“THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD!”

Ephesians 6:10-20                                   (ESV)

The Whole Armor of God

“[10] Finally, BE STRONG IN THE LORD and in the strength of HIS MIGHT. [11] Put on “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”, that you may be ABLE TO STAND against the schemes of the devil. [12] For WE DO NOT WRESTLE AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD, but against THE RULERS, against THE AUTHORITIES, against THE COSMIC POWERS OVER THIS PRESENT DARKNESS, against THE SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES. [13] Therefore take up “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. [14] Stand therefore, having fastened on THE BELT OF TRUTH, and having put on THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, [15] and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. [16] In all circumstances take up THE SHIELD OF FAITH, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; [17] and take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT, which is THE WORD OF GOD, [18] PRAYING AT ALL TIMES in THE SPIRIT, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, KEEP ALERT with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, [19] and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to PROCLAIM THE MYSTERY OF THE GOSPEL, [20] for which I am an ambassador in chains, THAT I MAY DECLARE IT BOLDLY, as I ought to speak.”

A few years ago I wrote about “identifying the enemy”, being able to recognize “the great deceiver” even when he camouflages himself as a beautiful creature, which he has ALWAYS been more craft, cunning and deceptive (Genesis 3:1) than ANY of GOD’S Creation.  We are instructed to put on “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”, that you may be ABLE TO STAND against the schemes of the devil”, for our enemy never relinquishes his onslaught!

Our struggles aren’t with a political party, a social class, nor any human, rather THE SCHEMES OF THE DEVIL are what we to be prepared for.  When we are bathed in “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” our protection is at its greatest.  But when I am consumed by the cares of “this world”, worrying about health, finances, and anything except the VICTORY we have in JESUS, I am allowing “the enemy” to have a stronghold in my life and he will use it to erode my FAITH that GOD IS IN CONTROL!

In my Spiritual immaturity, I am afraid that I have given TOO MUCH credit to “the enemy” at times in the past when GOD might have been using difficulties to increase my FAITH and DEPENDENCE on HIM?  Remember in Acts 9:15-16 when JESUS told Ananias “Go, for he (Saul) 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.”  We are left here on earth for THE SAKE OF MY NAME, not to grow a huge bank account and horde wealth that HE can remove completely in one fell swoop!

My prayer is that my goal will forever be to live inside of “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” and not be swayed by what is happening all around me.  It is hard to SEE everything from “the enemy” when I am clothed inside “THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD”!!!

“HE FREQUENTLY WITHDREW!”

 Luke 5: 12-16                 (Berean Study Bible)

The Leper’s Prayer

“12 While JESUS was in one of the towns, a man came along who was COVERED WITH LEPROSY. When he saw JESUS, he fell facedown and begged HIM, “LORD, if YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean.”

13 JESUS reached out HIS hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” HE said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him.

14 “Do not tell anyone,” JESUS instructed him. “But go, show yourself to the priest and present the offering Moses prescribed for your cleansing, AS. A TESTIMONY TO THEM.”

15 But the news about JESUS spread all the more, and great crowds came to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 

16 Yet “HE FREQUENTLY WITHDREW” to the wilderness TO PRAY.”

Having never been exposed to leprosy, all I can do is read about the hideous caused by this nearly extinct disease.  In Biblical times, lepers were made to announce themselves as “unclean” when their paths crossed with others as it was believed to be highly contagious.  JESUS had just healed a man with leprosy and instructed him “Do not tell anyone”, but he had just been cleansed of a severe impurity in his life and there is little doubt that keeping this miracle to himself wasn’t on his “to do” list??

JESUS says in John 10:30 “I and the FATHER are ONE.”  With that being the case, why did JESUS have to FREQUENTLY WITHDRAW to be able TO PRAY to HIS FATHER?  The Divinity of JESUS would mean that HE never sinned, therefore HE never needed to come to HIS FATHER requesting forgiveness?  Why, then, does Scripture state in Luke 5:16 “HE FREQUENTLY WITHDREW” to the wilderness TO PRAY?  

Philippians 2:8-9 says JESUS HUMBLED HIMSELF, JESUS willingly pour HIMSELF out for mankind for that IMPUTATION was the ONLY WAY for someone as vile and wicked as me to enter eternity with HIM!  While it is true that I once had SPIRITUAL LEPROSY, the righteousness and Holiness of JESUS is what GOD sees when HE looks at me!  The miracle of healing the leper was something that was never forgotten BY THE PERSON HEALED.  It might be that the reason “HE FREQUENTLY WITHDREW” was to make sure there was NO OTHER WAY to save a wretch like me???

“THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE!”

 John 8:31-38                                          (ESV)

The Truth Will Set You Free

“[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 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.”

Being able to identify THE TRUTH is something that a lot of people are unable to do.   THE JEWS in the Scripture above “had” believed JESUS, but their EYES were not opened to THE TRUTH of knowing WHO was speaking to them.  Knowing “THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE” is totally and completely different than knowing that JESUS was a real human being.  HE IS GOD, our CREATOR, WHO spoke these worlds into existence, yet WHO “humbled HIMSELF” (Philippians 2:7-8) to purchase salvation for mankind.  

Knowing about JESUS and ‘ABIDING IN MY WORD’ aren’t exactly the same thing.  Allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to continually TRANSFORM our lives into vessels that are used to Glorify HIM.  Since HE is our CREATOR, JESUS knows our hearts better than we know them ourselves.  We can fool ourselves, but convincing THE ONE WHO “chooses” us is beyond our capabilities.  Proof of “THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE” is evident by us ABIDING IN HIS WORD, and HIS WORD ABIDING in us!

Our physical bodies are built as temporary vessels.   Genesis 3:19 says in part “for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”  ABIDING IN HIS WORD and being used by HIM and for HIS GLORY brings PEACE!  We cannot WORK to attain our FREEDOM.  “THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE” is our only HOPE!!!

“IRON SHARPENS IRON!”

 Proverbs 27:17                                  (ESV)

“”IRON SHARPENS IRON”, and one man sharpens another.”

There are some people that “just rub me the wrong way”!  No matter how hard I try to acquiesce to their point of view, when “IRON SHARPENS IRON”, most of the time it causes sparks to fly, displaying BOTH points of view are being finding resistance, causing each to become sharper tools???

Being CHANGED, as “IRON SHARPENS IRON”, is commonly an uncomfortable experience.  When two pieces of metal are brought together and the jagged edges are sometimes forcibly removed, sparks and heat are commonly generated by the friction.  But that friction can also bring about a sharpening affect when the rough edges are made smooth.  

Some people are “blessed” with greater abilities to SHARPEN than others.  For most of my adult life I have been too rigid caused  in my strict view of “how things are” to BELIEVE that GOD might be WORKING HIS WILL in their lives, even if they were causing persecution with their actions.  The Apostle Paul comes to mind.  He held the coats of the people that stoned Stephen in Acts chapter seven, and then in Acts chapter nine Saul was TRANSFORMED by JESUS into a NEW MAN!  

The pain and discomfort caused by Saul (later known as Paul) towards Stephen was used to bring great distress and turmoil, but GOD was in CONTROL, even in Acts 7:54-60!  Stephen was martyred, Saul was converted, and ultimately as “IRON SHARPENS IRON” GOD used ALL THINGS to work for HIS GOOD!  What APPEARS to be “good” at times IN OUR VIEW might need to be placed into a different prism!!!

“NOR DO THEY UNDERSTAND!”

 Matthew 13:10-13                          (ESV)

The Purpose of the Parables

[10] Then the disciples came and said to HIM, “Why do YOU speak to them in parables?” [11] And HE answered them, “TO YOU it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but TO THEM it has not been given. [12] For to the one who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. [13] This is why I speak to them in parables, because SEEING they do not see, and HEARING they do not hear, “NOR DO THEY UNDERSTAND”.

Even the very disciples of JESUS could not SEE what was needed for everyone else’s needs to be met.  “Why do YOU speak to them in parables” was as good as them saying that they did not understand the methods used by JESUS to accomplish HIS PLAN with HIS CREATED.  It might have been that the disciples were so entrenched with what they were seeing was in their future that they could not SEE what ALMIGHTY GOD was unveiling right before their eyes?  

When TRUTH is revealed to we who “thought” we had a “preconceived” idea of what the will of GOD is for our lives, the resulting journey can be less than ideal.  The Children of Israel left Egypt headed for the Promised Land, a journey that should have taken a few days.   They wound up with a forty year excursion “through the wilderness” simply because they DID NOT exhibit the FAITH that GOD was WHO HE said HE was!  They couldn’t SEE nor HEAR how GOD was directing them, “NOR DO THEY UNDERSTAND” how HE was directing them FOR HIS GLORY!

SEEING and HEARING TRUTH is something that can be “hidden” (Matthew 11:25) by THE ALMIGHTY from those needing to see it most. Until we in a position of being used by HIM and for HIS GLORY, we will “wander in the wilderness” without a clear direction of where we are going.  UNLESS we have our EYES and EARS OPENED and we will be Spiritually blind and deaf, “NOR DO THEY UNDERSTAND” what GOD is planning for us???

“THE LORD GOD COMMANDED THE MAN!”

 Genesis 2:15-17                                   (ESV)

“[15] The LORD GOD took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. [16] And “THE LORD GOD COMMANDED THE MAN”, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, [17] but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.””

  

There can be many interpretations of what “THE LORD GOD COMMANDED THE MAN” to do or not to do, and whether the punishment lined up with the crime for simply partaking of what GOD said was “off limits” for mankind?  Contemplating how far we are allowed to venture into “selfish desires” can be a dangerous place to visit, especially when we begin trying to be more than we were CREATED to be?

The COMMAND OF GOD was “You may SURELY eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you SHALL NOT EAT, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die”!  When we are deceived into doing that which we ARE NOT CREATED, we are operating outside of HIS PLAN for our lives!  According to Genesis 3:1, “The enemy” is “more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD GOD had made”!  Lies and Deception have ALWAYS been his “modus operandi” (John 8:44) so he will do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING he can to discolor TRUTH!

Adam heard TRUTH from GOD in Genesis 2:16-17.  He allowed his wife to listen to propaganda (lies) originated by the enemy instead of encouraging her to listen only to TRUTH!  Listening to anything except TRUTH can be a dangerous experience to find ourselves in.  When “THE LORD GOD COMMANDED THE MAN” to do what only he was CREATED to do, it was for our good!  We must recognize and realize that our enemy is the GREAT DECEIVER and his lies are hard to distinguish from TRUTH!  It is always best for us to do what “THE LORD GOD COMMANDED THE MAN” and reject lies!

“WHERE WERE YOU?”

 Job 38:4-5;12-13

    “[4] “WHERE WERE YOU” when I laid the foundation of the earth?

        Tell me, if you have understanding. 

    [5] Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

        Or who stretched the line upon it?

    [12] “Have you commanded the morning since your days began,

        and caused the dawn to know its place, 

    [13] that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth,

        and the wicked be shaken out of it?”

When “we think” we deserve to have answers to a few questions about life and its surroundings, we need to STOP and reconsider just who we are, but more importantly, WHO HE IS???

“GOD SO LOVED!”

 John 3:16-21                            (ESV)

For “GOD SO LOVED”  the World

[16] “For “GOD SO LOVED” the world, that HE gave HIS ONLY SON, that whoever believes in HIM should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For GOD did not send HIS SON into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through HIM. [18] Whoever believes in HIM is not condemned, but whoever does NOT BELIEVE is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only SON of GOD. [19] And this is the judgment: THE LIGHT has come into the world, and PEOPLE LOVED THE DARKNESS RATHER THAN THE LIGHT because their works were evil. [20] For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. [21] But whoever does what is true comes to THE LIGHT, so that it may be clearly seen that HIS WORKS have been carried out in GOD.”

When we are in our teenage years it seems our default is to make everything about us and how much our lives are affected by something.  Of course when our children are born our perspective is changed.  And when our grandchildren come along, it is as if a new level of love exists in our lives and our EYES ARE OPENED to SEE things through a different prism.  Giving up what we consider as our rights is a lot easier to accept when our children or grandchildren are benefited.  

“GOD SO LOVED” a detestable, vile, self-centered reprobate such as I was to ON PURPOSE send HIS ONLY SON because JESUS was the ONLY HOPE for my lost ness, REDEMPTION was ONLY AVAILABLE through the PERFECT SACRIFICE!  The love that most of us have for humanity would not save anyone from anything, but JESUS came to earth for the explicit purpose of REDEEMING we who are CHOSEN!  HE knew how despicable I am, yet HE not only lived a perfect life, and died a horrendous death, but overcame death, hell and the grave all because “GOD SO LOVED”!!!

There is no “making sense” of it?  There is no way to understand the MERCY and GRACE required?  “GOD SO LOVED” is the ONLY WAY to describe the sacrifice made for me to be REDEEMED!  Philippians 2:9-11 plainly states “Therefore GOD has highly exalted HIM (JESUS) and bestowed on HIM the NAME that is above every NAME, so that at the NAME of JEAUS 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.”

“GOD SO LOVED” me that HE submitted JESUS to unimaginable persecution and rejection just so I could spend eternity with a HOLY GOD?!?  JESUS PAID IT ALL is not just the song name in a hymnal, it is the ONLY WAY that any of us even begins to experience GRACE and MERCY enough for redemption.   The ONLY WAY that we qualify for HIS GRACE is because “GOD SO LOVED” us that HIS PLAN included us, even before we we born!!!

“I SENT YOU INTO EXILE!”

 Jeremiah 29:10-14                                (ESV)

“[10] “For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. [11] For I know THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU, declares the LORD, plans for WELFARE and not for evil, to give you A FUTURE and A HOPE. [12] Then you will call upon ME and come and pray to ME, and I will hear you. [13] You will seek ME and find ME, when you seek ME with all your heart. [14] I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place FROM WHICH “I SENT YOU INTO EXILE”.”

It can be somewhat easy to “blame” others, even ourselves, for a predicament that we find ourselves in.  Experiencing difficulties in life causes me to imagine what it is that is bringing JUDGMENT into my life.  What could I have done differently to avoid whatever unpleasantries I am experiencing?  Or could it be that ALMIGHTY GOD is allowing me to go through a valley to grow me into a vessel for HIS GLORY?

My parents were divorced when I was barely four years old.  Being the only male amongst three females had its challenges.  Although GOD doesn’t need reasons FROM WHICH “I SENT YOU INTO EXILE”, I can NOW SEE how HE used going a wilderness to form my character, my inner self, into someone only HE can be GLORIFIED in?  

“I SENT YOU INTO EXILE” might appear to be a punishment for some, but GOD could be using the journey to mold our lives into something that HE is Glorified in the end?  Discerning what HE is up to is something that I “want to” be good at, but WALKING BY FAITH and accepting that HE IS IN CONTROL is what HE wants from me!  “I SENT YOU INTO EXILE” can be used for HIS GLORY!  TRUST HIM!!!

“MY PEACE!”

 John 14:25-31                                  (ESV)

“[25] “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. [26] But the HELPER, the HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM the FATHER will send in MY NAME, HE will teach you ALL THINGS and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. [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. [28] You heard ME say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved ME, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the FATHER, for the FATHER is greater than I. [29] And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe. [30] I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on ME, [31] but I do as the FATHER has commanded ME, so that the world may know that I love the FATHER. Rise, let us go from here.”

This morning I am watching molten lava pour over the Spanish Canary Islands, just off of the coast of Morocco.  As the volcano erupts, my mind immediately goes to the fear and doubt that must be consuming those who are in the midst of the carnage.  We humans tend to become so consumed with what we are able to amass during our time on earth, but our CREATOR is wanting to give us “MY PEACE”, especially when our hearts are troubled and afraid!  

Troubling times ARE coming, for some.  The uncertainty that “this world” has to offer can be trying, even overwhelming!  Remembering WHO IS IN CONTROL and that HE brings “MY PEACE” during times such aa a volcano eruption isn’t “natural”.  On the contrary, “MY PEACE” during a violent storm caused the disciples to fearfully wake JESUS to declare in Mark 4:40 “WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID? HAVE YOU STILL NO FAITH?”

When a storm makes its presence in our lives, we usually have the reaction that the disciples had when they were at sea.  Declaring that JESUS IS GOD is easier when the seas are smooth and no turmoil is threatening us.  However, when our smooth seas have a few waves and the waters are unpredictable, acknowledging that GOD IS IN CONTROL is typically the last thing that I want to proclaim.  

When we are able to SEE “MY PEACE”, even through the storms of life, we are only beginning to exhibit the Spiritual Maturity that Glorifies the FATHER.   Knowing that “perilous times” (2 Timothy 3:1 KJV) are still in HIS CONTROL and not losing FAITH is where I desire to be.  Whether it is a rough sea or an active volcano, “MY PEACE” is all we need to TRUST in!!!

“AS A GUARANTEE!”

 2 Corinthians 5:5-8                                   (ESV)

“[5] HE WHO has PREPARED US FOR THIS VERY THING is GOD, WHO has given us THE SPIRIT “AS A GUARANTEE”. [6] So we are ALWAYS OF GOOD COURAGE. We KNOW that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, [7] FOR WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT. [8] Yes, WE ARE OF GOOD COURAGE, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the LORD.”

Maybe in the last fourteen years my EYES are simply more open to TRUTH than previously, but there are days that it seems my brain is not as sharp as others days?  While reading this passage of Scripture recently, the words “AS A GUARANTEE” reminded me of having someone WHO IS ABLE TO PROMISE that a debt WILL be paid signs a bank document to SECURE a debt for someone who needs the help!  

“HE WHO has PREPARED US FOR THIS VERY THING is GOD” reminds me that THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES has A PLAN, and HE has given us THE SPIRIT “AS A GUARANTEE” that HIS PLAN WILL BE fulfilled!  HE WHO has a NAME above every other NAME (Philippians 2:9) wants us to be ALWAYS OF GOOD COURAGE as WE WALK BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT.  When we begin to “make sense” out of the path HE has us traveling, an excellent opportunity for FEAR and DOUBT is allowed to try and corrupt our mission.  

Colossians 3:2 was written to remind me to “Set your minds on things that ARE ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH.”  ALMIGHTY GOD has freely given me THE SPIRIT “AS A GUARANTEE” that HIS PLAN WILL BE FULFILLED!  It is NOT because I am worthy or deserving of HIS Grace, but HIS SPIRIT “AS A GUARANTEE” assures that my debt is paid and HIS PLAN WILL BE COMPLETED!!!

“DO NOT BE CONFORMED!”

 Romans 12:1-2                       (ESV)

A Living Sacrifice

“[1] I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of GOD, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to GOD, which is your spiritual worship. [2] “DO NOT BE CONFORMED” to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewal of your mind, THAT BY TESTING you may DISCERN what is the will of GOD, what is GOOD and ACCEPTABLE and PERFECT.”

According to the Merrimack-Webster dictionary the word CONFORMED means: to give the same shape, outline, or contour to : bring into harmony or accord.

It has been often said “they just go along to get along”!  Doing what “everyone else” thinks is best might earn you “brownie points” among friends, but is that what GOD’S WORD instructs us to do?  The COMMAND “DO NOT BE CONFORMED” to this world isn’t just a suggestion to live a better life.  No, it is instructing us live a life that SEPARATES us from the world around us, what everyone else is doing!

One way of SEEING that we are TRANSFORMED by the HOLY SPIRIT is when we are being proven by TESTING.  The enemy will never convict us that we aren’t living in accordance to GOD’S WILL, instead he will try to make our paths as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.  Remembering my school days, TESTING gave me a chance to PROVE how much knowledge had stuck with me.  In Genesis 22:12 Scripture records GOD telling Abraham “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear GOD, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from ME.”  GOD already knew the strength of Abraham’s FAITH, but now Abraham knew!

“DO NOT BE CONFORMED” isn’t something that we have to SEEK for HIS GLORY, it is something that we will HAVE to do in service to CHRIST.  Being “set apart” WILL cause pain, even despair!  But when we are CHOSEN by the CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSES to be tools for CHRIST, we have no other option than “DO NOT BE CONFORMED” to “this world”!!!

“THE LORD HAD GIVEN THE PEOPLE FAVOR!”

 Exodus 12:33-36                        (ESV)

The Exodus

“[33] The Egyptians were urgent with the people to send them out of the land in haste. For they said, “We shall all be dead.” [34] So the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading bowls being bound up in their cloaks on their shoulders. [35] The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver and gold jewelry and for clothing. [36] And “THE LORD HAD GIVEN THE PEOPLE FAVOR” in the sight of the Egyptians, SO THAT THEY LET THEM HAVE WHAT THEY ASKED. Thus THEY PLUNDERED THE EGYPTIANS.”

Briefly this morning, Hebrews 11:6 tells us “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.”  The Children of Israel were being “freed” from the captivity of the Egyptians, but they had to leave the security that they had in their captivity.  Sure, the Egyptians provided daily necessities, but FREEDOM to worship wasn’t on their menu.  

When “THE LORD HAD GIVEN THE PEOPLE FAVOR” over our enemies, we must leave our captivity and live freely, especially when FREEDOM costs us.  We can not continue to cling to the “old” things that have us entrapped!  “THE LORD HAD GIVEN THE PEOPLE FAVOR” needs to be exhibited in our lives and actions!!!

“HE SAW!”

 2 Kings 6:15-19                                        (ESV)

“[15] When the servant of the man of GOD rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! WHAT SHALL WE DO?” [16] He said, “DO NOT BE AFRAID, FOR THOSE WHO ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THOSE WHO ARE WITH THEM.” [17] Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, PLEASE OPEN HIS EYES that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and “HE SAW”, and behold, the mountain was FULL OF HORSES AND CHARIOTS OF FIRE all around Elisha. [18] And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. [19] And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria.

One of the most effective tools of “the enemy” is to clog our minds with so many lies and propaganda that we are seemingly inundated with “problems” with no solution, at least in OUR SIGHT.  Our VISION, what we SEE, is often challenged by FEAR, and Scripture is clear where FEAR originates from!!!

Probably one my most utilized verses of Scripture is Psalm 46:10 which states “BE STILL, and KNOW THAT I AM GOD.  I WILL BE be exalted among the nations, I WILL BE exalted in the earth!”.  When FEAR presents itself to me, my initial reaction might be to draw up into my cocoon and hide from my enemy.  But amidst all of the strife and turmoil instigated by our enemy, PEACE can be found if we understand WHO IS IN CONTROL!  

 

Elisha PRAYED to THE CREATOR and implored GOD saying “O LORD, PLEASE OPEN HIS EYES”!  When “HE SAW” the mountain was FULL OF HORSES AND CHARIOTS OF FIRE, I would imagine that his perspective was totally different?  When our EYES ARE OPENED to SEE the SPIRIT world around us, we too will have a differing opinion on our future.  

Unless we purposely and intentionally KEEP OUR EYES ON JESUS (Hebrews 12:2) our minds are susceptible to be infiltrated by the devil and that path is a dangerous place to be!  When we WALK BY FAITH, doing whatever HE leads us to do, we can experience PEACE because WE SEE like “HE SAW” in the Scripture above.

“YOU HAVE HIDDEN THESE THINGS!”

 Matthew 11:25-26.                      (ESV)

“[25] At that time JESUS declared, “I thank YOU, FATHER, LORD of heaven and earth, that “YOU HAVE HIDDEN THESE THINGS” from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; [26] yes, FATHER, for such was YOUR GRACIOUS WILL,”

Recently one of my eyes was in peril.  Either my eyelid was scratched, or I had something inside of the eyelid that saw VERY  uncomfortable.  It seemed the only way I could get relief was keeping my eye shut.  Have you ever noticed how much your eyes influence what your mind thinks?  What we permit to enter our eyesight greatly influences where our minds travel.  I have allowed TOO MUCH filth to enter my minds through carnal and selfish desires in my life, and I pray that I have learned that my eyes are only processing what is before them!

Colossians 3:2-3 says “SET YOUR MINDS on things that are above, NOT ON THINGS THAT ARE ON THE EARTH. For you have died, and YOUR LIFE IS HIDDEN with CHRIST in GOD.”  If I spent more time and effort on SEEING what GOD would have me SEE, maybe I would be better used by HIM, and for HIS GLORY?  HE is the ONE that causes “the blind” to SEE and can allow a “broken vessel” to GLORIFY HIS NAME!

Those of us who are merely human sometimes are badly mistaken about who we are, and mostly WHO made us!  We act as though our finite, corruptible minds are the equivalent to YOUR WISDOM, then YOUR WORD is used to humble me and show me just how much I DON’T KNOW.  I don’t have the intellect to “imagine” (1 Corinthians 2:9) what YOU are planning for me, so why don’t I just close my scratched eyes and enjoy the show?  

If “YOU HAVE HIDDEN THESE THINGS” from the “wise and understanding”, and YOU can use me to DRAW them to YOU, my prayer is that YOU will do that.  Cause me to, BY FAITH, close my EYES and be used of YOU, and for YOUR GRACIOUS WILL!!!

“ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR!”

 “We hold these truths to be SELF-EVIDENT, that ALL MEN are CREATED EQUAL, that THEY ARE “ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR” WITH CERTAIN UNALIENABLE RIGHTS, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”  

Far too many times I, and not me but ALL OF US, read or learn something that we don’t understand and don’t bother absorbing the true potency of the MESSAGE of the words. This morning I am inclined to “dig deeper” into these words from the Declaration of Independence of The United States of America and hopefully CHANGE my life for GOD’S GLORY!

According to the dictionary the words “SELF-EVIDENT” means “evident without proof or reasoning”, basically sounding like the definition of FAITH in Hebrews 11:1 “Now FAITH IS the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of THINGS NOT SEEN”.  We cannot SEE things clearly until we slow down and observe things at the pace our CREATOR intends us to be moving.  Moving UP THE LADDER of success might not be HIS PLAN for our lives, even though our worldly assets are compounding.  

ALL MEN might be misconstrued to make us believe that women aren’t equal with men.  Since we are ALL CREATED by the same CREATOR, HIS WORD would be the place to disprove that, which it does in NUMEROUS places.  Acknowledging that our CREATOR doesn’t make mistakes is a TRUTH that has not yet been revealed to ALL.  But ONE DAY everybody will SEE (2 Thessalonians 1-12)!

The UNALIENABLE RIGHTS rights are the rights that can never be forfeited.  IF ALMIGHTY GOD has ENDOWED (to provide with something freely or naturally) us with these rights, who has the authority to remove these rights from us?  Obviously it would be someone believing that they knew better for us than our CREATOR???

These “words” have caused me to SLOW my thinking and to acknowledge my CREATOR is the ONLY ONE WHO is in charge of everything.  HE can turn man’s greatest schemes into a Red Sea moment.  HE can use a 17-day coma to be used for HIS GLORY!  And HE can use the betrayal and crucifixion of HIS SON to redeem HIS CHOSEN!   GOD CAN DO ANYTHING, but according to Hebrews 11:6, “WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE HIM”!!!

“THE HELPER!”

 John 14:25-27                            (ESV)

“[25] “These things I have spoken to you while I am still with you. [26] But “THE HELPER”, the HOLY SPIRIT, WHOM the FATHER will send in MY name, HE will teach you all things and BRING TO YOUR REMEMBRANCE all that I have said to you. [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.”

FEAR!!!

It motivates some to perform works they did know they had within their abilities.  For some it causes them to withdraw AND NOT TRY things that would be within themselves.  The HOLY SPIRIT dwells within the “inner beings” (or hearts) of Believers in JESUS CHRIST.   HE is capable of delivering us through trials that we are even unaware of at times! 

In July 2007 my brain hemorrhaged and the drug Propofol was used to place me into a medically induced coma for 17 days.  Now I did not “go to Heaven” nor experience anything outside of the body to my knowledge.  However I did have some rather vivid dreams during the first few days of being brought out of the coma.  When asked about the coma, I tell people it was as if the lights were turned off for 17 days and when they were turned back on my brain was operating in molasses!  

Being “in control” was something that I took a lot of PRIDE in!  Probably the first thing I realized during my recovery was how much I WAS NOT “in control”!  Since the hemorrhage occurred in the word recall portion of the brain, I still have trouble verbalizing the words that are in my mind at times.  How GRATEFUL I am that HOLY SPIRIT was living inside of my being (and inside of my wife) and was testifying through us WHO HE is, especially during those 52 days!  During a check up this week, a doctor stated that he wasn’t sure that I was going to make it.  But your wife KNEW that you were going to be “just fine”!  

Now it might be tempting to claim that my wife and I were Spiritually Mature enough to get through the ordeal because of our strong faith.  Keep in mind, my lights were OUT and she tells me that there were a few nights driving home that she doesn’t remember parts of the road to our house as she was so distraught.  But HOLY SPIRIT was performing HIS WORK despite our weaknesses and drawing Honor and Glory to JESUS, WHO STILL HEALS TODAY!!!

“THE HELPER” does HIS best work when we allow HIM to get ALL of the Glory!  Had I been “awake”, I would have been telling the doctors what they “needed” to be doing!  My wife is more likely to “watch and learn” than I ever was.  “THE HELPER” didn’t need me, my wife, nor even the skilled care afforded me from the professionals to assist in HIS WORK!  HE did HIS WORK in HIS TIMING and HE gets ALL OF THE GLORY, for “THE HELPER” healed me!  I was just along for the ride!!!

“IN CHRIST JESUS!”

 Philippians 4:13-20                           (ESV)

“[13] I can do ALL THINGS through HIM WHO strengthens me.

[14] Yet it was kind of you to SHARE MY TROUBLE. [15] And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. [16] Even in Thessalonica YOU SENT ME HELP for my needs once and again. [17] Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. [18] I have received FULL PAYMENT, and more. I AM WELL SUPPLIED, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to GOD. [19] And my GOD WILL SUPPLY EVERY NEED OF YOURS according to HIS RICHES in glory “IN CHRIST JESUS”. [20] To our GOD and FATHER be GLORY forever and ever. Amen.”

One of the most difficult things I have learned (and still am learning!) is that I DON’T NEED “things” that will cause me to operate outside of being “IN CHRIST JESUS”!  Probably the most effective tool for the enemy is to dangle “things” of this world in front of me, which causes me to take me eyes of off the goal (Philippians 3:14) of what GOD has for me “IN CHRIST JESUS”!  

As I mature “IN CHRIST JESUS” I am finding that just because I am in an uncomfortable situation doesn’t mean that I am out of GOD’S PLAN for my life.  Psalm 23:4 says “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for YOU ARE WITH ME; YOUR rod and YOUR staff, they comfort me.”  It is noted that the Psalmist doesn’t write that ALMIGHTY GOD directed him away from the valley, but says YOU ARE WITH ME through the difficult times!  

Remind me, DEAR LORD, that there WILL BE valleys in my life when it seems that we are ALONE on this journey.  But keeping my EYES on YOU is the only option for living a victorious life.  YOUR riches are found “IN CHRIST JESUS”, not in ourselves.  Living in the OLD MAN’S WAYS can never bring the JOY that can ONLY be found “IN CHRIST JESUS”!!!

“HE WOULD WITHDRAW!”

 

Luke 5:12-16                                (ESV)

JESUS Cleanses a Leper

“[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”would withdraw to desolate places and pray.”

There are times when GOD is speaking to me regarding the same Scripture that HE has used in my life a few days prior.  Less than one week ago I wrote about Luke 5:16, and today I am here again!  

Feeling the NEED to be alone with THE CREATOR when “this world” is desperately trying to pull you into ANYTHING that will occupy your being is precisely what JESUS was speaking of in Matthew 6.  We can NOT serve two masters, either we serve YAHWEH, or we serve the god of this world.  The intensity of the “attacks” will be greater as we get closer to our reward, but GOD will win!

The Children of Israel had just been released from 430 years of captivity in Egypt.  ALMIGHTY GOD was leading them with a cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.  They didn’t begin to murmur and fret until they were WAITING at the Red Sea for the Pharaoh and the Egyptians to catch up to them.  We know that GOD used the “waiting process” for HIS GLORY as HE drowned the Egyptians at the bottom of the Sea. 

We need to understand that GOD doesn’t “need” us to do anything for HIM to get GLORY!  We certainly don’t need to allow ourselves to be so busy “serving” HIM that we ignore that HE is the ONE WHO is in control!  When JESUS WOULD WITHDRAW, the reason could have been that HE was trying to make sure that all GLORY was going to THE FATHER, if for no other reason, as an example to me?  Remember, JESUS humbled HIMSELF (Philippians 2:8) for the GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER and as an example of how we needed to live.

JESUS had just cleansed a leper in the Scripture above.  Yet rather than allowing HIMSELF to celebrate in the healing, “HE WOULD WITHDRAW” and humble HIMSELF.  HE lives in me (John 17:23), but do I desire to deflect all GLORY to HIM instead of receiving the praise and recognition of others?  There is a reason “HE WOULD WITHDRAW” and it takes me slowing down, like the Children of Israel at the Red Sea, to SEE the reasoning behind HIS actions.  “HE WOULD WITHDRAW” was an act of humility that I am continually being taught!!!

Ecclesiastes 7:14

 Ecclesiastes 7:14                         (ESV)

“In the day of PROSPERITY be joyful, and in the day of ADVERSITY consider: GOD has made the one as well as the other, so that man may NOT find out ANYTHING that will be after HIM.”

“WAIT FOR THE LORD!”

 Psalm 27:14                           (KJV)

“”WAIT ON THE LORD”: be of good courage, and HE shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

It has been difficult the past few evenings for me to get to sleep.  When I awoke this morning I noticed that I was attempting to “get back into the groove” that I operate in most of the time, but there was something that would NOT allow that.  It was as if ALMIGHTY GOD was trying to tell me to “WAIT ON THE LORD” and I was trying to rush back into “this world” and the cares of being apart of society.  

There are times I get so caught up with the “tunnel vision” of doing things in the same way that I have always done them that I don’t SEE that GOD might be wanting me to move in a different direction.  The mindset of “I have to ________(fill in the blank)” might not be WALKING BY FAITH, instead operating in my own wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:5).  The only thing that I HAVE TO DO is fellowship with my CREATOR, my ROCK and FORTRESS!

My mind quickly races back to the Brain Hemorrhage so many years ago.  My life was moving at a pace that is maybe too painful to admit.  It seemed that I thought GOD “needed me” to do everything for HIM, when in reality HE was trying just to spend time with me, AND ME WITH HIM!  

It might be best that I develop a “WAIT ON THE LORD” mentality rather than trying to DO something for HIM?  In Exodus 14:14 HE told the Children of Israel through Moses “The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”  GOD didn’t NEED HIS Children to help HIM part the Red Sea.  HE doesn’t NEED me to do ANYTHING for HIM!  I just need to learn to “WAIT ON THE LORD” and watch HIM destroy my enemies!!!

“GOD GAVE!”

 Romans 11:5-10                      (ESV)

“[5] So too at the present time there is a remnant, CHOSEN BY GRACE. [6] But if IT IS BY GRACE, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise GRACE would no longer be GRACE.

[7] What then? Israel failed to obtain what it was seeking. THE ELECT  obtained it, but THE REST WERE HARDENED, [8] as it is written, 

    “”GOD GAVE” them a SPIRIT OF STUPOR,

        EYES THAT WOULD NOT SEE

        and EARS THAT WOULD NOT HEAR,

    down to this very day.”

    [9] And David says, 

    “Let their table become a snare and a trap,

        a stumbling block and a retribution for them; 

    [10] let their eyes be darkened so that they cannot see,

        and bend their backs forever.””

Being CHOSEN by ALMIGHTY GOD to suffer for HIS SAKE (Acts 9:16) is a BLESSING beyond description, even though being SET APART can be confusing to some. How many people would think that they were CHOSEN BY GRACE when suffering is being dispensed upon them in great measure?  It could be that “GOD GAVE” the suffering for HIM to ultimately get Glory???

GOD has a perfect PLAN, a PLAN that we think we might make more pleasing when we “do good things” for HIM?  But is HIS PLAN for us to go to prison (like Joseph in Genesis 39), or to lose everything in our life (like Job), or maybe even give up our life for people who think we are a heretic (like JESUS)? 

Walking by FAITH that HE IS GOD, and we ARE NOT, is not for the weak!  Yes, we are HIS and we “should” acknowledge WE ARE NOT in charge of our lives.  Isaiah 42:5-9 tells us that GOD GIVES us even the breath we breathe and we have been CALLED in righteousness for HIS GLORY, which HE will NOT share with another!  “GOD GAVE” us the breath to bring honor and glory to HIS NAME, NOT to elevate ourselves!

GOD works in ways that most people cannot understand.  However 1 Corinthians 2:11-16 says that we are CHOSEN for HIS PLAN and “have the mind of CHRIST” to illuminate our paths. Don’t get frustrated that others can’t SEE what is obvious to your EYES.  Just as “GOD GAVE” you open EYES, others may not have been GIVEN the same thing…….YET!  “GOD GAVE” some “a SPIRIT OF STUPOR, EYES THAT WOULD NOT SEE and EARS THAT WOULD NOT HEAR”.  Pray that GOD will one day open their EYES to SEE TRUTH!!!