“NOT ACCORDING TO CHRIST!”

 Colossians 2:6-8                            (ESV)

“[6] Therefore, as you received CHRIST JESUS the LORD, SO WALK IN HIM, [7] rooted and built up in HIM and established in the FAITH, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. [8] See to it that NO ONE TAKES YOU CAPTIVE by philosophy and EMPTY DECEIT, ACCORDING TO HUMAN TRADITION, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and “NOT ACCORDING TO CHRIST”.”

Just because “everyone else is doing it” is good indication that it is “NOT ACCORDING TO CHRIST”!  When we WALK IN HIM, HE typically leads us through places where “this world” will avoid.  Performing deeds ACCORDING TO HUMAN TRADITION, and “NOT ACCORDING TO CHRIST” is a precarious position to find ourselves.  

“GOD WHO FULFILLS HIS PURPOSE FOR ME!”

 Psalm 57:1-3                             (ESV)

    “[1] Be merciful to me, O GOD, BE MERCIFUL TO ME 

     for in YOU my soul takes refuge;

    in the shadow of YOUR wings I will take refuge,

        TILL THE STORMS OF DESTRUCTION PASS BY. 

    [2] I cry out to GOD MOST HIGH,

        to “GOD WHO FULFILLS HIS PURPOSE FOR ME”. 

    [3] HE WILL SEND FROM HEAVEN AND SAVE ME;

        HE will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah

    GOD WILL SEND out HIS steadfast love and HIS faithfulness!”

Today is July 29, 2021.   As I began my day I sent Birthday greetings to several friends sharing the same day of the year as the day of entering “this world” as my mother did 91 years ago.  Then my mind goes back to July 29, 2007, the day I was brought out of a 17 day coma from a near fatal Brain Hemorrhage! Just for a moment the thought went through my mind to not recall the ordeal as it could be taken as someone begging for attention.  But my next thought was about how many times King David wrote about GOD’S unfailing deliverance and I quickly put worrying about what others think where it should be!

David, a man after GODS OWN HEART (1 Samuel 13:14), wrote constantly about taking refuge in GOD MOST HIGH!  He understood, even though he constantly begged for GODS DELIVERANCE, that “GOD WHO FULFILLS HIS PURPOSE FOR ME” was THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES!  

“GOD WHO FULFILLS HIS PURPOSE FOR ME” works in HIS OWN timeframe.  HE isn’t swayed by my impatience and the immature FAITH that I possess.  Waiting for 17 days to pass might seem like a long time to be totally “out-of-control”, but GOD was displaying to me that I was moving TO FAST, that I needed to SLOW DOWN!

When I graduated high school at the age of 17 years old, I had to WAIT for three months until I was 18 to “be an adult”!  Then I had to WAIT for almost six years until I was married to the perfect woman for me!  One would think that I would be accustomed to WAITING, but GOD IS STILL WORKING ON ME, showing me that the “GOD WHO FULFILLS HIS PURPOSE FOR ME” has a PLAN, and HE WILL SEND out HIS steadfast love and HIS faithfulness!!!

“ALL THINGS!”

 Romans 8:28                                           (ESV)

“[28] And we know that for those who love GOD “ALL THINGS” work together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose.”

Recently I typed these words during a message at church.  Even the capitalization was done without much thought.  “GOD gives us ALL THINGS (despair and joyful times) to mold us into vessels that are modifying us FOR HIS GLORY!!!”  In my thoughts regarding Romans 8:28, I should have capitalized FOR GOOD, meaning that GOD would supernaturally change the “bad times” into “good times” just because HE loved me?!?  But when I consider my journey, I have searched for answers more fervently when going through the “bad times” instead of the “good times”, maybe because I desired to never experience the “bad times” again!

The very essence of “ALL THINGS” lets us know that GOD uses good and bad to mature us into, not perfect individuals, but tools that will Glorify HIS NAME.  Not one of us are “so good” as to NOT experience some rough times in life. These troubling times are when GOD often draws me closer to HIM, for I KNOW that I do not have the answers needed to even breathe oxygen into and out of my body. When HE brings pleasant times, it is easy to accept them without acknowledging where they are from.  

GOD WORKS TOGETHER through “ALL THINGS”, no matter how we perceive them, FOR HIS PURPOSE, us becoming more like HIS SON.  HIS SON was brutally sacrificed by GOD (Isaiah 53:10) in order to “atone” for my sins and yours.  We should “rejoice evermore” (1 Thessalonians 5:16), even though suffering comes, because GOD is the ONE controlling everything, and HE WORKS “ALL THINGS” for good, for we who are CALLED according to HIS PURPOSE!!!

 

“NO ONE KNOWS!”

 Mark 13:32-37                        (ESV)

“[32] “But concerning that day or that hour, “NO ONE KNOWS”, not even the angels in heaven, nor the SON, but ONLY THE FATHER. [33] Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. [34] It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. [35] Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—[36] lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. [37] And what I say to you I say to all: STAY AWAKE.””

As a people, most of us WANT TO KNOW, to be informed and knowledgeable about life and what we are going to experience in it.  We want to plan for next week, next year, for children, then for grandchildren, retirement, declining health, and on and on!  We want to PREPARE for what MIGHT happen in the future, but “NO ONE KNOWS” what is coming in our lives, ONLY THE FATHER!

JESUS was instructing HIS CHOSEN (the disciples) “…what will be the sign when all these things are about to be accomplished?” (Mark 13:4).  They wanted TO KNOW, but JESUS wants us ALL to WALK BY FAITH.  We need to TRUST GOD for even our next breath, yet we want TO KNOW what that breath will bring.  

I would probably have done a few things differently had I known what was going to happen July 09, 2007?  What GOD displayed to me was that HE doesn’t require my assistance to “change the world”!  HE doesn’t even have to have me taking my next breath.  HE can arrange that for me, with or without my consent!  A 52 day hospital stay, learning how to walk and talk again, having my life perspective completely changed did not require any input from this humble servant.  Almost ten years later I worked in the yard most of the day.  By the time the next Tuesday was here I was on an operating table with doctors operating on my heart!  In less than two weeks I was back at the office.  

“NO ONE KNOWS” what the future holds for their lives.   We CERTAINLY don’t KNOW when ALMIGHTY GOD is going to send JESUS back.  One thing we DO KNOW, JESUS WILL COME BACK, and it will be a GLORIOUS DAY for a few of us!  It won’t be a good time for those who aren’t PREPARED FOR THAT DAY!  “NO ONE KNOWS” when, but we DO KNOW we are closer now than we have ever been!!!

“YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH!”

 John 8:31-45                        (ESV)

“[31] So JESUS said to the Jews who had believed HIM, “If you abide in MY WORD, you are truly MY disciples, [32] and “YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH”, and THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE.” [33] They answered HIM, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that YOU say, ‘You will become free’?”

[34] JESUS answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, EVERYONE WHO PRACTICES SIN IS A SLAVE TO SIN. [35] The slave does not remain in the house forever; the SON remains forever.

[36] So if the SON sets you free, you will be free indeed. [37] I KNOW THAT YOU ARE AN OFFSPRING OF ABRAHAM; yet you seek to kill ME because MY WORD finds no place in you. [38] I speak of what I have seen with MY FATHER, and you do what you have heard from your father.”  [39] They 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.”

JESUS was, is, and always will be GOD.  HE knew that just because these people challenging HIM were “of Abraham” did not mean that they were HIS CHOSEN.  As a matter of fact, JESUS told these Jews that they desired to kill HIM in verse 40!  They may not have even known they were inclined to be against their CREATOR, but they were so caught up with what they were told to believe that they were unable to SEE TRUTH when HE was in their midst!  Simply being “an offspring of Abraham” wasn’t the redeeming value for these people, they had to have their EYES OPENED and SEE their “lostness” and their need for a Savior!

We are no different today.  We must exhibit total FAITH IN JESUS.  When we depend on our own abilities for money for survival, for good health and long life, for our posterity, basically for the very breath we breathe (Isaiah 42:5), we have begun down the path of self-sufficiency.  When OUR EYES are looking anywhere other than JESUS, they are missing the mark.  Even though these “Jewish” people were from the physical bloodline of Abraham, their EYES were yet to be OPENED to THE TRUTH of HIM being GOD, something that many of us are missing as well!

JESUS is, was, and always will be GOD IN FLESH!  HE came to live LIFE PERFECT and HOLY (Romans 3:25-26) so that HIS PERFECT and HOLY LIFE could be imputed to THE CHOSEN of GOD.  FAITH in the matchless work of JESUS is what is required to enter Heaven. “YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH” is not something that we can find by doing “good works”!  “YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH” can only come when our EYES ARE OPENED TO THE TRUTH!!!

“WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME!”

 Galatians 4:4-7                                   (ESV)

“[4] But “WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME”, GOD sent forth HIS SON, born of woman, born under the law, [5] to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. [6] And because you are sons, GOD has sent the SPIRIT of HIS SON into our hearts, crying, “ABBA! FATHER!” [7] So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through GOD.”

As immature as I was when our first son was born when I was 26 years old, I had the opinion that I was ready to be a daddy.  Life has revealed to me that I had a lot of growing up to do myself, and yet now I was blessed with a son.  He was expected to be born on April 25, but it was May 04 when the doctor decided that he would induce labor.  He wasn’t born until May 05, maybe GOD’s way of telling me that HE was calling the shots, not me!  The extra waiting time was difficult for me, and I wasn’t the one carrying him inside of me!  He came “WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME” according to our CREATOR!

“GOD sent forth HIS SON, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” HAD to be fulfilled for JESUS to Glorify HIS FATHER.  We received HIS glorious gift even though we were wretched sinners with no hope of eternity within us.  The timing for JESUS’ physical tenure on earth wasn’t by chance, it was DIVINELY appointed.  

GOD HAS A PLAN, and although we may have our own ideas of when HE should be acting, it will happen “WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME”!  We get so blinded by what is transpiring in our “small world” that we are apparently not concerned with the rest of mankind?  When it is TIME, GOD will reveal HIS PLAN in all of its GLORY!  But it will wait until “WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME HAD COME”!!!

“WHO THEN IS THIS?”

 Mark 4:38-41

“[38] But HE was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke HIM and said to HIM, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” [39] And HE awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] HE said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” [41] And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “WHO THEN IS THIS”, that even the wind and the sea obey HIM?””

“You've got to see it all as coming from ME" is a quote from Dr. Charles Stanley during an interview I heard a few years back.  When we experience continued resistance from “the enemy”, it can seem like the entire world is against us.  Yesterday I wrote about the disciples witnessing the calming of the storm, and HIS disciples “were filled with great fear” because HE acted outside of what was normal for humans.  The disciples had never heard of Dr. Charles Stanley nor his insight. They COULDN’T SEE a storm being caused by the MASTER, they just wanted the storm to subside!

Are we any better than the disciples, begging GOD to keep us from difficulties when our FAITH would grow by going through a storm or two?  In Acts 14 Paul was stoned (they thought unto death) for his Belief that JESUS IS LORD.   Was it written about him or by him for his suffering to be mitigated?  On the contrary, he wrote in 2 Corinthians 11 that he gladly suffered hardships for the furthering of THE KINGDOM!  Yes, Paul was willing to experience STORMS in his life so that CHRIST would be Glorified!

When our EYES are opened to the realization that we are on earth, not for our comfort, but for HIS GLORY, then we are just at the beginning of our journey for CHRIST.  The good and the bad are used to mature us into tools that are used to magnify JESUS instead of building our name.  It shall be my goal to make it known “WHO THEN IS THIS” than to edify self.  It is ALL about CHRIST and not about any of us!!!

“PEACE! BE STILL!”

 Mark 4:35-41                         (ESV)

“[35] On that day, when evening had come, HE said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” [36] And leaving the crowd, they took HIM with them in the boat, just as HE was. And other boats were with HIM. [37] And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. [38] But HE was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke HIM and said to HIM, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” [39] And HE awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “PEACE! BE STILL!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. [40] HE said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” [41] And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “WHO then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey HIM?””

As I ponder these verses I am thinking about all the times I have seemingly been at the “end of my rope” when JESUS said to me, “PEACE! BE STILL!”  One time was on April 11, 2017. I was being “prepped” for heart bypass surgery and my family was with me.  I was very emotional because I knew that they had to stop my heart to perform the work that needed to be done on me, and that there was NO GUARANTEE that it would start again.  Obviously it did start again and the recovery from the surgery was phenomenal, ALL because of GOD!

The disciples KNEW WHO JESUS was, they were with HIM everyday!  But it is still written in Mark 4:41 “And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “WHO then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey HIM?”  This same JESUS WHO spoke and calmed the seas also spoke the wind and seas into existence!  They have do nothing outside of HIS power!  

We weak Believers need to be reminded that GOD even controls the pharaohs in our lives!  Yes, the same GOD WHO caused Pharaoh to keep the Israelites in slavery also told them to leave Egypt and gave them all kinds of wealth to leave!  Then GOD “hardened” the heart of Pharaoh and he pursued Israel to the Red Sea!  Exodus 14:30 says “Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore.”  Their enemy was defeated right in front of their eyes and they didn’t have to do anything!

The disciples had to experience fear and doubt before the storm was calmed.  I experienced fear and doubt just before the heart surgery in 2017, but JESUS was IN CONTROL and everything went swimmingly.  JESUS would have still have been IN CONTROL had things not turned out so great!  When JESUS says “PEACE! BE STILL!” The wind and seas obey HIM!  Why don’t we???

“HE DOES NOT HEAR!”

 Isaiah 59:1-2

    “[1] Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save,

        or HIS ear dull, that it cannot hear; 

    [2] but YOUR INIQUITIES have MADE A SEPARATION

        between you and your GOD,

    and your sins have hidden HIS face from you

        so that “HE DOES NOT HEAR”.”

Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD, wasn’t identified as a “condition” when I was a kid.  If it were, I would have probably been on mega-doses of medicines for not paying attention to whatever was before me!  My condition might not have been corrected with medication, but it WAS corrected!!!  A belt, a switch, sometimes a board was used to “treat” my illness!

Identifying “SIN” and its cause can be challenging for some people, as they are basically “good people” that avoid all of the socially recognized things that others seem to accept as “bad”.  However those “bad things” aren’t what SEPARATES us from a HOLY GOD, but a heart that is unregenerate, that hasn’t been CHOSEN by HIS LOVE!  

JESUS was sent from Heaven to live the LIFE that could not be lived by ANYONE ELSE out of HIS LOVE for us!  We can make excuses for SIN until we are blue in the face, but until our EYES ARE OPENED and we RECOGNIZE that we are SINNERS, we will be SEPARATED from HIM.  Recognizing that WE NEED A SAVIOR WHO has overcome death, hell and the grave is our only hope for eternity.  

“HE DOES NOT HEAR” our bargaining sessions where we CLAIM that we will DO BETTER!  “HE DOES NOT HEAR” us turning over a new leaf!  JESUS says in Matthew 22:12 “For many are called, but few are CHOSEN.”  HE HEARS who HE CHOOSES to hear!  I’m so BLESSED to be HEARD by THE MASTER!!!

“LED BY THE SPIRIT?”

Romans 8:12-15

Heirs with Christ

[12] So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. [13] For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the SPIRIT you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. [14] For all who are “LED BY THE SPIRIT” of GOD are sons of GOD. [15] For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the SPIRIT of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “ABBA! FATHER!””

There have been more than a few times that I have heard “It’s not them, it’s the puppet masters that control them”!  Well just who are the puppet masters and why do they want someone else gaining glory for what they have accomplished?  How are the puppet masters unwittingly controlling people?  

Satan is the antithesis of TRUTH!  JESUS says of “the enemy” in John 8:44 “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.”  Since he “deceives” without impunity, he “lies” about everything because (according to JESUS) it is his own character!  Spewing “lies” is not only his preferred method of operating, it is the only way he knows how to act!  

How does someone determine who is guiding their life, basically being a puppet master?  JESUS says in Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23 that whoever is NOT with ME , they are against ME!  JESUS also says in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  When we are “LED BY THE SPIRIT” we have a PEACE that guides us in the path we should go.  Being led by the liar will undoubtedly bring turmoil and strife into your midst. But being “LED BY THE SPIRIT” cannot help but bring MY PEACE!!!

“WAIT FOR THE LORD!”

 Psalms 27:14                          (KJV)

“WAIT FOR THE LORD”: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: WAIT, I SAY, FOR THE LORD.”

Exhibiting patience has never been one of my strong suits!  For that matter, it hasn’t even been one of my weak suits either!  Admiration of my wife has been something that has been rather easy for me.  She has always seemed so calm and relaxed.  Even when I was in a coma 14 years ago the nurses remarked how she was seemingly unfazed by the seriousness of my condition, that she KNEW that I was going to be fine???  I can only say today that her FAITH is a lot stronger than mine was!

When we are told to “WAIT FOR THE LORD” we basically have to admit that we ARE NOT HIM, that HE IS GOD and we are not!  How many times are we instructed to HAVE FAITH IN GOD, yet we fail to TRUST in HIS TIMING?  When we tell people that we have faith in GOD, but then we proceed to “make a way” for ourselves, we are in essence admitting by our actions that we know better than HIM.  “Yielding” to HOLY SPIRIT is usually evidence that we are maturing SPIRITUALLY.  

I’m not sure that being placed into a coma is the preferred method of displaying SPIRITUAL maturity though???  There are several times in my life where I have HAD to “WAIT FOR THE LORD” because my mind could not SEE any other option.  My limited knowledge and wisdom could not figure out a way out of the predicament that I found myself in, no matter how hard I tried.  It seems as though I might have been in a proverbial wilderness and every turn I make is the wrong one!

In those times I am left with Psalms 27:14 and “WAIT FOR THE LORD”!  The thing that I really need to hear is the end of the verse that says, “WAIT, I SAY, FOR THE LORD”!!!  It is like HOLY SPIRIT is saying “I have been trying to tell you, “WAIT FOR THE LORD”!!!  I prefer not to be placed in a 17 day coma again to LEARN that lesson!!!

“WITHOUT ONE COMING NEAR THE OTHER!”

 Exodus 14:19-20                      (ESV)

“[19] Then the angel of GOD who was going before the host of Israel moved and went behind them, and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them, [20] coming between the host of Egypt and the host of Israel. And there was the cloud and the darkness. And it lit up the night “WITHOUT ONE COMING NEAR THE OTHER” all night.”

When reading “….without one coming near the other all night” previously, the inclination of this Biblical novice was to accept what I didn’t know as TOO DEEP for me to understand.  The Egyptian army was considered the most feared of the time.  There were few who escaped their wrath and cruelty. Upon researching, an explanation by Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary made all of the sense in the world. 

“Moses' silent prayers of faith prevailed more with God than Israel's loud outcries of fear. The pillar of cloud and fire came behind them, where they needed a guard, and it was a wall between them and their enemies. The word and providence of God have a black and dark side toward sin and sinners, but a bright and pleasant side toward the people of the Lord. He, who divided between light and darkness, Genesis 1:4, ALLOTTED DARKNESS TO THE EGYPTIANS, and LIGHT TO THE ISRAELITES. Such a difference there will be between the inheritance of the saints in light, and that utter darkness which will be the portion of hypocrites for ever.” One angel performed different things to THE CHOSEN OF GOD and those rejected by GOD all at the same time “WITHOUT ONE COMING NEAR THE OTHER”!

The Egyptians and the Israelites were both exposed to the same angel, but one saw the angel as darkness and the other saw it as LIGHT.  Neither could SEE what the other was seeing, only what their EYES were meant to SEE!  In Exodus 14:10 these same Israelites “feared greatly”, but now they didn’t?  Scripture states “And there was the cloud and the darkness.”  WHO do you think was the Cloud (Exodus 13:20-21) and who was “the darkness (John 1:5)???

LIGHT and darkness CANNOT mix, it is not possible!  JESUS IS LIGHT and the devil is darkness.  James 4:7 says “Submit yourselves therefore to GOD. Resist the devil, and HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU.”  It is really quite understandable that we who follow CHRIST are separate from “this world”, as they DON’T mix!  “WITHOUT ONE COMING NEAR THE OTHER” is a lot easier to grasp when you IDENTIFY the CHRIST versus the enemy!!!

“THE LORD WILL PROVIDE!”

 Genesis 22:13-14                    (ESV)

“[13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering INSTEAD OF HIS SON. [14] So Abraham called the name of that place, “THE  LORD WILL PROVIDE”; as it is said to this day, “On THE MOUNT OF THE LORD it shall be provided.””

My EYES were opened recently in a BIBLE study at the fellowship I attend.  Our pastor said that the Latin version used for PROVIDE here was “providéo”, or substitute!  Abraham had taken his son, his “only son” Isaac according GOD speaking in Genesis 22:2, to Mount Moriah in OBEDIENCE to the command of THE LORD to offer Isaac as a sacrifice.  Ishmael wasn’t the son of PROMISE OF GOD in Genesis 15:4, but resulted in the impatience of Sarai and Abram trying to help GOD!

It is interesting to this humble servant that GOD had Abraham carry Isaac to THE MOUNT OF THE LORD , a place where GOD often performs HIS grandest achievements.  Mount Moriah, Mount Sinai, and Mount Calvary are just a few examples that come to my mind.   Of course, every mountain was THE MOUNT OF THE LORD as “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein…” according to Psalm 24:1, so they ALL belong to HIM.  

It was not a “coincidence” that this innocent, unsuspecting ram (Genesis 22:13) was entangled in a thicket by its horns.  It was GOD “providéo”ing for Abraham, just like JESUS did for me on Mount Calvary!  Isaac “should have” been sacrificed on Mount Moriah that day.  I should have been crucified on Mount Calvary that day.  BUT GOD substituted for ALL and paid the price for our sinfulness.  

Having a “providéo” WHO is the SON OF GOD is the best blessing I can fathom.  WHO else could REDEEM such a worthless sinner?  Just as a ram was amazingly caught in a thicket right where it could be seen by Abraham, JESUS CHRIST was right where HE could be seen by me on January 08, 1978!  HE called me out of “this world” and into HIS marvelous light!  “THE LORD WILL PROVIDE” is on HIS timeline, something that I need to exhibit more in my testimony!!!

“GOD HAS SHOWN YOU!”

 Genesis 41:34-40                                          (ESV)

“[34] Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. [35] And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. [36] That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”

Joseph Rises to Power

[37] This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. [38] And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the SPIRIT of GOD?” [39] Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since “GOD HAS SHOWN YOU” all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. [40] You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.””

Joseph found himself in “the place where the king’s prisoners were confined”, in other words, prison!  Just a few days ago I wrote how THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH, but now we SEE that he was RISING TO POWER according to the writers of this text.  Joseph had been sold by his own brothers, lied about by Potiphar’s wife, and imprisoned without cause, but he is never recorded questioning GOD or HIS PLAN!

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers right after he told them of the dream he had where his brothers were bowing down to him (Genesis 37).  He then began his journey through years of “persecution”, following GOD wherever he was led.  The path didn’t lead through comfort and luxury, rather rejection and solitude.  There was nobody telling him how steadfast and obedient he was.  He had to rely on the SPIRIT of GOD to guide and direct him in the path that he was called!

When Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dreams, he could have told him whatever he thought that would get his prison sentence lightened or possibly pardoned.  Yet Joseph told Pharaoh that seven years of abundance would be followed by seven years famine, and that Pharaoh should prepare!  Pharaoh acknowledged THE WORD from Joseph and ordered that he should be over ALL Egypt, save only his throne.  

How did Joseph know what to tell Pharaoh regarding his dream?  “GOD HAS SHOWN YOU” was the reason given by Pharaoh himself. Nobody else was able to say “GOD HAS SHOWN YOU” because Joseph was being used by ALMIGHTY GOD for HIS PURPOSE.  ONLY JOSEPH was CHOSEN by THE CREATOR to perform during these events.  

When GOD reveals HIS PLAN to you, obedience is a MUST for your life.  Obedience will probably cost more than money, but the reward will be GREAT, just as it was for Joseph.  Just knowing that “GOD HAS SHOWN YOU” is worth it, but HE REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM (Hebrews 11:6)!!!

“WHY DO YOU CRY TO ME?”

 Exodus 14:15-18                          (ESV)

“[15] The LORD said to Moses, “WHY DO YOU CRY TO ME?” Tell the people of Israel to go forward. [16] Lift up your staff, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground. [17] And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so that they shall go in after them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, his chariots, and his horsemen. [18] And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten glory over Pharaoh, his chariots, and his horsemen.””

Exodus 14:14 has been a verse of Scripture that has had a great impact on me, “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”  Always wanting to be THE PERSON that GOD used to accomplish HIS PURPOSE was what “I wanted” in my life!  Until recently while reading again GOD spoke to me in a humbling way.  

HE said “Am I not GOD THE CREATOR?  Did I need you to understand everything when I SPOKE these worlds into existence?  I can CREATE everything from nothing, so I don’t need you to do anything, I CHOOSE to allow you to work on my behalf and for my GLORY!”  

We’re I writing the script for the Exodus, I might have had the Egyptians get attacked by killer bees or something similar!  But GODS PERFECT PLAN called for them to try and capture the Israelites again and GOD to gain GLORY at the Red Sea!  Exodus 14:28 records what happened, “The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen; of all the host of Pharaoh that had followed them into the sea, NOT ONE OF THEM REMAINED!”  The enemy was once again annihilated by THE LORD!

When I get caught up in my feeble, brain damaged mind on how I THINK things should happen, ALMIGHTY GOD has to remind me that “GOD did not invite me to be co-god with HIM”!  HE is GOD the CREATOR, so “WHY DO YOU CRY TO ME”???  

“THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH!”

 Genesis 39:2;6;11-21                                          (ESV)

[2] “THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH”, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.

[6] So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.  Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 

[11] But one day, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, [12] she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. [13] And as soon as she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and had fled out of the house, [14] she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to laugh at us. He came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. [15] And as soon as he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried out, he left his garment beside me and fled and got out of the house.” [16] Then she laid up his garment by her until his master came home, [17] and she told him the same story, saying, “The Hebrew servant, whom you have brought among us, came in to me to laugh at me. [18] But as soon as I lifted up my voice and cried, he left his garment beside me and fled out of the house.”

[19] As soon as his master heard the words that his wife spoke to him, “This is the way your servant treated me,” his anger was kindled. [20] And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and HE WAS IN PRISON. [21] But “THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH” and showed him steadfast love and GAVE HIM FAVOR in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”

The wife of Potiphar was deceitful and conniving.  She wanted to have her way with Joseph but he wouldn’t yield to sin.  Joseph refused her advances and was ultimately placed into prison for doing the right thing, even though he was innocent of her accusations.  He was placed into prison, “the place where the king’s prisoners were confined”, but “THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH” and used his apparent misfortune for HIS GLORY!

Even though I try to “see it all as coming from ME” (as Dr. Charles Stanley spoke in an interview), acknowledging that ALMIGHTY GOD would allow difficult times in my life is hard to swallow sometimes.  If GOD is such a good GOD, why does HE allow unpleasant, even painful events in my life?  

Joseph was imprisoned in “the place where the king’s prisoners were confined” so GOD would be GLORIFIED!  GOD interpreted dreams through Joseph, and that would lead him into the presence of Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt.  Yes, “THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH”, even though he was in a place of despair and ridicule and Joseph knew that GOD was IN CONTROL!  

When things become chaotic and seemingly “out of control” we must remember that our GOD IS IN CONTROL, not only of us, but in control of everything around us!  HE is grooming me for HIS GLORY, regardless of the uncertainty and madness of circumstances.  Joseph was promoted to second in command of this world behind Pharaoh, although he found himself unjustly imprisoned.  Never forget that “THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH”, not only in the “good times”, but more importantly in the bad!!!

“HIS PURPOSE!”

 Ephesians 1:7-10                         (ESV)

“[7] In HIM we have redemption through HIS blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of HIS grace, [8] which HE lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of HIS will, according to “HIS PURPOSE”, which HE set forth in CHRIST [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in HIM, things in heaven and things on earth.”

Philippians 2:12-13

“[12] Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is GOD WHO works in you, both to will and to work for HIS GOOD PLEASURE.”

In a memory I shared recently I mentioned that being anything you wanted to be was not always possible.  Being 6’6” tall was a non-starter for the U.S. Air Force in 1978 if you wanted to become a pilot.  If you were over 6’4” tall you weren’t even considered for the pilot program, especially if your education level was a high school graduate!  It wasn’t a dream career to me and I quickly began looking at other options when these requirements were made known to me.  

Being in the senior citizen population now, it amazes me the path that GOD has CHOSEN for me to travel for “HIS PURPOSE”.  Sure an Air Force pilot would have been difficult and demanding, but this PATH was not according to “HIS PURPOSE” for my life.  When I review what I can remember of the first 60+ years of my life, the “highs” and “lows” are many, but the main force of my life remains FAITHFUL!

To do anything other than “HIS PURPOSE” is something that I want to avoid.   Living “the testimony” of just the medical MIRACLES that I have experienced is literally astounding, but KNOWING GOD has led me to draw GLORY to HIS NAME humbles this one unworthy vessel.  To understand that THE CREATOR uses me to draw GLORY to HIS NAME, and for “HIS PURPOSE”, is a blessing beyond my wildest imagination!!!

“HE CHOSE US!”

 Ephesians 1:3-10                        (ESV)

“[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. [7] In HIM we have redemption through HIS blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of HIS grace, [8] which HE lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight [9] making known to us the mystery of HIS will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in CHRIST [10] as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in HIM, things in heaven and things on earth.”

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”  John Adams, 1st Vice-President and 2nd President of the United States of America spoke these words in an address to the Militia of Massachusetts on October 11, 1798.  The second President of the United States of America stood for a number of rights and principles for a “free” people.  Those rights weren’t bestowed upon these “free” people by a government, rather by “their Creator”!  In the address to the Militia of Massachusetts mentioned above, John Adams made it clear that he thought the humility of the Believer was paramount in not only following CHRIST, but also following the Constitution of the United States.  

Another great President who shares the same exit date from “this world” (July 04, 1826) is Thomas Jefferson.  President Jefferson said “The GOD WHO gave us life, gave us liberty at the same time.”  These men were undoubtedly flawed, but they understood that ALMIGHTY GOD chose them for the season which they found themselves.  It’s not “coincidence” that they were born during the time they were, just as everyone else was born “for such a time as this”!  

The fact that GOD ALMIGHTY selects who HE does has been debated as long as time has existed.  GOD accepted he offering from Abel while HE rejected the offering of Cain.  “HE CHOSE US” doesn’t indicate that we are any better than those who aren’t chosen according to Deuteronomy 7:7-8.  We should be humble enough to accept that we are here for a PURPOSE and fulfilling that PURPOSE is the only way to have PEACE in “this world”!

Many people, including this servant, have plans that they attempt to complete.  Proverbs 19:21 reminds us that “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the PURPOSE of the LORD that will stand.”  “HE CHOSE US” to fulfill HIS PURPOSE on earth, so LORD fulfill YOUR PLAN with my every breath, like you did with our forefathers!!!

“IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER!”

 The Preeminence of CHRIST

Colossians 1:15-17                                   (ESV)

[15] HE (JESUS) is the image of the invisible GOD, the firstborn of ALL creation. [16] For by HIM ALL things were created, in HEAVEN and on EARTH, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—ALL things were created through HIM and for HIM. [17] And HE is before all things, and “IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER”.”

The story of LAMININ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laminin ) was first heard by this humble servant on a video by Louie Giglio.  He tells that when a Molecular Biologist from East Texas was explaining what LAMININ was and performed, this scientist was almost beside himself because his EYES were OPENED long ago and he saw the opportunity for others to SEE also!  “IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER” is as close to a perfect description of the invisible GOD that mortality can define! 

When my brain was hemorrhaging on July 09, 2007 (14 years ago this Friday!) my ability to explain, to the best of my ill-equipped ability, what was happening to me was TOTALLY removed from my mouth!  I tried everything in my knowledge to communicate, but it wasn’t happening.  It seemed like everything was out of “my control”.  But it wasn’t out of GOD’S CONTROL!  Of course, on August 29, 2007 I was released and walked out from the Rehab Hospital……52 days later!  

How did those who loved me get through this valley of the shadow of death?  “IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER”!!!  My wife was there everyday, and she was the one who told everyone that “he will be fine”!  No, she wasn’t in denial, but GOD gave her a PEACE that “IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER”!

Even what we humans see as the “bad things” in life display WHO is in control.  When Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers in Genesis 37 did he panic and give up on GOD?  When Job lost ALL he had did he give up and curse GOD?  When we are faced with desperate circumstances we need to remember that we have THE CREATOR of ALL THINGS living inside of us.  We too should be excited to let people know that “IN HIM ALL THINGS HOLD TOGETHER”!!!

“WHY DID SARAH LAUGH?”

 Genesis 18:10-15

“[10] The LORD said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him. [11] Now Abraham and Sarah were old, ADVANCED IN YEARS. The way of women had ceased to be with Sarah. [12] So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” [13] The LORD said to Abraham, “WHY DID SARAH LAUGH” and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ [14] Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I WILL return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” [15] But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. HE said, “No, but you did laugh.””

The account of Abraham and Sarah, formerly known as Abram and Sarai, has MANY lessons for us.  Just today My EYES have been OPENED to a TRUTH that I have never seen before.   In Romans 4:20, the Apostle Paul writes “No unbelief made him (Abraham) waver concerning the promise of GOD, but HE GREW STRONG IN HIS FAITH as he gave glory to GOD,”. If he was growing, that indicates to me that he hadn’t arrived yet in his spiritual maturity??  So I should be confident that GOD is ABLE to work in my weaknesses similar to working in the life of Abraham!

GOD changed the name of Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah in Genesis 17.  But in Genesis 16 Sarai convinced Abram to NOT WAIT ON THE LORD and have a child with Hagar, her handmaiden.  Abram was 86 years old when Hagar gave birth to Ishmael according to Genesis 16:16.  In the next verse of Scripture GOD speaks to Abram and makes HIS COVENANT with him, in spite of Sarai’s and Abram’s failure to TRUST GOD to fulfill HIS PROMISE! 

GOD’s PROMISES aren’t made because of our goodness or worthiness, they are simply because HIS NAME IS TO BE PRAISED and we are CALLED to recognize HIM as GOD ALMIGHTY!  HE is, even though “I am undone” (Isaiah 6:5 KJV) and tremendously weak!  Abram and Sarai were changed to be known as Abraham and Sarah AND THEN GOD blessed them with Isaac (son of Promise) 14 years later or so!  

GOD “chose” to work in the life of Abraham, not because Abraham was worthy, but because GOD LOVED (Deuteronomy 7:7-8) him!  Why did GOD “choose” me?  Not because I am worthy, but because HE LOVES me!  Forgive me for LAUGHING when I read “WHY DID SARAH LAUGH”.  Maybe she was growing and could not yet SEE that GOD SPECIALIZES IN THE IMPOSSIBLE!!!