“GOD HAS LISTENED!”

 Psalm 66:16-20                         (ESV)

    [16] Come and hear, all you who fear GOD,

        and I will tell what HE has done for my soul. 

    [17] I cried to HIM with my mouth,

        and high praise was on my tongue. 

    [18] If I had cherished iniquity in my heart,

        the LORD would not have listened. 

    [19] But truly “GOD HAS LISTENED”;

        HE has attended to the voice of my prayer.

    [20] Blessed be GOD,

        because HE has not rejected my prayer

        or removed HIS steadfast love from me!”

From time to time I am literally astounded how ALMIGHTY GOD answers me with such a soft and quiet voice!  “The enemy” tries to camouflage his evilness in every possible way, but in the end PEACE comes and squashes turmoil and is vanquished to irrelevance.  

My biggest problem is I want NOT ONLY to SEE “GOD HAS LISTENED” to my prayers, but I prefer GOD to act in my timeframe?!?  “HE has not rejected my prayer or removed HIS steadfast love from me”, rather HE is deepening my FAITH, much like HE did Abraham (Genesis 15)!  GOD did not produce Isaac immediately, Abraham had to wait YEARS until THE PROMISE was fulfilled.  Abraham had to grow through some trying times, BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL and HIS PROMISE was completed!!!

The thrill of a child being born overshadows the birthing pains a mother experiences.  The trials before THE PROMISE being fulfilled similarly are worth the waiting on THE LORD!  KNOWING that “GOD HAS LISTENED” to our prayers is the most fulfilling experience imaginable.  WAIT FOR IT, when “GOD HAS LISTENED” HE seldom disappoints!!!

“THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME!”

 Psalm 9:9-10                     (ESV)

    “[9] The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed,

        a stronghold in times of trouble. 

    [10] And “THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME” put their trust in YOU,

        for YOU, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek YOU.”

Have you ever felt oppressed; oppressed by the world, by sickness, by illness, by financial circumstances, or by anything that has pressed down upon you?  WHO can we turn to when we are “oppressed”, or “burdened with unreasonable impositions”?  

There are times when we bring oppression into our lives by not keeping our minds in Spiritual matters.  Colossians 3:2 instructs us to “Set your minds on things that are above, NOT on things that are on earth”!  Depression and despair await those who center their thoughts on the trials of everyday life.  Social media can be a great tool, but with all of the negativity of “this world”, we are vulnerable to “the enemy” oppressing us in his snare before we SEE him.  

For “THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME” and are able to recognize that GOD IS IN CONTROL, celebrating life needs to be a default emotion.  When people ask “how did you get through that”, they must not understand that we are apart of “THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME”!  

Philippians 2:9-11 says “Therefore GOD has highly exalted HIM and bestowed on HIM the NAME that is above every NAME, so that at the NAME of JESUS every knee should bow, in heaven AND on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST is LORD, to the glory of GOD the FATHER.”  When we become joined with “THOSE WHO KNOW YOUR NAME”, we are able to SEE things in a different light!!!

“WHO IS THE GREATEST?”

Matthew 18:1-4 (ESV)

[1] At that time the disciples came to JESUS, saying, “WHO IS THE GREATEST” in the kingdom of heaven?” [2] And calling to HIM a child, HE put him in the midst of them [3] and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. [4] WHOEVER HUMBLES HIMSELF LIKE THIS CHILD IS THE GREATEST in the kingdom of heaven.”

The disciples were “chosen” by JESUS HIMSELF according to John 15:16, so why did they want to know “WHO IS THE GREATEST” when it came to serving? In spite of be selected by THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES, the selfish desires of their previous lives still had to be “daily” crucified (Galatians 2:20; 5:24).  

According to Matthew 17:24-27 JESUS paid the “tribute”, collected by those who collected the “tax”. The SON OF GOD humbled HIMSELF to pay a fee for people like me to worship HIM? Yet, HIS followers were debating amongst themselves “WHO IS THE GREATEST”, as if that was a crown worth wearing? It would be as if a group of pigs were quarreling about which one was the prettiest and had the most pleasant fragrance!  

Are we much better today? Do we try to get to the top of the rung in our “class” of people? 1 Timothy 1:15 says rather bluntly “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, OF WHOM I AM THE FOREMOST.” So if the Apostle Paul is the FOREMOST of sinners, where does that leave me?  

We all were chosen “in HIM before the foundation of the world” (Ephesians 1:4), so what have we done to count ourselves worthy of this tremendous GRACE? We are still on earth to Glorify GOD ALMIGHTY, not to build wealth and earthly possessions. The question of “WHO IS THE GREATEST” was answered long ago! JESUS CHRIST IS THAT ANSWER!!!

“YOU SHALL SERVE GOD ON THIS MOUNTAIN!”

Exodus 3:11-12                        (ESV)

“[11] But Moses said to GOD, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” [12] HE said, “But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, “YOU SHALL SERVE GOD ON THIS MOUNTAIN”.”

Moses was finding every reason NOT to perform the task that ALMIGHTY GOD had assigned to him. GOD, THE CREATOR HIMSELF, told Moses “YOU SHALL SERVE GOD ON THIS MOUNTAIN”, but Moses continued to search for any excuse avoid being used for GODS GLORY!  

The thing is, Moses was looking at who he was IN HIS OWN EYES with his many frailties.  But GOD could SEE past the imperfections of Moses and what GOD would accomplish in his weaknesses.  And GOD could SEE that Moses would honor HIM after deliverance from the Egyptians.  GOD would get honor and praise because Moses was not full of himself, leaving room for a DIVINE FILLING from HIS SPIRIT.  

When GOD tells us that “YOU SHALL SERVE GOD ON THIS MOUNTAIN”, we need to have FAITH that we will return to WORSHIP HIM.  We might have to WAIT at the Red Sea and have our FAITH proven to us, but “YOU SHALL SERVE GOD ON THIS MOUNTAIN” will transpire! What part of “YOU SHALL SERVE GOD ON THIS MOUNTAIN” do we not understand???

“HAVE FAITH IN GOD!”

 Mark 11:20-24                      (ESV)

“[20] As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. [21] And Peter remembered and said to HIM, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” [22] And JESUS answered them, “”HAVE FAITH IN GOD”. [23] Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and DOES NOT DOUBT in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. [24] Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, BELIEVE that you have received it, and IT WILL be yours.”

How many times have we experienced GOD working in a way that the human mind is incapable of “BELIEVING” that GOD orchestrated things LIKE HE DID???  My “HIS-STORY” regarding the Neurologist that GOD used to save my life almost 14 years ago is a PRIME example.  Having the Neurologist come to Texarkana was something that was hard to BELIEVE, but that GOD used me to write a recommendation letter almost five years before I needed him was truly GOD working “things” for HIS GOOD (Romans 8:28)!  Therefore, I KNOW that GOD is capable of miraculous feats and nothing should surprise me!  

These disciples were simply following JESUS one morning, a morning following JESUS cursing this fig tree for not having any fruit.  JESUS said in Mark 11:14 “And HE said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.”  HIS disciples heard THE CREATOR say that no one would eat fruit again from the fig tree, but hearing apparently WASN’T Believing!  The NEXT DAY the tree was withering.  

Growing THE FAITH of HIS followers was the purpose of the actions of JESUS.  In Romans 4:20 Scripture records that “..he grew strong in his FAITH as he gave Glory to GOD.”  He had to experience GOD delivering when there was no guarantee that HE would, other than HIS PROMISE!  

One of my favorite sayings is “there aren’t any coincidences”!  Romans 8:28 tells us that “ALL THINGS work together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose“!  When GOD makes us wait, HIS purpose is increasing our FAITH, but it also is drawing GLORY to HIMSELF.  “HAVE FAITH IN GOD” isn’t just the name of a hymn, it is a way of life that HE is working in my life!!!

“AND I WILL DO IT!”

Isaiah 46:8-11                    (ESV)

    [8] “Remember this and stand firm,

        recall it to mind, you transgressors, 

    [9] remember the former things of old;

    for I am GOD, and there is no other;

        I am GOD, and there is none like ME, 

    [10] declaring the end from the beginning

        and from ancient times things not yet done,

    saying, ‘MY counsel shall stand,

        and I will accomplish all MY purpose,’ 

    [11] calling a bird of prey from the east,

        the man of MY counsel from a far country.

    I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;

        I have purposed, “AND I WILL DO IT”!

Numbers 23:19

       “GOD is not man, that HE should lie,

        or a son of man, that HE should change HIS mind.

    Has HE said, and will HE not do it?

        Or has HE spoken, and will HE not fulfill it?”

GOD has yet to experience telling a lie.  HE WILL DO THAT WHICH HE HAS SAID HE WILL DO!  Some might say that “GOD wouldn’t do that”, but HE sent HIS SON to earth explicitly to redeem the souls of we who have FAITH in HIS purpose!  “AND I WILL DO IT” shouldn’t be brushed off by we who have such little wisdom and knowledge.  “AND I WILL DO IT” is a Promise that should change our lives, and our actions!!!

“YOU WERE DEAD!”

 Ephesians 2:1-3                     (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.”

NONE of us are BORN perfect!  Even my precious grandchildren were BORN INTO SIN.  JESUS says to Nicodemus in John 3:7 “Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You MUST be born again”!  We do not have the ability to live a life perfect enough to satisfy our sin debt, IT AIN’T HAPPENING!

In John 4:24 JESUS says “GOD IS SPIRIT, and those who worship HIM must worship in SPIRIT and TRUTH.” We MUST have the SPIRIT OF GOD living in our lives, not only for eternal life, but to get through this life with purpose.  The Apostle Paul wrote in the passage of Scripture above that “YOU WERE DEAD”, not that people needed to die physically, but they needed to die to their selfish, carnal desires and STOP FOLLOWING THE COURSE OF THIS WORLD!  

Giving up the THINGS OF THIS WORLD does not mean that we are to live with no earthly comforts.  It does mean that we HAVE TO WALK BY FAITH though and totally rely on GOD ALMIGHTY to fulfill our needs.  Psalm 24:1 says “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein”.  When we start trying to “be comfortable” in “this world”, our sights become clouded by “the enemy”!  2 Corinthians 4:4 says “In their case the god of THIS WORLD has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to KEEP THEM FROM SEEING THE LIGHT of the gospel of the glory of CHRIST, WHO IS THE IMAGE OF GOD.

THE SPIRIT THAT IS NOW AT WORK IN THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE is sneaky and deceptive.  “YOUR ADVERSARY THE DEVIL prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” according to 1 Peter 5:8!  Even Peter himself was susceptible to “being deceived”!  In Matthew 16:23 JESUS had to admonish him when HE told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to ME. For you are not setting your mind on the things of GOD, but on the things of man.”

I often use the analogy that my “old nature has been crucified with CHRIST, but I walk around trying to give the dead man CPR!”  “YOU WERE DEAD” is something that I must realize when “the enemy” begins to infiltrate my mind and my thoughts.

“BUY THEY WILL NOT DO IT!”

Ezekiel 33:30-33

“[30] “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the LORD.’ [31] And they come to you as people come, and they sit before you as my people, and THEY HEAR what you say “BUT THEY WILL NOT DO IT”; for with lustful talk in their mouths they act; THEIR HEART IS SET ON THEIR GAIN. [32] And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, “BUT THEY WILL NOT DO IT”. [33] When this comes—and come it will!—then they will know that a prophet has been among them.””

There have been times in my life that I have been far too “busy” with the cares of “this world” to hear instructions from my CREATOR, leaning on my own knowledge (Proverbs 3:5-6) and feelings for guidance. Then again, there are times when I HEAR the WORD OF GOD instructing me “BUT THEY WILL NOT DO IT” because of fear of ridicule or my own selfish desires draw me into the lie (from the enemy) that I know what is best for me?

Doing what is best for us is NOT what we need to be doing. Doing what GOD’S WORD instructs us to do is! In Exodus 14 the Children of Israel were exiting Egypt after 430 years of captivity. Moses led them to Ethan, but in Exodus 14:2 GOD “instructed” Moses to “Tell the people of Israel to TURN BACK and ENCAMP in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall ENCAMP facing it, by the sea.”  

Encamp means “To set up camp or live in a camp”. GOD didn’t tell Moses to prepare the nation of Israel for the Egyptian Army. As a matter of fact, GOD tells them in Exodus 14:14 HE says “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Sometimes I am left with no other choice but to only be silent. GOD leads me to a pace where there is NO ESCAPING, only to WAIT ON THE LORD!  

Why do I have such a hard time accepting that GOD IS GLORIFIED by me BEING STILL (Psalms 46:10) at times? Does HE want me to TURN BACK and ENCAMP? Does HE want me spend more time with HIM and in HIS WORD? FATHER IN HEAVEN, I pray that I WILL NOT be one who hears instructions “BUT THEY WILL NOT DO IT”!!!

“I WILL GET GLORY!”

 Exodus 14:1-4;10                       (ESV)

“[1] Then the LORD said to Moses, [2] “Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea. [3] For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, ‘They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.’ [4] And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and “I WILL GET GLORY” over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.” And they did so.

Exodus 14:10                              (ESV)

“[10] When Pharaoh drew near, the PEOPLE OF ISRAEL LIFTED UP THEIR EYES, and behold, THE EGYPTIANS WERE MARCHING AFTER THEM, and THEY FEARED GREATLY. And the people of Israel cried out to the LORD.”

Even in the time of the Israelites being freed from Egyptian captivity, ALMIGHTY GOD was intent on “I WILL GET GLORY” over Pharaoh and his hosts!  GOD KNEW that the Children of Israel had gone further than HE needed them to in Exodus 14:2.  He instructed Moses to tell them to “turn back” and “encamp” near the Red Sea for a number of days.  

“The enemy” is often disguised to appear as a victor, having no fear of his prey.  But Believers are indwelled by the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD, the third person of the TRINITY, so we are the ones who should have no fear.  Our greatest failure is that we lose sight of WHO lives inside of our bodies and cower to his demands like a whipped child unaware that GOD LIVES IN US!

Far too many times I “surrender” to an already defeated foe when CHRIST has the victory already secured.  The game is already over but I think I still need to hit a home run for my team, but JESUS has the victory in hand!  In Exodus 14:14 Scripture records “The LORD will fight for you, and YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT.”  Since I have quoted that verse MANY TIMES, I should be able to understand what it means!  

Do I need to “turn back” and “encamp” while waiting on THE LORD?  Scripture records “I WILL GET GLORY” over “the enemy”, then it says that YOU HAVE ONLY TO BE SILENT!  “I WILL GET GLORY” usually only requires for me TO ONLY BE SILENT, not to try and DO SOMETHING for GOD!  “I WILL GET GLORY” means GOD….not man, will be glorified!

“MY WORD!”

 Isaiah 55:10-11                                     (ESV)

    [10] “For as the rain and the snow come DOWN FROM HEAVEN

        and do not return there but water the earth,

    making it bring forth and sprout,

        giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, 

    [11] so shall “MY WORD” be that goes out from MY mouth;

        it shall not return to ME empty,

    but IT SHALL ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH I PURPOSE,

        and SHALL SUCCEED IN THE THING FOR WHICH I SENT IT.”

We must have rainy days to survive, because that is where we get our potable water.  Seldom do you see people declaring joy and glee when it rains for an extended period of time,  but the moisture provided by the rain (or snow) is required for GROWTH of plants and other things.  

Recognizing that the rain and snow comes DOWN FROM HEAVEN might be one of the most important things that a person can contemplate.  Likewise, recognizing that “MY WORD” is a requirement for us to adequately GROW needs to be accepted and understood. We can attempt to replace “MY WORD” with man made replacements, but WITHOUT “MY WORD” we are no more capable of SPIRITUALLY GROWING than we are of guiding and directing a hurricane!  

ALMIGHTY GOD IS ABLE to disperse a storm and HE is capable of creating another one.  “MY WORD” instructs us to “live by FAITH” for ONLY HE is our CREATOR!  We are to have FAITH that HE is in control of everything and WILL ACCOMPLISH THAT WHICH HE PURPOSES!  HE has NEVER failed to perform “MY WORD”, no matter how much gloom is in the future.  The rain bring BLESSINGS from HEAVEN, no matter our opinion of the wet weather! TRUST in “MY WORD”!!!

“HE GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH!”

Romans 4:13-25                               (ESV)

The Promise Realized Through Faith

[13] For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith. [14] For IF it is the ADHERENTS OF THE LAW who ARE TO BE THE HEIRS, FAITH IS NULL and THE PROMISE IS VOID. [15] For the law brings wrath, but where there is no law there is no transgression. [16] THAT IS WHY IT DEPENDS ON FAITH, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also TO THE ONE WHO SHARES THE FAITH OF ABRAHAM, who is the father of us all, [17] as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the GOD in whom he believed, WHO gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. [18] In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” [19] He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. [20] No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of GOD, but “HE GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH” as he gave glory to GOD, [21] fully convinced that GOD was able to do what HE had promised. [22] That is why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” [23] But the words “it was counted to him” were not written for his sake alone, [24] BUT FOR OURS ALSO. It will be counted to us who believe in HIM WHO raised from the dead JESUS our LORD, [25] WHO was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.”

The FAITH of Abraham wasn’t always as strong as it wound up being.  This humble servant has always understood that Abraham was the one who believed SO MUCH that he was about to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22) in obedience to GOD?  But this passage of Scripture makes it plain that “HE GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH”, indicating maturity that time and trials developed.  

As I mature in my FAITH, it amazes me that ALMIGHTY GOD was/is so patient with me that HE has allowed me SO MUCH latitude! Why would a thrice HOLY GOD permit a wretch such as I to doubt HIS abilities when I question HIM and HIS “ways” (Isaiah 55:8-9)?  

LORD, cause me to be one that YOU will one day say “HE GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH” regardless of my feebleness and immaturity!  I SEE YOUR HAND in my life and I realize that I am NOTHING without YOU in me!  Help me to show through time and trials that “HE GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH”!!!

“BY THEIR FRUITS!”

Matthew 7:15-23                                    (ESV)

“[15] “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. [16] You will recognize them “BY THEIR FRUITS”. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? [17] So, every HEALTHY TREE BEARS GOOD FRUIT, but the DISEASED TREE BEARS BAD FRUIT. [18] A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. [19] Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. [20] Thus YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM “BY THEIR FRUITS”. [21] “Not everyone who says to me, ‘LORD, LORD,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of MY FATHER WHO is in heaven. [22] On that day many will say to me, ‘LORD, LORD, did we not prophesy in YOUR name, and cast out demons in YOUR name, and do many mighty works in YOUR name?’ [23] And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, you workers of lawlessness.’”

Our society is guilty of many things that aren’t edifying to many, but one thing that I would like to address is identifying people anyway other than “BY THEIR FRUITS”!  There are MANY people who love to quote Matthew 7:1 “Judge not, that you be not judged” and accept that as a message to let public sin go because we aren’t supposed to “judge”!

But just a few minutes later JESUS is very plainly telling us “YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THEM “BY THEIR FRUITS”!  If we RECOGNIZE THEM “BY THEIR FRUITS” we have to, WITH KINDNESS, identify them and demonstrate that their lives are contrary to THE WORD OF GOD.  The best way we can do that is, TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY, live CHRIST-LIKE, not giving into the characteristics of “this world”!  

Every HEALTHY TREE BEARS GOOD FRUIT, it is different than the DISEASED TREE that BEARS BAD FRUIT.  Likewise, Believers should be separated from the world and live “peculiar” lives that draw attention, not to themselves, but to JESUS.  Although we are still in this garden we know as “this world”, we should bear so much fruit that we stand out as something different, or special.  

FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to live so others can SEE GOOD FRUIT on my branches!  Although I may be assigned to live IN THE MIDST OF BAD FRUIT, it is my desire to display GOOD FRUIT as a testimony to YOUR MERCY and GRACE to me, and others if YOU are drawing them!  Cause me to be identified “BY THEIR FRUITS” in testament to YOU living me!!!

“THE WAY!”

 Acts 19:23-27 (ESV)

[23] About that time there arose NO LITTLE DISTURBANCE concerning “THE WAY”. [24] For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought NO LITTLE BUSINESS to the craftsmen. [25] These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that FROM THIS BUSINESS WE HAVE OUR WEALTH. [26] And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. [27] And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

JESUS said in John 14:6 “I AM “THE WAY”, and THE TRUTH, and THE LIFE. No one comes to the FATHER except THROUGH ME.” In Acts 4:12 Scripture records “And there is salvation in NO ONE ELSE, for there is NO OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN given among men by which we must be saved.”

When Demetrius began to espouse that “the wealth” from “the trade” generated through the worshipers of other gods, such as Artemis, it caused NO LITTLE DISTURBANCE! Could the EYES of Demetrius have been looking for the wrong things? All of the sudden “THE WAY”, JESUS was not sufficient to sustain the lives of those who were young in their FAITH. JESUS tells us in Luke 14:33, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce ALL THAT HE HAS cannot be my disciple.”  

“THE WAY” had a strong “drawing” because it filled the void that “this world” and its god (2 Corinthians 4:4) can not replicate. However, the “choice” of following JESUS is not something that we can initiate. John 15:16 says “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.”  

Walking in “THE WAY” does NOT indicate that we are going to have life easy. Many places in Scripture indicate that TRIBULATIONS are rampant in our lives. But JESUS equals PEACE and that PEACE is hard to describe. When JESUS chooses us to walk in “THE WAY”, our EYES are OPENED and we can understand things that we previously could not SEE! That doesn’t mean that we are going to be able to navigate away trouble, but it does say that HE is with us leading us through “THE WAY”!!!

“HE WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY!”

 Luke 5:12-16                       (ESV)

[12] While HE was in one of the cities, there came a man full of leprosy. And when he saw JESUS, he fell on his face and begged HIM, “LORD, if YOU will, YOU can make me clean.” [13] And JESUS stretched out HIS hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him. [14] And HE charged him to tell no one, but “go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a proof to them.” [15] But now even more the report about HIM went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear HIM and to be healed of their infirmities. [16] But “HE WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY.”

JESUS had just performed a miraculous healing of a leper who saw JESUS do what no one else could do.  The “marketing” thing to do might have been to “make the most” of the situation and grow HIS following by healing others.  But JESUS “did not come” to build an earthly portfolio or kingdom.  HE came to provide THE PERFECT SACRIFICE for the sins of we who believe on HIS NAME!

When JESUS found HIMSELF nearing the opportunity to GLORIFY HIMSELF over the FATHER, “HE WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY”.  JESUS wasn’t in danger of succumbing to the temptation from “the enemy”, rather HE was setting an example for us to be aware of our surroundings and to refrain from self glorification.  

How many times have I wanted to revel in my victories when ALMIGHTY GOD gives me every breath I breathe (Isaiah 42:5)?  Our very existence is provided to GLORIFY HIS NAME, and we want to talk about what “we” have done?!? This is not a rebuke, more like a admission of guilt!  Why is it that I am so caught up in what “the enemy” is showing me instead of seeing TRUTH when it is revealed to me?

When JESUS was presented with temptation, as in Matthew 4, HE had just returned from 40 days of PRAYER and fasting.  HE was “prepared” for anything that “the enemy” threw at HIM.  Maybe “HE WOULD WITHDRAW TO DESOLATE PLACES AND PRAY” needs to be in my preparation plan and I can be ready for what lies ahead of me???

“HE CHOSE US!”

 Ephesians 1:3-6                              (ESV)

Spiritual Blessings in CHRIST

“[3] Blessed be the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, WHO has blessed us in CHRIST with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, [4] even as “HE CHOSE US” in HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be HOLY and BLAMELESS before HIM. In love [5] HE PREDESTINED US for adoption to HIMSELF as sons through JESUS CHRIST, according to the purpose of HIS will, [6] to the praise of HIS glorious grace, with which HE has blessed us in the Beloved.”

Before we attempt to build a case of how precious and special we are because “we believe” in the ONE that brought our salvation to be, we MUST not overlook what HIS WORD is telling us in the letter to the church at Ephesus.  “HE CHOSE US” plainly states that it was HIM that initiated the relationship that man has with HIM, for “HE CHOSE US” in HIM BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD!

It is not that we are better than the most egregious child molester, or wife beater, or any other person that HE CREATED!  It is simply because “HE CHOSE US”, “according to HIS purpose, to the praise of HIS glorious grace, with which HE has blessed us in the Beloved.”  The thought of NOT being CHOSEN is something that I prefer not to think about, as without HIM, I AM NOTHING!  

We have a PLAN that we are PREDESTINED to fulfill.  Not for our glory or purpose, but to GLORIFY HIS NAME!  HE is using every trial and temptation to develop me.  Moses was spoken to by ALMIGHTY GOD in Exodus 3 about delivering HIS people from Egypt.  GOD then spoke to Moses in Exodus 20 giving him the Ten Commandments after HE had in fact delivered them out of bondage!  Exodus 14:4 says in part “...I will get GLORY over Pharaoh and all his hosts...”.    

Was the exodus from Egypt a bed of roses for Moses and the Children of Israel?  Scripture indicates it was anything but comfort and pleasure. Our Purpose is not about how much money is in our bank account, nor our comfortable retirement that we have planned, but rather to draw GLORY and HONOR to the ONE WHO CHOSE US before the foundation of the world!  We are incapable of developing into what “HE CHOSE US” to become. We can only sit back and watch THE MASTER at work!!!

“I HAVE SPOKEN!”

 Isaiah 46:8-11                 (ESV)

    [8] “Remember this and stand firm,

        recall it to mind, you transgressors, 

    [9] remember the former things of old;

    for I am GOD, AND THERE IS NO OTHER;

        I am GOD, and THERE IS NONE LIKE ME, 

    [10] declaring the end from the beginning

        and from ancient times things not yet done,

    saying, ‘MY COUNSEL SHALL STAND,

        and I WILL ACCOMPLISH ALL MY PURPOSE,’ 

    [11] calling a bird of prey from the east,

        the man of my counsel from a far country.

    “I HAVE SPOKEN”, and I WILL BRING IT TO PASS;

        I HAVE PURPOSED, and I WILL DO IT.”

How soon we forget when ALMIGHTY GOD has spoken to us.  Acknowledging that THE CREATOR has calmed our soul with HIS PEACE can be lessened in time the further we get from our Bethel (Genesis 35:1-25) experience. This is where GOD instructed Jacob to return to Bethel and told him that he would now be called Israel, for HE was a CHANGED person!  

We can become so acclimated to our surroundings that we forget that WE ARE CHOSEN, that we ARE NOT our own, but we are BOUGHT WITH A PRICE (1 Corinthians 6:20) to Glorify HIS NAME!  Just because we are on the banks of the Red Sea doesn’t mean that we are about to be swamped by the waters!  GOD might be preparing our enemy to be judged???

When “I HAVE SPOKEN” has given us a glimpse of HIS PLAN, fear and doubt should never enter our minds!  But we are frail, imperfect beings that need to sometimes be reminded that “I HAVE SPOKEN” is THE CREATOR HIMSELF WHO WILL ACCOMPLISH ALL HIS PURPOSE, even through us imperfect people!!!