“GOD SAW!”

Jonah 3:10                                                (ESV)

“When “GOD SAW” what they did, how they TURNED FROM THEIR EVIL WAY, GOD RELENTED of the disaster that HE had said HE would do to them, and HE did not do it.”

In the book of Jonah, GOD directed the prophet Jonah to a city called Nineveh over his staunch objections to preach a five word (in the Jewish language) sermon!  “Yet 40 days, Nineveh shall be otherthrown!!”  Even though his heart wasn’t behind his sermon, ALMIGHTY GOD still used it to cause the ENTIRE city to REPENT!  

GOD can cause any city, nation, or the entire world to have their EYES opened, but are we praying for that???  The city of Nineveh is approximately where Mosul, Iraq is today. From history, we understand that some of the inhabitants of Iraq can be blinded to TRUTH.  It becomes extremely easy to MISTAKENLY lump all of a people into a group because of how some louder members of their own.  But ALMIGHTY GOD SEES hearts and HE knew that these hearts were changed.  

How long should we continue showing mercy to people in our lives?  GOD’s WRATH is not a pretty sight.  The Angel of GOD struck down 185,000 Assyrians in one night in 2 Kings 19:35.  Where would you guess that Assyria was?  According to an internet search engine, biblical Assyria is modern day Iraq! 

Don’t assume that ALMIGHTY GOD is always going to BLESS the United States of America because we are so wealthy, benevolent, mighty and strong.  We are rapidly becoming a godless country and HIS WRATH could, and should, be released on us. Jonah had in his mind that GOD should destroy Nineveh.  “GOD SAW” the hearts of the Ninevites change.  Will GOD see our hearts change????

“AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL!”

Ephesians 6:11-19                                    (ESV)

“11 Put on the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able TO STAND against the schemes of the devil.

12 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.

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of GOD, that you may be able to WITHSTAND IN THE EVIL DAY, and having done all, to STAND firm.

14 STAND therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the SPIRIT, which is the WORD of GOD,

18 PRAYING at all times in the SPIRIT, with all PRAYER and SUPPLICATION (the action of asking or begging for something earnestly or humbly). To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL,”

Twenty years ago “this world” was in such a frenzy, doing everything it could to make more money than the next person/company, trying to get to the top of the ladder.  September 1, 2001 occurred and for a FEW DAYS we seemed to have been “knocked out”, put out of commission one might say.  Soon though, we were back into the same rat race as before, fighting anything and everything in our way.  

Soon, we Americans had a different leader.  Many believed he would be the answer to whatever our problems were.  We spent record amounts of money and did everything we could to appease OUR ENEMIES, but we failed to satisfy OUR FOES.  In a few years another leader was selected who had a different approach.  Our economy has responded well, but not everyone is happy.  

WE (Believers) need to IDENTIFY and RECOGNIZE who THE ENEMY is!  WE wrestle (battle, struggle) NOT against FLESH and BLOOD, but “AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL”!  Our TRUE struggle is being able to IDENTIFY and RECOGNIZE our enemy, and it is not the people he uses to perform his nasty deeds.  Don’t allow our focus to be taken off of PRAYING AT ALL TIMES!  Victory is already guaranteed IN CHRIST, but we have to IDENTIFY and RECOGNIZE “AGAINST THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL!!!”

“MIRROR DIMLY!”

1 Corinthians 13:11-12                             (ESV)

“11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.

12 For NOW WE SEE in a “MIRROR DIMLY”, but then face to face. NOW I KNOW IN PART; THEN I SHALL KNOW FULLY, even as I have been fully known.”

It seems that I am constantly having to change my take on how I SEE things.  Like the Apostle Paul, I am finding out that when I was younger I could only SEE (reason) what was right in front of my eyes.  As I mature, both physically and SPIRITUALLY, I am blessed with more WISDOM from our CREATOR!  James 1:5 says “If any of you lacks WISDOM, let him ask GOD, WHO gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”  

How many times do I fail to do what GOD is leading me to do simply because I DO NOT ASK what HE wants me to do???  HIS WORD tells me that HE gives WISDOM to those who ask, but I get so caught up in getting things done on my timeline that I cannot SEE what GOD is leading me to do.  In my younger years I was so “headstrong” (some day stubborn!) that I WOULD NOT even ask where GOD desired for me to go.  But as I mature, I am finding out that following HIS lead is the best path for me!  

Do I always seek HIS WISDOM and Guidance?  Regrettably not.  But HIS WORD tells me that HE gives WISDOM to ALL generously to all without reproach, IF WE ASK OF GOD!  If I am satisfied with continuing to SEE in a “MIRROR DIMLY” then I will have to continue experiencing the same disappointments and trials that I have in the past.  But asking ALMIGHTY GOD for WISDOM will alter my path and lead me where HE is guiding me.  

HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to continually be in a mode of maturation where I ASK YOU for Guidance and Leadership in my life.  Being able to SEE where I am headed is my desire.  Making sure that I my eyes aren’t fixed on a “MIRROR DIMLY”, but on the more PERFECT PLAN that YOU have for me is my desire!!!

“DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH!”

Romans 2:6-9                                           (ESV)

“6 HE will render to each one according to his works:

7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, HE will give eternal life;

8 but for those who are self-seeking and “DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH”, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.”

The fellowship that I attend is currently going through the book of Romans.  We are far from perfect, but we don’t “speed-read” the Bible, rather we delve into Scriptures with great interest, seeing what needs to change in our lives to Glorify GOD!  For me, it seems that the closer I get to the LIGHT, the more dirt I SEE!  

A few weeks ago I will assume that our pastor preached on the verses above.  My memory isn’t the best, but I must have been out of town that day, for I don’t remember the sermon.  Surely I would remember about GOD warning us what IS going to happen to those who “DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH”?  

Not being a Bible Scholar, I don’t have a lot of Scripture memorized.  Memorizing anything has never been a strong point of mine.  But I KNOW ENOUGH Scripture that I can’t measure up to that I realize that I am “broken and undone”!  The ONLY WAY that GOD is able to look at me is through the BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST!   This is NOT about the drunkard, the philanderer, the murderer or the cheat!  I can’t get very far into Scripture and I shamefully have to admit that I am in need of a Savior!  

Martin Luther once reportedly said that our sins were akin to being a hill of dung under a blanket of snow.  Whether he said it or not, when ALMIGHTY GOD looks at me all HE can SEE is the blood of JESUS! HE lived the PERFECT life that we were created to live, only to die a death that we ALL were assigned, because GOD SO LOVED us!!!  However, for those who “DO NOT OBEY THE TRUTH”, there WILL BE wrath and fury one day!  You can trust HIS WORD on this!!!  

“YOUR WORD!”

John 17:13-16                                           (ESV)

“13 But now I (JESUS) am coming to YOU (THE FATHER), and these things I speak in the world, that they may have MY joy fulfilled in themselves.

14 I have given them “YOUR WORD”, and THE WORLD HAS HATED THEM because THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD, just as I AM NOT OF THE WORLD.

15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

There are so many things that are NOT KNOWN to mankind.   Some are credited with “discovering” seemingly unknown things when GOD knew those things all along!  Most of those things are recorded in “YOUR WORD”, our EYES have not been opened yet to SEE TRUTH!  Can’t you just imagine how ALMIGHTY GOD must hang HIS head when “this world” is so caught up in the things that are believed to be “important” when HE knows that JESUS IS going to return in only a short time???   

Folks, JESUS IS COMING BACK, and it might be very soon!  People weren’t looking for HIM the first time, and I venture to say that most people aren’t looking for HIM today either!  It might be prudent for us begin acting like we BELIEVE “YOUR WORD” with our actions?  When JESUS was born of a virgin over two thousand years ago people weren’t prepared for HIS arrival, even though “YOUR WORD” prophesied about it for 2,500+ years!  But HE came just like IT WAS WRITTEN!  HE IS COMING AGAIN, JUST LIKE IT IS WRITTEN IN “YOUR WORD”!  

THIS WORLD hates Believers because we reflect HIS TRUTH.  They couldn’t tolerate TRUTH when HE walked among us so they crucified HIM!  Maybe if we more brightly REFLECTED HIM they might try crucifying us?  One thing is for sure, “this world” can not tolerate “YOUR WORD” and it will do everything in its power to silence TRUTH!!!

“THE VEIL IS REMOVED!”

2 Corinthians 3:16-18                              (ESV)

“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.”

The Spiritual Warfare that is happening all around us is extremely real.  It was so real and evident when Elisha asked THE LORD to open the eyes of his servant that he may see (2 Kings 6:17) and his servant saw horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha!  Then GOD blinded the EYES of the Syrian army when they came down against Elisha (2 Kings 6:19)!  

Just because Spiritual Warfare goes undetected by the natural man doesn’t mean that it is any less real!  Elisha carried the entire BLINDED Syrian army to Samaria and then OPENED their eyes!  The Syrian army was so humbled that they returned to Syria and did not come on raids into Israel again!  

The Apostle Paul wrote in the second epistle to the church at Corinth that WHEN ONE TURNS TO THE LORD, “THE VEIL IS REMOVED” from their sight.  The SPIRIT reveals things that the natural man cannot comprehend, or SEE!  1 Corinthians 2:14 says “The natural person does not accept the things of the SPIRIT OF GOD, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are SPIRITUALLY discerned”.  The natural person cannot fathom TRUTH.  It simply does NOT make sense to them.  

So PLEASE don’t criticize the enemy because you can SEE and they cannot!  We are BLESSED to have our minds illuminated by the SPIRIT OF GOD.  “THE VEIL IS REMOVED” from our EYES!  Pray that “THE VEIL IS REMOVED” from their EYES also, before it is eternally too late!!!

“APPOINTED YOU!”

John 15:12-17                                           (ESV)

“12 "This is MY commandment, THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER as I have loved you.

13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

14 YOU ARE MY FRIENDS IF YOU DO WHAT I COMMAND YOU.

15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from MY FATHER I have made known to you.

16 YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, but I CHOSE YOU and “APPOINTED YOU” that you should go and BEAR FRUIT and that YOUR FRUIT SHOULD ABIDE, so that whatever you ask the FATHER in MY NAME, HE may give it to you.

17 These things I command you, so that you will LOVE ONE ANOTHER.”

Often I think that a certain book of the BIBLE is my favorite, that is until I begin reading another book of the BIBLE!  So I am pretty sure that my favorite book of the BIBLE is the one that I am currently reading.  However, the book of John is the book that GOD first began Supernaturally revealing HIMSELF to me, and so it holds a dear place in my heart.  

This morning a verse of Scripture was brought to my attention.  It was John 15:16! There are a lot of times that I want to think that I am so holy because I want to live for CHRIST?  But this morning I was reminded that “...”I CHOSE YOU” and APPOINTED YOU that you should go and BEAR FRUIT and that YOUR FRUIT SHOULD ABIDE...”!  HE CHOSE ME to live a life that displays HIS traits and characteristics to a world that is hostile and foreign to the things of GOD! 

Now do I faithfully reflect HIS traits and characteristics?  Not hardly!  The Apostle Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 that he WILL BOAST ALL THE MORE GLADLY OF MY WEAKNESSES, so that the POWER OF GOD will be magnified!  My tendency is to want to publicize the good things that I do, NOT to BOAST OF MY WEAKNESSES!  

JESUS is the ONE that should be glorified, not me!  HE “APPOINTED YOU” (and me) that you (we) should go and BEAR FRUIT and that YOUR (OUR) FRUIT SHOULD ABIDE!   John 15 says that HE is the VINE, we are simply branches of the VINE.   If we are branches of the VINE, we will bear fruit!  We CANNOT be a part of the VINE and not be displaying that HE “APPOINTED YOU”!  What “fruits” have you been bearing lately?  Has HE “APPOINTED YOU”???

“HEIRS OF GOD!”

Romans 8:16-18                                      (ESV)

“16 The SPIRIT HIMSELF bears witness with our spirit that WE ARE CHILDREN OF GOD,

17 and if children, then HEIRS-“HEIRS OF GOD” and fellow heirs with CHRIST, PROVIDED WE SUFFER WITH HIM in order that we may also be glorified with HIM.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Overcoming obstacles is a part of this life we are assigned to live in “this world”.  Most of us have “dreams” of grandiose things we dream of accomplishing while alive. But others have their options limited by our PERCEIVED abilities, or disabilities.  

There is a story of a young man, who at the age of four years old, went BACK into a burning building in an attempt of save his little sister.  She didn’t survive, and he was burned over 50% of his body, some places to the bone!  Now, he has been offered a scholarship to play college football, even with his PERCEIVED disabilities.  

When I look at myself, a product of a single parent home, only a high school education, a Brain Hemorrhage survivor, and survivor of heart bypass surgery, I PERCEIVE that I am not very successful.  But then I am reminded of how ALMIGHTY GOD SEES me, looking at me under the BLOOD OF JESUS, HIS SON!  GOD SEES JESUS when HE looks at me because of the sacrifice JESUS paid for me on Calvary.   

Never should I SEE myself as anything less than a blood-bought CHILD OF GOD!  JESUS paid a TREMENDOUS price for my salvation and I don’t need to undersell the cost of HIS life for us mortals.  We are “HEIRS OF GOD”, and we shouldn’t SEE ourselves as anything less!  

“THERE IS NO OTHER!”

Isaiah 45:4-6                                            (ESV)

“4 For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel MY CHOSEN, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know ME. 

5 I am the LORD, and “THERE IS NO OTHER”, besides ME there is no GOD; I equip you, though you do not know ME, 

6 that people may know, from the rising of the sun and from the west, that there is none besides ME; I am the LORD, and there is no other.”

Many people believe in a god, but it isn’t YHWH.  A lot of people elevate other humans to god-like status, altering their lifestyles to reflect the acts of others with no apparent recognition that they are just as flawed as others.  There has only been ONE MAN WHO has been sinless, and HE was sacrificed for my sins!  

A lot of us allow ourselves to so busy that we think we do not have time to WAIT ON GOD to give us direction.  GOD is wanting us to slow our lives down and submit to HIM, but we are so caught up in “the rat-race” that we do not listen for OUR CREATOR to speak to us.  

“I am the LORD, and “THERE IS NO OTHER”, besides ME there is no GOD” says Scripture.  Our jobs, our doctors, our President, our pastors, NO ONE is supposed to be placed above our LORD!  Yet we allow our busy schedules to limit the time we spend with our GOD?  What are we thinking when we allow worldly things to interrupt our time with OUR CREATOR?  

The Scriptures above indicate that WE DO NOT KNOW HIM!  The more that I DO KNOW HIM, I am convinced that I DID NOT KNOW HIM adequately.  HE IS GOD, and “THERE IS NO OTHER”!!!  Maybe I can reflect that more in my life???

“HIS PINIONS!”

Psalms 91                                                  (ESV)

“1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. 

2 I will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress, my GOD, in whom I trust." 

3 For HE will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 

4 He will cover you with “HIS PINIONS”, and under HIS wings you will find refuge; HIS faithfulness is a shield and buckler. 

5 You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. 

7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. 

8 You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. 

9 Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place- the MOST HIGH, WHO IS MY REFUGE- 

10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. 

11 FOR HE WILL COMMAND HIS ANGELS CONCERNING YOU TO GUARD YOU IN ALL YOUR WAYS. 

12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 

13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot. 

14 "Because HE holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows MY name. 

15 When he calls to ME, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 

16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

There are times when we, mainly I, have a good feeling about what direction to take, but we NEED some direction or guidance from THE LORD.  For me, GOD often uses various means of directing my paths.  In Exodus 13, GOD led the children of Israel with a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night to guide them as they journeyed to the Promised Land.  Though no authoris mentioned in the Hebrew text of this psalm, Jewish tradition ascribes it to Moses, with David compiling it in his Book of Psalms. The Greek Septuagint translation of the Old Testament attributes it to King David.

Being a “dirt dumb country boy”, I had to research what Scripture meant a when I read “HIS PINIONS” this morning.  Pinions is defined as “the outer part of a bird's wing including the flight feathers”.  My mind immediately went back to Exodus 13 and the Children of Israel having to TRUST GOD to lead them from captivity in Egypt.  They had been captive in Egypt for 430 years, so most of them never knew freedom.  But GOD led them, not on a path that was the shortest, but where HE would receive the GLORY!!!

Why do I always seem to CHOOSE the path of least resistance?  The largest miracle performed in my life (by this world’s standards) was the recovery from the Brain Hemorrhage in 2007.  Yet GOD didn’t heal me in a day or two, AS HE COULD HAVE and I would have definitely prayed for had it been left up to me.  HE kept me under “HIS PINIONS” and protected me until HE said IT IS TIME!  After 52 days being hospitalized and two years of being off work, GOD provided a job.  

It has been 12 and one half years since and I STILL have to slow myself down and wait for GOD.  Getting outside of “HIS PINIONS” and their protection is NOT something that I ever want to do.  The Children of Israel had to wander in the wilderness for 40 years, however GOD got GLORY over their enemies!  That is my desire!  For ALMIGHTY GOD to gain GLORY in my life and to remain under “HIS PINIONS” all of my days!!!

“LOOKING TO JESUS!”

Hebrews 12:1-2                                        (ESV)

“1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 “LOOKING TO JESUS”, the founder and perfecter of our faith, WHO for the joy that was set before HIM endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of GOD.”

There was a post on a social media site recently by a former pastor of a “mega church” which said “Pastors of our local churches need your support, prayer, and encouragement. Anyone can point out a weakness and criticize. Choose to rise above the pettiness in our day and believe in the man of God who leads your church.”  While supporting your pastor cannot be overemphasized, and I might be guilty of “pointing out a weaknesses and criticizing”, the aforementioned statement could be SEEN as leading people through humans instead of being led by THE SPIRIT OF GOD?  

The modern church doesn’t fully understand the Spiritual Warfare that pastors are involved in today.  While it is true that even some pastors don’t recognize the degree of assault they are under, lay people are generally so caught up in their own lives and problems that we sometimes can’t SEE the load that some men of GOD are under.  Suicides by ministers are increasingly in the news.  We expect ministers to be “above the fray” and not be subjected to the pressures of life?  

True Pastors are “called”, or set aside, by GOD.  But that doesn’t mean that they are without flaws or sin.  In Acts 17:11 Scripture states that “Now these Jews (at Berea) were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”  They examined the Scriptures daily and allowed the HOLY SPIRIT to guide their lives, NOT trusted the pastor of “interpret” Scripture for them.  Hebrews 4:12 records “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.”  Scripture doesn’t say that the priest, rabbi, minister, or preacher discern your thoughts and intentions of the heart!! 

Why have we misplaced so much trust in what we have heard all our lives from pulpits?  Could it be that we are TOO COMFORTABLE to sit in our padded pews in our air conditioned sanctuaries and AVOIDING the enemy AT ALL COSTS that we are too weak when the heat is turned up?  We definitely need to PRAY FOR and support our pastors!  But we DON’T need to believe in the man of GOD.  Rather, we need to BELIEVE IN GOD while we are “LOOKING TO JESUS” to guide and direct us!  Mature and take some of the pressure off of him and continue “LOOKING TO JESUS”!!!

“THE WORD OF GOD!”

Acts 7:10-13                                              (ESV)

“10 The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue.

11 Now these Jews were MORE NOBLE than those in Thessalonica; they received THE WORD with all eagerness, EXAMINING THE SCRIPTURES DAILY to see if these things were so.

12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.

13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that “THE WORD OF GOD” was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, AGITATING and STIRRING UP the crowds.”

A quotation is circulating that reads “THE BIBLE; this Book will change your life........but you have to read it!”  Many people proclaim themselves “believers”, but their Bibles hardly ever make it of the dash of their vehicles, collecting dust from neglect.  How can THE BIBLE be expected to move our lives toward a GODLY pattern if we do not expose ourselves to its TRUTH?

During a study of PRAYER recently, an analogy was made about going to the doctor and getting a prescription for whatever is ailing us.  If the prescription is never taken to the pharmacy and filled, it will never be effective!  Unless “THE WORD OF GOD” is applied to our lives, realizing that it is going to RADICALLY change us, it might as well remain unopened on our dash, never being applied to our sinful desires, therefore changing our lives.  

Just calling yourself a “christian” doesn’t give indication that your life has been transformed by THE SPIRIT OF GOD.   “The Jews” at Berea were more noble than “The Jews”in Thessalonica!  “The Jews” in Thessalonica started AGITATING and STIRRING UP the crowds when they heard “THE WORD OF GOD” was being proclaimed.  “THE WORD OF GOD” is opposed by “the enemy” and his minions because he is a liar and a murderer, and has been from the beginning (John 8:44)! 

Now don’t get your panties in a wad and proclaim that I am judging you.  “THE WORD OF GOD” is quite capable of judging you, I am merely sharing it!  JESUS paid a TREMENDOUS price to redeem ALL mankind.  But we MUST BELIEVE IN HIM to accept HIS REDEMPTION and payment for our sins.  Neglecting “THE WORD OF GOD” is a sure sign of a disregard for TRUTH.   WHERE DO YOU STAND???

“ASHAMED!”

Luke 9:23-27                                                      (ESV)

“23 And HE said to all, "If anyone would come after ME, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow ME.

24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for MY sake will save it.

25 FOR WHAT DOES IT PROFIT A MAN IF HE GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD AND LOSES OR FORFEITS HIMSELF?

26 For whoever is “ASHAMED” of ME and of MY words, of him will the SON of MAN be “ASHAMED” when HE comes in HIS glory and the glory of the FATHER and of the holy angels.

27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of GOD."”

WEALTH!  Who has the most wealth and what will it buy them on their deathbeds?  A recent article states that “The most recent Forbes listing of the world's wealthiest people included 2,208 billionaires, a record, with the total wealth estimated at $9.1 trillion.”  How many of those 2,208 BILLIONAIRES would give up their vast WEALTH for an extra year to be added to their lives?  

A billion dollars is 1,000 Millions!  Most people would be comfortable with a million dollars in their accounts, but we wouldn’t sacrifice our health for that $1 Million!  But some would have to think about whether that money would be worth selling their lives for a BILLION “dollars”?  

This is a NEWS FLASH!  “This world” and all of its so called WEALTH WILL pass way (James 1-5)!  What becomes of us will NOT be decided by what we have amassed in our bank accounts, nor even how much we have given to charities, INCLUDING CHURCHES!  It is ONLY through FAITH in JESUS CHRIST perfect life, and sacrificial death, AND VICTORIOUS RESURRECTION that anyone will enter the KINGDOM OF GOD!  

JESUS said in John 6:44 “NO ONE can come to ME UNLESS THE FATHER WHO SENT ME DRAWS HIM....”!  HE doesn’t require great WEALTH!  HE DOES REQUIRE us to let the BATTLE BELONG TO HIM (Exodus 14:14; 2 Chronicles 20:15; 1 Samuel 17:47)!  JESUS doesn’t want us to be super achievers.  HE wants people who will give ALL GLORY TO HIM for the work HE does through their lives....AND NOT BE “ASHAMED”!!!

“THE LAST FIRST!”

Mark 10:23-31                                                      (ESV)

“23 And JESUS looked around and said to HIS disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of GOD!"

24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But JESUS said to them again, "Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of GOD!

25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of GOD."

26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to HIM, "Then who can be saved?"

27 JESUS looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with GOD. For all things are possible with GOD."

28 Peter began to say to HIM, "See, we have left everything and followed YOU."

29 JESUS said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for MY sake and for the gospel,

30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.

31 But many who are FIRST will be LAST, and “THE LAST FIRST”."”

Mere WORDS cannot describe the grief felt over the departure of over three thousand lives on September 11, 2001.  But I also pledged to myself that I would never allow the sacrifice painful desertion of the four brave souls that were left in Benghazi, Libya on September 11, 2012!  All Americans should be valued enough to at least an attempt to save them, whether we think it will be futile or not.  

We have become SO Biblically and Spiritually illiterate that we can’t SEE when “the enemy” is right in our midst.  JESUS, GOD IN THE FLESH, said in Mark 10 that those who are FIRST will be LAST, and “THE LAST FIRST”!  We tend to assume that because we aren’t BLESSED according to what WE THINK others are, that we aren’t FAVORED IN HIS EYES?  The fact of the matter is, satan has to be restrained or he would reek terrible tragedies that we cannot even imagine!  

For instance, when Joseph was sold into slavery in Genesis 37:12-36, he did not immediately become second in command of Pharaoh.  He had Ted to experience tremendous difficulties before he was placed where GOD could use him for HIS GLORY.  In Exodus 14, the new Pharaoh understood the “FIRST will be LAST” concept, and fully!!!  

America has become arguably the most powerful nation in history, but we have lost sight of WHO allowed us to ascend to the heights that we now enjoy.  Being a PROPHET is not a gift that I have been blessed with, but my limited understanding of Scripture does not include the United States of America in it.  Unless we “...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.”(Chronicles 7:14). 

GOD can (and does!) use the weak to shame the strong, and HE uses the foolish to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27), so don’t think HE isn’t able to humble America.  We need to EARNESTLY PRAY that we will return to HIM and HIS PRINCIPLES with great haste.  HIS acts of humility aren’t comfortable.  HE PROMISES “But many who are FIRST will be LAST, and “THE LAST FIRST”!