"

18 For who among them has stood in the council of the LORD to see and to hear HIS WORD, or WHO HAS PAID ATTENTION TO HIS WORD and listened? 

19 Behold, the storm of the LORD! Wrath has gone forth, a whirling tempest; it will burst upon the head of the wicked. 

20 THE ANGER OF THE LORD will not turn back until HE has executed and accomplished the intents of HIS heart. In the latter days you will understand it clearly.”

There are numerous GODLY leaders who espouse Scriptural rebuke of false prophets.  This is not intended for condemnation of those prophets, but to magnify “THE ANGER OF THE LORD” which has been promised by GOD ALMIGHTY to NOT be turned back against those who prophesy “visions of their own minds”!  When you hear very little about discernment and Judgement, chances are you listening to preach “IT SHALL BE WELL WITH YOU'”, or ‘IT SHALL BE WELL WITH YOU'?  

Now my life is not CLEAN enough to condemn others for their missing the mark.  But GOD’s WORD is doing the condemning here,and HE declares “THE ANGER OF THE LORD” will not turn back until HE has executed and accomplished the intents of HIS heart”!  We haven’t, and don’t, pay attention to what GOD’s WORD says about PAYING ATTENTION TO HIS WORD, or our lives would be tremendously CLEANER.  To have the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES turn “THE ANGER OF THE LORD” unleashed upon someone is quite unimaginable for me.  HE has done that before, and it has never been a pretty sight!  

In Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, and Luke 23:44–45 Scripture records great earthquakes “And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the WHOLE LAND until the ninth hour.”  So basically the Sun refused to shine (an eclipse has been ruled out) and great tremors in the earth’s crust were noted.  Experiencing “THE ANGER OF THE LORD” should literally cause us all to tremble, not from fear for ourselves, but because people don’t understand what is coming.  

Don’t think that those who fall into the categories of false prophets are “know what they do”?  JESUS requested that HIS FATHER forgive them, for they knew NOT what they did (Luke 23:34).  We should LOVINGLY attempt to educate them on their ignorance, but only GOD can OPEN THEIR EYES to TRUTH!  And ON THAT DAY, “THE ANGER OF THE LORD” will not turn back until HE has executed and accomplished the intents of HIS heart!  That is HIS PROMISE!!!

“NO CREATURE!”

Hebrews 4:11-13                                           (ESV)

“11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, SO THAT NO ONE MAY FALL BY THE SAME SORT OF DISOBEDIENCE.

12 For THE WORD OF GOD is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, PIERCING to the division of SOUL and of SPIRIT, of joints and of marrow, and DISCERNING the THOUGHTS and INTENTIONS of the heart.

13 And “NO CREATURE” is hidden from HIS sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of HIM to WHOM we MUST GIVE ACCOUNT.”

Watching what people do for their children is amazing!  From getting up in the middle of the night to feed and clean them, to nursing them when they are sick, to teaching them how to act in public, how to play ball, there are a lot more things that can be written about guiding and directing their lives.  

However, do we put as much effort and determination into developing their Spiritual characteristics as we do their social traits?  Could it be we don’t SEE the TRUE POWER OF THE WORD OF GOD?  If we actually KNEW in our hearts that the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES gave us an OWNERS MANUAL, THE WORD OF GOD, to guide us on our Journey, the results would hopefully tremendously different?  

The original sin, and most sins following, are eerily similar.  Genesis 3:5 says “...For GOD knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like GOD...”!  We ALL want to be the god of our own lives, and the god of our entire surroundings, doing what WE THINK is best and getting the results WE THINK needs to happen.  

There is however, “NO CREATURE” capable of being GOD, for HIS capabilities and vastness are immeasurable and HIS mercy is beyond comprehension.  Why else would HE allow a wretch such as me to breathe HIS oxygen?  HE gave us our children to REFLECT HIS LOVE to a world that is becoming darker everyday with SIN and HOPELESSNESS, and we want to teach them anything EXCEPT THE BIBLE?

The Gospel of John, chapter one, verse one, speaking about JESUS states “In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and THE WORD WAS GOD”!  We have the assignment to make certain THE WORD is shared with our children, AND THE WORLD, or allow “this world” to clutter their minds with anything and everything that the enemy can use to fill the void in our lives.  “NO CREATURE” is hidden from HIS sight, and “NO CREATURE” will escape HIS JUDGEMENT!  Are your children aware of this???  Are YOU aware of this???

“THERE IS NOT A RIGHTEOUS MAN ON EARTH!”

Ecclesiastes 7:19-22                                         (ESV 

“19 Wisdom gives strength to the wise man more than ten rulers who are in a city.

20 Surely “THERE IS NOT A RIGHTEOUS MAN ON EARTH” who does good and never sins.

21 DO NOT TAKE TO HEART all the things THAT PEOPLE SAY, lest you hear your servant cursing you.

22 Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others.”

How many times have you heard people say when asked why they think that they are going to Heaven, “I’m a good person” and “I’ve tried to do the right thing!”   Even people who I loved and supported have been heard with the familiar response, almost without thinking about what they were saying.  But who does “good enough” to get into GOD’s presence?  Who lives a life free from sin and selfish desires?  WHO?

The only person I can speak for is myself.  The only person who can judge me is me, or so others have told me?  But there is a SPIRIT (John 4:24) WHO will separate the “wheat from the chaff” (Matthew 3:12) one day soon and we that are CHOSEN can only be grateful for HIS mercy and grace!  Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is NOT YOUR OWN DOING; it is the gift of God, NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast”.  The Apostle Paul wrote that we didn’t have any reason to boast, because our goodness was NOT YOUR OWN DOING!  

“THERE IS NOT A RIGHTEOUS MAN ON EARTH” is saying that our only HOPE lies in JESUS CHRIST, WHO lowered HIMSELF to human status (Philippians 2:5-8) from HIS Heavenly Throne so we “despicables” could spend eternity with HIM.  Certainly I fall into the category of 1 Timothy 1:15 Believers when the Apostle Paul wrote “....CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”  “THERE IS NOT A RIGHTEOUS MAN ON EARTH”, neither before nor since, JESUS CHRIST and we ALL should worship and praise HIS mercy and grace!!!

“ACKNOWLEDGE HIM!”

Proverbs 3:5-6                            (ESV)

“5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 

6 In all your ways “ACKNOWLEDGE HIM”, and HE will make straight your paths.”

Although I have heard this recollection of GOD’s Provision many times before, this morning it SPEAKS to me unlike other times.

“””George Müller (1805-1898) was a Christian missionary evangelist and a coordinator of orphanages in Bristol, England. Through his faith and prayers (and without asking for money) he had the privilege of caring for over 120,000 orphan children. He also traveled over 200,000 miles (by ship) to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 42 countries and to challenge believers about world missions and trusting God. In his journals, Müller recorded miracle-after-miracle of God’s provision and answered prayer:

One morning, all the plates and cups and bowls on the table were empty. There was no food in the larder and no money to buy food. The children were standing, waiting for their morning meal, when Müller said, “Children, you know we must be in time for school.” Then lifting up his hands he prayed, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.”

There was a knock at the door. The baker stood there, and said, “Mr. Müller, I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2 a.m. and baked some fresh bread, and have brought it.”

Mr. Müller thanked the baker, and no sooner had he left, when there was a second knock at the door. It was the milkman. He announced that his milk cart had broken down right in front of the orphanage, and he would like to give the children his cans of fresh milk so he could empty his wagon and repair it.”””

Sometimes we don’t SEE the HAND of GOD simply because we won’t take the time to acknowledge that it is DIVINE INTERVENTION supplying our needs!  Sometimes others SEE that HE is working on our behalf because they are looking for HIM IN ALL THEIR WAYS!  Where are you in your walk?  Can you SEE HIM working for you?  Or are you so busy being busy that you fail to “ACKNOWLEDGE HIM”???

“WHO GIVES BREATH!”

Isaiah 42:5-8                                         (ESV)

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

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

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

8 I am the LORD; that is MY name; MY glory I give to no other, nor MY praise to carved idols.”

Briefly today, we say we want to SEE the HAND of GOD displayed in our lives???  Most everyone knows about my medical records from September 25, 2007 where my medical doctor writes “However, he has had an remarkable recovery that could only be described as a miracle from GOD”?  Surely that was a monumental moment in my life.  Then a few years later I was on the beach when a Seagull was chirping and the Scripture from Matthew 6:26 came to mind that says “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your HEAVENLY FATHER feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

But this passage of Scripture says it all for me.  If we REALLY were honest, we have to profess that we know, deep in our hearts, that ALMIGHTY GOD literally gives us the air we breathe, and HE is literally LIFE!  Isaiah 42:5 plainly tells us “...GOD, the LORD, WHO created the heavens and stretched them out, WHO spread out the earth and what comes from it, “WHO GIVES BREATH” TO THE PEOPLE ON IT...”.  

You may say that you don’t believe that there is a god, that everything that was formed was from chance or circumstance, but I KNOW in my heart the ONE “WHO GIVES BREATH” and am so thankful that HE makes HIMSELF known to me in unmistakable ways!!!

“STABLE AND STEADFAST!”

Colossians 1:21-23                                         (ESV)

“21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,

22 HE has now reconciled in HIS body of flesh by HIS death, in order to present you Holy and blameless and above reproach before HIM,

23 if indeed you continue in the FAITH, “STABLE AND STEADFAST”, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.”

Mankind has become so consumed with racial and economic inequalities that we BLINDING ourselves to the finished work of CHRIST (Colossians 1:21-23)!  Wallowing in the TRAPS set by our enemy, most of the church is complicit by NOT exposing THE TRUTH to those who cannot SEE!  

We don’t spend enough time inside of GOD’S WORD......PERIOD!  Instead we are allowing “this world” to determine what we see on our news telecast, what we hear on our talk shows, how we coddle to the lost who attend our churches in an attempt to grow our numbers, when celebrating LIFE in JESUS is the ONLY WAY to make a difference in people’s lives!  

Many times I have written about an actor in the mid-1990’s being interviewed in the twilight of his career and being asked, “You have experienced success like few others!  What else would you like to accomplish?”  Very humbly, he simply said, “I want PEACE”!  “This world” will offer us everything under the sun in an effort to satisfy the GOD-LIKE SHAPE inside of us that ONLY JESUS CHRIST can fill.  Until we SLOW DOWN and admit that serving JESUS CHRIST is the ONLY chance we have to experience PEACE, we will continue trying to fill our round hole with a square peg!  

Continuing in the FAITH, “STABLE AND STEADFAST”, will change our lives to display HIS LOVE to a world that is unable to Spiritually SEE the need for HIM.  To allow the enemy to camouflage his lies so that we don’t SEE the harm they bring is ludicrous on our part.  We should remain “STABLE AND STEADFAST”, constantly in HIS WORD drawing us closer to HIS Likeness.  

“HIS WILL!”

Hebrews 13:20-21                                                 (ESV)

“20 Now may the GOD of peace WHO brought again from the dead our LORD JESUS, the great SHEPHERD of the sheep, by the blood of the ETERNAL COVENANT,

21 EQUIP YOU with EVERYTHING GOOD that you may do “HIS WILL”, working in us that which is pleasing in HIS sight, through JESUS CHRIST, to WHOM be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

The number of times that I have written that GOD HAS A PLAN would probably surprise even me.  We, or most likely I, try to “predict” what ALMIGHTY GOD’s Plan is and then act as though it my calling to make it happen, and ON MY TIMETABLE!  Had I been running things, GOD would parted the Red Sea a day earlier, then the Children of Israel would have already been across the water when Pharaoh showed up and the Egyptians wouldn’t have assumed that they could make it as well, allowing GOD to gain Glory over Pharaoh and all his hosts!!

The writer of the passage of Scripture above requests that GOD of peace EQUIP YOU with EVERYTHING GOOD that you may do “HIS WILL”!  How GOD EQUIPS us may be painstakingly slow to develop our FAITH that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek HIM (Hebrews 11:6)!  GOD is capable of doing a “quick development”, but more often than not HE is interested in making sure our CHARACTER is able to handle HIS Blessings before HE showers us with them.  Waiting on THE LORD, therefore, is something that most are quite uncomfortable doing.  The PAIN of waiting on GOD is a trying and humbling experience that is rather difficult for some, including yours truly.

GOD has a Plan and I must WAIT on HIS timing to allow that Plan to be implemented and for HIM to be Glorified.  It’s not a matter of whether HE is able to work faster because I can’t wait for HIM.  However it is ALL ABOUT HIM getting Glory over the enemy and his minions.  My timing is mostly selfish and narrowly focused.  “HIS WILL” and HIS timing gains HIM Glory, and that is what we should all be striving to for.  

“BY GRACE!”

Ephesians 2:4-10                                   

“But GOD, WHO is rich in mercy, FOR HIS great love wherewith HE loved us, 5 Even when WE WERE DEAD IN SINS, hath quickened us together with CHRIST, (“BY GRACE” ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised usup together, and made ussit together in Heavenly placesin CHRIST JESUS: 7 That in the ages to come HE might shew the exceeding riches of HIS GRACE in HISkindness toward us through CHRIST JESUS. 8 For “BY GRACE” are ye saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES: it isthe GIFT OF GOD: 9 NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST. 10 For we are HIS workmanship, created in CHRIST JESUS unto good works, which GOD hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

ALMIGHTY GOD has a Plan!  That phrase has been repeated by this writer many times in many places.  HIS Plan is far more intriguing than anything man could ever write, or dream; or imagine, as our finite minds aren’t capable of SEEING what only HE can do.  Humanly, we desire to “do our best” for our family, our friends, and most especially our GOD.   But JESUS said in Matthew 18:3 that unless we come as “little children”, we will NOT see the Kingdom of GOD!  My soon to be four year old granddaughters love (and are LOVED!) IMMENSELY, but all they can offer in return is to simply LOVE!  

GOD is telling me in Ephesians 2:8 that my salvation is a “GIFT OF  GOD”, not because I can give the biggest gift to HIM, not because I live more HOLY than someone else.  HE simply desires for me to LOVE HIM!  Evidence of that LOVE will be displayed in my obedience and works, but fake (or manufactured evidence) is a stench in HIS nostrils (Isaiah 65:5)! 

So why do I try to be better than “my brother” when serving ALMIGHTY GOD?   All of us can offer nothing to GOD but the Sacrificial Sacrifice of the life of JESUS CHRIST!  The often underused concept of IMPUTATION is the what everyone should be talking about!  IMPUTATION is where the RIGHTEOUSNESS of JESUS is transferred to my account and my sinful lifestyle is transferred to HIS account!  

“BY GRACE” our Salvation is made possible!  The only way we can even approach HIS Throne is “BY GRACE”!  It is not because of ANYTHING I have said or done, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST!  Our finest suit of clothes, the greatest financial support, nothing we can offer to GOD will let make up for our sinful behavior and unholy lifestyles!  We can ONLY come to HIM “BY GRACE!”