“THE LORD WHO IS THE SPIRIT!”

 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.”

October 31 is commonly known for the celebration of ghost, ghouls and goblins, or things that are not of CHRIST.  It is no “coincidence” that I was visiting a friend this week who shared with me a quote from Watchman Née, a Chinese church leader and Christian teacher who worked in China during the 20th century.  The quote says “GOD creates man in order for man to be like CHRIST, having the life as well as the Glory of CHRIST!”  

This passage of Scripture begins with “WE HAVE SUCH A HOPE, WE ARE VERY BOLD, NOT LIKE MOSES”!  Alienating people is not a comfortable thing to do.  Moses placed a veil over his face after experiencing GOD on Mount Sinai because he didn’t want the Israelites becoming fearful of what the SPIRIT OF GOD was doing to/through him. The Apostle Paul took a different approach.  “THE LORD WHO IS THE SPIRIT” had transformed the life of Saul (now called Paul) and he was glorying in those changes.  

“THE LORD WHO IS THE SPIRIT” is WHO we are CHOSEN to represent....by none other than GOD ALMIGHTY!  JESUS did not walk a PERFECT life, die a gruesome death, and rise a VICTORIOUS SAVIOR so we could wallow in the “souls and corpses of the dead”!  Those who are “unregenerate” (not CHOSEN) are the ones who celebrate even the lives of “all saints”?  JESUS is the SON OF GOD, and anything less than that isn’t giving GLORY to GOD! 

These words might make some uncomfortable, but we are NOT CHOSEN to be LIKED by “this world”!  We are CHOSEN to be a LIGHT in a dark world, to display THE LOVE OF CHRIST, not to have the most friends!  “THE LORD WHO IS THE SPIRIT” is THE ONLY ONE to celebrate, no matter the day!  “THE LORD WHO IS THE SPIRIT” is my life!!!

“CANNOT BEAR TO HEAR MY WORD!”

John 8:30-47                                                       (ESV)

“39 They (the scribes and Pharisees) answered HIM, "Abraham is our father." JESUS said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did,

40 but now you seek to kill ME, a man who has told you the TRUTH that I heard from GOD. This is not what Abraham did.

41 You are doing the works “your father” did." They said to him, "We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father-even God."

42 JESUS said to them, "If GOD were your FATHER, you would love ME, for I came from GOD and I am here. I came not of MY own accord, but HE sent ME.

43 Why do you not understand what I say? IT IS BECAUSE YOU “CANNOT BEAR TO HEAR MY WORD”.

44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

45 But because I tell the TRUTH, you do not believe ME.

46 Which one of you convicts ME of sin? If I tell the TRUTH, why do you not believe ME?

47 Whoever is of GOD HEARS THE WORDS OF GOD. The reason why you do not hear them is that YOU ARE NOT OF GOD."”

The majority of the nine Scripture verses above were spoken by JESUS, OUR CREATOR, to the “scribes and Pharisees”, the “in crowd” of the day, who considered themselves extremely knowledgeable of the law of GOD.  They were so caught up in doing their best to follow rules that they never had the opportunity to WORSHIP the ONE WHO CREATED their very beings.  I used to “blame” Pilate and the Roman soldiers for crucifying JESUS, but JESUS came to earth explicitly to be a sacrifice for my sins.  It was ME who caused the death of the PERFECT SON OF GOD, but the “scribes and Pharisees” were used to achieve the events surrounding the darkest hour of mankind, that was followed by the BRIGHTEST CELEBRATION of all time! 

The  “scribes and Pharisees” were educated in the words of the law, but they had never experienced having their hearts changed by the MASTER.  They “thought” they were doing the right things, when in fact, they couldn’t even identify GOD IN FLESH in their midst!  When JESUS said “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to “do your father's desires”. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the TRUTH, you do not believe ME”, HE was identifying “the enemy”!  It wasn’t the “scribes and Pharisees”, Satan himself guides and directs his people to perform certain tasks they are assigned.  JESUS recognized this and called out the followers of Satan.  How was it so easy for HIM to tell that the “scribes and Pharisees” were NOT following HIM?  HE says in the previous verse IT IS BECAUSE YOU “CANNOT BEAR TO HEAR MY WORD”!  

As time has moved forward, the enemies of GOD remains the ones who “CANNOT BEAR TO HEAR MY WORD”!  They may even have a distorted view of the WORD, and preach their views of Scripture, but they are NOT OF GOD!  When you are finding yourself struggling to “identify the enemy”,  see whether they “CANNOT BEAR THEAR MY WORD”?  If they are saying whatever soothes the ears of the masses, JESUS says YOU ARE NOT FROM GOD, and IT IS BECAUSE YOU “CANNOT BEAR TO HEAR MY WORD”!!!

“WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?”

 Matthew 20:29:34                            (ESV)

“29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great crowd followed HIM.

30 And behold, there were two blind men sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that JESUS was passing by, they cried out, "LORD, have mercy on us, SON of David!"

31 THE CROWD REBUKED THEM, telling them to BE SILENT, but they cried out all the more, "LORD, have mercy on us, SON of David!"

32 And stopping, JESUS called them and said, "WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?"

33 They said to HIM, "LORD, let our eyes be opened."

34 And JESUS in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and FOLLOWED HIM.”

“WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU?” is a wide open question when asked by a friend.  But when GOD IN THE FLESH is in your midst and HE asks the question, it could be intimidating, even mind-blowing!  The ONE WHO CREATED the everything was asking two blind men sitting by the roadside “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU”?  And they said “LORD, let our eyes be opened”!  

What would your response have been if JESUS asked you “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU“?  A new house?  For cancer to be cured? For abortions to cease?  Our nation to turn back to HIM?  “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU” when the SON OF GOD is asking would probably be answered quite differently if we had time to think about it, if we TOOK TIME to ponder the magnitude of WHO we were speaking to?

Ephesians 3:20-21 says “Now to HIM WHO is able to do FAR MORE ABUNDANTLY THAN ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK, according to the POWER AT WORK WITHIN US, to HIM be glory in the church and in CHRIST JESUS throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”  That POWER AT WORK WITHIN US is none other than JESUS HIMSELF!  So why do we acts as though HE is unaware of the difficulties we are experiencing.   1 John 5:14-15 says “And this is the CONFIDENCE that we have toward HIM, that if we ask anything according to HIS WILL HE HEARS US.  And IF WE KNOW THAT HE HEARS US IN WHATEVER WE ASK, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE REQUESTS THAT WE HAVE ASKED OF HIM”!  HE gives us the thoughts to REQUEST things from HIM, therefore HE knows what we we will REQUEST beforehand.  But we STILL need to SPECIFICALLY request what GOD puts on our hearts to fulfill HIS GLORY and PLAN for our lives!

Now everything that I have prayed for in my life has CERTAINLY NOT come to be!  That is because I have sometimes asked selfishly. In the fall of 1997, my younger sister was diagnosed with stomach cancer.  I prayed fervently for that she would be healed, until I finally realized that “healing” had a totally different meaning than what I intended.  She died about 60 days after she was diagnosed.  I realized in the last few days of her life that her “healing” was going to be COMPLETE with NO SETBACKS!  She was”HOME FREE”, as sang by Wayne Watson!  

Our key is to ask SPECIFICALLY what GOD has placed on our hearts to Glorify HIS NAME!  There were many who prayed for healing for me in July 2007.  Looking back it might not have appeared to be that big of a deal?  But when you have LIVED the experience, it is something that will NEVER diminish in your memory.  That is why I will be mindful to respond SPECIFICALLY when JESUS asks me “WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO FOR YOU”???  We are asking THE CREATOR, and HE DOES MIRACULOUS THINGS!!!

“THE LORD WAITS TO BE GRACIOUS TO YOU!”

Isaiah 30:18-22                                   (ESV)

“18 Therefore “THE LORD WAITS TO BE GRACIOUS TO YOU”, and therefore HE EXALTS HIMSELF TO SHOW MERCY TO YOU. For the LORD is a GOD of justice; BLESSED ARE ALL THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM. 

19 For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; YOU SHALL WEEP NO MORE. HE will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as HE hears it, HE answers you.

20 And though the LORD give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your TEACHER will not hide HIMSELF anymore, but your eyes shall see your TEACHER.

21 And YOUR EARS SHALL HEAR A WORD BEHIND YOU, saying, "THIS IS THE WAY, WALK IN IT," when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

22 Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, "Be gone!"”

How long will it take for my EARS TO HEAR????

“I HAVE SPOKEN, AND I WILL DO IT!”

 Ezekiel 17:22-24                                        (ESV)

“22 Thus says the LORD GOD: "I MYSELF will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out. I will break off from the topmost of its young twigs a tender one, and I MYSELF will plant it on a HIGH and LOFTY mountain.

23 On the mountain height of Israel will I plant it, that it may bear branches AND PRODUCE FRUIT and become a noble cedar. And under it will dwell every kind of bird; in the shade of its branches birds of every sort will nest.

24 And ALL THE TREES OF THE FIELD SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD; I bring low the high tree, and MAKE HIGH THE LOW TREE, DRY UP THE GREEN TREE, and MAKE THE DRY TREE FLOURISH. I AM THE LORD; “I HAVE SPOKEN, AND I WILL DO IT”." 

It AMAZES me how HOLY SPIRIT is so involved with my life that HE can direct even the passages that I “just happen” to read.  Ezekiel 17 begins with GOD speaking to Ezekiel saying “"Son of man (Ezekiel), PROPOUND A RIDDLE, and speak a parable to the house of Israel;”.  GOD was instructing Ezekiel to write words that we’re intended to cause the Israelites to MEDITATE on HIS WORD for guidance in their lives.  The word “PROPOUND” is defined as “to put forward for consideration; set forth”.  GOD apparently not only wanted OBEDIENCE from HIS CHOSEN, but HE desired them to TRUST HIM to lead them through “this world” and to Glorify HIM as they followed HIS LEADERSHIP!

At the end of Ezekiel 17, GOD is saying that HE “will take a sprig from the lofty top of the cedar and will set it out”, not to be an overnight success, but to GROW “AND PRODUCE FRUIT and become a noble cedar”!  A “sprig” has to survive storms and parasites to “PRODUCE FRUIT and become a noble cedar”.  It doesn’t just “happen”! GOD gives us the stamina, drive and determination to achieve the PLAN HE has for our lives.  A CEDAR TREE can be a slow growing tree, some being thought to be over two thousand years old!  While mankind tends to strive to accomplish things in the LEAST amount of time, GOD operates in HIS OWN timing.  

As a cedar tree matures, it will UNDOUBTEDLY experience a few storms.  The storms can bend or even break the tree, but most of the time the growth is not interrupted.  The storms that we have to endure can break some limbs off, but our growth needs to continue to be uninterrupted.  Doing everything we can to avoid a storm is what we tend to do, regardless of our Spiritual Maturity.   Even JESUS prayed “ FATHER, if you are willing, remove this cup from ME” in Luke 22:42!  HE exhibited Spiritual Maturity like most of us never exhibit when HE completed HIS request, “Nevertheless, not MY will, but YOURS, be done."  HE was Glorified (John 17:23), but HE had to experience death to Glorify GOD through HIS resurrection!  

We have to be willing to “take up our cross” (Matthew 16:24-26; Luke 9:23) to allow GOD to be Glorified in our lives!  We might have to go through a few storms, even suffer a limb or two being broken away, but for GOD TO GET GLORY FROM OUR LIVES SHOULD BE WORTH IT!   We can have our plans for what we want to accomplish in our lives, but we ARE NOT GOD! 

 Hearing I AM the LORD; “I HAVE SPOKEN, AND I WILL DO IT” might mean that I have to adjust what I desire?  It may also say that my wants must to line up with HIS WILL???

“IN CHRIST!”

 Ephesians 2:1-10                              (ESV)

“1 And YOU WERE DEAD in the trespasses and sins

2 in which you once walked, FOLLOWING THE COURSE OF “this world”, following the prince of the power of the air, THE spirit that is NOW AT WORK IN THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE-

3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.

4 BUT GOD, being RICH IN MERCY, because of the great love with which HE loved us,

5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, MADE US ALIVE TOGETHER WITH CHRIST-by GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED-

6 and raised us up with HIM and seated us with HIM in the heavenly places “IN CHRIST” JESUS,

7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us “IN CHRIST” JESUS.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is NOT YOUR OWN DOING; it is the gift of GOD,

9 NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast.

10 For we are HIS workmanship, created “IN CHRIST” JESUS for good works, which GOD PREPARES BEFOREHAND, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.”

People who act like they are something that they ARE NOT can be rather irritating. They have a “false impression” about themselves that is brought on by how they have come through something in their past, and even though they may have flourished financially, they have apparently NOT been CHOSEN as a servant of THE MOST HIGH GOD and had their EYES OPENED?  Since GOD IS GOD, and I am NOT, I will have to leave their condition to HIM to JUDGE.  I am not qualified to JUDGE others, for I am FLAWED to the utmost! (1 Timothy 1:15)!

Then why do I sometimes act like I AM GOD?  Sure, Adam CHOSE to sin causing us all to be “infected” with the SIN NATURE, and the ONLY sure cure is a “vaccine” that HAS been approved by our CREATOR is JESUS HIMSELF!  “IN CHRIST” is the MIRACULOUS cure for the infection called SIN that is needed by ALL!  We attempt to BE GOOD ENOUGH by performing WORKS that demonstrate being “IN CHRIST”, but surrendering to HIS WILL for our lives is the ONLY WAY we can ever be REGENERATED by the FATHER.  

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us of another instance of being “IN CHRIST “!  It says “Therefore, if anyone is “IN CHRIST”, he is a NEW CREATION. The OLD has passed away; behold, the NEW has come.“. The OLD, carnal, natural man has been CONVERTED into a NEW, SPIRIT FILLED man that longs to GLORIFY GOD!  We are NOT perfect, but a CHANGED person should be evident in our actions.  

Being “IN CHRIST” can ONLY be done by THE HEAVENLY FATHER. In John 6:44 JESUS says “No one can come to ME unless the FATHER WHO sent ME draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”  There is nothing to be “proud” about and nothing to “glory” in.  We are CHOSEN to be “IN CHRIST” to GLORIFY GOD, not glorify ourselves! (Galatians 6:14). FATHER, cause me to always remember that I am NOTHING without being “IN CHRIST”!!!

“BUT ON GOD, WHO HAS MERCY!”

 Romans 9:6-6;14-16                                                     (ESV)

“6 But it is not as though the word of GOD has failed. FOR NOT ALL WHO ARE DESCENDED FROM ISRAEL BELONG TO ISRAEL,

7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are HIS OFFSPRING, but "Through Isaac shall YOUR OFFSPRING be named."”

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on GOD's part? By no means!

15 For HE says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."

16 SO THEN IT DEPENDS NOT ON HUMAN WILL OR EXERTION, “BUT ON GOD, WHO HAS MERCY”.”

The fellowship of which I am a member is making it’s way (for almost two years!) through the book of Romans.  The most recent message was Romans 9:14-21, but when I read the sixteenth verse my mind seemingly would not move!  

Being a descendant (KJV “thy seed”) (“That from which any thing springs; first principle; original; as the seeds of virtue or vice.”) of Abraham was always thought of by yours truly to be a “natural” descendant”, of the bloodline of Abraham.  

In TRUTH, those who BELIEVE with the same FAITH (Genesis 15:6) that Abraham exhibited are the “descendants” that GOD was referring to.  You SEE, in Hebrews 11:6, it is written “And without FAITH it is impossible to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD MUST BELIEVE THAT HE EXISTS and that HE REWARDS THOSE who seek HIM.”  Scripture then proceeds to go into those who BELIEVED that GOD was WHO HE says HE IS.  Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David and Samuel and the prophets ALL demonstrated WHO GOD was by their FAITH IN HIM!

The thing is, GOD KNOWS OUR HEARTS and inner beings and we who exhibit FAITH are only displaying what GOD has instilled in us.  HE instills FAITH in us to Glorify HIS NAME!  “SO THEN IT DEPENDS NOT ON HUMAN WILL OR EXERTION”, nothing we can add to, nor take away from, can improve on that which ALMIGHTY GOD has PLANNED to GLORIFY HIS NAME.  Professing with our mouths needs to be done, but BELIEVING with our HEARTS is something that GOD acknowledges with  HIS favor!

FAITH, BELIEVING,  and carrying out GOD’S PLAN is what my desire is for my life!  A lot of people want to do anything and everything they can to “get to Heaven”, but the ONLY WAY to spend eternity with GOD is to TRUST, NOT ON ANYTHING THAT THEY CAN DO (HUMAN WILL OR EXERTION), “BUT ON GOD, WHO HAS MERCY”!!!

Psalms 20:1-4

 Psalms 20:1-4                                  (ESV)

“1 May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the NAME of the GOD of Jacob protect you! 

2 May HE send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion! 

3 May HE remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah 

4 May HE grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!”

“FEAR NOT, I AM THE ONE WHO HELPS YOU!”

Isaiah 41:8-13                                  (ESV)

“8 But you, Israel, MY servant, Jacob, WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN, the offspring of Abraham, MY FRIEND; 

9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, "You are MY servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off"; 

10 FEAR NOT, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I AM YOUR GOD; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with MY righteous right hand. 

11 Behold, ALL WHO ARE INCENSED AGAINST YOU shall be put to SHAME AND CONFOUNDED; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish. 

12 You shall seek those who contend with you, but you shall not find them; those who war against you shall be as nothing at all. 

13 For I, the LORD your GOD, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, "”FEAR NOT, I AM THE ONE WHO HELPS YOU”." 

“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” as recorded in Hebrews 4:12!  

This morning as I was perusing a social media site, I saw people who exhibited intense disfavor of a particular politician. Folks, we must be very careful to NOT allow ourselves to be caught up in being motivated by the dislike of people.  The dislike of “the enemy” should be the thing that we recognize and fight against.  

A person who is controlled by “the enemy” can be CHANGED DRAMATICALLY in an instant!  Read Acts chapter 9 and tell me how a person is beyond the STRONG ROGHT HAND OF GOD!  The only reason we are not at the “bottom of the barrel” of CREATION is because we are CHOSEN by GOD to represent HIM!  “ALL WHO ARE INCENSED AGAINST YOU shall be put to SHAME AND CONFOUNDED; those who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish” is not something we should with on anyone.  GOD CREATED them and they are not beyond HIS GRACE!

While “the enemy” is the “god of this world”, YAHWEH is GOD of CREATION and is victorious!  “FEAR NOT, I AM THE ONE WHO HELPS YOU” needs to be TRUSTED and not our own strength!  HE has already won!  Why should we trust in anything else???

BUT PRAYER!”

Mark 9:14-29                                       (ESV)

“14 And when they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them.

15 And immediately all the crowd, when they saw HIM, were greatly amazed and ran up to HIM and greeted HIM.

16 And HE HEasked them, "What are you arguing about with them?"

17 And someone from the crowd answered him, "TEACHER, I brought my son to YOU, for he has a spirit that makes him mute.

18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked YOUR disciples to cast it out, and they were not able."

19 And HE answered them, "O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to ME."

20 And they brought the boy to HIM. And when the spirit saw HIM, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.

21 And JESUS asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" And he said, "From childhood.

22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But IF YOU CAN do anything, have compassion on us and help us."

23 And JESUS said to him, "'IF YOU CAN'! ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE FOR ONE WHO BELIEVES."

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I BELIEVE; HELP MY UNBELIEF!"

25 And when JESUS saw that a crowd came running together, HE rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again."

26 And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, "He is dead."

27 But JESUS took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

28 And when HE had entered the house, HIS disciples asked HIM privately, "Why could we not cast it out?"

29 And HE said to them, "This kind cannot be driven out by anything “BUT PRAYER”.

This passage was used by yours truly about awhile back, but my spirit is still stirred by I BELIEVE, HELP MY UNBELIEF!  My FAITH needs to grow, and is growing!  The father of this boy evidently had no problem BELIEVING that JESUS was GOD, but apparently he didn’t understand how encompassing THE POWER OF GOD was?  HELP MY UNBELIEF is what most of us have need of saying, for we don’t possess the FAITH required to warrant THE MIRACULOUS, even though we have SEEN HIM work MIRACLES before!

So how do we experience GOD working outside of “the natural”?    To begin with, the fact that our bodies can turn oxygen into carbon dioxide with no effort on our part is a miraculous event in itself.  Then our blood is oxygenated and flows through our veins/vessels continuously for the time we are alive again is miraculous.  So for me, every birth is a sign that there IS A GOD, it’s just some of us can’t SEE that!  We get so comfortable with our “lives” that we BELIEVE everyone is as BLESSED as we are.  Each of us experience trials and tribulations that can drag us into defeat, or can be used by ALMIGHTY GOD to Glorify HIS NAME!  GOD has a Plan for each of us, and HIS PURPOSE will be accomplished (Isaiah 46:10-11)!  

Why did this boy have to be demon possessed?  His father apparently was trying to “do the right thing”, for he was “seeking” JESUS to help his son.  He also understood that he needed DIVINE INTERVENTION in his son’s life!  His son’s healing was BEYOND the capabilities of man!  The MIRACULOUS HEALING of the boy who was torn by the evil spirit since childhood.  What JESUS needed to make sure of was that GOD would be Glorified by the healing of this boy, not just that the boy was healed.  ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE FOR THE ONE WHO BELIEVES THAT GOD IS ABLE!  Surely people would SEE that GOD should be Glorified with the removal of the evil spirit?  Surely they wouldn’t forget?  Surely the impression wouldn’t fade too quickly???

Within three verses of healing the boy, JESUS began preparing HIS disciples for HIS crucifixion.....AND RESURRECTION!  Since GOD resurrected JESUS from the grave, there is NOTHING that is too difficult for HIM!  WHY would JESUS have to die?  HE had done nothing wrong.  The disciples wanted to know WHY they weren’t able to heal the boy?  GOD’s ways are NOT our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and I need to get my HANDS OFF and LET HIM BE GOD! 

In the finals words of the passage of today’s Scripture, JESUS says “BUT PRAYER”!  When we reach the end of “our understanding”, “BUT PRAYER” to GOD IN HEAVEN is our only recourse!

“THEY WILL BE DIVIDED!”

 Luke 12:49-53                                             (ESV)

“49 "I CAME TO CAST FIRE ON THE EARTH, and would that it were already kindled!

50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!

51 DO YOU THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO GIVE PEACE ON EARTH? NO, I tell you, BUT RATHER DIVISION.

52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.

53 “THEY WILL BE DIVIDED”, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."”

The verses above are all red lettered in my BIBLE,l as they were spoken by JESUS.  Instructions by our CREATOR should be given an open ear as HE is OMNISCIENT.  Often it has been written that HE said “he who has an ear, let him hear”.  Some people are not capable of HEARING HIM, because they are “not HIS sheep” (John 10:26)!  HE willingly came to earth and sacrificed HIS life as an atonement for our sins, so I will LISTEN!

Living life for JESUS will definitely NOT be a smooth proposition, with no trials and tribulations.  We are called to be SEPARATED (2 Corinthians 6:17) from “this world” by the choices we make as we reflect HIS Grace to a flawed creation.  Those who are NOT CHOSEN will be “against us” and we must understand this and be ready to identify their opposition.  When a person “can’t SEE”, their actions are completely different than we who are able to “SEE”!  That is not being arrogant, just stating the obvious.

Regardless of what those who can’t “SEE” believe, JESUS DID NOT come to make everybody get along with each other.  HE CAME TO DIVIDE the sheep from the goats, the CHOSEN from the people of “this world”!  “THEY WILL BE DIVIDED” doesn’t give Believers a license to go about alienating the lost, but we absolutely CANNOT give into their views!  “THEY WILL BE DIVIDED” says that we whose EYES have been OPENED will steer clear of the traps of “the enemy”, traps that others are unaware even exist!  

There are people who I dearly love that are headed down a path that deeply disturbing.  Warnings are needed, but unless ALMIGHTY GOD opens their EYES they will experience the WRATH OF HIS JUDGEMENT!  Learning that “GOD IS GOD, and I am NOT” is one of the most difficult and painful lessons I’ve ever experienced.  “THEY WILL BE DIVIDED” is way better to learn now.....before it is too late!

“SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD!”

 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.”

Having written concerning these verses numerous times, it gets kind of old hearing about GOD telling Moses that YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT.  However I am not the sharpest tool in the shed and I need to be reminded over and over that HE IS GOD, HE WILL WORK FOR YOU TODAY, and all I need to do is “SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD”!  

Joshua 1:8 says “This Book of the Law SHALL NOT DEPART from your mouth, but YOU SHALL MEDITATE ON IT DAY and NIGHT, so that you may be CAREFUL TO DO according to ALL THAT IS WRITTEN in it. For THEN YOU WILL MAKE YOUR WAY PROSPEROUS, and then you will have GOOD SUCCESS.”  Apparently we ALL need to constantly be reminded that our CREATOR is OMNIPRESENT, not just here when we cry out to HIM?  

We should be praising and glorifying GOD every day, all day long, but I get so caught up in my plans that I get my EYES off of CHRIST.  When that happens, I tend to start experiencing the pitfalls of operating in the flesh instead of THE SPIRIT.  Our enemy (in this case the Egyptians) will NEVER BE SEEN AGAIN, but we must let GOD remove them in HIS WAY, not in ours.  GOD CREATED me on HIS own, and HE doesn’t require me to help when HE is removing my enemies!

This Scripture doesn’t say that we are needed to assist GOD in finding a way out of our problems, it simply says YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT!  If we want to “SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD”, we need to allow HIS PLAN to develop without interference.  When we follow HIS WORD, HE WILL WORK FOR YOU TODAY requires us to “SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD”, not anything else!!!

“WHOEVER BELIEVES!”

 John 3:16                                                  (ESV)

“"For GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only SON, that “WHOEVER BELIEVES” IN HIM should not perish but have eternal life.”

John 3:36.                                                 (ESV)

“"WHOEVER BELIEVES” IN THE SON has eternal life; WHOEVER DOES NOT OBEY THE SON shall not see life, but THE WRATH OF GOD REMAINS ON HIM.”

These focal passages are both from the Gospel of John.  If fact, both are from the third chapter of John, a mere twenty verses apart.  There are growing numbers, even so-called “evangelicals” who proclaim that there are some Books of Scripture aren’t intended by GOD to be taken as TRUTH, such as Exodus and the parting of the Red Sea?!?  The EVIDENCE of the chariots and similar artifacts at the bottom of the land bridge must just be a hoax to them?  

Most people are familiar with John 3:16.  A few athletes even use to display John 3:16 on their person until they were chastised for doing so.  Who would object to GOD LOVING HIS CREATION?  HE made us and everything that IS, and we humans are declaring that we cannot give HIM Honor and Glory?  The idea that one can be “brainwashed” into BELIEVING in GOD is simply not possible.  John 6:44 states “NO ONE can come to ME unless the FATHER WHO sent ME draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”  We cannot “wish our way” into Heaven.  We MUST be CHOSEN!

It is just like “the enemy” to under emphasize Scripture (or ignore) that illustrates his, and everyone who refuses to future OBEY THE SON, future.  Satan wants to fill our minds with “things of this world” (1 John 2:15-16), knowing that they will all burn up (2 Peter 3:10).  We can amass wealth beyond measure, but when our time is completed here, THEN THE JUDGMENT “WILL” COME!  It won’t “passed over” because we chose to NOT OBEY!  The only way that JUDGMENT will be “passed over” is by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB in our lives (Exodus 12)!

The Welsh Protestant minister and medical doctor David Martyn Lloyd-Jones was quoted as saying “There are even evangelical people who no longer believe the first three chapters of the book of Genesis. They are not believing all the Scriptures. But until we come back to a belief in all the Scriptures we shall be in trouble because we are setting ourselves up as authorities, and we are not competent to deal with the problems that face us. If we pick and choose, and believe this and reject that, we will ultimately have no authority whatsoever. We are so anxious to please the modern scientists, the modern educated people, that we have lost our gospel.”  

You can “choose” to ignore the difficult parts of Scripture, but you WILL REMEMBER them on THAT DAY!  The numbers of “WHOEVER BELIEVES” on THAT DAY will grow exponentially!  The thing is, we are CALLED to BELIEVE NOW, not when others have NO HOPE!  For us to have HOPE, we MUST BELIEVE that GOD exists, and that HE rewards those who seek HIM (Hebrews 11:6)!  I am humbled to be one of the few “WHOEVER BELIEVES” because of HIS GRACE!!!

“THE NARROW GATE!”

 Matthew 7:12-14                            (ESV)

“12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

13 "Enter by “THE NARROW GATE”. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW.”

There are “subtitles” in my BIBLE that we humans use to supposedly direct our thoughts in the study of GOD’S WORD.  The subtitle for these three verses is “The Golden Rule”!  Doing unto others AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU (paraphrase!) is often quoted in a Pharisaical haughtiness, almost looking down on others?  However the next two verses are not quoted as much as they can be very humbling to read and live!

The words “enter by “THE NARROW GATE”” should not be mistaken for a blanket invitation to Heaven.  JESUS says the the very next verse “For the gate is narrow and THE WAY IS HARD that leads to life, and THOSE WHO FIND IT ARE FEW.”  “THE NARROW GATE” is a statement that tells us that the getting admitted to Heaven is for we that are CHOSEN to suffer hardships for the Kingdom.  Ananias was told by JESUS in Acts 9:15-16 “But the LORD said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of MINE to carry MY name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much HE MUST SUFFER for the sake of MY name."  “THE NARROW GATE” is difficult to enter, but when GOD CHOOSES us, HE gives us the courage and strength to complete our tasks.  

Don’t ignore the end of Matthew 7:13 though.  “For the gate is wide and the WAY IS EASY that leads to destruction, and THOSE WHO ENTER BY IT ARE MANY.”!   Following the crowd might be the easiest thing to do, but when it leads to destruction the weeping and gnashing of teeth will be deafening.  It is better to be BROKEN AND SPILLED OUT for JESUS than to be whole and be separated from HIM for eternity!

The Golden Rule might be what some people want to focus on in Matthew 7, but for we who are CHOSEN, entering Heaven by “THE NARROW GATE” doesn’t need to be overlooked!  We might be “peculiar people” (Deuteronomy 14:2), but Heaven is not accepting everyone who claims to be one of HIS.  It is for us who are CHOSEN to be “peculiar people” and enter through “THE NARROW GATE”!!!

“BLESSED ARE ALL THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM!”

 Isaiah 30:18                          (ESV)

“Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you, and therefore HE exalts HIMSELF to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a GOD of justice; “BLESSED ARE ALL THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM”.”

WAITING on the LORD to direct me precisely where HE wants me to go, when HE wants me to go, and how HE wants me to get there!  PATIENCE has never been a strength of mine.  I’ve always been the person who wanted to “make things happen”, and precisely when I wanted them to happen!  Learning to WAIT ON THE LORD (Psalms 27:14) is not something that comes easily to me, and probably most of us.  

“BLESSED ARE ALL THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM” is what I was trying to focus on this morning, but while writing this I kept being DRAWN to “therefore HE EXALTS HIMSELF to show MERCY to you”!  Of course, most know my story about Psalms 46:10, “"Be still, and know that I am GOD. I will be EXALTED among the nations, I will be EXALTED in the earth!”  When I saw this, it was as GOD was telling me that HE was being EXALTED in me having to WAIT, so for me that makes it ALL worthwhile!  

Am I worthy or special because HE CHOSE ME?  No, Jacob was CHOSEN before he was even born (Romans 9:13)!  Romans 9:15-16 says “15 For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion. 16 So then IT DEPENDS NOT ON HUMAN WILL OR EXERTION, but on GOD, WHO has mercy.”  The only reason I am here today is because GOD has MERCY!!!

GOD EXALTS HIMSELF to display MERCY on me!  “BLESSED ARE ALL THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM” for GOD is working ALL THINGS FOR MY GOOD (Romans 8:28)!  It “IT DEPENDS NOT ON HUMAN WILL OR EXERTION, but on GOD, WHO has MERCY”!  HE IS EXALTED and I am BLESSED!  “BLESSED ARE ALL THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM”!!!

“I AM THE LORD!”

 Exodus 5:22-6:2                                                (ESV)

“22 Then Moses turned to the LORD and said, "O LORD, why have YOU done evil to this people? WHY DID YOU EVER SEND ME?

23 For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in YOUR name, he has done evil to this people, and YOU have not delivered YOUR people AT ALL."

1 But the LORD said to Moses, "Now YOU SHALL SEE what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land."

2 GOD spoke to Moses and said to him, "I AM THE LORD.”

During a recent Bible Study a statement was made that has remained in my mind and ultimately caused me to agree with that which was spoken.  Although I am unable to quote the sentence, the gist of it says that GOD preordaining multiple facets of several peoples lives (HIS PROVIDENCE) to work in concert for HIS GOOD is more awe inspiring than random MIRACLES HE performs.  The Brain Hemorrhage I experienced on July 9, 2007 is a prime example.  A friend had requested that I write a letter in 2002 (five years prior) supporting a transfer of a Neurologist to our city and that Neurologist assisted in saving my life in 2007!  All of the intricacies are not allowed for the sake of time, but GOD’s HAND had to be all over those events to achieve the outcome that is NOW EVIDENCE!

In the passage of Scripture above, Moses was in a frustrating and trying time!  He had NOT SEEN EVIDENCE that GOD was working behind the scenes.  But GOD doesn’t need us to be able to SEE HIS HANDIWORK as EVIDENCE of HIS PRESENCE.  “WHY DID YOU EVER SEND ME” was the question Moses posed to ALMIGHTY GOD.  The Israelites were experiencing the brutality of Pharaoh, and it APPEARED as though they were not being taken care of by our CREATOR.  Nothing Moses said or did seemed to be doing anything positive for the KINGDOM.  But all of that would change....in DUE TIME!

In Exodus 6:1 ALMIGHTY GOD says to Moses “Now YOU SHALL SEE what I will do to Pharaoh; for with a strong hand he will send them out, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.”  The Israelites were “ran out” of Egypt in chapter 13 of Exodus, but only after they “plundered” (Exodus 13:33) their captors.  GOD was working HIS PROVIDENCE and HE was doing it so MAGNANIMOUSLY that everyone could SEE that IT HAD TO BE GOD!  THERE WAS NO DOUBT!!!

On September 25, 2007 my doctor wrote on my medical records “However, he has had a remarkable recovery that could only be defined as a miracle from God!”  Everyone who was exposed to the events of the previous two months could SEE the HAND OF GOD working in the recovery.  Words were not coming fluently in these times, but GOD’S intervention needed no interference nor assistance.  When “I AM THE LORD” has a PLAN that comes together for HIS GLORY, WORDS cannot do HIM justice!!!

GOD works differently in every life.  “I AM THE LORD” is always WORKING, even when we are unaware of HIS actions.  When THE UNIMAGINABLE occurs, we tend to be in awe.  We should remember that “I AM THE LORD” is in control, and HE excels in the IMPOSSIBLE!”  We ALL need to acknowledge “I AM THE LORD” in our lives and be thankful for the next breath HE gives us.  “I AM THE LORD” is worthy to be praised!!!

“FAITH/EVIDENCE!”

 Hebrews 11:1-6                                (KJV)

“ 1 Now FAITH is the substance of things hoped for, the EVIDENCE of things NOT SEEN. 2 For by it (FAITH) the elders obtained a good report. 3 Through FAITH we understand that the worlds were framed by the WORD of GOD, so that THINGS which ARE SEEN were NOT made of THINGS which DO APPEAR. 4 By FAITH Abel offered unto GOD a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained WITNESS that he was RIGHTEOUS, GOD testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By FAITH Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because GOD had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased GOD. 6 But without FAITH it is impossible to please HIM: for he that cometh to GOD MUST BELIEVE that HE is, and that HE is a rewarder of them that diligently seek HIM.”

Two words that are reverberating loudly in my mind right now are “FAITH” and “EVIDENCE”.  We all have FAITH to some degree or another.  Merely sitting in a chair takes a certain amount of FAITH.  The EVIDENCE of FAITH is not winding up in the floor after trusting a chair to hold you.  We all have experienced a chair performing its function by keeping a human from experiencing the humiliation of falling to the ground.  But every now and then a chair fails to hold a person and they crash.  

FAITH in GOD is similar.  When a person has experienced GOD being FAITHFUL through trials and tribulations, the EVIDENCE of their FAITH is displayed in their actions.  When there is NO DOUBT in your mind that GOD has delivered you through a trial, your FAITH is certain to increase.  The more difficult the trial, the more your FAITH grows!  

Maybe that is why James 1:2-4 says “2 My brethren, COUNT IT ALL JOY when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, THAT THE TRYING OF YOUR FAITH worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”  Through THE TRYING OF OUR FAITH we will grow to be “perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

EVIDENCE is something that is PROVEN to be TRUE!  Our FAITH MUST BE PROVEN TO BE TRUE!  Since GOD IS GOD, HE is able to do ANYTHING!  Matthew 19:26 states rather plainly “But JESUS beheld them, and said unto them, “With men this is impossible; BUT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!” 

Abraham had FAITH!  Enoch had FAITH!  King David had FAITH, and the EVIDENCE of that FAITH was one dead Philistine named Goliath.  We serve the same GOD that guided David’s sling.  HE can slay the giants in our lives and we must be FAITHFUL to display the EVIDENCE!!!

“BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES!”

 Mark 12:38-40                            (ESV)

“38 And in HIS teaching HE said, "”BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES”, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces

39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,

40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. THEY WILL RECEIVE THE GREATER CONDEMNATION."”

While in my schooling years I was exposed to some very talented teachers, but most of the time I did my best to avoid learning.  Several of the teachers I had were great, but NONE had the ability to mesmerize like THE LORD JESUS did!  GOD IN THE FLESH was/is aware of our hearts intents, and HE freely gives WISDOM to those who request (James 1:5)!  

In the three verses above JESUS explicitly informs those listening to “BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES”.  HE KNEW THE HEARTS of THE SCRIBES and HE advised those who were LISTENING to be extremely cautious with the message received from them.  Why should THE SCRIBES, who were entrusted with printing THE WORD OF GOD, be CALLED OUT by a simple carpenter’s son?  

JESUS is THE WORD (John 1:1), but is often not sought for ANSWERS to the problems of life!  When HE warned to “BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES”, HE wasn’t just singling our a certain profession, JESUS was alerting us of Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, AND DO NOT LEAN ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING!”  THE SCRIBES were well educated for the times they existed, but man’s education is futile when dealing with Spiritual matters!  They were EXPOSED to THE WORD, but refused to HEAR with their HEARTS!  NO ONE can come to JESUS UNLESS THE FATHER draw him (John 6:44)!

The human who THINKS that they are “good enough” to enter Heaven through his own merits is liken to a blind person who had never seen!  They are unaware of SEEING TRUTH!  AND unless THE FATHER draws them, they will NEVER SEE TRUTH!  “BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES”, for they will try to convince you to follow their misguided route to damnation!  “BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES” for they are headed to destruction and they can’t even SEE it!!!

“GREATER CONDEMNATION?”

 Mark 12:38-40                            (ESV)

“38 And in HIS teaching HE said, "BEWARE OF THE SCRIBES, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces

39 and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts,

40 who devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers. THEY WILL RECEIVE THE GREATER CONDEMNATION."”

“FOOLISH HEARTS WERE DARKENED!”

 Romans 2:21-32                            (ESV)

“21 For although they knew GOD, they did not honor HIM as GOD or give thanks to HIM, but they became futile in their thinking, and their “FOOLISH HEARTS WERE DARKENED”.

22 CLAIMING TO BE WISE, they became fools,

23 and exchanged the Glory of the IMMORTAL GOD for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

24 Therefore GOD GAVE THEM UP in the lusts of their hearts TO IMPURITY, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves,

25 because they exchanged the TRUTH about GOD for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, WHO is blessed forever! Amen.

26 For this reason GOD GAVE THEM UP to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature;

27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge GOD, GOD GAVE THEM UP to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips,

30 slanderers, haters of GOD, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents,

31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

32 Though they know GOD’S righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.”

Even BELIEVING that we know what is best for us, when ALMIGHTY GOD is leading us down a totally different path, can lead us where we DON’T want to go!  If we have TRUE FAITH that HE is leading exactly where HE DESIRES, then why do I grimace when a trial is presented to me?  

“GOD IS GOD and I am not” needs to be something that I keep in the forefront of my mind!  I don’t want or need to experience the “FOOLISH HEARTS WERE DARKENED” just to get my way!